David Stewart, RYP International

It seems every day there is a never-ending chorus of what we need to do, what is wrong with the world, and what is good for us. I was thinking about this the other week when I was stuck in a grid-lock traffic jam outside a university due to a student protest. They were determined to cause the most disruption to the traffic as they possibly could.

Change and comfort do not co-exist. That is a fact. If change is a constant in life, then the ability to manage oneself through all life changes is a critical personal attribute. Self-management is a core life skill. It involves our ability to control our thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and actions effectively ...

Charles Darwin was right when he said: "It is not the strongest nor most intelligent of the species that survives, but the one that is most adaptable to change!" The ability to adapt is just as important for a business as it is for staff. History is littered with organisations that failed to adapt ...

As the world gets more complex, the need to problem solve is a critical employability skill. We seem to live in a world where our “patience is appreciated” but problems are not solved. An example is when you have the misfortune to contact a telecommunications, utility, financial services, or government organisation ... Problem solving and accountability go hand in hand!

There is an old saying. Just because you said something does not mean they heard you. We live in the 24/7 communication age. The challenge for any leader is which form of communication is the most effective ... 10 communication tips for our next generation ...

The World Economic Forum and The International Leadership and Management Congress have undertaken some research to identify the critical employability skills our next generation will need to acquire and apply over their career. Employability skills are what every employer looks for in any new hire.

Last week I attended and spoke at an International Leadership and Management Conference in Liverpool UK. It is an annual conference where academics and practitioners come together to share and explore the latest research and new trends on leadership. One of the key themes discussed that impacted me was the session on how technology and AI is impacting on our next generation’s ability to critically think.

I've heard leaders who refer to themselves as “straight shooters,” who will "call people out", and "hold them to account". This is all well and good. However, if combined with an aggressive tone of voice and language, this approach can put people on edge. Such leaders might be challenged on the importance of being respectful, empathetic, and personable to be deemed credible.

It is interesting watching politicians balancing the leadership tightrope of being liked versus being respected. To get initially elected they must appeal to their constituents and be liked. Then over time, they must become respected – as this is what ensures long-term tenure. Credibility is the foundation of leadership.

Courage, egalitarianism, mateship, resilience, sacrifice, adaptability, camaraderie ... The ANZAC spirit is ageless. By embodying these ANZAC-inspired qualities, leaders can create a positive and emotionally safe team culture to help inspire resilience and excellence into their teams, especially as we navigate through times of uncertainty and adversity.