We caught up with one of this year’s Emerging Leaders Program cohort, Michelle Gibbs, Senior Records Officer at The Rural City of Murray Bridge to find out what drew her to the program and how she’s finding it so far.
What made you sign up for the Emerging Leaders Program?
I have wanted to participate in the Emerging Leaders Program for some years now, particularly more so since I have been in the position of Senior Records Officer, but timing just hasn’t been right. Then last year I partook in the Rural Management Challenge, which was something else that I wanted to do for a long time. So, after doing the challenge, I was even more keen to follow this experience with the ELP. I feel I know and do my job as a Records Officer extremely well, however, there have been times where I have struggled with the leadership requirement of being a Senior, therefore this has led me to the Emerging Leaders Program.
What was your biggest take away from the first 2 days?
I loved meeting the other Emerging Leaders and facilitators, and listening to their introduction at the beginning, for me this was extremely important as it gave me an insight to who I will be working with over the next 6 months. I enjoyed listening to both Ruchi and Lindsay, both provided clear information, but I did relate to Dr Ruchi’s Second Session around language and storytelling, “Leaders need to be good storytellers” and “adapting your communication to your target audience” for me this was a lightbulb moment.
What are you most looking forward to as the program progresses?
Although scary, I am keen to push myself out of my comfort zone to improve my leadership skills by networking with my fellow emerging leaders and drawing from my individual assignment in particular as my TMP (Team Management Profile) has provided me insight to my existing strengths but also to areas that I need to improve to become an effective leader.
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