Leading Through Change The Victorian Workplace Mental Wellbeing Collaboration

“I've rediscovered nature. Now I actually can go for a walk, breathe, meditate, reflect; rather than try to see how quickly I can run five Ks so I can get back into the office.”

For the final episode of the current season of Leading Through Change, we’ve got two leaders for the price of one. Margo Lydon, CEO of SuperFriend sits down with Damien Mu, CEO and Managing Director of AIA Australia and New Zealand. Margo and Damien, along with their respective organisations, share a strong working partnership, and so their relaxed conversation reveals many personal insights.

Margo and Damien touch on growth mindsets during the recent pandemic and the importance of leaders connecting with the head and the heart of their organisations. They also cover topics on collegiate support, organisational purpose, maintaining manageable boundaries between work and life, and the necessity of self-care.

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More information…
AIA…
http://www.aia.com.au

SuperFriend…
https://superfriend.com.au

Victorian Workplace Mental Wellbeing Collaboration…
https://leadingwellvic.com.au/

WorkSafe’s WorkWell program…
https://www.workwell.vic.gov.au/how-can-we-create-mentally-healthy-workplace

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About our guests…

Damien Mu
CEO and Managing Director, AIA Australia and New Zealand

Damien’s career at AIA Australia began in 2007, and he was appointed to the role of CEO in 2014. Damien has more than 20 years’ experience in the Australian Financial Services industry, with management experience spanning life and health insurance, superannuation and investments.

AIA Australia is a founding member of the Shared Value Project. In 2019, AIA entered into a Joint Cooperation Agreement with CBA for the purchase of CommInsure Life.

In 2018, Damien was awarded the Shared Value Champion and the AB+F Australian Insurance Executive of the Year. He holds a number of directorships including the Financial Services Council (FSC), co-Chair of the FSC Life Board Committee and an Advisory Board member of the Shared Value Project.


Margo Lydon
CEO, SuperFriend

Margo has worked in mental health and suicide prevention for 20 years and has been CEO of SuperFriend for 10 years. She has extensive experience in leadership, business growth, strategic partnerships and systems change.

Margo represents SuperFriend on a number of nationally recognised strategic alliances including: The Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance, Victorian Workplace Mental Wellbeing Collaboration, LeadingWell Queensland Collaboration, and Roses in the Ocean’s Sector Advisory.

Through Margo’s involvement and influence in the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance, she Chairs the Stakeholder and Communications working group of the National Workplace Initiative – an $11.5 million investment over four years from the Commonwealth’s Department of Health to create a nationally consistent approach to workplace mental health.

Margo is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and was a finalist in the 2019 Telstra Business Women’s Awards (Victoria) in the “For Purpose and Social Enterprise” category.


About our host…

Mark Dean is the founder of En Masse, a specialist behaviour change company that specialises in psychological health, safety and inclusion in workplaces.

“I think that the environment of kindness within my chambers and within my workplace, is one that’s generated by everybody who is a participant in it.”

On this episode of Leading Through Change, Mark sits down with the Honourable Justice Melissa Perry QC. As a federal court judge, Melissa is often faced with the stresses and life-altering impacts of the rule of law. Although a rather unique working environment, the workplace wellbeing strategies Melissa has enacted in her chambers and courtroom present many adaptable examples for all leaders.

Melissa talks about the importance of supporting others through stressful times and about making those around us feel included and seen. She also discusses her own heroes and inspirations, with a particular focus on celebrating the small miracles in life, as opposed to focusing on materialism.

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More information…

Victorian Workplace Mental Wellbeing Collaboration
https://leadingwellvic.com.au/

WorkSafe’s WorkWell program…
https://www.workwell.vic.gov.au/how-can-we-create-mentally-healthy-workplace

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About our guest…

Melissa Perry QC
Justice in the Federal Court of Australia

Melissa Perry was appointed to the Federal Court of Australia on 23 September 2013.
Justice Perry was appointed as a Deputy President of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (2019) and commissioned in the office of Member of the Defence Force Discipline Appeal Tribunal (11 October 2018). Since 2011, she has also served as a Squadron Leader with the Royal Australian Air Force, Legal Specialist Reserves.

Melissa graduated from the University of Adelaide and was admitted as a practitioner in 1985. She was subsequently awarded an LLM and PhD in public international law from the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. Her doctorate on State succession, boundaries and territorial regimes was awarded the Yorke Prize.

She practiced at the Bar from 1992 to 2013, being appointed Queen’s Counsel for South Australia in 2004.

Melissa has also been Visiting Fellow at the University of Cambridge. She is a Fellow and former Director of the Australian Academy of Law. In addition, Melissa is a section-editor with the Australian Law Journal and has been appointed as the Federal Court representative on the Judicial Council on Cultural Diversity (JCCD), an advisory body formed to assist Australian courts, judicial officers and administrators to positively respond to Australia’s diverse needs, including the particular issues that arise in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Among her many other appointments, Melissa served for many years as a mentor with the New South Wales Bar Association Junior Women’s Mentoring Scheme and the Sydney University Women’s Mentoring Program.


About our host…

Mark Dean is the founder of En Masse, a specialist behaviour change company that specialises in psychological health, safety and inclusion in workplaces.

An experienced executive coach, equal opportunity and behaviour change adviser and facilitator, Mark has developed and delivered hundreds of facilitated sessions to workplaces across Australia and internationally. He also has over 20 years experience as an executive coach to CEOs, board members and other high potential leaders.

Having worked extensively in workplace conflict resolution, Mark delivers training programs to professional services, corporate and government workplaces focusing on the full spe

“To me, it's all about playing to the strengths of individuals and taking the best of what is.”

Mark is joined by Damian Wells, Managing Director of Coliban Water, in this latest episode of Leading Through Change. Damian’s time with Coliban Water started in late 2019 in the midst of a personal health challenge that ultimately taught him a lot about collegiate support, and the power of self-actualisation.

During their conversation, Damian speaks about setting actionable tasks for his team, the importance of consultation in organisational purpose, and the impacts of conducting regular wellbeing check-ins with his staff. All of this comes filtered through Damian’s inspiring and humanistic approach to leadership.

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More information
Coliban Water…
https://coliban.com.au

Victorian Workplace Mental Wellbeing Collaboration…
https://leadingwellvic.com.au/

WorkSafe’s WorkWell program…
https://www.workwell.vic.gov.au/how-can-we-create-mentally-healthy-workplace

WorkSafe Victoria Website…
https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/resources/work-related-stress-prevention-risk-management-worksheet

https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/resources/preventing-and-managing-work-related-stress-guidebook-employers

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About our guest…

Damian Wells
Managing Director, Coliban Water

Damian’s career has included work in technical and leadership roles in water, environment and regulation. After early-career technical roles in catchment management and water, Damian held an operational leadership role at Goulburn-Murray Water before being appointed CEO of North Central Catchment Management Authority in 2008.

In 2015, Damian was appointed an Executive Director at the Environment Protection Authority Victoria where he led the statewide regulatory operations.

Damian also has over 10 years experience as a Non-Executive Director having previously served on the Board of Anglicare Victoria and its predecessor organisations.

Damian is a Non-Executive Director of Zero Emissions Water (ZEW) and is the Chair of the Bendigo Advisory Board for La Trobe University.


About our host…

Mark Dean is the founder of En Masse, a specialist behaviour change company that specialises in psychological health, safety and inclusion in workplaces.

An experienced executive coach, equal opportunity and behaviour change adviser and facilitator, Mark has developed and delivered hundreds of facilitated sessions to workplaces across Australia and internationally. He also has over 20 years experience as an executive coach to CEOs, board members and other high potential leaders.

Having worked extensively in workplace conflict resolution, Mark delivers training programs to professional services, corporate and government workplaces focusing on the full spectrum of behavioural health interventions, from prevention through to crisis management (including conciliation / mediation).

Mark is also a qualified lawyer with a strong background in equal opportunity, anti-discrimination and mental health at work.

“Everybody wants to know that somebody cares. And I'm not sure how we let them know without actually telling them that you do.”

This week we celebrate NAIDOC Week.

With the theme, ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’, NAIDOC 2020 recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years.

And so for the third episode of Leading Through Change - and during this very special week - Mark checks in with Professor Colleen Hayward AM, senior Noongar woman and former Ambassador for the Commissioner for Children and Young People. The conversation they share takes some detours from the confines of the workplace, and instead focuses on community and empathy. They present many ideas and approaches that can be easily adaptable to a more traditional working environment.

Colleen talks with Mark about caring for colleagues and co-workers, using the changing environment as a time for reflection and growth, and bridging the divides that exist among us. They touch on topics such as connection, inclusion, flexibility, and the importance of perseverance.

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More information…
Celebrating NAIDOC Week - 8-15 November 2020
https://www.naidoc.org.au/

Victorian Workplace Mental Wellbeing Collaboration
https://leadingwellvic.com.au/

WorkSafe’s WorkWell program…
https://www.workwell.vic.gov.au/how-can-we-create-mentally-healthy-workplace

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About our guest…

Colleen Hayward AM

Professor Colleen Hayward AM is a former Ambassador for the Commissioner for Children and Young People. She is a senior Noongar woman with extensive family links throughout the South West of WA.

Colleen was the Head of Kurongkurl Katitjin, Edith Cowan University’s Centre for Indigenous Education and Research, a position she held concurrently with being Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Equity and Indigenous, across the University.

For more than 30 years, Professor Hayward has worked to influence policies and programs on a wide range of issues, reflecting the needs of minority groups at community, state and national levels.

With an extensive background in the areas of health, education, employment, training, housing, child protection and law and justice, Professor Hayward is highly regarded for her long-standing work for and on behalf of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

Among her many achievements, Professor Hayward has been awarded the 2008 National NAIDOC Aboriginal Person of the Year Award, the Premier of WA’s prestigious Multicultural Ambassador’s Award (2006) and she is an inductee into the WA Department of Education’s Hall of Fame for Achievement in Aboriginal Education (2009).

In 2012, Colleen was inducted into the Western Australian Women’s Hall of Fame as well being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for service to tertiary education through administrative and research roles, and for service to the advancement of the rights of Indigenous people, particularly in the areas of social welfare, law and justice and children's health.


About our host…

Mark Dean is the founder of En Masse, a specialist behaviour change company that specialises in psychological health, safety and inclusion in workplaces.

An experienced executive coach, equal opportunity and behaviour change adviser and facilitator, Mark has developed and delivered hundreds of f

“How do we support everyone to be a change-maker? That’s been my consistent thread of purpose throughout my career.”

Nick Moraitis, CEO of Foundation for Young Australians, settles in for a chat with Mark on this episode of Leading Through Change. Having only been at FYA for a short time, Nick has some fascinating insights on beginning a new role during a pandemic lockdown, where water-cooler chats have been replaced with Zoom meetings.

Nick speaks about the future of work in the not-for-profit sector, and focuses in on concepts of purpose, connection, empowering movements of change, and building a generation of new leaders.

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More information
Foundation for Young Australians…
https://www.fya.org.au

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About our guest…

Nick Moraitis
CEO, Foundation for Young Australians

Nick's passion is creating a more engaged democracy and backing young people leading the way. Prior to joining FYA, Nick spent eight years as Executive Director of Australian Progress, the leading capacity-builder for civil society organisations.

Over the years, Nick has worked in New York, Toronto, London, Sydney and Melbourne on issues ranging from the digital divide and human rights, to climate change and education - whether as a non-profit leader, CEO of a consultancy firm, board member, mentor or volunteer. Nick has served in a dozen board roles, including Centre for Policy Development and the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, and is currently a Director of Pride Cup.


About our host…

Mark Dean is the founder of En Masse, a specialist behaviour change company that specialises in psychological health, safety and inclusion in workplaces.

An experienced executive coach, equal opportunity and behaviour change adviser and facilitator, Mark has developed and delivered hundreds of facilitated sessions to workplaces across Australia and internationally. He also has over 20 years experience as an executive coach to CEOs, board members and other high potential leaders.

Having worked extensively in workplace conflict resolution, Mark delivers training programs to professional services, corporate and government workplaces focusing on the full spectrum of behavioural health interventions, from prevention through to crisis management (including conciliation / mediation).

Mark is also a qualified lawyer with a strong background in equal opportunity, anti-discrimination and mental health at work.

“Human connection, human experience and sharing that experience with others. That’s what drives us.”

On the first episode of Leading Through Change, Mark sits down with Claire Spencer, CEO at Arts Centre Melbourne. It’s a chat that centres around Claire’s work on addressing the need for easy access to mental health services for those within the performing arts sector.

Claire tells us about the organisational culture at Arts Centre Melbourne and about when the decision was made to shut its doors in the midst of the pandemic. We also learn about how Claire uses positive social connections and consultation as a core leadership principle, and the importance of mental wellness and taking care of ourselves.

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More information
The Arts Wellbeing Collective…
https://www.artswellbeingcollective.com.au/
https://www.workwell.vic.gov.au/workwell-mhif-recipient-arts-wellbeing-collective

WorkSafe’s WorkWell program…
https://www.workwell.vic.gov.au/
https://www.workwell.vic.gov.au/how-can-we-create-mentally-healthy-workplace

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About our guest…

Claire Spencer AM
CEO, Arts Centre Melbourne

Largely credited with changing the course of Arts Centre Melbourne, Claire Spencer, a chartered accountant with a master’s in theology, has steered the organisation towards financial and organisational sustainability.

She is currently managing the temporary closure of Arts Centre Melbourne, navigating the organisation through this time as well as supporting the Precinct and sector as we look ahead to recovery post pandemic.

Under her guidance and support, the Arts Wellbeing Collective (AWC), a mental health and wellbeing innovative collective was set up by the Arts Centre Melbourne in collaboration with the sector to better support the wellbeing of performing arts workers across the country.

Claire is both a mentor and Board member of the Pinnacle Foundation and a member of Chief Executive Women.

In January 2020, Claire was recognised with an Order of Australia (AM) for services to the arts and community.

Claire is married with three children.


About our host…
Mark Dean is the founder of En Masse, a specialist behaviour change company that specialises in psychological health, safety and inclusion in workplaces.

An experienced executive coach, equal opportunity and behaviour change adviser and facilitator, Mark has developed and delivered hundreds of facilitated sessions to workplaces across Australia and internationally. He also has over 20 years experience as an executive coach to CEOs, board members and other high potential leaders.

Having worked extensively in workplace conflict resolution, Mark delivers training programs to professional services, corporate and government workplaces focusing on the full spectrum of behavioural health interventions, from prevention through to crisis management (including conciliation / mediation).

Mark is also a qualified lawyer with a strong background in equal opportunity, anti-discrimination and mental health at work.