The Talking Leadership project started with a rowing competition, a passion for management, and a plan to bring academia and industry together over a shared interest in leadership.
Talking Leadership was developed by Dr Toby Newstead, a lecturer in management at the University of Tasmania. It involves a series of two-hour sessions held throughout the year with professionals at Launceston’s Henty House as they discuss what leadership is, what leadership isn’t, and what leadership might look like in the future.
“The idea for Talking Leadership came from a discussion with a colleague at the Vice Chancellor’s Rowing Competition,” said Dr Newstead. “We knew that there was a disconnect between the study of leadership in academia and leadership in practice, and I wanted to try bridging that gap.”
While Talking Leadership started as a passion project for Dr Newstead, its popularity quickly grew. In 2021, there were eight sessions focusing on topics such as Crisis Leadership, Leadership and Diversity, and Leadership and Culture, with over 100 participants from a variety of industries.
“We’ve had people from local government, the volunteering sector, sole-traders, and some of Tassie’s largest businesses come along to share their experiences, learn from the group, and unpack what leadership can and should look like.”
“Each session, there is a different mix of people with diverse questions, experiences, and insights,” said Dr Newstead. “All we ask is that people come with an open mind and that they leave their rank and title at the door – at our Talking Leadership sessions, we’re all equals sharing and learning together.”
Before her journey into academia, Dr Newstead worked across communications and management consultancy roles for all manner of organisations, but one thing has remained consistent: her passion for leadership.
“As a professional, academic, and self-confessed leadership nerd, I’ve spent a lot of my career advising on and analysing leadership and management.”
“I bring my own experience to the Talking Leadership sessions and provide some scholarly insight, but I mainly focus on keeping the conversation flowing and making sure everyone gets to share and discuss the topic on the day,” said Dr Newstead.
If you'd like to attend a future Talking Leadership event, please register your interest by emailing business.network@utas.edu.au.
Photo taken by Haydn Robertson