VIC Women in Leadership Summit 2024

Understanding conflict in the workplace

- Define and identify different types of conflicts

- Explore the root causes and common triggers of conflicts

Develop effectiveness when communicating with others

- Enhance non-verbal communication to convey confidence

- Practice assertive communication techniques to control conversations

Navigate and resolve conflict with proven strategies

- Learn collaborative problem-solving techniques

- Explore methods for de-escalating tense situations

Build confidence in your resolution and communication skills

- Identify personal communication strengths and areas for improvement

- Boost self-confidence in communication and conflict resolution scenarios

Join Liquid Learning for this kick-off session as we prepare for two days of incredible speakers, senior leaders, expert deep-dives and unmissable panel discussions!

A leader is only as strong as the team around them. Advocating for your team means tirelessly championing their strengths, fostering a culture of collaboration, and ensuring their voices are heard. It involves recognising individual contributions, promoting a sense of belonging, and navigating challenges together. A dedicated advocate empowers the team to thrive, fostering a collective success mindset.

In this session join Amanda Princi as she shares how she advocates for the people in her world and the benefit it brings to her work.

- Celebrate your teams successes and promote their ability to others

- Create an environment of collaboration and creativity

- Uplift performance through positive reinforcement

When first starting out in your career you dream of where you want to be and how it will make you feel. However, in the midst of the day to day, you can so easily forget to take a moment to appreciate and acknowledge how far you have come, the people you have met along the way, and the impact you have made. In this session, Cath Scarce reflects on the 10 things she wished she had known at the start of her leadership journey. From the highs and the lows, taking time to appreciate her successes and embracing the unexpected journey she has taken.

- An industry focused career reflection

- Be the one to set yourself up for success

- Understand the value in your unique journey

Mix and mingle with your fellow leaders over a cup of coffee and light refreshments.

Imagine a world in which we were always confident in what we were doing. Where we didn't second guess our abilities, question if it was the right career move or what someone else might think of us. As leaders we are looked up to by the people around us but sometimes we struggle to see the superhero that they see. Join Bron Williams in this session to take control of your destiny and drive your own achievements.

- Discover your superpowers and take control of your career

- Identify your motivations and drivers and embrace your strengths

- Develop the art of self-reflection with honesty and courage

Over the past decade we have seen a real shift in gender equity in the workplace, however there is still a long way to go. We dream of the day when we can look back on this topic as a win in the history books. But for now, we must support each other and pave the way for the next generation of female leaders to make sure they have it better than those before us. In this session Peggy Renders shares her passion for developing other leaders, particularly women in STEM.

- Be the change you want to see

- Identify ways to support other women in your vicinity

- Inspire the next generation of leaders in your world

Enjoy a midday lunch break. A time to refresh, refuel, and prepare for a full afternoon of immersive learning and inspiration.

When it comes to leadership, there's no ''one size fits all", different qualities appeal to different employees and each leader has their own unique strengths. But what are the key attributes to being a successful leader? In this interactive panel discussion, hear celebrated senior leaders discuss the skills and behaviours they have utilised as they overcome each hurdle leadership presents them with.

- Identify your key leadership strengths and how to accentuate them

- Discuss the future of leadership and the skills you'll need to succeed

- Explore the abilities of experienced leaders

As we progress throughout our career it can be tricky to know when to move roles, where to move to and whether the industry or specialism we are working in is where we want to stay. In this session Suzanne Harman reflects on her career journey and how she's successfully transitioned between roles and balanced personal and professional life throughout.

- Align your career journey with your values

- Explore possible options that excite and invigorate you

- Balance your priorities to get the most out of your work and home life

A quick break to refresh and continue building your network with fellow leaders. Enjoy a light refreshment before finishing day one.

The leadership landscape is continuously changing, so it is vital to seek ways to improve yourself. Learning, whether formalised or not, allows you to broaden your horizons, understand different perspectives and undertake new opportunities. At Penfolds, Kirsten Dale is committed to continuously bettering herself and in this session she shares the impact that has had on her career to date.

- Find out how to incorporate learning into your daily routine

- Explore different learning mediums and find what works best for you

- Activate your growth mindset and improve your skills, knowledge and behaviours

Join us for our end of day one networking. Enjoy canapés and drinks whilst getting to know your peers further, build ongoing relationships, and share your highlights of the day.

We're back! Another day and a whole lot more learning to come - time to check back in with your fellow leaders.

Tick off any goals you scored on Day One, develop an implementation plan for your new goals and set yourself up for another exciting day!

It's becoming increasingly important for businesses to prove to stakeholders and customers that they work ethically and responsibly. But most of all, it's important to do the right thing by your people. Sarah Jones is Rio Tinto's Chief Business Conduct Officer working to drive change in the way misconduct is dealt with and pushing for a more transparent workplace. In this session join Sarah as she shares how she focuses on people-centric and trauma-informed investigation processes to make her organisation a more ethical place to work.

- Identify an issue and stand up for change

- Focus on innovation and solutions

- Lead ethically and authentically

We are often faced with stressful situations at work, especially if our environment is one of high pressure and responsibility. Our brain naturally puts us into a flight, fight or freeze response when faced with stress but what happens if we are able to remain calm when in the face of adversity? In this session Susan Mckee shares why CALM is her 2024 word of the year and the impact this is having on her work.

- Embrace a calm mindset when faced with stressful situations in your world

- Refocus your energy to identify the root cause and solve problems

- Find clarity and connect with purpose

Mix and mingle with your fellow leaders over a cup of coffee and light refreshments.

In leadership, setting boundaries is like crafting a leadership playbook. It's about defining clear expectations and standards for yourself and your team. Just like a coach ensures players stay within the game plan, effective leaders establish limits that foster productivity, respect, and a healthy work environment.

- Learn to say no when you're at capacity

- Communicate clear boundaries with stakeholders for you and your team

- Prioritise your workload to avoid burnout

Just as the marketing department is vital to the success of a company, marketing yourself is vital to your success as a leader. Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos, defines personal brand as what other people say about you when you're not in the room. In this session, Melina talks to her views and experiences of building personal brand. Melina will talk to the paradox of “staying safe” versus actively marketing yourself through “brand you”. The true secret of leveraging your personal brand is to ensure it’s not just about you and your ambitions, but the value you can bring to the company.

- Define your own brand and identify what you want to be known for

- Explore your areas for growth and understand how others view you at work

- Utilise key brand strategies to market yourself successfully

Enjoy a midday lunch break. A time to refresh, refuel, and prepare for a full afternoon of immersive learning and inspiration.

Equality in the workplace is about giving everyone a fair shot, no matter who they are. When we all play on the same field, talents shine, ideas flow, and success becomes a team effort. Organisations are making huge shifts towards a more inclusive workplace but D&I doesn't need to be a big strategic conversation, there is plenty we can be doing at a local level to make people feel like they belong. In this panel discussion we talk all things equality, inclusion, and the difference we can make as leaders.

- Celebrate diverse perspectives to spark innovation

- Enhance your teams well-being by strengthening a feeling of belonging

- Recognise and leverage each individuals unique strengths

A quick break to refresh and continue building your network with fellow leaders.

Switching between different industries can be an exciting change for your career. It's not just about changing jobs; it's about diving into new worlds with fresh challenges. Each industry teaches you something unique, brings new relationships and gives you a broader skill set. Join Rennie Freer as she reflects on the lessons she's learnt throughout her career and the impact her varied experiences have had on her leadership style.

- Explore different career paths and work out what's best for you

- Highlight areas for development and identify different roles that will expose you to new skills

- Develop a deeper understanding of your capabilities

We wrap up our two days of insight and inspiration with this interactive roundtable session. This is your chance to table any topic or trend for a final group discussion. Network with your peers, reflect on your journey so far and create an action plan to carry you forward!

- Reflect on your key takeaways from the Summit

- Identify opportunities for career progression and growth

- Create an action plan for your leadership journey

Develop self-awareness and authenticity

- Values-based leadership: what it means to be an authentic leader

- Identify personal strengths and potential de-railers as a leader

- Determined the most effective way to utilise your optimal leadership style within the context of your organisation

High level communication, influence and negotiation skills

- Manage emotions for positive and assertive communication and relationships

- Develop effective techniques of persuasion, negotiation and influence using coaching skills and “conversational intelligence”

- Build confidence to prepare for and successfully navigate difficult conversations 

Develop self and others with “reflective leadership”

- Understand the benefits of reflective practice 

- Develop skills to engage in reflective practice

- Using reflective practice to improve organisational culture and relationships 

Strategic career progression

- Everyday career management practices and creating a personal leadership plan

- Maximise relationships and build new ones for professional opportunities

- Manage personal branding and visibility effectively

Transformational leadership strategies to accelerate team performance

- Leverage team dynamics to optimise performance

- Challenge, support and empower others to excel 

- Develop strategies to manage uncooperative team members

Drive change and innovation as a leader

- Recognise and overcome obstacles to change

- Learn to trust your intuition, take risks and step outside your comfort zone

- Create a culture of positive change 

Remain productive in a crisis

- Build resilience to thrive under pressure

- Support your team and engage others to deliver

- Debrief after crisis - Provide and accept feedback

Action planning for leadership

- Develop a personalised approach to development that spans short and long-term goals

- Identify and understand personal and organisational challenges 

- Share approaches to move your career forward