David Morrison, 2016 Australian of the Year on ‘Empowering Leadership’

In anticipation of the 2017 CPD Tour, we interviewed General David Morrison AO, 2016 Australian of the Year, who shared his thoughts about leadership and the key themes for the tour. 

The 2017 CPD Tour will be making its way through Melbourne, Sydney, Hong Kong and Wellington. The Actuaries Institute is delighted to have General David Morrison AO and 2016 Australian of the Year presenting on Empowering Leadership.

As Chief of Army, David led 30,000 men and women, promoting cultural change and gender equality, which he is best known for. He believes that it is not only those who are heads of large organisations who are leaders.

“we lead all through our lives, at the start of our careers we are given responsibilities and expectations of leadership follow from that. You don’t have to run an institution or an organisation or head a major part of that organisation to be seen as a leader. We lead in our personal lives, we lead in our professional lives.”

Recognised internationally for his commitment to gender equality, diversity and inclusion, David concluded his 36 year career in the army and appointment as Australia’s Chief of Army in May 2015. His time leading the army and as 2016 Australian of the Year presented many leadership opportunities and challenges.

At the 2017 CPD Tour, David will focus on – courage, vision and resilience. Courage to implement change, vision to leave the gift of legacy and resilience to endure the challenges and criticism faced as a leader.  “I’ve received both a lot of support and a huge amount of encouragement for the work I’ve been able to do around diversity, inclusivity and domestic violence, but certainly there have been some fairly strident critics as well.”

David acknowledges that his career in the army may not mirror the experience in a corporate environment. However, he says that the issues he faced regarding “leadership, organisational culture and operational performance” are the same for “leaders in every other field of endeavour.”

The 2017 CPD Tour kicks off in Melbourne on Monday 6 March, save the relevant date in your diary.

Melbourne – Monday 6 March 2017

Sydney – Wednesday 15 March 2017

Hong Kong – Wednesday 10 May 2017

Wellington – Tuesday 8 August 2017

Registration opens in January 2017, make sure you book your place to hear from this dynamic speaker.

 

 

*Photo courtesy of Platinum Speakers and Entertainers

 

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