I recently had the pleasure of dipping my toe back in the glorious waters of the Sync Leadership program, after a hiatus of seven years.
Originally part of the first Australian cohort of the program back in 2014, this time round I joined Sarah Pickthall as part of the facilitation team to work with the third Australian iteration of the program, held online at the end of 2021.
I additionally trained as a facilitator on the Sync Twilight program in 2022.
What a difference 7 years makes! Since that beautiful time spent at our residential in northern Sydney in October 2014, I have left my job of nearly a decade, given birth to and am now raising a beautiful young child and have undertaken a round-the-world research trip of a lifetime thanks to a Churchill Fellowship. I’ve also worked professionally with a lot of my colleagues from that initial Sync cohort and maintained firm friendships.
At the moment, feel that I am much more effective as a ‘Mary Poppins’ style leader – as a consultant, I get to come in and work with organisations to help make things better and then set off into the sunset and let them carry on with it all themselves.
Morwenna Collett
And while I knew I wasn’t the same person now as I was then, I was surprised at just how much I have changed as a leader in that time. I think I initially had this idea that once I’d worked out my leadership style through Sync, that that was it – great, tick, done! But actually for me, while at the time I may have felt like a butterfly emerging from a concoon with my newfound leadership knowledge, my understanding of myself as a leader has grown and deepened over time. Having the necessity to go back and do some deep thinking about leadership again after such a gap was a bit exposing but deliciously nourishing and fulfilling in amidst a jam-packed professional and personal life. And what a gift to myself it was – so thanks Sarah for the invitation!
Having the necessity to go back and do some deep thinking about leadership again after such a gap was a bit exposing but deliciously nourishing and fulfilling in amidst a jam-packed professional and personal life.
Morwenna Collett
For me, the things that changed most noticeably were my leadership metaphor, leadership styles and even my leadership matrix. I remember initially struggling to find my metaphor back in 2014 and eventually settling on a ‘bee’ and the concept of being a cross-pollinator of ideas. And while I still like to think of myself as an ideas germinator, my current metaphor hit me almost immediately – looking out to a clear horizon over a calm blue ocean. While my feet might often be madly paddling to stay afloat beneath the water, I now have a conscious sense of leading from a place of calmness – I do honestly believe that there is rarely such a thing as a life or death ‘arts emergency’ and I try and keep things in perspective now in a way that I couldn’t have done 7 years ago – thanks to a whole of life experience.
I was pleased to see a new leadership style of ‘inclusive leadership’ emerge over recent years, as this wasn’t something on offer as concept when we did the course back in 2014. That really spoke to me and aligns with my previously identified styles of charismatic and collaborative leadership, which I still identify with as well. And getting my head round the leadership matrix and repeating the associated questionnaire – well, the big discovery there was that I am now much more open and comfortable with receiving feedback than younger me was, and that can only be a good thing – I’ve definitely learnt some important lessons because of this over recent years!
So my ‘ah ha’ moment during Sync 2021 was that leadership is not a destination that one arrives at, nor something that is set in stone. It can ebb and flow and has really been more of a continuum for me, and I hope it continues in this way.
Morwenna Collett
Reflecting back on this, I’ve seen this play out in my career choices and aspirations over the last few years. I’m more comfortable in my own skin and no longer feel the need to chase the big shiny job with the fancy title. At the moment, feel that I am much more effective as a ‘Mary Poppins’ style leader – as a consultant, I get to come in and work with organisations to help make things better and then set off into the sunset and let them carry on with it all themselves. 2014 Morwenna would never have had the courage to take a risk and try and support herself and her family by running her own small business – but 2022 Morwenna is very glad that her leadership style has developed to a point where she’s now comfortable to do this, because it is so great!
Leadership evolves and traits, styles and preferences can change over time. To me, leadership skills can be learned, developed and improved on over time – and I can’t wait to see the type of leader I will be in another 7 years!
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Morwenna Collett | Consultant – arts, diversity, access and inclusion. Copyright © Morwenna Collett February 2022. Morwenna Collett is an accomplished leader, consultant and facilitator with 15 years’ experience in government, the arts, not-for-profit and university sectors, Morwenna has worn the hats of CEO, Board Director, senior leadership team member, project manager, lecturer, researcher, trainer and advisor. She is currently working as an arts consultant specialising in diversity, access and inclusion, and is a member of advisory committees with the City of Sydney, Sydney Festival, Perth Festival and Sydney Fringe.