005 Lessons from leading cultural change

In this episode we dissect the hot topic of cultural change in the workplace.

As a leader do you often find you’re at the mercy of a skinny budget and threatening deadline that limits your ability to proactively change culture because you’re always chasing your tail or keeping a closed grip on those purse strings?

Or maybe you’re at the mercy of a manager like this who also struggles to tension the people verses productivity demands of Leadership.

Today I’m talking to Michael O’Leary, who is Manager Civil Operations and Local Emergency Management Officer at Sutherland Shire Council leading a team of 80 staff. A job he loves.

Michael has an impressive leadership record with a wealth of construction expertise with road, rail, aviation and emergency services. Having worked in both private and government sectors Michael has a lot to share about change management, culture building and collaboration.

In this interview Michael is really authentic about his journey of finding work-life balance, discovering his own natural leadership style, the importance of walking the walk and of valuing people regardless of their title. Michael is a humble guy who has been given permission to be more ‘blue’ through Sutherland Shire Councils recent Cultural Change Program. If you don’t know what a ‘blue’ leader is, then keep listening.

In this episode Michael and I have a conversation about:

• How culture is the biggest challenge and opportunity in the workplace
• How collaboration, treating people equally and building trust are keys to a positive workplace culture
• How businesses can run on schedule and on budget, especially in the construction/civil space. Get your notepads out for that one.
• Plus having recently moved to Cronulla with the smell and sight of the ocean in reach, Michael shares his discovery of a new level of work-life balance.

My key takeaways from the interview with Michael are:
1. Culture is bred out of relationship ‘blue leadership’ not dictatorship ‘red leadership’. When you get on the same level and give your teams opportunity to share in smaller groups, then even the quiet types speak up. And when we all feel safe to speak up, that’s when true collaboration happens. Otherwise only the extroverts get their say. I loved the practical example Michael gave of everyone having a seat at the boardroom table.

2. Personal challenges can create professional strength through leading with compassion and understanding. Michael shared about his own valley-dwelling experience and how it served to make him more relatable and a more empathetic manager. He urged us that RU-Ok day needs to continue beyond that single day and that asking colleagues how they’re going should become normal practise.

3. Work-life balance means looking after your WHOLE self – including through food, fitness, family and fun – and is essential if you’re to go the distance.

I hope you too gleaned some really valuable insights from Michael and Sutherland Shire Councils Cultural Change Program.

To get in touch with Michael contact him via
http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au
moleary@ssc.nsw.gov.au

Also mentioned in the interview was
The Power of Now – Eckhart Tolle

I’m so happy to be bringing you this thought leadership and I trust you got a lot of value out of todays episode with Michael.

Until next time, continue being part of the solution in taking your workplace from good to great…

Continue the conversation at www.fitforworkaustralia.com.au, say hi on LinkedIn or flick us a personal note at sally@fitforworkaustralia.com.au.

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