What’s your passion and how do you want to make a difference in the world?
I am passionate about increasing diversity on boards and committees as I want society to have a world class aged care and community sector that is underpinned by strong governance and leadership.
Why is inclusion important to you personally?
I have experienced exclusion and this has contributed to my own personal worldview of wanting to include rather than exclude people. Inclusion starts with each of us understanding what diversity means to us. I think it is about me as a leader understanding my own attributes and beliefs about difference. In order to be a role model for diversity and inclusion I think we need to start by talking about diversity, listening to and learning from people who are different to me and by sharing stories.
How do we create a society that does more than accept difference?
I think this starts with understanding our own diversity and understanding what has contributed to our own worldview. We can’t change others we can other change ourselves. We don’t see the world as it is, we see the world as we are. So we must start with our self, our ‘Way of Being”. We need to gain clarity about how we are different from our parents, siblings, relatives. Thinking about what experiences have made us think differently from others. Considering what aspects of our identity have formed and influenced our views, perspectives and assumptions such as our place of birth, gender, age, generation, appearance, education, ethnicity, abilities/disabilities, profession, income level, being a parent, sexual preference and dietary preference. Know thy self and listen to others.
About Nicky
Nicky is the CEO of Southcare, a leadership and management coach and ontological practitioner, with over 25 years senior management experience working in government and not-for-profit sectors in the areas of employment, education, welfare, health, aged care and community services.
Her particular focus is on the development of people and building the capacity within organisations so they can successfully achieve their objectives. She is the co-founder of Engaging Young Leaders on Aged Care and Community Boards, an award winning collaborative governance and leadership program which is creating a pipeline for young professionals to secure Board Director Positions. She recently co-authored a book titled Difference Makers: A Leader's Guide to Championing Diversity on Boards.
She holds the university qualifications of DBA, Post Graduate in Public Sector Management and BA in Public Administration. She holds a Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Ontological Coaching, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Diploma and a Fellow of LWA.