126: Julian Light Bring Energy, Urgency, and Momentum to Leadership
Julian studied politics at the University of Auckland before completing his first-class Honours degree at Victoria University of Wellington.
Julian started his career in the Australian foreign service before serving in the National-led Government as an advisor to MPs and Ministers, including in the offices of Nick Smith and Amy Adams.
He was a consultant at the public relations firm Acumen Republic and an external relations specialist in the financial services sector.
One of his proudest moments was working in the Amy Adams\u2019 team where they tackled complex social issues like family violence, homelessness, and social investment.
He has worked as a senior business manager at Fonterra, where he advised New Zealand\u2019s largest company on reputational risk and business strategy in areas of global business and sustainability, and had the opportunity to work in Shanghai, London, and Hong Kong.
Recently he joined Air New Zealand, an organization in crisis, where he is advising in a public relations and reputation role to help turn the national airline around.
Julian has held many board directorships over the years, including at the Institute of Public Administration, Wairarapa Cancer Society, Public Relations Institute of New Zealand, and helped establish the Youth Advisory Council of the New Zealand Middle East Business Council.
Julian is completing his MBA. He has founded his own pet care start-up and is an author and commentator. An avid runner and rower. He is engaged to Jordon, a doctor specializing in obstetrics, and they live in Auckland with our son Hugo and our dog Teddy.
On this episode:
- Hear Julian talk about how his leadership journey started organically without him realizing it
- Julian defines his \u201ctrue essence\u201d of leadership
- The importance of finding the right people
- Tackling and embracing diversity
- Julian discusses why resiliency is one of the key elements of becoming a successful leader
Key Takeaways:
- Leadership today is about stepping up to the opportunities to lead people even though you may not realize you\u2019re doing so
- Leadership comes from the heart.
- Authentic leadership is out. Inclusive leadership is in.
- Leaders must build their resilience to be prepared for unforeseen events.
- Crisis doesn\u2019t build character. It reveals it.
Tweetable Quotes:
\u201cLeadership today is that it\u2019s no longer about having a C-suite office. It\u2019s about having the opportunities to sort of step up and lead people around you even though you may not know you\u2019re doing it.\u201d \u2013 Julian Light
\u201cA true leader, in my view, looks beyond today\u2019s challenges and challenges people to keep an eye on the horizon and always looking ahead.\u201d \u2013 Julian Light
\u201cCrisis doesn\u2019t build character. It reveals it.\u201d \u2013 Julian Light
You can connect with Julian on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/julianlight/)
Resources:
Email: denis@leadingchangepartners.com
Website: http://www.leadingchangepartners.com/
Leadership Is Changing Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LeadershipIsChanging/
Leadership is Changing LinkedIn Page:
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