Leading the Pack
A great thing about painting on site is the reactions of people passing by. The staff loved Marnie’s portrait. One women said “It makes me feel so proud.” Her organisations’ leader has been chosen to stand alongside Australia’s leading women and as a staffer she holds her head up with pride because of it. Marnie talks of coming from a dairy farm in Cohuna Victoria to let others know “Anyone can do it.” This raises a really important point about leadership.
CIndy Hook CEO of Deloitte Asia Pacific said to me that throughout her career she had been asked to do interviews as the first woman partner in the firm to achieve X, she said no, because she wanted to stand on her performance not have her achievements questioned because gender could have played a part. Now however, she realises she was wrong. Cindy now understands that standing up to take that leading role helps others, gives them role models, lets them know we can do it.
Dame Elizabeth Murdoch also learned this lesson after a lifetime of giving anonymously she could see that she had to go public in order to lead and encourage others to give.
A portrait sitting at the Bendigo Adelaide Bank with Marnie Baker the Managing Director.
In My family this is also a lesson. My Papa was the only man to win three Magarey Medals in a row (SA Football). Catholic’s were heavily discriminated against at that time. but I have met his peers who told me that when Papa was accepted and welcomed by every level of society - it changed their lives. They held their heads up high. He was playing footy, not being political in any way, but the result of giving his best and winning was shared by many.
Breaking through to the front of the pack takes a lot of consistent hard work and excellent performance. It can be hard to step up and take the lead, but as pack animals we need leaders. Remember to acknowledge those who stand up to lead.