’Influence Me’ Leadership Podcasts - Andrew Short AFSM

I recently joined Brett Stephens from 660 Productions for a timely discussion on lessons learnt in emergency services, and why organisational memory matters. We discussed why it is critical that emergency services organisations do more than simply review past incidents, and it's got to be more than just releasing a Safety Bulletin. The real value comes from capturing the lessons, reinforcing good practice, and making sure that knowledge is passed on to current and future leaders, crews and teams. We also explored the role of documentary-style video production as a practical and powerful way to share operational knowledge across large and geographically dispersed workforces. In an environment where face-to-face training is not always possible, modern multimedia and internet-based platforms provide outstanding opportunities to make learning more accessible, engaging and enduring. Leadership was a strong theme throughout the discussion. Good leaders do not allow hard-earned lessons to disappear with time, retirement or organisational change. They make sure those lessons are passed on, so others do not have to re-learn them the hard way. As we discussed in the episode: “In emergency services, lessons are often written in risk, sacrifice and consequence. The responsibility of leadership is to make sure they are not forgotten.” A great conversation with Brett Stephens, and an important reminder that learning from experience is not just about looking back. It is about building safer, wiser and more capable emergency services for the future. A Revelation showcase of Brett’s previous work is available at: https://vimeo.com/1199982168?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci Brett is contactable via email: brett@sceniuspictures.com.au with his website being: https://sixsixtyproductions.com/

Brenton known as “Ben” grew up and was educated in country Western Australia. In 1980 Ben joined the Australian Army where he began a journey that would last for 32 years. He developed a passion very early in his career for training and leadership which over his extensive career took him from being a Junior Commander through to senior management level as a Unit Commander. Among numerous experiences and qualifications Ben specialised as a Bomb Disposal Technician operating in and leading small teams and later up to regimental (600 personnel) size groups. Having moved through the ranks from a Private soldier to a Commissioned Officer Ben’s life and leadership experiences are extensive. Ben has undertaken training and operational duties in Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Tonga, India, Pakistan, United States, Iraq and Afghanistan. Ben is fluent in Pidgin English having also spent two years seconded to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force as a Military Adviser. Ben has been the recipient of several military Commendations including three from the Chief of the Australian Defence Force for meritorious service in the fields of training and leadership. The greatest honour was when Ben received the Order of Australia Medal (Military Division) in the 2009 Australia Day awards. Leaving the Australian Army in 2011, Ben joined emergency services sector of the Queensland State government where he is currently employed as the Executive Manager, QFES Workforce Development Unit. Ben is married to Maureen and has one son Matthew. Ben has several hobbies (none of which he is good at) including, fishing, woodworking (ruining perfectly good timber), caravanning and collecting military memorabilia.

As it is said, from little things big things grow. Robert’s initial experience with the fire services was as an untrained and ineffectual volunteer firefighter with the CFA in the early 1980’s. In 1983 he fled the Ash Wednesday fires with his wife and month old daughter, and shortly thereafter while he worked in TAFE, and before the era of Certificates, he conducted many Train-the-Trainer programs for the CFA trainers at Fiskville. Robert went on to work with the Fiskville trainers to develop training packages to improve the skills of the CFA volunteers. In the mid-90’s he escaped Ballarat’s miserable winters and moved to Maleny. Around that time a major review of Queensland’s fire services lead to a major restructure. 81 fire boards in local government were replaced by a single fire service and this is was the early genesis of the current QFES. Robert worked within the new organisation with its exceptional people for many years to develop the capability of the new teams. He went on to do similar work with QAS and other agencies within the Emergency Services. Robert has also worked on major and minor organisational development projects in other sectors and across the globe. He is currently retired but always happy to support people doing good work with good people.

For this podcast it’s a pleasure to have Queensland Ambulance Service - Deputy Commissioner Dee Taylor-Dutton ASM as my guest. In her current role, Dee has accountability for all aspects of QAS frontline operational service delivery. Commencing in 1995 as a Student Ambulance Officer in Townsville, Dee has since held positions in operations, communications, corporate services and management, as well as leading operational service delivery to rural, remote, and urban communities across Queensland. Dee is a recipient of the prestigious Ambulance Service Medal as well as the National Medal, she is also a graduate of the Australian and New Zealand School of Government and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She has a number of tertiary qualifications, including an Executive Masters of Public Administration, Bachelor degrees in Law and Science, as well as an Associate Diploma in Applied Science. It’s great to be able to have this important discussion with Dee. I certainly learnt a bit more about psychological safety in the workplace, I’m sure other listeners will as well.

Kerry Howard is a best-selling author and psychologist specialising in trauma prevention and treatment. Kerry has won two international awards for her commitment to treating PTSD and improving mental health in Australia. Since 2010, Kerry has presented at a variety of international conferences including the USA, Europe and Australia. She developed professional development training in the promotion, prevention and early intervention of traumatic injury. Kerry is a former executive level leader who developed policy and programs in a variety of health focussed areas. Kerry’s new book, ‘The Trouble with Trauma’ provides clear guidance for individuals and organisations about how to resolve traumatic experience. See https://thetroublewithtrauma.com In this Podcast we discuss the challenge and impact of trauma, and the role leaders can play in improving trauma impact outcomes.

'Whether we realise it or not, in the battle arena we call life most of our time is spent in one grey area or the another' - Adelle Bradford (Author). Brian Cox is currently a senior officer within the Queensland State Emergency Service. He has an extensive 40-year military career as a regular, and still maintains his ADF connection as a current Colonel in the Army Reserve. His military highlights include joining as a trooper in 1980 driving Leopard Tanks, working with the British Army on the Rhine in 1986 conducting operations on the Berlin Wall, attachment to the British Forces during the first Gulf War 1991 to 1992, Commandant and Head of Corps of the Military Police in 2000, Australian National Commander in East Timor in 2005, and operations as a senior defence investigator in Afghanistan in 2010. Brian also has an extensive disaster management portfolio, working with the ASEAN Regional Forum and United Nations developing operating procedures for Humanitarian Response and Assistance, through to coordinating Defence responses to storms, fires and floods. Brian joined EMQ in 2011 as the Director Disaster Management and continues to contribute as a senior QFES officer. Want to understand Leadership in those grey areas a bit better? Then listen to this Podcast.

“Shoot for the moon, even if you miss you’ll land among the stars.” — Les Brown (Motivational speaker and author). My guest for this Podcast, Ali Lane is a principal at an IT consulting firm called Enable, a role which involves project management, people leadership and managing customer success. Whilst she loves being an “Enabler” celebrating her organisation’s employee-first culture, it is no secret that her passion lies in her “side-gig” in the SES. Ali is an aspiring leader in the Brisbane SES unit, having been appointed as Deputy Group Leader at her group in August this year. As someone with only 3 years tenure in the Service, she understands the challenges faced by new members wanting to make a positive difference in what can be a daunting organisation somewhat resistant to change. Ali is a busy and active person who believes the key to success is being wholehearted, positive and most importantly, showing up. This is a great Podcast for understanding leadership from the perspective of a current emerging leader.

Jason Sertori is a former QFES officer who courageously took an opportunity with the United Nations in 2016. Currently based in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jason Sertori is the Chief officer of the United Nations largest fire service, and has held this position since leaving QFES in 2016. In 2019, Jason was temporarily appointed as the Senior Coordinator for the Tactical Operations Centre for the Ebola Emergency Response, a position he held for several months, before returning to his normal role once that mission was achieved. In this podcast we discuss the many important points relating to moving from a frontline leadership role to a senior level leadership position. There are lots of pitfalls, however with the right counsel and some decent personal reflection, people can successfully make this jump. Enjoy the podcast!