SOUTH East Property Sales and Management proprietor Fiona Telfer will be among 16 participants graduating from the inaugural Limestone Coast Leadership Program and encourages others to take advantage of the comprehensive upskilling course.
“It has definitely improved my leadership journey and it helped us discover things about ourselves,” she said.
“What we want to do, where we want to go.”
The program is an initiative of the Limestone Coast Local Government Association (LCLGA) and the Leaders Institute of South Australia.
The program has been supported by key partners from local, state and federal government, business and industry and community organisations.
Following feedback from regional stakeholders, an LCLGA sub-committee identified mobilising regional leaders as priority.
Ms Telfer joined a range of participants from all seven council districts in the Limestone Coast in applying, sending in a biography and answering questions about why she wanted to undertake the program.
Since opening in 2016, Ms Telfer’s business has expanded to now include seven employees.
Through her firm, Ms Telfer has also contributed to the district through The Community Funnel, which provides funds and awareness to various local groups.
She opened The Central Hub Market in Millicent to promote local growers and produce and has been heavily involved with the Hatherleigh Sport and Recreation Centre.
Ms Telfer said the leadership program provided her with an opportunity to think about different leadership styles and her own leadership.
“We learned about technical leadership versus adaptive leadership, which breaks down a rigid approach versus a creative approach,” she said.
After receiving her own leadership profile she was placed in a group with others sharing the same style and they learned to cooperate effectively as they worked on their community action project.
The other twist was the participants were deliberately given a project that was outside of their comfort zone.
Ms Telfer was given a project focusing on waste management.
Reducing kitchen waste, stop recycling contamination and investing in more education, technology and infrastructure to combat unnecessary waste was identified as key issues.
A central recycling hub was also recommended for the region.
“It was a challenge, but it is a vital issue to the region and I handled putting the report together,” she said.
“I received a lot of personal growth through the program.
“I have changed little things about myself and I found it very valuable.
Fiona and the other leaders will be graduating on Thursday, August 1 at the Naracoorte Town Hall and they will remain on as alumnus during the 2020 Limestone Coast Leadership Program.
The next leadership program will be open for applications in late August and more information about the program can be found via the LCLGA website.
