4th WOMEN IN STEM LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

In a technical industry, finding the transferable skills to become an effective leader can feel like you need to study another PhD. You'll need to develop new skills, including overseeing the management of teams, being held accountable for higher performance pressures, and a big-picture mindset.

This interactive workshop will give you a greater understanding of the essential skills and knowledge required for your new leadership position. You will learn to utilise your technical expertise to your advantage while gaining the tools to adapt your communication style and propel your leadership career. 

Understand and acknowledge the transition into leadership

- Key differences between a technical specialist and a strategic leader

- Assess the potential for transitioning into leadership roles

- Explore the principles of Strategic Leadership 

Prepare for your leadership role

- Utilise your technical knowledge to your advantage

- Understand the impact of your strengths and weaknesses

- Set career goals and an actionable plan to move your career in the right direction

Adapt your communication style

- Determine your natural communication style

- Communicate with impact on different audiences

- Manage conflict and execute difficult conversations with confidence 

Develop your skills to become an influential leader

- Learn how to set your team up for success

- Build on and gain your team's trust

- Cultivate empathy towards your team

As a leader in STEM today, the need to stay authentic is paramount, though sometimes challenging to maintain. How do you deal with vague opportunities and tough decisions without questioning yourself each time? Leanne Fry leads the innovation, technology and information security branch of AUSTRAC, and has learned that as a leader it means sticking to your values and learning to trust your call. Listen in as Leanne shares her wisdom as a leader to value your authentic self and make the call that counts.

- Understand that sacrifice doesn’t mean sacrificing your values

- Learn how to make the tough call

- Approach leadership with trust and resilience for the long term

Transitioning from a technical role into a senior leadership position can have twists, turns, bumps and redirections. Whatever your journey, the reminder is to not give up on your dreams, as even the smallest of opportunities may lead to unexpectedly great places. Jenny started her career as an Industrial Chemist and is now the Environment Director of Australia for WSP. She has learnt that, to navigate the road to success, you need to be open to new routes, be confident in your abilities, and find leaders who will guide you along the way.

- Seize opportunities in unlikely places.

- Embrace the mindset that you can learn along the way

- Cultivate personal relationships with those you admire

Fifty-four per cent of female leaders are more likely to leave STEM than males. Systemic and structural problems block the progression of females into senior positions, potentially leading to talented and innovative leaders changing industries entirely. So how can we protect the development and ambitions of female STEM leaders, especially those of diverse backgrounds?

- Address negative problems by re-thinking your organisation's culture

- Learn how you can contribute to a positive culture in any role

- Involve men and women in the gender equity conversation

Building rapport with diverse groups of stakeholders can be a challenge for any leader. However, when you have mastered the art of connecting, interpersonal communication becomes a breeze. Naomi is an expert in Conversational Intelligence®, which is the hardwired ability to connect and navigate with others. Engage with Naomi as she shares the art and science of conversations to help you take a strategic approach to confidently communicating with each stakeholder.

- Understand the neuroscience of trust and conversations

- Establish rapport, credibility, and influence

- Discern the optimal level of dialogue for each stakeholder group

Throughout your career, you will face situations where you need to collaborate with government, non-government, corporate and/or research sectors to support reform. Knowing how to navigate the relationships with and between stakeholders is vital to create sustainable action. Sharon represents the Murdoch Children's Research Institute on policy issues to the government, service and private sector. Hear from Sharon as she shares strategies to empower stakeholders to create meaningful change.

- Build a narrative that engages all stakeholders

- Understand many different perspectives with empathy and take time for relationships

- Leverage technical skills to your advantage

The strength of an organisation is based on the health and dynamism of its people. Leaders must learn how to create and nourish their teams. The success of Australia’s top protein production facility has been based on the innovative and resilient mindsets of its people, which Prof Linda Lua has developed. Linda will share her journey and strategies to sustain the momentum in challenging circumstances.

- Build unity, commitment and accountability

- Weave innovation into everyday team practices

- Create opportunities to stretch every individual

Your ability to foster strategic networks will enable you to broaden your sphere of influence. However, as you intentionally improve your networking skills and leverage relationships, you gain access to new possibilities. Karen will explore practical strategies that you can apply to your role, reaping the benefit of rapport and influence in your career.

- Build genuine relationships

- Embrace the importance of networking beyond the workplace

- Manage visibility and reap the rewards of influential networking

Mary-Ellen has held a dynamic career in leadership across the public and private sectors, championing female engagement for STEM. She has realised that taking advantage of all situations that come your way, even negative ones, can be an opportunity to advance your career and lift other female leaders. Learn from Mary-Ellen as she explains how dedication to learning and showing up on the hard days produces a lasting leadership legacy for future female leaders.

- Embrace the mindset of constant learning

- Cultivate a heart for servant leadership

- Understand the advantage of challenges and setbacks

Change never halts, so your ability to adapt sets an example of your leadership capacity to the broader organisation. Get ready to take notes as Deb leads an interactive session on developing an adaptable mindset, which will allow you to resiliently approach challenges and achieve the best results.

- Remain resilient through change

- Think positive, be positive

- Techniques to develop your desired mindset

Critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills come naturally to STEM leaders. However, with influences such as AI, changing societal values and regulations becoming more complex, are you ready to take on the future? Determine the right business skillset with key leaders from across the sector who are preparing their teams with the skills of tomorrow.

- Explore the importance of human engagement

- Identify new skills for personal and organisational success

- Future proof you and your team

The further you grow into leadership positions, your ability to be hands-on changes from test tubes and lab coats to people and boardrooms. Dr Shelley has held a long career in senior leadership positions within the United Kingdom and now the CEO of Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Listen in as she shares how to equip and support individuals to bring their best each day.

- Understand that you do not have to be the only hero

- Establish realistic optimism at all levels of the organisations

- Cultivate a culture of foresight

You want to succeed in your career without compromising life outside of work. We don't have a stock standard solution to work-life balance, so it's best to think of it as a lifelong experiment. Our panel of diverse leaders understand the significance of a healthy work-life balance and will share their unique and simple approaches for pursuing a career, without getting caught up in it.

- Pursue your ambitions without compromising on wellbeing

- Discover tips and tools for juggling demands at work

- Instil healthy policies and practices for women in STEM

Managing change in complex environments calls for sophisticated leadership skills. You need to be aware of the organisation's climate, understand how to communicate with influence to gain buy-in, and know how to keep passion and momentum throughout the change process. Helen reflects on a decade at the National Measurement Institute, sharing insights into best practice change management.

- Re-assess the climate of stakeholder engagement at all stages

- Develop effective communication strategies

- Control the change narrative from announcement to completion

Lisa will guide a collaborative roundtable reflecting on the takeaways from the summit. Together you will identify opportunities for progression and create an action plan for your future.

- Reflect on the key learnings from the past two days

- Discuss factors driving reform and change in STEM

- Create an action plan for the future

The capacity to be in control of one's emotions and demonstrate empathy is a skill that distinguishes leaders from followers. To

step-up in the STEM industry, the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders is invaluable and leaders who recognise

the value of communication can create a connected, successful workplace.

In this interactive workshop, you will discover how emotional intelligence can dramatically enhance your leadership capability

through greater awareness of yourself and your stakeholders, providing you with the skills to communicate and instil an emotionally healthy culture in your team and organisation.

The fundamentals of Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

- Understand EQ and its importance in life and the workplace

- Gain greater awareness of your strengths, development areas and emotional triggers

- Uncover insights into how to embrace your self-awareness, social awareness and empathy

Communicate with confidence and credibility

- How does EQ impact communication?

- Discover the power of mindful verbal and non-verbal communication

- Tailor communication for specific audiences by responding to their needs

The role of EQ in the workplace

- Discover the benefits of an emotionally intelligent workforce

- Encourage honesty, transparency, and collaboration in your teams and organisation

- Develop strategies to lead, motivate, and influence others to create high performing teams

Effective engagement with external stakeholders

- Lead and manage stakeholder relationships by building strong connections

- Cultivate courageous conversations

- Sharpen communication skills for positive stakeholder outcomes