Institution: University of Adelaide
Course: Transformative Leadership Program in Adelaide & Texas
I was first made aware of the ILF when I saw the announcement of some former colleagues and prominent customers of our business being awarded with ILF study grants in the Adelaide Advertiser (old school, I know).
Upon further investigation of the aims and objectives of the ILF, and sharing the ILF’s parochialism towards SA businesses and success stories, I felt this was an organisation I could very much benefit from, to assist my company’s growth and succession plans.
With nothing more than a “why not me” attitude, I went in cold with an application in 2016, and was thrilled to get a call from Geoff Vogt (former ILF CEO) that I had reached the 2nd interview stage. However, I readily admit I was underprepared for some of the uncomfortable (and completely justified) questions of some of the ILF stalwarts, and did not give my best effort.
After licking my wounds and taking on Geoff’s constructive advice, I undertook a different leadership course with a Defence-industry focus. I was then reintroduced to Geoff at the graduation function of that course, who suggested it might be time for another go.
So, armed with the references of some notable ILF Alumni, I made another application in 2021. After further communication with Geoff, this time around I applied for the Transformative Leadership Program offered by Adelaide University, and with a bit more preparation for the interview process, was successful. Persistence pays off people!
Due to COVID-related logistical complications, and competing work priorities, I ended up doing the TLP course in 2023, and was thrilled with the course offering, facilitators and our study cohort. Whilst the online course modules were very well coordinated, the opportunity to do two intensive in-house weeks (with one week being in Singapore in our case), proved to be most beneficial in terms of the ability to focus on the material covered, and offer an opportunity for deeper thought away from normal work duties.
Personally, I feel the TLP offers a deeper dive into the leadership aspects of an MBA, without the technical modules related to Finance, Marketing, etc, all in a fraction of the time. The ability to adapt to the rapid rate of change is going to be an increasingly important skill, and this course provides tools to step back and view such challenges differently.
Whilst being leaders in their field in their own right, course facilitators Andrew & Barry are able to draw on the contributions of fellow global leaders in the field of leadership studies, and prominent alumni of the course, to provide additional perspectives and real-life examples of their concepts at work.
Upon reflection, I am extremely grateful to Geoff for his recommendation, to course facilitators Andrew & Barry for imparting their wisdom and experiences upon us, and to our study group, from which I have formed some terrific friendships / sounding boards.
In a wider, post-study context, I am thrilled to now be a part of the ILF Alumni Network, which I consider to offer unrivalled value, both in terms of the calibre of the people within the network, and the functions / education sessions offered.
I have warmly (and sometimes forcefully) recommended both the ILF and the TLP to industry peers and customers, and will continue to do so.
