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Leadership qualities emerge when we focus on serving others
How does one go from leading kids through the bush to leading conversations about climate change at the Paris agreement? Such is the leadership journey of former Australian Ambassador to Colombia and Venezuela, Sophie Davies. I first met Sophie at Outward Bound. She flat out inspired me with her composure in handling twenty staff in remote places, driving a massive bus, and setting up a technically challenging remote basecamp. She has a compelling knack for being both humble and extremely competent. Just what you need on the world stage! Listen in to hear her leadership insights.
Why you should listen: Learn the practice of developing leadership skills
The differences between Latin American and Australian cultures
How support networks are essential for overcoming the impostor syndrome and developing a great leadership mindset
What we need to do to encourage more women leaders to cultivate their own leadership strengths
How planning days are a lost opportunity unless we have follow up meetings
We explore how leadership empathy is essential for leading across cultures
Finding out people’s motivators is essential for managing differences between cultures, and humans more broadly.
The worst advice is: “You’re the boss”. The best advice is, “Be yourself”.
How Australians are appreciated around the world for their soft power of culture and reputation
How Australia is truly innovative: we have 16 Nobel Laureates - an incredible national leadership journey
Australia is leading the way around the world with 42% of its ambassadors being female: a leadership framework for the world to emulate
👉🏼 Want to share your experience? Ask a question? Share a resource? Jump on our podcast Facebook page here.
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SHOWNOTES:
About Sophie Davies:
Leadership journey with Sophie Davies
Born in Marulan, New South Wales, Sophie graduated with an Economics/ Law degree from the University of Sydney. She later obtained a Master's Degree in International Development (RMIT) and a Master's Degree in Evaluation from the University of Melbourne.
Sophie initially worked as a lawyer and later in facilitation and personal development with Outward Bound Australia. She then worked in the international development sector for 12 years working in Guyana, Costa Rica, PNG, the Solomon Islands and Southeast Asia.
She worked in Peru from 2012 to 2015, first as regional manager for Australia’s Latin America aid program and later as Australia’s Deputy Ambassador to Peru and Bolivia.
From 2016-17 she was Director for climate change negotiations for the Australian government in Canberra.
In June 2017, she was appointed Australia’s first Ambassador to Colombia, and in February 2018 as concurrent Ambassador to Venezuela, where she served until April 2020.
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Related Episodes:
E80 - Composure: how to be calm when things are tough
E46 - There's more to listening than hearing - a marvellous interview with Oscar Trimboli
E4 - 3 influence points for long-term strategic change
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About your podcast host, Zoë Routh:
Zoë Routh is one of Australia’s leading experts on people stuff - the stuff that gets in our way of producing results, and the stuff that lights us up. She works with the growers, makers, builders to make people stuff fun and practical.
Zoë is the author of four books: Composure - How centered leaders make the biggest impact, Moments - Leadership when it matters most, Loyalty - Stop unwanted stuff turnover, boost engagement, and build lifelong advocates, and People Stuff - Beyond Personalities: An advanced handbook for leadership. People Stuff was awarded Book of the Year 2020 by the Smart WFM Australian Business Book Awards.
Zoë is also the producer of The Zoë Routh Leadership Podcast.