Meet our Alumni
The Program, now in its fifth year, has provided over 100 aspiring Tasmanian leaders with a fresh outlook on how to confidently work and communicate with others and how to achieve more in their workplace.
Each newsletter will provide the opportunity to profile one of our graduates. This month, it is with great pleasure we introduce you to Craig Perkins, graduate of the 2008 program.
Craig is Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Development Australia – Tasmania Committee. Craig has worked in regional development and local government for the past 13 years. Over this period, Craig has worked with communities to support their strategic development in terms of economic growth and improve social capacity. He is also an elected member with the Meander Valley Council.
- What makes a good leader? A good leader to me is someone who has confidence in what they say and how they say it. Is willing to set a vision and then be part of the Journey.
- Leadership is usually attributed to COs and people in government, can you tell us about an ‘every day’ leader whom you admire? To think of one person is difficult. I do however get inspiration and motivation from the people I work with and achievements of my peers.
- What has been your biggest challenge? Managing change and managing through change has been my biggest challenge.
- What attracted you to the Tasmanian Leaders Program and what did you gain from your experience? I was looking for a leadership program that provided me the opportunity to learn more about myself and facilitate ongoing professional development, as well as a program that enables me to better understand the environment in which we live and the diversity of the challenges and opportunities.
- How has your leadership style evolved? I have always been inclusive as a manager, and my ‘evolution’ as leader has continued in this way. What I have learnt is that leadership can be delivered in many different ways, and it’s important to appreciate that people are not homogenous in the way in which they relate and respond to leadership, so understanding and respecting the differences is vitally important
- How are the skills you developed through the program transferred to other areas of your life? I like to believe that my actions, decisions and advice to others is a reflection of the skills and knowledge that I gained from the program.
- Did you make any lasting connections with others in the Program? I believe that if a participant is fully engaged in the Program, then lasting connections are an inevitable outcome. Not only are the connections lasting, but they provide a positive forum through which we can continue to learn, discuss, dissect and contribute ideas and actions back to our community and our work environment.
- Are you still involved in the community, what are you doing now? It would be fair to say yes. I remain an active member of the Rotary, I have joined the board of the Meander Valley Enterprise Centre as well as being a Councillor on the Meander Valley Council.
- What challenges are on the horizon for you? I will be nominating as a candidate for the position of Meander Valley Council Mayor in the upcoming Local Council elections. This presents an exciting opportunity for me, yet at the same time is quite daunting. I find being elected by your community to be humbling. I know that my participation in the Tasmanian Leaders Program has been a contributing factor giving me the confidence to not only be a candidate for the mayoral position, but it has also given me the confidence to know that I can fulfil the role capably.
- What advice do you have for others considering nominating for the program or sponsoring a participant? Expect change and allow change.
