INTHEBLACK April 2025 - Magazine - Page 33
LESSONS LEARNED
1. Lead with your values:
Create a supportive, kind
and inclusive workplace.
That way, you’ll achieve
success in business and
support the long-term
growth and wellbeing
of the heart of the
organisation — its people.
2. Be a catalyst for change:
Don’t be afraid to be daring.
Drive forward to enhance
performance and make
positive, impactful change.
3. Test and adjust: Anticipate
the needs of stakeholders,
but don’t operate on
assumptions — test thinking
and adjust course when you
need to.
4. Never take things personally:
In leadership, you’ll face
criticism and many tough
decisions. The earlier you
develop emotional resilience
in your career, the better.
Professional feedback is
golden — reflect on it often
in your leadership practice.
running our scientific programs and providing
unique visitor experiences takes up the majority
of the budget.
There is always a need to increase existing
revenue streams and to diversify revenue
sources. Hosting a program of flagship
events at The Domain is one way we try
to achieve this — generating vital revenue
by welcoming globally renowned artists
and large crowds for public concerts.
My role also carries oversight of
commercial tenders, which is another
area where we’re working to improve
opportunities for sustainable revenue.
This might include seeking out new
opportunities to enhance the visitor
experience, for example, with new food
and beverage operators. This revenue
in turn funds the critical work of the
Gardens in botanical research, science,
conservation and education, as we seek
to fulfill our mission.
GAME CHANGERS
Diverse experiences
If there was one big game changer for me,
it was the move from commercial practice
early in my career to the public sector.
The Australian Public Service offers
opportunities and diverse experiences.
As I stepped out of the finance bubble,
it ignited what I call my “mission focus”.
I’ve worked in communications, procurement,
strategic planning and reform, none of which
have had a “straight finance” focus.
READ
an article about
team empowerment
from a CFO
LISTEN
to a podcast about
what the best finance
teams do
UPSKILL
with CPA Australia
and Harvard Business
Publishing’s Strategy
Planning and
Execution course
intheblack.cpaaustralia.com.au 33
