Pre Conference Workshop:

21st April 9:00 am – 4:00 PM

The Practical Leadership Playbook for New Leaders

Leading with Clarity and Courage

Stepping into leadership can feel overwhelming. You are suddenly expected to set expectations, give feedback, manage emotions and lead conversations that feel uncomfortable, often without clear guidance on how to do it well. This full day pre conference workshop is designed to give new and emerging leaders practical structure, language and confidence to lead with clarity and courage from the very start.

This highly interactive masterclass focuses on the real leadership moments new leaders face every day. Through practical tools, real workplace scenarios and guided practice, you will learn how to manage your emotional responses, set clear boundaries, and lead people conversations with confidence and care. You will leave with a practical leadership playbook you can return to again and again as you grow in your role.

What You Will Learn

Grounded in research and tested in real workplaces, this workshop will help you to:

• Strengthen self awareness and emotional regulation as a new leader
• Understand your personal leadership style and build resilience early
• Set clear expectations for behaviour, performance and working relationships
• Create accountability and psychological safety through clear boundaries and shared commitments
• Deliver feedback that supports growth, confidence and performance
• Navigate difficult conversations with clarity, care and confidence

What You Will Take Away

By the end of the workshop, you will leave with:

• A practical leadership playbook filled with tools, templates, conversation guides and frameworks you can use immediately
• Greater confidence to prepare for and lead challenging conversations
• A peer learning experience with other new leaders navigating similar challenges
• The clarity and capability to apply what you have learned straight away in your leadership role

Conference Day 1: 26th November

09:00 AM Welcome to Country

9:05 AM Opening Remarks from Chair & TLI Introduction

Session 1 - 09:20 From Manager to Visionary — Lessons from a Modern CEO

Hear directly from a senior Rose  who started where you are and climbed the ranks to lead a major organisation. This keynote-style session shares the real story behind the rise — including the challenges, mindset shifts, and big lessons that shaped their leadership journey.

10:10 AM: It’s Time.....for Networking!

10:30 AM MORNING TEA

Session 2 - 11:00 AM: Scaling Innovation Through a Culture of Care: Leading Growth Without Losing Heart

Innovation isn’t just about breakthrough technology — it’s about creating an environment where people feel valued and empowered to think differently. Rob’s journey through complex operations and major project transformations demonstrates how authentic care for your team becomes the foundation for sustained innovation during rapid growth. This session explores practical strategies for maintaining innovative thinking as companies scale, building psychological safety that encourages risk-taking, and creating systems that support both individual and collective achievement. Attendees will learn how a culture of care isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s the strategic advantage that enables growing companies to innovate consistently while retaining top talent.

Session 3 - 11:50 AM  EXCLUSIVE KEYNOTE: Creativity and Fear

In this compelling keynote, Todd Sampson unpacks the two most powerful forces in leadership and innovation: creativity and fear. He shares the origin story of Earth Hour, now one of the largest global environmental movements in history—an idea born in a Sydney hotel room by a small, ordinary group of people using nothing more than their imagination. That story becomes the anchor for a deeper message: creativity is the last competitive advantage in a world increasingly driven by algorithms and sameness. Drawing on personal experiences—from being trapped in a blizzard on Denali to taking the reins as a reluctant CEO—Todd reveals how fear is often the invisible force that kills our best ideas before they begin. Using humour, insight, and actionable techniques, he shows how creativity can be learned, and fear managed—if we’re willing to be braver for just five minutes longer. This talk is both a rallying cry and a roadmap for leaders and teams to embrace bold thinking, take action, and tap into the creative potential that exists within all of us. Because if Earth Hour taught us anything, it’s that ordinary people with a simple idea can help change the world.

12:50 PM Lunch

Session 4 - 1:50 PM: Leading with Influence, Not Just Authority: Authentic Leadership Across Industries

True leadership isn’t about telling people what to do — it’s about bringing people with you. Charles’ transition from global food operations to Australian aquaculture CEO demonstrates how authentic leaders build influence through relationship building and strategic communication rather than just formal authority. This session will explore practical strategies for earning trust across diverse teams, communicating effectively at all organizational levels, and leading through major transitions. Attendees will learn how to build influence early in their careers by connecting genuinely with people and delivering value, proving that authentic leadership comes from who you are and how you engage, not just the title you hold.

SESSION 5 2:40 PM: Interactive Workshop: Overcoming Self Doubt and Leading Before You Feel Ready

Stepping into leadership often brings self doubt, fear of failure and the quiet question of whether you really belong here. Many new leaders wait to feel more confident, more qualified or more ready before they put their hand up. This session challenges that instinct. In this interactive workshop style session, Dana Lightbody invites you to explore what it really means to lead before you feel ready. Drawing on personal stories, practical reflection and shared experience, this session focuses on overcoming imposter syndrome, building self belief and learning to act despite uncertainty. Dana reframes self doubt not as a weakness, but as a natural part of growth and leadership. Through guided exercises, short discussion moments and honest conversation, you will reflect on what you stand for, the stories you tell yourself, and the voices you choose to listen to. You will be encouraged to step into the arena, take action before confidence arrives, and lead in a way that is grounded, authentic and human. This session is designed to leave new leaders feeling clearer, braver and more willing to back themselves when it matters most.

3:30 PM AFTERNOON TEA

SESSION 6: EXECUTIVE FIRESIDE CHAT 3:50 PM: Building Trust and Driving Performance

With over 25 years at Allianz Australia, including seven years as Managing Director and previous senior leadership roles spanning product management, technical operations, and governance, Richard brings a wealth of experience in leading people through change and driving results in a complex, customer-focused industry. In this fireside chat, Richard will reflect on the importance of building trust, setting clear expectations, and fostering a positive culture, while also sharing the lessons he has learned as both a leader and a father. Designed for emerging leaders, this conversation will offer practical insights and timeless advice on managing performance, navigating challenges with empathy, and inspiring teams to succeed.

4:50 PM END OF DAY ONE & NETWORKING DRINKS

Conference Day 2: 27th November

09:00 AM Opening Remarks from the Chair & Acknowledgment of Country

Session 1 - 09:10 AM  Leading with Influence, Not Just Authority

In this session, Manoj will share how his philosophy of Empowerment, Experiment and Execution has enabled him to build high-performing teams without relying solely on positional power. He will show how cultural intelligence, genuine mentorship and inclusive leadership practices have been central to his ability to design growth strategies, attract top talent and foster succession planning across multiple regions. Attendees will gain practical insights into how leaders can use authentic experiences and diverse perspectives to create lasting influence that drives both business outcomes and organisational transformation.

Session 2 - 10:00 AM: Difficult Conversations Done Right

Leadership means stepping into discomfort — especially when the conversation is tough. Learn how to handle conflict, deliver feedback, and address sensitive issues in a way that’s respectful, clear and productive.

10:50 AM Morning Tea

Session 3 - 11:20 AM Building Your Leadership Brand

What do people say about you when you’re not in the room? This session helps you shape your leadership identity and leave the kind of impression that builds trust, respect and opportunity. Learn how to develop a consistent leadership presence online and in the workplace.

Session 4 -  KEYNOTE ADDRESS & EXTENDED Q&A 12:10 PM: Unleashing the Champion Within: Lessons in Leadership and Momentum

In this energising keynote, Olympic swim coach Dean Boxall shares how to unlock peak performance even when the pressure is on. Drawing on his experience coaching champions like Ariarne Titmus and Mollie O’Callaghan, Dean reveals how the same principles that drive athletes to world-class success can help new leaders thrive. Through real stories from the pool deck, delegates will learn how to build momentum, develop resilience, and harness the mindset of a champion in their own leadership journey. Dean’s infectious energy and practical strategies will inspire emerging leaders to stay focused under pressure, support their teams through challenges, and find the confidence to lead with heart and purpose.

1:10 PM LUNCH

Session 5 - 2:40 PM: The First 90 Days — Setting Yourself Up for Success

Whether you’re about to take on a leadership role or you’ve just stepped into one, what you do in the first 90 days matters. This session walks you through how to gain trust, set direction, and create momentum from the start.

Session 6 - 3:10 PM The Leadership Journey — A Conversation with Future You

We close the summit with a candid, uplifting conversation between past, present and future leadership experiences. Hear from a panel of diverse leaders about the turning points that defined their careers, what they wish they’d known starting out, and the advice they’d give to their younger selves — and to you.

4:00 PM ECLOSE OF CONFERENCE

Post Conference Workshop 1:

24th April 9:00 am – 12:00 PM

From Insight to Action

Your First 90 Days as a New Leader

Stepping away from the summit, many new leaders feel inspired but unsure where to focus first. This half day workshop is designed to help you turn insight into action and build momentum in your leadership role with clarity and confidence. It supports you to prioritise what matters most and avoid feeling overwhelmed by everything at once.

Through guided reflection and practical planning, you will translate key summit learnings into a realistic 90 day leadership plan. You will leave with clear priorities, confident next steps, and a strong sense of direction for how to lead effectively in your role from day one.

Key Benefits of Attending

• Create a clear and achievable 90 day leadership plan
• Focus your time and energy on what matters most
• Build early credibility and momentum as a new leader
• Gain clarity on priorities, expectations and outcomes
• Leave with practical actions you can implement immediately
  

Core Topics

• Clarifying leadership priorities after the summit
• Translating insight into daily leadership behaviours
• Setting direction and expectations with your team
• Building confidence and credibility in the first 90 days
• Creating a personal leadership action plan