INTHEBLACK November 2026 - Magazine - Page 15
William Ding’s leadership
philosophy centres on alignment.
He makes sure every voice is
heard, tests assumptions and
shapes decisions using facts,
data and shared insight.
He believes strong performance
starts with a firm, trust-based
culture where people feel safe
to contribute ideas, challenge
thinking, admit mistakes and
learn openly.
As CFO at WM New Zealand,
Ding encourages curiosity,
courage and long-term ESG
thinking, and helps teams
manage risk and prepare
for future challenges.
LEADERS AND INNOVATORS
The courage
to listen
The modern finance leader should not adopt the all-knowing-captain persona,
William Ding FCPA says. Instead, their role is to listen and then verify the facts.
Words Chris Sheedy
Photography Marcus Bailey
IS IT A LEADER’S RESPONSIBILITY
to always present the right solution? Or should
they build their style around helping others
to devise their own?
William Ding FCPA, chief financial officer
at WM New Zealand, the country’s largest
waste and recycling company, has built his
leadership philosophy around encouraging
input from those around him.
Having become CFO five years ago
at just 37 years of age, leading an already
very capable team, Ding realised he had
a valuable opportunity to develop his own
leadership style.
“I was a young person who was leading
this fantastic team. At a very early stage,
I understood that was a challenge but also
an opportunity.”
intheblack.cpaaustralia.com.au
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