SU Australia

I lead the organisation's strategic initiatives - bringing vision to life; 
I'm also tasked with lifting the leadership capability across the organisation; 
Plus some company secretary duties.

The objective of the role is to foster a child-safe culture, and driving impactful projects for children, youth, and families across Australia.

Associate Director

I lead a national team remotely. The main premise of this role is to optimise support operations to drive high customer satisfaction. I have a track record in managing diverse teams and implementing innovative strategies.

I lead a dynamic national team, overseeing 3 direct reports and 10 indirect reports, serving 1000+ employees, volunteers, community members, and beneficiaries. My responsibilities span query resolution via multiple channels (email, phone, website), chaplaincy support, volunteer recruitment, ministry finance, and event coordination. I also manage critical incident response, ensuring compliance with child safety regulations and educational policies.

Other Achievements:
✅ Unified a decentralised team to a single national team
✅ Streamlined and simplified processes
✅ Implemented 'Resolver', an advanced digital incident management system.
✅ Implemented a robust critical incident management policy.

Realised 5% savings in time and cost of operations from enhanced efficiency and productivity so far post org merger.

Experience:
🔹 Support Strategy and Leadership: I drive strategic initiatives to enhance customer support, streamline processes, and boost efficiency.

🔹 Customer-Centric Focus: Understanding customer needs, ensuring timely, effective, empathetic assistance, and fostering customer loyalty.

🔹 Data-Driven Decision Making: I leverage data analytics and KPIs for informed resource allocation, faster response times, and shorter resolution times.

🔹 Cross-Functional Collaboration: I promote collaboration with IT, Finance, and Systems teams to address customer issues, drive product improvements, and align support with missional goals.

🔹 Continuous Improvement: I lead ongoing training, development, and process refinement to keep our support hub at the forefront of excellence.

Skills:
✨ Remote Team Leadership
✨ Customer Satisfaction
✨ Process Optimisation
✨ Data Analysis
✨ Cross-Functional Collaboration
✨ Continuous Improvement

Group Manager Support Hub

I maximise productivity, reduce costs, and ensure that field operations consistently deliver outstanding performance.

As the Field Performance Manager, I oversee 1 HR Business Partner as we partner with Regional Managers to foster positive workplace environments and manage employee relations. I have a proven track record in conflict resolution, compliance, and maintaining a harmonious work atmosphere. My expertise extends to handling complex employee issues, implementing fair policies, and facilitating the return of employees from various leaves, including medical, parental, or disability. I am dedicated to promoting employee well-being and ensuring organisational success through strong employee relations and smooth return-to-work procedures.

In this role, I've been entrusted with several key responsibilities and accountabilities, including complex tier 3 case management, performance and injury management, team performance management, system improvement design, and providing guidance to frontline management on people-related issues. Additionally, I report on insights to risk and governance issues to the Executive and risk and compliance teams, aligning our practices with the latest recommendations from the royal commission.

Field Performance Manager

This is a newly created team in the Mission Support department of the organisation. As a pioneering team, my areas of influence include:
- change management
- process management
- team development
- resource planning

Day to day, my areas of responsibilities include:
- Performance management and analysis
- Lead investigator in misconduct matters
- Rehab and return to work
- Premium reduction strategies
- Building and enhancing relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Developing leadership capability within the department
- Provide leadership for 1 direct report.

Through careful prioritisation and planning, the efficiency gains from simplifying and streamlining work to be done has seen the team save circa $50,000 in additional resource needs for 18 months.

Field Performance Delivery Manager

I am a jack of all trades in this generalist HR role. Some of the output so far in my tenure and continuing responsibilities include:
- review and update people related policies
- advise and lead matters relating to performance management and rehabilitation
- conduct disciplinary meetings
- facilitate business process improvement
- consult, develop and implement the organisation's safety management system
- lead the review of the organisation's first aid needs 
- lead the health, safety and child protection portfolio by preparing quarterly reports and chairing consultative committee meetings.

I have a knack of working with management at all levels to achieve win-win outcomes by being an empathic listener - from newly appointed Managers to senior Directors.

People Services Business Partner

Toastmasters International

Achievements:
Oct 2019 - Awarded 'Competent Leader' designation
Jul 2016 - Awarded 'Competent Communicator' designation
Jul 2015 - Jun 2016 - Vice President Membership

Member

Suncorp Group

I was responsible for providing proactive advice to the business on current and emerging safety and wellbeing matters. I also provided first response to all incident and hazard notifications through SafetyCentre and maintaining the safety management system. As a senior member of the team, I was a point of escalation for junior safety professionals in the team.

Accountabilities and achievements:
•	Led the service delivery of technical advice and support for all mid-tier safety and wellbeing matters, including risk management, incident and injury management, audit and verification, consultation and work health and safety legislative compliance requirements;
•	Embedded a new safety management system within the business through facilitation and training;
•	Drive the implementation of key controls to prevent workplace incidents and hazards;
•	Implemented continuous improvement opportunities within the team. These included streamlining team processes for response to incident and hazard management and refreshing staff intranet content for first aid kits to promote self-service. This led to an increase in operational effectiveness by approximately 20%;
•	Audit case officers’ files weekly and recommend strategies to improve ways cases are managed. The team’s case load is collated into a weekly report which is circulated to the HR Executive Managers and Executive General Managers of the function;
•	Prepare monthly reporting with insights and trends relating to injuries and hazards which is circulated to HR leadership team;
•	Developed and trained operational team leaders in leadership meeting on hot topics such as ‘fatigue management’ to raise awareness and affect culture change;
•	Delivered flu vaccination program across multiple sites at a national basis.

HR Consultant - Safety and Wellbeing

In this specialist employee relations role, I was responsible to provide timely, accurate and legislatively sound HR case management advice that is risk balanced, commercially focused and aligned to the Group’s values, policies and practices. 

Key achievements:
•	Managed a portfolio of about 25 cases with a mix of performance and conduct issues, and successfully defended an unfair dismissal claim and a common law claim within approved settlement parameters;
•	Served as project lead aimed at finding operational efficiencies by simplifying the manual termination procedure to minimise self-service processing errors from the business by 50%;
•	Developed a leaders’ pack to help them gain an understanding of the roadmap for managing performance the ‘Suncorp way’;
•	Prepared quarterly reporting and commentary on insights and trend analysis relating to people issues.

HR Case Consultant

This is a senior role within the CTP team. I provide clinical and technical expertise to assess CTP claims for reasonable and necessary treatment and rehabilitation requirements in conjunction with the Claims Advisors, treating practitioners and rehab providers. I also planned to ensure cost effective, evidence based injury management principles are applied.

Key achievements:
•	Managed a team portfolio of about 120 motor vehicle accident claims with a mix of injuries including whiplash, sprains/strains and PTSD across five claims handlers by determining reasonable and necessary treatment, reviewing claim files, medical reports and advice on rehabilitation strategy;
•	Chaired monthly ‘leadership triangle’ meetings responsible for leading and managing the team to achieve optimum claims outcomes for the customer and the organization;
•	Achieved high return to work rates (<80%) for injured customers in team’s portfolio, which reduced claims costs by approximately 20% through a customer first approach;
•	Deployed problem solving and countermeasure action plans in the revamped claims management procedure targeted at reducing claims cost and claim settlement parameters by another one percent;
•	Team “Claims Engage” coming third in Queensland out of 100 ideas across the business for a design competition on innovation in 2015 for “iRecover back to life” – an app proposed for injured customers to self-serve on their mobile devices to track status of their claim.

Injury Management Advisor

I assisted the project management and planning of key initiatives with a Commercial Insurance wide focus.

Key achievements:
•	Successful rollout of the ‘Made Better Series’: A series of 12 courses based on neuroscience designed to meet the strategic priorities of ‘empowered workforce’; ‘network collaboration’; and ‘customer first’ by lifting emotional intelligence capabilities and psychological wellbeing;
•	Led, developed and implemented governance framework for keeping course content current offered by the Commercial Insurance Learning Campus.

Learning and Development Project Officer

I am responsible for ensuring positive return to work outcomes for employees affected by injury or illness (work or non-work related), ensure compliance with relevant legislative requirements and coordinating rehabilitation outcomes with a business focus. 

Key achievements:
•	Managed a portfolio of about 80 rehabilitation cases with a mix of complex work related and non-work related injuries such as repetitive strain, psychosocial and manual handling cases across six states and two territories as well as facilitating income protection claims;
•	Lead and conduct regular feedback sessions on claims management strategies for ongoing professional growth and development;
•	Contributed to the reduction of workers’ compensation premiums and lost time injury metrics by leading an ergonomic early intervention project and assisted with the implementation of InjuryNet.

Rehabilitation Officer

IPAR

I provide labour market assistance to job seekers and ensure excellence in customer service. This is achieved by conducting vocational and fit for work assessments with clients who sustained compensable injuries to ensure a safe and sustainable return to the workforce.

This role is similar to a recruitment role in HR in that I assess transferable skills, counsel clients and place them in work trials with a host employer.

I consistently achieve a billable budget of 80% per day and 66% of return to work rate for redeployed customers. 

Key accountabilities:
• QLD transferrable skills assessment
• NSW section 40 assessments
• Medico legal vocational assessments
• Job preparation services 
• Case Management
• Suitable duties development
• Job placement
• Career development
• Candidate marketing
• Return to work services

Rehabilitation Counsellor

I am responsible for ensuring positive return to work outcomes for employees affected by injury or illness (work or non-work related) and ensure compliance with relevant legislative requirements and coordinating rehabilitation outcomes with a business focus. 

Key accountabilities:
• Co-ordinate, disseminate or manage all incoming incidents via our central OHS Inbox.
• Facilitate case management for Workers’ Compensation claims.
• Provide advice, expertise and consultation in injury management strategies and rehabilitation case management.

Rehabilitation Support Officer

New Balance

Office Administration and Sales

Kelly Sports

Sports Coach

Associate Director | Stoking the Intrapreneurial Spirit | MBA, HR | Championing Employee Wellbeing & Social Impact | Advancing Organisational Excellence with Human-Centred Leadership

Hello 👋

I'm Paul. It's nice to meet you.

As the Associate Director of a large national charity, I'm passionate about helping purpose-driven organisations thrive.

With extensive experience in the non-profit sector, I understand the challenges of doing more with less. 

My mission is to enable organisations to make a lasting, positive impact by fostering continuous learning, enthusiasm, and effective collaboration.

By following me, you'll gain:

🌟 Actionable insights and strategies to enhance your capabilities

🌟 Practical guidance on building a positive and inclusive work culture

🌟 Insights on navigating challenges faced by charities and social impact organisations

🌟 Resources to optimise people management practices and promote employee well-being.

If you value substantial leadership and tangible results, follow or connect with me. 

Together, we can lead with intellect and empathy to achieve extraordinary outcomes.

Boundaries are not selfish.
They are essential for long-term success and impact.

Navigating the urge to contribute in mission driven settings driven by the need to help can lead to overcommitment. Setting clear boundaries is important to maintain productivity and well-being. 

Saying no to more means saying yes to the things that matter.

This infographic by Jay Mount show us how to constructively.

👉 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲: Focus on what matters most.
👉 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: Keep control over your schedule.
👉 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲: Share your personal needs confidently.
👉 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲: Leverage teamwork.
👉 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: Know and respect your limits.
👉 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸: Choose tasks with the greatest potential for impact.

Adopting boundaries protects your capacity to contribute effectively in the long run.

Paul Chen

Associate Director & LinkedIn Top Voice in Nonprofit Leadership | Stoking the Intrapreneurial Spirit | Inspiring people & organisations to grow, learn, and make a lasting impact for a better tomorrow

🌳 Planting the Seeds of Empathy in Leadership 🍎

Whether you're leading a charity organisation, a corporate team, or a community group, one thing remains constant: 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽.

Our work involves supporting people and guiding our teams through 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘶𝘮𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴.

But how can we effectively lead when emotions run high? The answer lies in 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲.

𝘌𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 - the ability to recognise, understand, and manage our own emotions, as well as those of others.

By tapping into this skill, we can:

✅ Build stronger, more resilient teams
✅ Foster collaboration and innovation
✅ Navigate challenges with grace and understanding

Here are a few practical tips to nurture empathy in our leadership:

𝟭.	𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆
Give your full attention to your team members and seek to understand their perspectives and feelings.

𝟮.	𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲
Model empathetic behavior in your interactions and decision-making.

𝟯.	𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
Encourage open communication and validate your team's feelings.

𝟰.	𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
Provide opportunities for yourself and your team to grow emotional intelligence skills.

By prioritising emotional intelligence, we can become 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝘂𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝘀𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂?

You can't change the world if you don't have the energy to get out of bed.
Invest in it wisely.

As purpose-driven professionals, we often neglect our physical health while focusing on our work. However, our bodies and minds are closely connected, and taking care of our physical well-being can significantly improve our mental resilience.

Numerous studies have shown the powerful connection between physical health and mental well-being:

↪ For example, a Harvard Medical School study found that regular exercise can be as effective as medication in treating mild to moderate depression. 

↪ More recent research further underscores the link between our physical activities, dietary habits, and mental resilience.

By making small changes in our daily routines, we can experience big improvements in our overall well-being.

Try these simple steps:

1️⃣ Add more fruits and vegetables to your meals 
2️⃣ Take a short walk during lunch breaks 
3️⃣ Choose the stairs instead of the elevator 
4️⃣ Stay hydrated: Drink enough water throughout the day 
5️⃣ Park the car 250m away from your intended destination.

Often, we may find ourselves putting others' needs before our own. 

By looking after our physical health, we invest in ourselves and our ability to make a bigger impact on the world 🌍

Infographic: boost your energy to change the world.

𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴.
It's a delicate balance we all strive for.

As professionals in outreach, we're driven by a 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵. Yet, we often find ourselves grappling with the 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 between maintaining our personal values and upholding professional boundaries.

The key to navigating these choppy waters is 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 that honour both our beliefs and our clients' needs. By creating a framework that aligns with our values, we can serve with 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲.

We all have 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘴 that guide our actions and decisions. These beliefs compel us to act with 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆. Yet, we must also recognise the importance of maintaining 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 to ensure we're providing the best possible care.

Here are some 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 for striking this balance:

👉 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 your role and the scope of your services from the outset.

👉 Develop a 𝘤𝘰𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵 that reflects your values while respecting professional ethics.

👉 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 from mentors or supervisors when facing challenging situations.

👉 𝘙𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵 on your practices to ensure you're maintaining a healthy balance.

By implementing these approaches, we can create a 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭, 𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘆-𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻, and 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘴-𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘦𝘥 approach to service. 
Our work will be more impactful, and we'll be better equipped to navigate the 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅 𝗱𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 of outreach programs.

I'd love to hear from others in the community. 

𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬? 

Share your insights and experiences in the comments 👇


#ServingWithIntegrity #ProfessionalBoundaries #LeadershipLessons

Infographic on navigating personal values and professional boundaries

I know you're busy making a difference, but let's talk about lunch.

Lunch breaks aren't just about food.


They're about nourishing your mind, body, and soul.


Taking a proper lunch break is important for your well-being and productivity. 


It's a chance to:

🧘‍♀️ Recharge your mind and body

🌿 Step away from your desk and get some fresh air

🗣️ Connect with colleagues or friends

🍽️ Enjoy a nourishing meal without rushing



Here are some ideas to make the most of your lunch break:

🚶‍♂️ Take a leisurely walk outside and soak up some sunshine

📚 Read a few pages of that book you wanted to read

🎧 Listen to your favorite podcast or some uplifting music

😌 Practice a quick mindfulness exercise, like deep breathing or stretching.



So, no more working through lunch! Take that well-deserved break and come back to your desk feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of your day. 💪


What's your plan for your next lunch break?



#LunchBreak #SelfCare #PurposeDriven

Effective leaders don't just give orders, they engage their team through thoughtful, targeted questions that:

✅ Provide support and resources to empower your team.
✅ Encourage reflection on past experiences for growth.
✅ Focus on measurable outcomes towards the vision.
✅ Prompt action and accountability moving forward.
✅ Foster a common purpose.
✅ Inspire and motivate.
✅ Lead by example.
✅ Empower others.
✅ Coach well.
✅ Listen.
✅ Act.

Try incorporating these 10 questions (created by my friend and colleague Steven Claes) into your next coaching conversation or team meeting. 

You'll be amazed at the insights, ideas, and motivation they unlock! 💡

I know because I've tried them 😉 

Which question will you start with? Let me know in the comments! 👇

#LeadershipDevelopment
#TransformativeQuestions
#TeamEngagement
#CoachingSkills

Associate Director | Stoking the Intrapreneurial Spirit | Inspiring people & organisations to grow, learn, and make a lasting impact for a better tomorrow

The art of powerful questions - a leadership game changer.

Have you ever been told to "𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰" or felt like you're not quite hitting the mark when it comes to strategic thinking? 

It's not about having a fancy degree or years of experience under your belt. 

Nope, the most powerful tool a leader can wield is the ability to ask the RIGHT questions.

❌ Forget that you should only bring solutions to the table.
❌ Forget about being the smartest person in the room.

TRUE leadership is about asking questions that:
➡ Spark curiosity
➡ Challenge assumptions 
➡ Inspire innovation 
➡ Drive meaningful change.

Based on research from Harvard Business Review, this carousel is PACKED with practical tips and techniques that will help you:

✅ Break free from "inside-the-box" thinking
✅ Make decisions that are both smart AND strategic
✅ Uncover opportunities and insights
✅ Create a culture where curiosity thrives

Whether you're an entrepreneur, leading a not-for-profit, or working for any other organisation, these insights will transform the way you lead and drive impact.

𝗣.𝗦. If you believe that questioning is the key to great leadership, repost this and spread the word 📣

The strategic questions to unlock leadership potential

Feeling overwhelmed and out of balance? It's easy to neglect your own well-being when juggling life's demands.

It's time to craft your personal well-being plan. It will help you see which areas require attention.

Consider these dimensions of well-being: 𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭, 𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭, 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭, 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘤𝘤𝘶𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭.

Rate yourself on a scale of 1-5 in each area and identify your ideal level. 

𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗱𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻:

💪 P͟h͟y͟s͟i͟c͟a͟l͟ 

𝘌𝘹𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺
𝘌𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘺
𝘎𝘦𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘱

🧠 P͟s͟y͟c͟h͟o͟l͟o͟g͟i͟c͟a͟l͟

𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴
𝘒𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘢 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭
𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗶𝗳 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱

👥 S͟o͟c͟i͟a͟l͟

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀
𝘑𝘰𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱𝘴
𝘝𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘳

🙏 S͟p͟i͟r͟i͟t͟u͟a͟l͟

𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦
𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀
𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘴 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴

💼 O͟c͟c͟u͟p͟a͟t͟i͟o͟n͟a͟l͟

𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀
𝘚𝘦𝘦𝘬 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱
𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲


Remember, well-being is a journey. Use the same strategy to assess your own well-being dimensions according to what's important to you.

𝘙𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘥. 🎯

Where are you in your personal well-being journey?

𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗷𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀?

You're not alone.

Balancing the needs of clients, employees, and regulators can feel like an impossible task.

But there's a secret to success:

𝘈𝘥𝘰𝘱𝘵 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳-𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯-𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨.

Your superpowers lie in:

🏹 Actively listening to understand perspectives
🏹 Transparently communicating your mission and values
🏹 Seeking win-win solutions that align with your purpose
🏹 Continuously adapting based on feedback

By being '𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧-𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙙', you can transform the challenges of complex stakeholder dynamics into opportunities.

Check the visual to see how aligning stakeholder interests can lead to organisational success.

𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴?

Share your thoughts in the comments and let's learn from each other.

P.S. 🔁  Repost to help someone in your network.

Venn Diagram - Aligning Stakeholder Interests for Organisational Success

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝘀𝗼 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗱? 

In the for-purpose sectors or even as entrepreneurs, individuals can be deeply invested in caring for others, and 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗲 can creep up silently. It's important to recognise the early warning signs.

"𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘺 𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘭", to continue caring for others, we must first take care of ourselves. 

Compassion fatigue is a real and pressing issue that often goes unnoticed until it's too late.

Some of the subtle signs of compassion fatigue include:

⛔ Decreased ability to empathise and connect 
⛔ Emotional exhaustion and a sense of helplessness
⛔ Difficulty maintaining professional boundaries
⛔ Physical symptoms like headaches, insomnia, or changes in appetite

If you find yourself nodding to these signs, it's time to take action. 

Start by prioritising self-care activities that replenish your emotional reserves. 

📌 Take leave
📌 Set boundaries to maintain a healthy balance between your work and personal life
📌 Seek support from colleagues or a mental health professional.

Remember, 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡-𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖 𝙡𝙪𝙭𝙪𝙧𝙮; it's a necessity for sustainable compassion. 
By recognising and addressing compassion fatigue early on, you can continue to make a difference in the lives of those you serve.


What strategies have you found effective in preventing or managing compassion fatigue? 

Share your experiences and insights so we can all benefit.

#selfcare
#healthehealer
#caregiversupport
#compassionfatigue

Quote, 'you cannot serve from an empty vessel'

As a leader, your actions and priorities have a profound impact on your organisation's well-being and productivity. 

But are you setting the right tone for a healthy work-life balance? 

In the latest visual, we dive into the dos and don'ts of fostering a culture that values and prioritises the well-being of your team.

Discover practical tips and strategies to lead by example, encourage open communication, and support your team's work-life balance. 

These principles are especially crucial for mission-driven organisations, where passion and dedication can sometimes blur the lines between work and personal life. 

By championing these practices, you can create an environment where your team thrives both professionally and personally, leading to increased productivity, creativity, and job satisfaction. 

And when your team is at their best, your organisation can make an even greater impact on the world 🌍❤️

Ready to take your leadership to the next level?


#WorkLifeBalance #LeadershipTips #NonProfitLeadership #EmployeeWellbeing

Leaders make a difference in a balanced workplace infographic

Another year, another wrinkle! 😄 But who's counting, right? 

I'm embracing the fact that I'm not just older, but also wiser (or so I tell myself!)

While I may not be turning 21 again (if only!), I'm still young at heart. 

To celebrate, I thought I'd share some obligatory LinkedIn wisdom with you all. 

It's not your typical "hustle harder" spiel. Instead, I've rounded up 21 quotes that have inspired me over the years - one for each candle on my imaginary cake! 🎂

I hope you find them as meaningful as I do... 
like a perfect slice of birthday cake.

Enjoy!

90% of workers expect to feel joy at work.

37% of workers actually do.

Self-care helps sustain your joy.

Joy is a deep, enduring sense of contentment and purpose; while happiness is fleeting, dependent on external circumstances.

Sometimes it's easy to lose sight of the passion that once drove you. But rediscovering that joy starts with reconnecting to your mission.

Take a moment to reflect on why you started this journey. 

What was the spark that ignited your passion?
↪  Was it a desire to make a difference
↪  To create positive change, or 
↪  To use your skills for a greater purpose? 

Hold onto that initial inspiration.

Surround yourself with people who share your values. Their support and perspective can remind you of the importance of your work.

Make time for activities that bring you joy, both within and outside your job. 
Prioritise self-care practices that help you maintain a positive outlook.

For me, finding joy involves recharging my spiritual batteries through church and fellowship. This bedrock of faith and community gives me strength to persevere.

Kindling joy is an ongoing process. Accept the ebbs and flows, and trust that your passion will drive you forward.

Keep shining, keep believing, and keep rekindling the joy in your mission. 

The world needs your unique talents and perspective.

#Sundaycontemplation
#SustainableJoy
#SelfCare
#PurposeDriven

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