MFA Leadership Series challenges leaders to think differently to thrive in an evolving modern workplace
The leadership playbooks and toolkits of just three years ago have become obsolete, Professor Martin Bean told attendees of the first MFA Leadership Series workshop of 2024, held this week in Sydney.
MFA Leadership Series is the new name for the MFA 5+ events – previously called MFA 5+ Inspiration Series. With workshops held twice times a year in Sydney and Melbourne, the aim of the Series is to develop the business and leadership skills of our future leaders through hands-on learning.
The launch MFA Leadership Series workshop attended this week by 240 leaders, is titled Master the Modern Workplace: Practical Tips for Modern Changers, and will be held in Melbourne next week, Tuesday 16 April.
Keynote Speakers, Professor Bean, the former CEO of RMIT Melbourne, author and an adaptive leadership advocate, and Mandy Kennett, people development expert and founder of Tomorrow People & Culture, took to the stage to discuss how embracing modern leadership principles can revolutionise the approach of leaders, empower their team, and drive unprecedented success.
Both speakers agreed that the turbulent events of the past five years – including the pandemic, climate and political anxiety, the rise of the multi-generational workforce, inflation and financial concerns, as well as legislative changes – have irrevocably changed the workplace in a short period of time.
With Gen Z set to make up 42% of the media industry by 2025, a key challenge of the modern workplace was summarised in the concept that leaders need to ‘Earn the commute’ - the idea that a day in the office needs to be worth the commute to get there.
Across an interactive breakfast session, leaders discovered how embracing the changes of recent years can work for themselves and their teams, as they explored essential steps and tools modern leaders can engage to address the new leadership paradigm - or risk being left behind in a modern workplace.
Here’s a look at the takeaways of three Sydney attendees:
Florence Horwich, Director, iProspect
“A light bulb moment for me was Professor Bean’s concept that the adaptive mind is a superpower which helps leaders drive progress through ‘disruption’ to ‘advantage’. I’m already considering how to implement this and how it will make a positive difference in my team and company. Both speakers were engaging and inspiring - I’ve come away with insights that are immediately actionable.”
Katherine Pochroj, Group Director, EssenceMediacom
“I loved Mandy’s insights on Gen Z - particularly on how they are forecast to make up 42% of our industry by 2025. Her tips on how important trust and approaching recognition are for Gen Z were insightful, particularly when framed within cross generational engagement.”
David Carmody, Group Investment Director, CHEP Network
“Never in history has the workforce been re-shaped so rapidly, or radically. Modern Leaders require an ever-evolving understanding of the modern workforce. Using disruption as a ‘force multiplier’ to achieve what’s impossible in stable times; and driving adaptation & advantage, are something I’ll apply to both personally and professionally. Overall, the biggest theme was the importance of constantly adapting and innovating, and learning with each other – including younger generations. Now is not a time for standing still or hanging on to the old ways of working.”
MFA Leadership Series is open to all media professionals with more than five years’ experience – and no cutoff limit! To register for the next events in the series, speak to your agency’s MFA 5+ representative or contact us: mfa@mediafederation.org.au