David Stewart, RYP International

If you’re a leader, you’re no stranger to the chaos of daily demands. Competing priorities, constant interruptions, and the pressure to deliver—often with limited time and resources. It can make it feel like you’re always reacting to issues instead of leading.

In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, regional leaders face unique challenges. They must navigate rapidly changing circumstances and often work with limited resources compared to city-based counterparts. In this environment, one leadership quality rises above the rest: curiosity.

In the world of leadership, credibility is your currency. Credibility is the basis of all leadership. Without it, influence wanes, trust crumbles, and motivation in your team falters. There is a difference between being a leader and just someone in charge. The difference between the two is credibility.

I was talking to the owner of my local coffee shop, and he told me he had just wrapped up a team meeting with his staff to talk about the importance of their energy and enthusiasm and its impact on the ambience they create for their customers ... so refreshing to hear how a young business owner places so much importance on team culture and the impact it has on the success of the business.

Being a leader is a big responsibility be it in a voluntary or commercial capacity. All leaders have the best intentions, but it is a challenging role which requires balance, adaptability, persistence and constant self-improvement ... Over the many years I have had with working with a huge array of leaders, here are some common mistakes leaders make, and how to potentially avoid or recognise them.

Regional and rural leaders must navigate ongoing challenges that require resilience, creativity, and a strong sense of community. Indeed, the mere nature of living in the bush requires a timeless set of qualities which require constant practice and application. It seems many of these qualities are being lost or diminished with our next generation of city-based leaders.

Credible leadership is a widely discussed topic, and in recent times we have seen some great and poor examples of leadership qualities on the world stage ... Credibility is the basis for leadership and requires a leader to adopt their own unique style. Just like parenting.

Hygiene factors are the “don’t pass go” elements which are fundamental to any team ... Motivators are the intrinsic factors that directly inspire people to perform, feel a sense of belonging, and find satisfaction in what they are doing.

The ability to motivate others is the never-ending issue for every parent, leader, manager, coach, teacher, or farmer since the dawn of time. Yet it remains one of the most misunderstood aspects of leadership.

I am a co-founder and Chair of a business (My Word) that enables families to capture the life stories of their loved elders. Storytelling is the oldest and most accurate way to pass on history and wisdom. To know where you have come from is to know who you are ... The elderly, with decades of life behind them, offer unique insights into what it means to lead effectively and meaningfully.