Institution: Said Business School, University of Oxford (UK)
Course: Strategic Leadership Program
The award of a grant in 2019 from the Industry Leaders Fund (ILF) provided me with the greatest educational opportunity I have had for many years. The ILF application process was straight forward and from the beginning started the process of self reflection and growth. Geoff Vogt provided strong encouragement and guidance throughout the process encouraging me to challenge my own thinking and motivation for applying.
In order to choose a course I attended the Industry Leaders Fund information evening where representatives from Australian and international institutions were present. I was looking for a leadership experience that was different and focused on personal growth rather than theories of management and leadership. Subsequent to hearing feedback from previous scholars, as well as reading and listening to the information provided, it became clear that the Oxford Strategic Leadership Programme was the right choice for me.
The Oxford Strategic Leadership Programme is a self-professed experiential course where leadership is considered through the lens of the humanities. Across six days, the theme of ‘stepping into the swamp with confidence’ and ‘making new maps’ flowed from session to session. We were encouraged to ensure that we took sufficient time to reflect, converse and explore with curiosity the conversations and alternative ways of thinking that were brought together by leaders from 18 different countries.
Leadership was presented and discussed in the context of the emerging world of fake news and artificial intelligence, through the eyes of Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ and as a leader of experts by conducting a choir. The five days were full of opportunities to converse and discuss through small tutor groups and across many meals and sessions. The Programme began with the assertion that leaders need to take time to think and challenge where they are in order to get to where they want to go; Leadership is a relationship between two people that requires direction and energy and a confidence to step into the swampy ground and embrace the uncertainty of not knowing.
It was suggested that it may take some time, 6 months or a year, to absorb reflect and act on some of the material presented from the Programme. I have some significant number of notes to revisit and consider across the next period. For Cooper Energy and myself as a leader, the opportunity is in the recognition of those things that represent the old story, what has got me to where I am now and the realization and recognition of what will get me to where I and the company want to go.
My thanks go out to the Industry Leaders Fund and Cooper Energy for giving me the opportunity to have this amazing and worthwhile experience and I look forward to the effect it will have on my future.
