Conversations with Thought Leaders

CONVERSATIONS WITH THOUGHT LEADERS KEYNOTE EVENT: Turning Strategy into Reality DATE: Wednesday 18 October 2023 HOSTS: David Webley - Founder & Managing Director, Granite Consulting KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Rob Loader – Strategy & Transformation Executive Roberto Calati – Co-Founder & CEO Granite Data Guy Brunsdon – Product & Technology Executive In this keynote event, Roberto Calati, Rob Loader and Guy Brunsdon covered current trends in transformation, workforce insights, a Silicon Valley perspective, and a practical discussion on how to bridge the expensive gap between strategy and execution.

CHAPTERS 00:00 Ch.01 Event Welcome and Introductions 07:21 Ch.02 Brian's Dyslexia Journey 11:25 Ch.03 What is Dyslexia? 13:26 Ch.04 Not Tied to Low IQ 14:25 Ch.05 Spikes in the Profile 15:09 Ch.06 Dyslexia in the Workplace 19:11 Ch.07 Fourth Industrial Revolution 19:55 Ch.08 Skills Forecast 20:50 Ch.09 The Value of Dyslexia 29:22 Ch.10 Attracting and Retaining Dyslexic Workers 35:06 Ch.11 Thanks and Close CONVERSATIONS WITH THOUGHT LEADERS KEYNOTE EVENT: Building Competitive Advantage Through Neurodiversity DATE: Wednesday 16 August 2023 HOSTS: David Webley - Founder & Managing Director, Granite Consulting KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Brian Heatherich – Technology Leader & Advocate for Neurodiversity In this event, Brian talked about what dyslexia is and what it isn’t, what are the “superpowers” of a person with dyslexia that organisations should tap into, the current representation of people with dyslexia within in the corporate environment, the power of tapping into neurodiversity for organisations of the future and recommendations on how to commence or continue your corporate neurodiversity journey.

CONVERSATIONS WITH THOUGHT LEADERS

KEYNOTE EVENT: How to Unleash a World Class BA Practice

DATE: Wednesday 14 June 2023

HOSTS: David Webley - Founder & Managing Director, Granite Consulting

Mark Carter - Director Granite Consulting

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

Maria Montgomery – Leader, Author, Trainer, and Speaker

In this session Maria Montgomery shares insights from her recently released book ‘A Guide to Getting Business Analysis Done the Right Way’. Maria talks about why getting business analysis right is crucial for organisational success, where to focus your efforts to build Business Analyst capabilities and establish a 'Centre of Excellence'.

CHAPTERS 00:00 Ch.01 Event Welcome and Introductions

05:44 Ch.02 Evolution of Business Analysis

09:49 Ch.03 Current Challenges and Problems

15:39 Ch.04 Impacts of Poor Business Analysis

17:03 Ch.05 The Model for Getting Business Analysis Right

18:17 Ch.06 So What Does it Take to Do Well

20:05 Ch.07 Best Practice

22:39 Ch.08 The Business Analysis Checklist

23:08 Ch.09 Thanks and Close

DATE: Wednesday 24th May 2023

HOSTS:

David Webley - Founder & Managing Director, Granite Consulting

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

Gemma Suanders – Chief Workplace Editor and Proud Queer Executive

Alana Bennett – Human Experience Fanatic and Coach

In this edition of Conversations with Thought Leaders we talk to two exciting guests, Alana Bennett – Human Experience Fanatic & Coach and Gemma Saunders 🌈 GAICD – Founder & Lead Consultant, Workplace Edit. With our very own David Webley - Managing Director & Co-Founder hosting, Alana and Gemma talk about what is driving and derailing connection within an organisation and why connection matters.

CONVERSATIONS WITH THOUGHT LEADERS KEYNOTE EVENT: Winning With Data DATE: Wednesday 22nd March 2023 HOSTS: David Webley - Founder & Managing Director, Granite Consulting Roberta Calati - General Manager, Granite Data Solutions KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Bharath Venkataraman - Senior Data Leader ABOUT ROBERTO: Roberto is an accomplished technology leader with nearly 20 years of experience driving digital and technology transformation in multiple industries and has held executive technology roles at Myer, Toll Group and Tabcorp. Throughout his career, Roberto has had a passion for data from the very beginning, where he worked in research labs collecting and transforming data, right up to leading BI and data teams as a divisional CIO. Under Roberto's leadership, his teams have delivered numerous successful data-driven initiatives that have had a significant impact on the businesses they support. This has included millions of dollars of cost out through BI initiatives and developing cross-functional insights that led to the creation of new product categories. Seeing the massive, sustained increase in the demand for data platforms, people and capability drove Roberto to co-found a data company and help businesses build world-class data capabilities. ABOUT BHARATH Bharath Venkataraman is a senior Data leader with extensive experience in creating and delivering organisation wide BI and Analytics vision and strategy, across various domains such as FMCG, Telecommunications, Supply Chain, Logistics and Retail to support strategic business goals and enable best-in class information delivery. Bharath has over 15 years’ experience in recruiting, developing, and managing high performing teams to deliver complex Analytics solutions and well considered, multi-level insights to a variety of stakeholders to enable customer teams to make better, more informed strategic decisions.

CONVERSATIONS WITH THOUGHT LEADERS

KEYNOTE EVENT: What's the Fuss About Flutter?

DATE: Wednesday 22nd February 2023

HOSTS:

David Webley - Founder & Managing Director, Granite Consulting

Sam Jenkins - Lead Consultant Software Development, Granite Consulting

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

Christian Findlay - Independent Flutter Developer

ABOUT CHRISTIAN:

Christian is a highly experienced and respected Technology leader with over 20 years of experience in the IT industry. Christian has partnered with large organisations such as MYOB, Toll Group, Loan Market Group and Telstra Health.

Christian has been running his own business, christianfindlay.com, for just over 3 years where he has specialised in content creation and development with Flutter. Having previously worked with Xamarin, Christian strongly believes that Flutter is the future for cross platform application development, not just from the point of view from the Developer, but due to the hugely reduced costs and times for companies. Christian has a history of releasing apps on the Google Play, Microsoft and Apple stores. He currently has Flutter apps in the two stores and is overhauling two existing apps for release soon.

HOW TO GROW BEYOND DIVERSITY

DATE: 1 June 2022

HOST: David Webley, Founder & MD of Granite Consulting

GUEST: Gemma Saunders – Founder and Lead Consultant, Workplace Edit

This episode explores diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace, and the ways that organisations are best able to not only nurture a diverse workforce but leverage it for strategic advantage. Although many organisations pay it lip service, those that truly embrace diversity are emerging as employers of choice, growing their talent pool, and yielding the benefits that this stands to offer. With Gemma’s first-hand experience working with numerous companies in this space, the webinar is sure to provide many insights and tips that attendees are able to apply in their own teams and organisations.

ABOUT GEMMA
Gemma is the founder of ‘Workplace Edit’, a consultancy that partners with organisations to adapt and leverage the huge amount of value of having a diverse workforce. Gemma is a proud queer woman and parent of two. She has many accolades including being a finalist at the Australian LGBTI Awards (alongside the cast of Netflix show ‘Orange is the New Black’) and has been on the board of ‘Wear It Purple’ and ‘Minus18’ (organisations that do pivotal work in LGBTIQ+ inclusion). Gemma was a senior executive at Medibank until 2020 where she helped build a diverse and inclusive workplace and has since worked for Afterpay, Linktree, Koala, Sportsbet and approximately 30 other global & local brands over the past two years.

FIVE CONVERSATIONS TO BUILD YOUR CULTURE

DATE: 27 April 2022

HOST: David Webley, Founder & MD of Granite Consulting

GUEST: Shane Hatton – Leadership Author, Trainer, Coach & Speaker, Author of 'Let's Talk Culture'

ABOUT:

Shane is an author and speaker on culture, coaching, leadership and communication.

Whether you want to rebuild your culture in this new post-COVID world or improve your ability to inspire your team towards success, this podcast will dare you to walk new paths as a leader and unlock what seems impossible.

What is covered in this podcast:

- What do we mean when we talk about ‘culture’?
- Can culture be influenced, or does it just happen?
- How do you create a world-class team culture by design?

LEADERSHIP AS A LIFESTYLE  

DATE: 8 September 2021  

HOST: David Webley, Founder & MD of Granite Consulting  

GUEST: Colleen Callander – Keynote Speaker, Director, Author of 'Leader By Design'

In this episode David speak to Colleen Callander (former Sportsgirl CEO, Founder of Mentor Me Women and Author of ‘Leader By Design’) and covers topics such as the foundations of leadership, how kindness can be used by leaders, how to recognise and avoid burnout, and building the confidence to be a better leader.

INSIGHT 1 Confidence is a skill and not a trait.  It's therefore something that can grow and be nurtured and developed.  

INSIGHT 2 A degree of chaos and disruption is healthy and helps to lift resilience and innovation.  However there is a significant difference between disruptive and destructive leadership and an organisation will only grow from the former and not the latter.  

INSIGHT 3 Although kindness is often perceived as weakness, the opposite is true.  It requires courage to make strong and tough decisions with kindness.

RESILIENCE MATTERS, MORE THAN EVER

DATE: 18 August 2021

HOST: David Webley, Founder & MD of Granite Consulting

GUEST: Maggie Roberts – CEO Creative Factory, Director Diving Australia, GAICD

This conversation explores resilience and how it has featured in Maggie's journey from elite athlete to corporate executive. It provides listeners with a range of concepts and techniques to develop and nurture resilience, which during these unprecedented times is more important than ever.  

INSIGHT 1

Visualisation is a powerful tool that can be used in all walks of life.  Deep visualisation will help you believe it is possible.  What you believe, you can achieve.

INSIGHT 2

Values are fundamental to resilience and what bring it to life.  Living by values such as courage, strength, excellence, perseverance, and belief, will help you grow from setbacks and be more resilient.

INSIGHT 3

Reflect, not regret is a mindset that reframes setbacks as opportunities to learn.  This not only provides a genesis for growth, but is key to maintaining a positive outlook and improved mental wellbeing.

DATE: 14 July 2021

HOST: David Webley, Founder & MD of Granite Consulting

GUEST: Dr. Kay Bretz – Author, Facilitator, Executive Coach, Keynote

Speaker, and Elite Athlete

This conversation explores the mental preparation of competing in ultra marathons and how these techniques can be applied to everyone's work and life challenges.

INSIGHT 1  To achieve step level gain, rather than just marginal gains, a fundamental shift in mindset is required. Although doing bits and pieces may enable the one percenters, it’s necessary to deliberately diverge from your default, to turn right instead of left, to attain your 22% step level improvement.

INSIGHT 2  We all have our limiting beliefs that are self-fulfilling and provide a safety net in work and life. It’s not until we honestly confront and dispel these limiting beliefs, which takes courage and vulnerability, that our true potential can be realised.

INSIGHT 3  When we accept that pain and discomfort is an essential part of the journey, and from which we learn the most, we can embrace it and use it as fuel for growth. Resisting pain can cause more suffering than the pain itself, and by accepting it, will often allow the discomfort to dissipate.

DATE: 9 June 2021

HOST: David Webley, Founder & MD of Granite Consulting

GUEST: Bill Davoren – High Performance Coach Development Manager, Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)

This conversation explores what high performance development looks like at an elite athlete level, and whether any parallels can be drawn to manage the performance of individuals and teams in the business world.

INSIGHT 1 When individual team members are prepared to make personal sacrifice to put team ahead of self, team performance is raised to a new level. This is where a team of champions can become a champion team, and the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

INSIGHT 2 There’s no point striving for the final percent of marginal gain until the ninety nine percent has first been attained. For teams and individuals at this level, the focus is then often more about maintaining, rather than attaining, their leadership position.

INSIGHT 3 As teams and individuals ascend to higher levels of performance, mental strength and resilience is of growing focus. At the elite level, it is usually mental strength, rather than physical talent, that is the differentiator.

DATE: 14 April 2021

HOST:

David Webley, Founder & MD of Granite Consulting

GUEST:

Geoff Purcell - Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Melbourne Water

This conversation explores the growth of Digital in organisations and across the community, how it has been expedited by COVID and social distancing, and the human impacts that leaders need to recognise and accommodate.

INSIGHT 1 As Digital becomes more pervasive, the boundaries between IT and the business are fading.  IT is being driven from the back to the front office, and technologists are becoming a more critical contributor to the broader business discussion.

INSIGHT 2 For technologists to truly add value, they not only need to understand the business, but also to nurture and strengthen their relationships with their colleagues within it.

INSIGHT 3 Managing the impact that the rise of Digital has on culture, one size does not fit all.  Apart from a principle of ensuring no one feels isolated, each team should have the autonomy of putting in place what works best for them.

DATE: 10 March 2021

HOST:

David Webley, Founder & MD of Granite Consulting

GUEST:

Professor Ken Sloan - Dep. Vice Chancellor, Monash University

This conversation explores the evolving corporate landscape and challenges leaders now face on a day to day basis.  It includes the importance of nurturing the right mindset that enables a leader to leverage the opportunities that adversity can present.

INSIGHT 1 2016 was a pivotal year.  As much as 2020 has transformed the world, 2016 was when there were a number of unexpected changes (such as BREXIT and the US election result) that marked a turn in the pendulum and started presenting substantial new challenges and adversity for leaders to navigate.

INSIGHT 2 The challenges of new ways of working are equal to the benefits. Leaders need to nurture a balanced and optimistic mindset that is both empathetic to how different people may be impacted, as well as proactive to leverage the opportunities it presents.

INSIGHT 3 Leaders need to move beyond response mode.  The leader's 'to do' list should not only include tactical items that are reactive by nature, but should also include proactive items that are 'operational' and 'strategic'.

TOPICS:

1. Professional Journey
2. Leadership Styles
3. Reverse Mentoring
4. New Ways of Working
5. 2016, A Pivotal Year
6. Role of Higher Education
7. Growth Culture
8. Working Remotely
9. Mental Wellness
10. Examples of Leadership
11. Beyond Response Mode
12. A Leader's 'To Do' List
    

DATE: 24 February 2021

HOST:

David Webley, Founder & MD of Granite Consulting

GUESTS:

Renata Sguario - Founder & CEO Maxme

This conversation explores Human Skills. Their importance, not only in the workplace, but also in life in general. The growing gap in Human Skills that new virtual ways of working has highlighted and expedited, and how individuals and organisations can go about bridging that gap.

INSIGHT 1 In the new world of remote working, human skills are becoming more important and the gap far more evident.

INSIGHT 2 Uplifting human skills is more than just getting ahead.  Uplifting human skills will improve your sense of wellbeing and make you feel better about your life in general.

INSIGHT 3 Listening is a fundamental human skill and is the difference between listening to understand rather than just listening to respond.

TOPICS COVERED:

• Renata's Backstory
  
• Motivations for founding Maxme
  
• Human Skills in the Virtual World
  
• Building Trust Virtually
  
• About Maxme
  
• About Hodie and Special Offer to CWTL Community
  
• Listening to Understand vs Listening to Respond
  
• The Importance of Reflection
  
• Diagnosing a Human Skills Gap
  
• How to Listen to Understand
  

GETTING SH*T DONE IN UNCERTAINTY  

DATE: 25 November 2020 

HOST: David Webley, Founder & MD of Granite Consulting 

GUESTS: Julia Steel, Speaker, Author, Facilitator, & Coach  

This episode of CWTLeaders explores the obstacles and constraints during times of uncertainty, and provides insights to developing a mindset to overcome them.   

KEY INSIGHTS  

1. In time we will see the positive impact on culture that 2020 challenges has had. 

2. This year has provided great opportunity to pause, reflect, and adjust. 

3. Recognising what's important, rather than what's urgent, will enable what matters. 

4. It's the situation that's uncertain, not ourselves, and we have control of how we respond. 

5. Uncertainty doesn't diminish our enduring capabilities to overcome challenges and thrive..   

TABLE OF CONTENTS (PODCAST @ Spotify)  

05m30   Julia's Journey   & Backstory   

09m00   Impacts of 2020 on   Productivity   

12m30   Employee Expectations   

15m00   Building Virtual   Teams   

17m00   Impacts of 2020 on   Culture   

24m30   Removing the   Obstacles   

26m30   Mindset Reset During   Uncertainty   

27m30   Developing New Habits   

42m00   Building   Relationships Virtually   

44m45   Focus on What Matters   

50m15   2021 Cause for   Optimism

This conversation was part of an online forum that took place on Wednesday 25 November 2020, with attendees joining and posing questions from all around the world.

THE ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET - HOW ANYONE CAN BECOME FEARLESS AND GROW

DATE: 11 November 2020 

HOST: David Webley, Founder & MD of Granite Consulting 

GUESTS: Jo Burston, Founder & CEO Inspiring Rare Birds  

This episode of CWTLeaders explores entrepreneurship, how people can turn their passions into their livelihood, and the difference between a growth and fixed mindset.   

KEY INSIGHTS  

1. A passion for the cause and backing yourself are essential to entrepreneurial success. 

2. Failures are inevitable when pushing boundaries and should be leveraged to learn and grow.  

3. Adversity provides the impetus for innovation to occur. 

4. Your people must be exceptionally change ready to seize emerging business opportunities. 

5. Diversity nurtures different ways of thinking, yielding greater ideation and problem solving. 

6. A growth mindset helps to leverage failures, build resilience, learn and grow.  

TABLE OF CONTENTS (PODCAST @ Spotify)  

# The Catalyst for Change 

# By Accident or Design 

# Importance of Passion 

# Innovation from Adversity 

# Hiring for Human Skills 

# Fixed v Growth Mindset  

This conversation was part of an online forum that took place on Wednesday 11 November 2020, with attendees joining and posing questions from all around the world.

LEADING THE LEADERS  

DATE: 28 October 2020 

HOST:

David Webley, Founder & MD of Granite Consulting 

GUESTS: 

Tim Way, Managing Director & Career Coach, The Career Conversation 

Alana Bennett, Human Experience Fanatic & Coach, Connected Experience  

This episode of CWTLeaders explores the latest views and insights on leadership, with a particular focus on leaders who have leaders within their team, and how they should approach their role differently.   

KEY INSIGHTS  

1. Leadership is about shedding ego and enabling others to shine. 

2. Don't under-estimate the significance of the human element. 

3. Focusing on impact, rather than deliverables, will nurture trust and grow engagement. 

4. The right language will help people get to know each other and work together better. 

5. Leadership isn't easy, and it's important to make time for self care, to do it well. 

6. Personal branding looks different in a remote working world, and shouldn't be forgotten. 

7. Unlike the traditional 'ladder', a 'lattice' is a different way of thinking of leadership and type of contribution to be made.   

TABLE OF CONTENTS (PODCAST @ Spotify)

# Leadership is Enabling Others 

# Shifting Emphasis of Leadership 

# Impact and Contribution Over Deliverables 

# Leading in a Virtual World 

# Ladder and Lattice Leadership, Different Ways to Contribute 

# Leadership in Self Managed Teams  

This conversation was part of an online forum that took place on Wednesday 28th October 2020, with attendees joining and posing questions from all around the world.

CULTURE FUELLED GROWTH

DATE: 14 October 2020

HOST: David Webley, Founder & MD of Granite Consulting

GUESTS:

Con Mouzouris, CEO, Mantel Group

Caroline Henshaw, Head of Culture and People, Mantel Group

This conversation shares the journey and insights of the Mantel Group, and its use of a Principle based culture to drive substantial growth (0 to 300 team members in just three years), as well as be awarded one of Australia’s Top 10 Places to Work.

INSIGHT 1

People are more engaged in small organisations. This type of engagement is able to be maintained in a growing organisation by limiting the size of each division to an optimum scale of ~150 people (as per Dunbar theory), a level up to which people are able to have meaningful relationships with each other.

INSIGHT 2

One advantage of remote working has been to create a level playing field between team members. Prior to COVID, people working in remote locations were alone when dialling into meetings where the rest of the team were co-located. Under COVID and the remote working practices it has introduced for most people, everyone is now dialling in and no-one feels on the outer.

INSIGHT 3

An uncompromising culture provides not only a sense of identity internally, but is also outward facing and something customers are able to recognise as an organisation they wish to do business with. A strong culture that is defined by Principles also means there is less need for internal rules and policies as the Principles themselves are able to guide the right behaviour.

TABLE OF CONTENTS (PODCAST @ Spotify)

09m45 Nurturing Culture

11m45 Uplifting Trust

13m30 Mantel Group Principles

17m45 Top 10 Places to Work

21m00 House of Brands

36m00 Mental Health

39m15 Customer Relationship

46m15 Future Plans

48m15 Difficult Stakeholders

49m15 Talent Acquisition

51m30 Resilience to Growth

This conversation was part of an online forum that took place on Wednesday 14thOctober 2020, with attendees joining and posing questions from all around the world.

CUSTOMER FOCUSED AGILE TRANSFORMATION

DATE: 30 September 2020

HOST: David Webley, Founder & MD of Granite Consulting

GUESTS: Mark Bain, GM Technology Fred IT Group

This conversation explores transformation journey by Fred IT Group to a Customer Centric SAFe delivery model.

INSIGHT 1

A fundamental part of transformation is first asking the hard questions, and being prepared to answer them honestly. Until you truly face into the underlying problems, you are not able to solve them.

INSIGHT 2

Putting the customer at the centre of every conversation has enabled Fred IT to solidify its purpose and objectives. Even executives who had been in the business for several decades admitted to discovering new things about the customer. Clarification of purpose and objectives through a customer lens has made work much more meaningful for staff and resulted in an uplift in productivity and morale.

INSIGHT 3

Although KPIs continue to be used in certain areas, a greater emphasis on OKRs (objectives and key results) has helped to define a customer centric approach.

TABLE OF CONTENTS (PODCAST @ Spotify)

00m15s  Welcome and Introductions

07m15s An overview of Fred IT, Customers and Products

11m30s The Imperative to Change

12m15s  High Level Approach and Selection of SAFe

21m45s What Worked Well

24m00s Improvement Opportunities

29m30s Could the Transformation have Occurred During COVID

31m15s  Onboarding New Team Members Virtually

32m45s A Customer Centric Approach

36m15s Purpose to Drive Engagement and Better Outcomes

39m00s Key Challenges Faced

40m15s Level of Visibility for Business Prioritisation

41m30s KPIs versus OKRs

46m00s Getting People Onboard

50m00s Advice for Tackling Change Resistance

This conversation was part of an online forum that took place on Wednesday 30th September 2020, with attendees joining and posing questions from all around the world.

MASTERING COMMS FOR YOUR PEOPLE TO RESTART, RECOVER, & REVIVE  

DATE: 9 September 2020 

HOST: David Webley, Founder & MD of Granite Consulting 

GUESTS: 

Rebecca Murch - Head of Internal Comms & Engagement NHS Bristol 

Advita Patel - Founder & Director Comms Rebel   

This conversation explores the Comms strategies required to support your people through the post isolation period.  

INSIGHT 1 The pandemic is causing heightened levels of uncertainty and anxiety, which equally heightens the importance of comms to help people through their journey.  

INSIGHT 2 The days of annual staff survey are past, and regular pulse checks are now critical as a barometer of morale and to craft and nuance comms accordingly.   

INSIGHT 3 Understanding the psychological stages of change and stress and awareness of where your people are on it will help identify the support needed.   

TABLE OF CONTENTS (PODCAST @ Spotify)  

04m20s   Guest Background 

08m00s   Impact of Pandemic on Morale and Ways of Working 

11m30s   The Three Pillars of Post Isolation Communication 

26m50s   The Kubler Roth Change Curve 

33m50s   Elements of Success at the NHS 

39m10s   Measuring Success 

41m10s   The Growing Significance of Video in Comms 

47m50s   Should Feedback be Anonymous? 

49m30s   How To Conduct Pulse Checks   

This conversation was part of an online forum that took place on Wednesday 9th September 2020, with attendees joining and posing questions from all around the world.

CRAFTING YOUR PATH THROUGH UNCERTAINTY

HOST: David Webley, Founder & MD of Granite Consulting

GUEST: David Benger, Advisor, Author, Speaker and Adjunct Professor

DATE: 19 August 2020

This conversation explores David’s international career journey and the lessons it provides to others in these uncertain times.

INSIGHT 1

Mentor relationships can be mutually beneficial, where each person is able to learn and grow from the other's experiences, perspective and insights. This is particularly the case where these relationships have been formed and nurtured organically, rather than being sought out.

INSIGHT 2

Your skills and experience should speak for themselves through a clear view of the value you offer, and how this can be brought to bear to solve the problems of your colleagues, clients, and customers.

INSIGHT 3

To be the best version of you, it's important to be true to yourself, understand the things that are important in your life to provide balance and direction.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

08m00   An overview of David's international career

12m00   Advice for, and the mutual benefits of mentor relationships

14m15   The value of nurturing international relationships and the perspective this brings

16m15   The hands on nature and journey of discovery that crafts a career

26m00   Engaging your network with the value you offer

31m15   Using the Rule of Thirds to bring balance to your life

35m30   The changing ways of working from COVID that are likely to stick

49m15   Staying curious to learn and grow with your clients

This conversation was part of an online forum that took place on Wednesday 19th August 2020, with more than 100 registered attendees posing questions from all around the world.

THE PIVOTAL IMPACT OF ACTIVE SPONSORSHIP

HOST: David Webley, Founder & MD of Granite Consulting

GUEST: Annie Sheehan, Director & Principal Consultant, Member of Silicon Valley Alliances

DATE: 5 August 2020 

This conversation explores the different types of sponsorship, how to identify them, and useful ways for working and engaging with them.

INSIGHT 1    Despite significant uplift in project practices over the past 30 years, there has been little change in sponsorship and executive governance.

INSIGHT 2    Asking a Sponsor what the project means to them will provide insight to their motivation and commitment to it, and provide valuable direction. 

INSIGHT 3    Emerging from the evolution of project practices, some responsibilities traditionally held by Sponsors, are being assumed by other roles, such as the Product Owner.

TABLE OF CONTENT  

06m45s    Inspiration to write the book 

10m15s    Importance of Active Sponsorship 

17m45s    The ‘Peacock’ Sponsor 

19m30s    The ‘Magpie’ Sponsor 

20m15s    The ‘Ostrich’ Sponsor 

21m00s    The ‘Duck’ Sponsor 

22m30s    The ‘Eagle’ Sponsor 

24m15s    The ‘Owl’ Sponsor 

35m15s    Gauging Your Sponsor 

45m30s    Importance of Fun for Creativity 

49m30s    Required Attributes of an Effective Sponsor 

51m30s    Evolving Project Leadership  

This conversation was part of an online forum that took place on Wednesday 5th August 2020, with more than 100 registered attendees posing questions from all around the world.

AMPLIFY THE BEST PARTS OF YOURSELF

HOST: David Webley, Founder & MD of Granite Consulting

GUEST: Vinh Giang, International Keynote Speaker, Entrepreneur, CEO of Luminary Productions

DATE: 22nd July 2020

This conversation explores the life changing power of masterful Communication ability, and includes practical tips for how to uplift this critical skillset.

INSIGHT 1 – Unless you master the skill of Communication, any Technical skill and the value you offer society, remains hidden and unrealised.  Communication skill can be developed through an understanding of Visual and Vocal Image and practiced via Record and Review techniques. 

INSIGHT 2 – Uplifting the ability to communicate offers companies immense opportunity to uncover a wealth of talent and value which otherwise remains dormant and hidden in their people.

INSIGHT 3 – Adjusting the foundational levers of Visual and Vocal Image will enable you to harmonise Communication for different people and situations, which will lead to greater rapport and influence.

TABLE OF CONTENT 

11m59s   The importance of Communication skill to realise Technical Skill and value

14m18s   An overview of the foundations of Vocal Image

29m17s   How 'Record & Review' provides a Vocal Mirror for self-improvement

34m10s   The family backstory and how it has inspired Vinh's journey

37m03s   How a pandemic and a garage have led to reframing what's really important

44m49s   Learning to harmonise your communication to establish better rapport

48m58s   The wealth of talent buried in companies that Communication ability can uncover

55m17s   An overview of the online workshops available, who they're for, and what to expect

This conversation was part of an online forum that took place on Wednesday 22nd July 2020, with more than 110 attendees signed in and posing questions from all around the world.

Visit www.CWTLeaders.com to access the video of this conversation, other episodes of CWTL, and to register for future events.

Follow @CWTLeaders on LinkIn to stay aware of all the latest news in the CWTLeaders community.

LEADING THROUGH A PERIOD OF EXPONENTIAL CHANGE

HOST: David Webley, Founder & MD of Granite Consulting
GUEST: Ayten Ozenc, EGM Delivery & Engineering, Toll Group
DATE: 9th July 2020

This conversation explores the impacts of the pandemic on project delivery, governance and practices, and the role of values to unite and drive change.

INSIGHT 1 Values are what unite and transcend complex and disparate work environments, which makes a values assessment so important when considering a new job opportunity.

INSIGHT 2 Agile projects can't realise their full potential without broader organisational change, such as investment governance, to unshackle the constraints that traditional approaches typically impose.

INSIGHT 3 Quality communication and stakeholder engagement are key to overcoming the fear that is often the basis of resistance to change.

This conversation was part of an online forum that took place on Thursday 9th July 2020, with more than 110 attendees signed in and posing questions from all around the world.

TOPICS

09:10 Impacts of the pandemic on the project  pipeline, governance & practices
13:22 How senior executives are adapting to the new ways of working
25:30 Leadership in change resistant organisations
29:09 The role of values in uniting organisations and driving change
34:54 The mission of key initiatives of Vic ICT for Women
42:36 Advice for up and coming project professionals
51:22 Adapting financial governance to enable organisational agility
54:47 How to overcome fear as the greatest cause of change   resistance

BEING BOLD & AMBITIOUS - THE AUSTRALIAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WITH THE UK

HOST: David Webley, Founder & MD of Granite Consulting
GUEST: David McCredie, CEO Australian British Chamber of Commerce
DATE: 24th June 2020

This episode of 'Conversations with Thought Leaders' is with the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian British Chamber of Commerce, David McCredie.  This conversation explores the new trade deal between Australia and the UK, the progress of Brexit, and the impact on both that the pandemic may have.

INSIGHT 1 - The combined size of the Australian and UK economies should not be underestimated and is comparable, and competitive, with other large global economies.

INSIGHT 2 - Despite the pandemic taking headlines over recent months, there has still been good progress in the background with Brexit as it moves toward full implementation.

INSIGHT 3 - Making it easier to move and do business between Australia and the UK will underpin the benefits that can be drawn from the free trade agreement.  

This conversation was part of an online forum that took place on Wednesday 24th June 2020, with more than 60 attendees signed in and posing questions from all around the world.

This episode of 'Conversations with Thought Leaders' is with best selling author, keynote speaker, and entrepreneur, Barry O'Reilly.  In this conversation Barry and David discuss how the Unlearn approach can help organisations and individuals to navigate and thrive in these uncertain times.

INSIGHT 1   Organisations need to look at the pandemic different, not a disruption, but as an accelerant of change and business improvement.  This is something that digitally enabled companies are best equipped to exploit and can now been seen to be responding to the new challenges and opportunities that the pandemic presents far more rapidly than their digitally inept competitors.

INSIGHT 2   The Unlearn process is the conscious approach of letting go of outdated information, and digesting new information to better inform decision making moving forward.  It is predicated on a think big, start small, and learn fast mantra.

INSIGHT 3   In the face of uncertainty, the natural reaction is to freeze and stop, to assess the situation.  This will only result in falling behind.  The way to navigate uncertainty is to learn your way through it, taking small steps, accepting that there will be small failures and successes, and using these constructively as a means to learn, and continually adjust the course.

This interview was part of an online forum that took place on Wednesday 10th June 2020, with more than 90 attendees signed in and posing questions from all around the world.

This episode of 'Conversations with Thought Leaders' is with one of Australia's leading thought leaders in Project and Portfolio management, Rob Loader (Consultant, Keynote Speaker, and Director on the Board of the Australian Institute of Project Management). 

At a time when project delivery is prominent in the world's response to a global pandemic, this in depth interview covers the following key topics:

- The interruption of COVID provides opportunity for corporates to reflect on their core business and fundamental purpose.  This helps them to identify what’s critical, what’s not, and to provide the required focus and direction to drive their organisations into the new world;

- In addition to potentially reducing their office space footprint, organisations are also seeing productivity gains for some roles and functions as further impetus to continue at least some of the new ways of working, particular telecommuting, beyond the current social distancing restrictions; and

- The core skills that project professionals have always needed to survive and thrive have not changed on account of COVID.  Now more than ever, skills such as effective communication and forward planning are critical to the success or failure of projects as the new normal begins to take root. 

This interview was part of an online forum that took place on Tuesday 26th May 2020, with more than 70 attendees signed in and posing questions from all around Australia.

This episode of 'Conversations with Thought Leaders' is with internationally renowned Keynote Speaker and Cultural Change Specialist, Colin Ellis.  

At a time when most of the world is in lockdown at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, Colin shares his insights on the impacts this has had on corporate culture, the current outlook, and his tips for leading people through these uncertain times.

This conversation was recorded as part of an online forum held on Wednesday 29th April 2020, and attended by over 100 participants from all around the world.  An audio recording of the full 1 hour conversation will also shortly be made available as a separate Podcast.

This episode of 'Conversations with Thought Leaders' is with one of Australia's leading experts on the cloud and digital business, Andrew Boyd, Head of Digital Natives Business, Amazon Web Services (AWS).

At a time when there world is going through such rapid change and exponential growth in the dependence on digital ways of working and living, this in depth interview covers the following key topics:

- Amazon really live their corporate Leadership Principles, some of which are seemingly diametrical, but in so being, bring balance to everything they do; 

- COVID-19 has accelerated digitalisation globally, placing AWS at the forefront as both an enabler and adopter, of new ways of working, and new ways of living; and 

- The rapid evolution of technology is causing a shift in the skills and capabilities required to transcend an equally rapidly changing job landscape.  

This interview was part of an online forum that took place on Tuesday 11th May 2020, with more than 70 attendees signed in and posing questions from all around Australia.

This episode of 'Conversations with Thought Leaders' is with Author and Founder of the Quietly Powerful movement, Megumi Miki.

Quietly Powerful builds on various work on introversion and quiet leadership by authors such as Susan Cain's Quiet, Laurie Helgoe's Introvert Power and David Rock's Quiet Leadership, Megumi's own reserach into Quietly Powerful Leadership, as well as theories on self-efficacy, power and rank, personality traits, developmental models from process oriented psychology.

This conversation was recorded as part of an online webinar held on Wednesday 6th May 2020, and attended by people from all around the world.  An audio recording of the full 1 hour conversation will also shortly be made available as a separate Podcast.