Australia is at a unique moment in our history where the old definitions of successful leadership are dissolving. Artificial intelligence and automation, sustainability and diversity are just some of the megatrends rewriting the rulebook of business and changing the skillset of leaders.
How do businesses build the skills they need today, while preparing their people for a rapidly changing world? This question underpins Consult Australia’s Future Leaders Program.
Consult Australia has hosted the program in Sydney for 16 consecutive years. This year, due to demand, the Future Leaders Program is expanding and will be held concurrently in Sydney and Melbourne.
“Each year we receive overwhelming feedback from participants that the Future Leaders Program is a powerful learning platform that adds value from the moment participants sign up,” says Linda Gaunt, Consult Australia’s Head of Engagement.
“The program is aimed at emerging leaders with five-to-ten years of experience in the workforce. We bring together young professionals with skills, knowledge and experience who are looking to supercharge their careers.”
The Future Leaders Program covers an array of topics that strengthen knowledge and skills in leadership, management and collaboration.
The curriculum is updated each year to reflect advances in technology, leadership theory and industry best practice. The 2024 program, for instance, includes content about how professionals can adapt to the AI juggernaut.
“Our aim is to help emerging leaders build on their existing strengths and identify new ones – and to do so in a supportive environment that expands their networks and creates value for their own organisations,” Linda says.
“This year our future leaders will hone professional presentation skills with the help of a former NIDA acting coach. They will learn how to run a balance sheet and set a proper budget. And even if they don’t write bids, they will gain insight into how bids are won so they can value-add back in their businesses.”
Participants also undertake leadership diagnostic testing to gain insights into how their personality preferences inform their leadership choices.
The program runs for six months, during which time the cohort of 15 young professionals meet fortnightly in person for various leadership workshops. In between, they collaborate in small groups on live projects that test their skills and allow them to create meaningful impact in their industry.
“Because participants work on real world projects, they tell us they feel immediately invested and able to add value. The ideas they bring to the table are often embraced by the project teams on the ground. It is so satisfying for people to know their ideas made a difference,” Linda says.
“The Future Leaders Program builds careers, confidence and collaborative networks. There is nothing else out there in the industry like it.”