Welcome to ‘leadership in conversation’ – an occasional series where Angela Driver, CEO Tasmanian Leaders sits down with participants in our programs to talk about their experience thus far, their insights and learnings, and their aspirations for their future leadership practice.

In conversation with Bronwyn Tilbury – Current TLP 2024 participant

The Tasmanian Leaders Program is for leaders with a strong drive to become more effective and willing to help make Tasmania a better place for everyone.

Described by our graduates as transformative, this world-class program runs from February to November through a winning combination of monthly multi-day residentials and community action projects. Delivered by expert facilitators, critical thinkers and inspiring guest speakers, this distinctively Tasmanian experience can amplify your leadership capacity within a diverse peer network.

Recently, Angela Driver took time out for an in-depth conversation with current TLP participant Bronwyn Tilbury, Director, Community Services Development at the Tasmanian Council of Social Services (TasCOSS). Their discussion offered the opportunity to explore what inspired Bronwyn to apply for the program, what has made the biggest impact (so far), and at this mid-point stage in her journey, what insights she has to share with those keen to find out more.

L-R: Angela Driver, CEO Tasmanian Leaders, Bronwyn Tilbury, current TLP participant. Images: Richard Jupe Photography

1. What initially inspired you to apply for the Tasmanian Leaders Program? Was there a specific challenge, goal, or opportunity you were seeking to address or achieve through your participation?

I moved back to Tasmania 3 years ago and began working locally 1 year ago in the community services industry with TasCOSS. When I heard about TLP, I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to expand my networks, not only in the industry I work in, but across the State. The contacts I’ve made through taking part in TLP 18 have been so useful, both with my fellow participants, but also with the various facilitators and presenters and alumni too.

2. Can you share a specific moment or experience during the Tasmanian Leaders Program that significantly impacted your personal or professional growth? What was it about that moment that made it so transformative?

At one of the linking sessions, we heard from former Tasmanian Premier, Peter Gutwein. He shared with us some of the personal habits that he felt contribute to his success, which included personal affirmations like “I can do anything I want if I set my mind to it” and “I have an excellent memory, I remember names and numbers quickly and effortlessly”. His message was ‘ if you think a certain way, you will act that way too – so shift your thinking to shift your actions. Ever since hearing from Mr Gutwein I’ve been waking up early to do automatic writing about whatever is on my mind that day – it helps me to pay attention to what’s happening in my body and my brain, and I incorporate a set of my own affirmations into this writing practice too.

3. How has being part of the Tasmanian Leaders Program influenced your sense of community and your professional network? Can you describe a relationship or connection you’ve made through the program that has been particularly meaningful or valuable to you?

Building my connection to the broader Tasmanian community was one of the main reasons I joined the program and it has certainly delivered on that. I have made contact with people in government, private sector and others from the community sector many of which I’ve utilised in my work life already and I anticipate these contacts will continue to enhance my ability to achieve my professional goals into the future.

4. What are the most valuable leadership skills or insights you’ve gained from the program, and how have you applied them in your work or personal life? Can you provide an example of a situation where you successfully utilized these skills?

The work we have been doing with Dr Polly McGee through the program on understanding the neurobiology of leadership has been invaluable. Understanding how much our bodies are ‘running the show’ much of the time is so important in order to understand why we react the way we do in moments of stress, or when we feel threatened in our leadership roles. Understanding ourselves, and how and when our fight, flight and freeze responses are triggered is the first step in building strategies to regulate our nervous systems and get back to being the calm, creative, present leaders we want to be.

5. How has the Tasmanian Leaders Program shaped your vision for the future and your aspirations? What positive changes or initiatives do you plan to pursue because of your participation in the program?

The Tasmanian Leaders Program has really reinforced the need to think beyond the horizon and plan for, and help to shape, multiple possible futures. The myriad tools and techniques that the program has exposed me to will be so valuable as I go back to my organisation and support my team to think strategically about how to challenge and change the systems, behaviours and attitudes that create poverty, inequality and exclusion. I’m also excited to continue working with my learning set on our community action project.

Our thanks to Bronwyn for so generously sharing her insights, and the team at TasCOSS for their ongoing support for her leadership development experience in 2024.

L-R: Current TLP participants Ian Dunbabin, Kate Mackie, Madeleine Napolitano, Bronwyn Tilbury and Monica Orrego. Image: Richard Jupe Photography