Indigenous leaders from across Woodside Energy have begun a three-part leadership development journey with the Leadership Academy of Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership.
A new cohort of Indigenous leaders from across Woodside came together on Whadjuk Noogar Country in Boorloo (Perth) last week to begin the Leadership Academy’s Indigenous Leadership Development Program (ILDP).
The annual program is tailored to Indigenous leadership potential and the distinct experiences, perspectives and strengths participants bring to their workplaces, families and communities.
Now in its third year, the partnership between Woodside Energy and the Leadership Academy supports Indigenous employees to deepen their understanding of their leadership qualities, connect with colleagues and strengthen a network of Indigenous leaders across the organisation.
The first week-long workshop was held at Kings Park on Whadjuk Noongar Country and brought together employees from a broad range of roles across Woodside, including asset and operational teams, human resources, legal and other corporate areas.
Despite coming from different professional backgrounds and areas of the business, this year’s participants quickly built trust and began exploring thoughtful and sometimes challenging conversations about identity, values and leadership.
Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership Head of Partnerships Jim Davis said each cohort brought its own character, perspectives and experiences.
“Every year through the ILDP, we have the privilege of meeting a new group of leaders from across Woodside,” he said.
“What stood out from day one was this cohort’s willingness to connect deeply, engage respectfully and learn from one another, even through difficult conversations.
Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership Head of Partnerships Jim Davis
Rather than applying a generic model of leadership development, the ILDP creates space for participants to consider how culture, identity, lived experience and community connection shape the way they lead. It recognises these qualities not as separate from professional leadership, but as strengths that can enrich decision-making, relationships and influence.
The Indigenous Leadership Development Program is delivered through three workshops: Lead Self, Lead Team and Lead Change.
Workshop One, Lead Self, encourages participants to explore who they are, what has shaped them and what matters most to them.
It invites participants to consider how their identity and experiences influence their leadership, while building the self-awareness needed to lead with greater confidence and purpose.
Woodside Energy Contracts and Procurement Adviser Ashton Hardstaff said the workshop had broadened her understanding of leadership, helping her see how individual strengths, teamwork and influence could create positive change.
“One of my key takeaways from the first workshop was recognising how different my strengths are from those of the people I work with, and how positive those differences can be,” she said.
“When we bring our strengths together, we can achieve really good outcomes.
I came into the workshop focused on what I could gain personally and how I could improve my own leadership style. I’m leaving this first workshop with a much broader view of leadership and what we can achieve when we work together
Woodside Energy Contracts and Procurement Adviser Ashton Hardstaff
Process Technician Joel Maitland said the first workshop had helped him better understand his strengths and learn from colleagues across different parts of Woodside.
“I’ve realised that one of my strengths is seeing what people are good at and helping put the right people in the right positions so they can use those strengths fully,” he said.
“What surprised me most was the level of involvement from day one. Everyone spoke up, listened respectfully and shared openly, which made it feel very different from a normal workshop.”
The cohort will return for the second workshop, Lead Team, in August. It will focus on building strong relationships, supporting others and creating effective and culturally safe teams.
The final workshop, Lead Change, will be held in late September and will explore how participants can influence systems, navigate change and lead meaningful action within their organisation and communities.
Together, the three workshops support participants to strengthen their leadership of self, teams and organisational change, while continuing to build lasting connections across Woodside.
FOR THE LOVE OF OUR CHILDREN
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Cape York Partnership before 30 June. Your donation will create real opportunities for First Nations families to take responsibility and build a stronger future.
