Learning new skills to lead from the front

There were many reasons Leslie Liddle made the decision to go back to school and study while holding down a full-time job.

“It’s a seriously huge commitment,” smiles Royal Wolf’s Darwin Branch Manager, “but I had to do it. I did it for myself, for my family, and for my team.”

After three years of study, Leslie has completed her Diploma in Leadership and Management and is one unit away from completing her Diploma of Business from Charles Darwin University. Her courses are funded by Royal Wolf as part of its financial assistance program designed to upskill employees and provide higher education opportunities.

After a number of years leading Royal Wolf’s Darwin team, she was compelled to learn more about leadership and increase her business knowledge to enhance both hers and her team’s skills.

Building team success

“It may sound a little bit odd,” she says, “but a big part of studying was confirmation for myself that I was leading my team in the best possible way and doing the right thing by them.”

Leslie encourages her team to learn as much as possible about Royal Wolf as a business, and how the business world operates in general, which she believes inspires development, growth and a desire to succeed.

“I really believe that the people in your team are your strength, and if you can help build them up and learn skills to make that happen in a safe, proactive and effective way for both themselves, and the company, then that’s a huge benefit.”

New ways of thinking

When Leslie first started doing her diplomas, she had a mindset based on repeating the tried and tested ways of doing things.

“I carried those over from the previous management and repeated what I had been taught and what I had seen.”

Once she started learning new skills and gaining deeper insights into leadership and business, she had the confidence to develop and apply her own management style.

A key change Leslie implemented when dealing with staff was talking more openly and consistently with them about their pathway in the business and what they wanted to achieve.

“Who got to do what and the direction they were headed used to be decided at a very high level. It wasn't really a discussion that you had in the office. But these really are discussions that need to be happening on the ground with staff so they can take charge of their own pathway and know we are there to support and encourage them.”

Leslie’s approach has had a significant impact on her team, including Mitch Brown being promoted from Leading Hand in Darwin to Operations Supervisor in Perth. Other team members are currently training towards their White Card, which is a mandatory certification in Australia for anyone working in construction.

“The way I manage now has helped fast track the team’s knowledge because I find that the more you offer or expose people to, the more they want to learn and the more knowledge they retain.

“Professional development and establishing a positive, success-driven mindset is even more essential as Royal Wolf continues to evolve and expand under United Rentals.”

The work life juggle

She has faced challenges with the constant juggle of work, life, and study. “For me it was the guilt as a parent,” says Leslie who has four boys, including two teenagers who live at home.

“My two younger boys are definitely a laugh a minute, that's for sure,” she smiles.

“I often have to take out extra time that would normally be spent with my family and commit that to study. But the kids are like, ‘We know mum, we know it's important’. So, I've been really lucky with a very supportive family and team.

“I also can’t thank Royal Wolf enough for giving me the opportunity to study and grow as a leader. As a company they really understand the importance of upskilling and investing in their team.”

For all the juggling and commitment needed to study, it is addictive.

“I would like to do a degree next,” says Leslie. “I haven't quite settled on what that would be just yet. But through all this learning, I've realised I want to be more involved with mentoring people.

“We are at the very early stages of a massive skill shortage in Australia across trades, medical, and many other sectors. So, what's going to be the best way to help our kids, our grandkids, our fellow coworkers out of that?

“It’s key that we make sure everyone from school aged children through to current employees get the right information about what they can do and what their pathways might be.

“I've said it 50 million times already, but encouraging people to be proactive and get their pathway sorted is incredibly beneficial for them, the team they work in, and the company they work for.”

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