We caught up with Taskin Muktasid, Project Manager Civil Services, City of Marion, about what led him to participate in the Emerging Leaders Program, his key takeaways from the program, and his advice for those undertaking the Emerging Leaders Program in 2026.

Congrats on graduating from the Emerging Leadership Program! What made you sign up initially?

I’ve worked in project management throughout my entire career and have served as a Project Manager for the past few years. While I enjoy delivering projects, I realised I wanted to grow beyond just managing projects and better understand what effective leadership looks like. I was also curious about the difference between being a manager and being a leader. On top of that, I saw the program as a great opportunity to expand my professional network within South Australian local councils.

What was your biggest takeaway from the program?

My biggest takeaway was that leadership is less about authority and more about influence, communication and understanding people. The program encouraged a lot of self-reflection and helped me better understand my own leadership style. It also showed me how important it is for leaders to build trust, listen actively and bring people along with them.

What advice would you give to someone considering doing the Emerging Leaders Program in the future?

Go in with an open mind and be willing to get involved. The more you participate in the discussions, activities and group work, the more value you’ll get from it. It’s also a great chance to learn from people across different councils and build strong professional connections.