CYILA empowers the next generation of leaders at Woodside Energy
The second Indigenous cohort from Woodside Energy has emerged from the third and final workshop of their Indigenous Leadership Development Program (ILDP) with Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership as equipped with the knowledge and confidence to become leaders in their field.
The program concluded in Boorloo (Perth) and focused on the principal of ‘Lead Change’, bringing together months of learning, reflection and growth into a powerful culmination of culturally grounded leadership.
The ILDP’s three workshops – Lead Self, Lead Team and Lead Change – saw the leaders explore what it means to lead with purpose, grounded in identity and culture. The final session challenged the group to take their learnings beyond the room, translating personal and team leadership into meaningful action that drives transformation within their workplaces, communities and broader industry.
During this final instalment , the leaders were able to meet and hear directly from some incredible changemakers in the space, including Cape York Partnership Group CEO Fiona Jose and Woodside Energy’s Head of First Nations and Human Rights Sharon Reynolds. The two leaders sat down with the group and shared their personal leadership journey, impactful stories and anecdotes, and answered any questions the cohort posed.
Ms Jose touched on the importance of perception when in a leadership role and how she shows up differently depending on who she is facing.
“Perception and how you’re percieved does matter when you’re trying to lead, especially if you’re leading and you need influence of mass mob, which is my agenda... I can’t do it without the people actually on the ground leading reform,” she said.
Facilitated by Cape York Institute’s Head of Strategy and Partnerships, Jim Davis, the ILDP provides the space for participants to identify the legacies they wish to create and the pathways to achieving them. The cohort reflected on the collective strength that comes from leading with integrity, empathy and a strong sense of belonging.
Jim was once again impressed with the level of leadership displayed by the cohort throughout the workshops and is excited to see what lies next for them on their leadership journeys.
“It’s been incredible to watch these emerging leaders grow in confidence and purpose over the course of the program,” he said.
“The commitment shown by these leaders to drive positive change, both within their workplaces and in the broader community, is a testament to their character and to the value of culturally grounded leadership.
Seeing the success of this cohort and their ability to embrace the opportunity to connect, reflect and lead with integrity gives me great confidence in the future of First Nations leadership at Woodside.
CYI Head of Strategy and Partnerships Jim Davis
Woodside Operator Tara Beattie said unlike other leadership programs, the ILDP focuses on the participants discovering who they are first and what their own inherint leadership qualities are before learning how to lead others or lead change.
“A lot of the other leadership programs that I’ve been through are pretty much just... very systematic, you’ve got A, B, C, D this is what you follow and that’s it,” she said. “Wheras this leadership course is actually understanding who you are as well – what’re your passions and what drives you.”
For Operations Technician Daniel Farmer, that focus on self-understanding has been key. The program’s emphasis on personal growth and identity has helped translate those insights into real-world confidence.
“I haven’t really considered being a leader before – I was an unofficial leader,” he said. “Now doing this course gives me the confidence to take the next step and when I do go back to work, maybe go into those leadership roles where I do lead a team, not just an Indigenous team but a full team.
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