Message from incoming Chair Richard Dent OAM
At the Leadership Network, we hold in our hearts and our minds everyone affected by the devastating bushfires across Australia. We offer our deepest sympathies to those who have lost loved ones, property and animals. And we profoundly thank all those involved in the response: the volunteers, the staff of many organisations and those leaders who have stepped up to meet this unprecedented challenge.
Leadership is playing a vital role in these appalling bushfires. From the courageous response of fire crews, to the compassion shown in communities on the ground, and the practical actions of many individuals and organisations across the country and indeed the world. We have seen many impressive examples of leadership during this disaster and we are all thankful for them.
As 2020 commences against the backdrop of bushfires, unrest in the Middle East, increasing technological, economic and ecological concerns and many other strategic issues for business, government and community, the question of leadership is right at the fore. Excellence in leadership development has never been more important.
It is in this formidable context that I am honoured to have been appointed the new Chair of The Leadership Network. I will do my utmost to help deliver on our mission to support leadership development in order to build better leadership in Australasia and the Indo-Pacific Region, whatever the future may bring.
In taking up this role I want to sincerely acknowledge and thank Angela Driver for her outstanding contribution as Chair for the past six years. With her unfailing energy, intelligence, good humour and wisdom, Ange has been instrumental in shaping the Network. I am delighted therefore that Ange will continue to support the Network as part of the wonderful TLN Board.
The Leadership Network is the leading organisation for professional leadership development practitioners across Australia and the Asia Pacific. It is for leadership development practitioners.
2020 will be a time of continued significant progress for TLN. Our aim is to eventually engage with and support every member of the leadership profession. That’s why in 2020 we will significantly increase our activity.
Our 2020 Symposium is already being planned. Our schedule of interactives webinars, podcasts and thought pieces is in train. Our plans for geographic and interest-group communities of practice are underway. Your input into all these activities will be important.
While TLN exists for leadership development professionals, in 2020 we also want to communicate the importance of good leadership more broadly. One theme we are likely to explore this year is the business, government and community leadership needed to address and mitigate climate change, and the leadership required to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters.
From 2020 TLN members will also have the opportunity of publishing pieces on the current and future practice of leadership, particularly as it relates to contemporary and emerging issues in workplaces and in the world.
In 2020 we will provide opportunities for practitioners to enhance their practice and connect with others in the profession. To this end, we are partnering with organisations providing professional development for our industry. Our first two opportunities for 2020 will be:
· Lewis Deep Democracy / Co-Resolve 19-20 February (details tba)
· Harthills Leadership Development Profile Accreditation 10-12 March
Member discounts apply to most TLN activities. We encourage all current members to let their networks know that TLN membership is important for practitioners and the communities they serve. There are many excellent direct benefits for members. We believe every practitioner in the Region – consultancies, individual practitioners, CLOs, OD practitioners in business/government/NFP and more – would benefit from being a TLN member. Membership information is here (link)
If you want to contribute to the TLN mission or participate in our activities, or would like to find out more, please reach out to me at (email address)
2020 will be full of challenge, progress and success. TLN looks forward to working with all of our members to help shape an even better leadership development profession, and a better world.
Richard Dent OAM FAICD
Chair