Welcome to ‘leadership in conversation’ – an occasional series where Angela Driver, CEO Tasmanian Leaders sits down with participants in our programs to talk about their experience thus far, their insights and learnings, and their aspirations for their future leadership practice.

The Tasmanian Leaders Program (TLP) has been operating since 2007. It’s a respected ten-month experience comprising 25 days of immersive learning that develops leadership capability through broadened perspectives, meaningful relationships and real-world application.

This program is ideal for people who want to learn leadership while gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Tasmania. Through immersive, experiential learning – from industry visits to time spent with community- participants develop insight, perspective and the motivation to lead with impact.

In conversation with Nick Watson GTLP – 2025 Graduate

L-R: Nick Watson GTLP, TLP 2025 graduate, Angela Driver GTLP, CEO Tasmanian Leaders.
Images: Richard Jupe Photography and Laura Purcell Photography

  • What motivated you to apply for the program, and how is it tracking so far?

When I applied for the leadership program, I was motivated by a strong desire to grow — not just professionally, but personally. I’d reached a point in my career where I knew that technical skills and experience could only take me so far. What I was really seeking was a deeper understanding of how to lead people effectively, especially in the face of constant change, complexity, and competing demands. I wanted to explore how I could become more intentional in my leadership and more connected with those around me. So far, the experience has been incredibly rewarding. It has challenged me in unexpected ways and encouraged a level of self-reflection that I hadn’t made space for before.

  • What has shifted for you since starting TLP?

Since starting the program, one of the biggest shifts for me has been in how I understand myself and others. I’ve gained greater insight into emotional management — how my own emotional responses shape the way I lead, and how I can better interpret and respond to the emotions and behaviours of those I work with. I’ve become more conscious of what drives people’s actions and reactions, and more attuned to the often-unspoken dynamics that influence team culture. This awareness has helped me slow down, be more present, and approach situations with greater empathy and perspective.

These changes have already started to influence how I lead in a practical sense. I’ve made a real effort to shift from being solution-focused to being people-focused — creating space for open dialogue, really listening, and making sure others feel heard and supported. In difficult conversations or team challenges, I find myself pausing more often to consider the human elements before jumping into problem-solving mode. As a result, I’ve noticed more openness and trust in the way my team engages with me, and a stronger sense of shared ownership in our work.

  • Have you already done something differently at work or in your team because of the program?

As the Managing Director of a small/medium-sized manufacturing business with around 70 staff, these lessons have had real, tangible benefits. Manufacturing environments are often fast-paced and task-driven, and it can be easy to overlook the emotional and interpersonal layers within teams. This program has helped me balance the operational demands of the business with a stronger focus on people. I’ve been able to better support my leadership team, foster a more open and collaborative culture, and navigate difficult situations with more emotional intelligence. It’s also helped me recognise the importance of modelling self-awareness and adaptability — not just for my own growth, but to set the tone for the entire organisation.

  • What would you say to someone who’s unsure about applying? Why should they go for it now?

If you’re even slightly curious about growing as a leader, this program is worth it. It’s not just theory it has provided real, lasting change. The insights I have gained have stuck with me and show up in your day-to-day leadership constantly. One of the most valuable parts has been the support from both the facilitators and other participants. The conversations and shared experiences have been just as powerful as the structured content. The time commitment can seem like a challenge, but making space to step back and focus on myself has been one of the best investments I have made. This course offers the space, structure, and support to grow — not just as a leader, but as a more authentic, capable, and emotionally intelligent version of yourself. The personal and professional growth I’ve experienced this year has gone far beyond what I expected when I first applied, and I’m incredibly grateful for what this journey has brought into my leadership and life.

Photo of Nick Watson's Learning Set team - a group of people sitting and standing around a colonial style table in a heritage building.

L-R: TLP 2025 graduates Brady Jones GTLP, Mark Baker GTLP, Louise Cooper GTLP, Mel Cripps GTLP, Nick Watson GTLP and Jess Rice GTLP. Image: Richard Jupe Photography

In conversation with Bronwyn Tilbury GTLP – TLP 2024 Graduate

 

In mid-2024, Angela Driver and Bronwyn Tilbury, Industry & Impact Lead at the Tasmanian Council of Social Services (TasCOSS) took time out for an in-depth conversation about Bronwyn’s experience as a TLP 2024 participant. Their discussion offered the opportunity to explore what inspired Bronwyn to apply for the program, what made the biggest impact (so far), and at the mid-point stage in her journey, what insights she had to share with those keen to find out more.

     

L-R: Angela Driver GTLP, CEO Tasmanian Leaders, Bronwyn Tilbury GTLP, TLP 2024 graduate.
Images: Richard Jupe Photography

 

    1. What initially inspired you to apply for the Tasmanian Leaders Program? Was there a specific challenge, goal, or opportunity you were seeking to address or achieve through your participation?

I moved back to Tasmania 3 years ago and began working locally 1 year ago in the community services industry with TasCOSS. When I heard about TLP, I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to expand my networks, not only in the industry I work in, but across the State. The contacts I’ve made through taking part in TLP 18 have been so useful, both with my fellow participants, but also with the various facilitators and presenters and alumni too.

 

    1. Can you share a specific moment or experience during the Tasmanian Leaders Program that significantly impacted your personal or professional growth? What was it about that moment that made it so transformative?

At one of the linking sessions, we heard from former Tasmanian Premier, Peter Gutwein. He shared with us some of the personal habits that he felt contribute to his success, which included personal affirmations like “I can do anything I want if I set my mind to it” and “I have an excellent memory, I remember names and numbers quickly and effortlessly”. His message was ‘ if you think a certain way, you will act that way too – so shift your thinking to shift your actions. Ever since hearing from Mr Gutwein I’ve been waking up early to do automatic writing about whatever is on my mind that day – it helps me to pay attention to what’s happening in my body and my brain, and I incorporate a set of my own affirmations into this writing practice too.

 

 

    1. How has being part of the Tasmanian Leaders Program influenced your sense of community and your professional network? Can you describe a relationship or connection you’ve made through the program that has been particularly meaningful or valuable to you?

Building my connection to the broader Tasmanian community was one of the main reasons I joined the program and it has certainly delivered on that. I have made contact with people in government, private sector and others from the community sector many of which I’ve utilised in my work life already and I anticipate these contacts will continue to enhance my ability to achieve my professional goals into the future.

 

 

    1. What are the most valuable leadership skills or insights you’ve gained from the program, and how have you applied them in your work or personal life? Can you provide an example of a situation where you successfully utilized these skills?

The work we have been doing with Dr Polly McGee through the program on understanding the neurobiology of leadership has been invaluable. Understanding how much our bodies are ‘running the show’ much of the time is so important in order to understand why we react the way we do in moments of stress, or when we feel threatened in our leadership roles. Understanding ourselves, and how and when our fight, flight and freeze responses are triggered is the first step in building strategies to regulate our nervous systems and get back to being the calm, creative, present leaders we want to be.

 

 

    1. How has the Tasmanian Leaders Program shaped your vision for the future and your aspirations? What positive changes or initiatives do you plan to pursue because of your participation in the program?

The Tasmanian Leaders Program has really reinforced the need to think beyond the horizon and plan for, and help to shape, multiple possible futures. The myriad tools and techniques that the program has exposed me to will be so valuable as I go back to my organisation and support my team to think strategically about how to challenge and change the systems, behaviours and attitudes that create poverty, inequality and exclusion. I’m also excited to continue working with my learning set on our community action project.

 

 

Our thanks to Bronwyn for so generously sharing her insights, and the team at TasCOSS for their ongoing support for her leadership development experience in 2024.

L-R: TLP 2024 graduates Ian Dunbabin GTLP, Kate Mackie GTLP, Madeleine Napolitano GTLP, Bronwyn Tilbury GTLP and Monica Orrego GTLP.
Image: Richard Jupe Photography