'Influence Me' Leadership Podcasts - Andrew Short AFSM

‘Frank and Fearless' Leadership - Bruce Byatt ‘Influence Me’ Leadership Podcast 23

“Be honest, frank and fearless and get some grasp of the real values of life… Read some good, heavy, serious books just for discipline: Take yourself in hand and master yourself.” W.E.B. Du Bois (Civil Rights Leader and Author). My guest his Podcast Bruce Byatt AFSM is a second-generation firefighter who started his fire service career with the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Service on 14th January 1977 and was promoted to station officer in 1983.  He relocated to Queensland in 1992 and worked out of Kemp Place fire station as both a Station Officer and Acting Assistant District Commander before moving into project work. In 1997 he was promoted to Area Commander (Southport) in South Eastern Region, he took on the role of Acting Director of the Queensland Combined Emergency Service Academy in 2006-2008 and oversaw the completion of the $20m scenario/streetscape development project at Whyte Island.  Bruce was promoted to the rank of Chief Superintendent in 2009 and served as the Director Regional Operations – Brisbane Region. In 2013 relocated to the Northern Territory and served as Assistant Chief Fire Officer and Deputy Chief Fire Officer, in 2015 moved to Victoria as a Deputy Chief Officer within the CFA managing readiness and response and is currently serving as Tasmania Fire Service Deputy Chief Officer culminating in over 43 years’ experience across 5 jurisdictions. He is now looking to transform the Tasmania Fire Service with a focus on leadership development and creating a service delivery model based on the principles of functional management better reflecting a contemporary emergency service provider. In this Podcast we talk about ‘Frank and Fearless’ Leadership.

‘Leading in the Grey’ - Brian Cox ‘Influence Me’ Leadership Podcast 22

'Whether we realise it or not, in the battle arena we call life most of our time is spent in one grey area or the another' - Adelle Bradford (Author). Brian Cox is currently a senior officer within the Queensland State Emergency Service. He has an extensive 40-year military career as a regular, and still maintains his ADF connection as a current Colonel in the Army Reserve.  His military highlights include joining as a trooper in 1980 driving Leopard Tanks, working with the British Army on the Rhine in 1986 conducting operations on the Berlin Wall, attachment to the British Forces during the first Gulf War 1991 to 1992, Commandant and Head of Corps of the Military Police in 2000, Australian National Commander in East Timor in 2005, and operations as a senior defence investigator in Afghanistan in 2010. Brian also has an extensive disaster management portfolio, working with the ASEAN Regional Forum and United Nations developing operating procedures for Humanitarian Response and Assistance, through to coordinating Defence responses to storms, fires and floods. Brian joined EMQ in 2011 as the Director Disaster Management and continues to contribute as a senior QFES officer. Want to understand Leadership in those grey areas a bit better? Then listen to this Podcast.

‘Choose to Challenge’ - a special International Women’s Day episode - Joanne Greenfield ‘Influence Me’ Leadership Podcast 21

Such a pleasure to host Assistant Commissioner Joanne Greenfield for this special International Women’s Day episode of ‘Influence Me’. Joanne has extensive experience across emergency management, health services and various international United Nations missions. Prior to joining QFES, Joanne gained experience in many countries ranging from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe leading responses to pandemics, epidemics and natural and manmade disasters for the UK Government and the United Nations. Joanne has been the UN Cluster lead or UN Coordinator for events across hazards ranging from earthquakes, cyclones, landslides, civil unrest and cholera, HIV/AIDs, SARs and H1N1 pandemics as well as national recovery operations in Kosovo and Pakistan. In this podcast we explore the journey female leaders must take to be the best leader they can be. It’s an absolute pleasure to talk with her.

Growing Leaders - Ali Lane ‘Influence Me’ Leadership Podcast 20

“Shoot for the moon, even if you miss you’ll land among the stars.” — Les Brown (Motivational speaker and author). My guest for this Podcast, Ali Lane is a principal at an IT consulting firm called Enable, a role which involves project management, people leadership and managing customer success. Whilst she loves being an “Enabler” celebrating her organisation’s employee-first culture, it is no secret that her passion lies in her “side-gig” in the SES. Ali is an aspiring leader in the Brisbane SES unit, having been appointed as Deputy Group Leader at her group in August this year. As someone with only 3 years tenure in the Service, she understands the challenges faced by new members wanting to make a positive difference in what can be a daunting organisation somewhat resistant to change. Ali is a busy and active person who believes the key to success is being wholehearted, positive and most importantly, showing up. This is a great Podcast for understanding leadership from the perspective of a current emerging leader.

Bringing People With You - Costa Georgiadis ‘Influence Me’ Leadership Podcast 19

Costa Georgiadis is a landscape architect who gardens with his hands and his heart and in 2019 won the Australian Logies award for the Most Popular Presenter. Costa has an all-consuming passion for plants and people - he knows how to bring out the best in both of them, and takes great pleasure in bringing them together. In this podcast I discuss matters of people and he shares what he’s learnt along the way about influencing people in working together for a common cause. Enjoy!

On Becoming a Senior Leader - Jason Sertori 'Influence Me' Leadership Podcast 18

Jason Sertori is a former QFES officer who courageously took an opportunity with the United Nations in 2016. Currently based in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jason Sertori is the Chief officer of the United Nations largest fire service, and has held this position since leaving QFES in 2016. In 2019, Jason was temporarily appointed as the Senior Coordinator for the Tactical Operations Centre for the Ebola Emergency Response, a position he held for several months, before returning to his normal role once that mission was achieved. In this podcast we discuss the many important points relating to moving from a frontline leadership role to a senior level leadership position. There are lots of pitfalls, however with the right counsel and some decent personal reflection, people can successfully make this jump. Enjoy the podcast!

Leadership Habits - Stuart Ellis AM 'Influence Me' Leadership Podcast 17

Stuart Ellis AM is an experienced leader in the emergency management sector and was appointed Chief Executive Officer of AFAC in 2012. Stuart is focussed on national initiatives that progress the effectiveness and professional standing of fire and emergency services and has a focus on progressing an industry wide, integrated approach to emergency management. Previously, Stuart Ellis was the Chief Executive Officer/Chief Officer of the South Australian Country Fire Service. In 2002 he established a consultancy company and has been involved in over 20 operational reviews including the Canberra Bushfires, the Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission and the operational response to the Christchurch Earthquake. Prior to that Stuart was an Army Officer for over 22 years serving with the Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment. Stuart’s view is that simple leadership habits form the foundation of a successful and resilient leadership, and during this podcast we explore what has worked for him over many years, and why?

Leadership in a Time of Disruption - Shannan Quain 'Influence Me' Leadership Podcast 16

Shannan Quain is a senior executive leader with experience across all levels of government. As the Chief of HR for a large Queensland Government Department she isn’t your typical CHRO as she started her career as a sports scientist and brings a different lens to the typical issues that organisations face. She isn’t afraid of a tough challenge and speaks with authority and respect as someone who has met many challenges head on to come out the other side a stronger and more capable leader. In this podcast, the topic is “Leadership in a time of disruption”. When considering the VUCA world (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity) we now live in, there’s benefit in considering how best to frame our world view in the VUCA context, thus allowing us to accept and then confront the challenges that lie in wait. “The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence – it is to act with yesterday’s logic.” – Peter Drucker

What’s your leadership brand? - Executive Director Gen Wilcox - 'Influence Me' Leadership Podcast 15

“Your brand is a gateway to your true work. You know you are here to do something – to create something or help others in some way. The question is, how can you set up your life and work so that you can do it? The answer lies in your brand. When you create a compelling brand you attract people who want the promise of your brand – which you deliver”. – Dave Buck (Business Coach Professional).  With a rich background encompassing many different sectors and agencies, Gen Wilcox brings clarity to matters of personal reputation.  She uses the term ‘brand’ to articulate the manner by which people’s actions and legacy are seen by others.  As a current Executive Director within QFES, Gen is known as a person who is extremely considerate and someone who you can depend on.  She’s also one of the most insightful people I know.  Listeners will enjoy this discussion, and learn quite a bit about personal brand.  

Confident Humility as a Leadership Approach - Commissioner Andrew Crisp APM - ‘Influence Me’ Leadership Podcast 14

Andrew Crisp is the current Emergency Management Commissioner for Victoria, heading up Emergency Management Victoria. He started the role on the 13th of August 2018. Previously he held the position of Deputy Commissioner of Regional Operations of Victoria Police.  Andrew is clearly a people-centric type of leader, and it’s a pleasure to discuss matters of leadership with him. He has a view that ‘confident humility’ is an approach that all leaders could benefit from by using it as part of their overall leadership approach. As the byline of the Dan Kent book on ‘Confident Humility’ outlines, it’s about ‘Becoming Your Full Self without Becoming Full of Yourself’. Such a pleasure to talk with Andrew in this podcast episode.  Enjoy!