What does being an ethical leader mean to the women of Cranlana? We sat down with each of them to discuss what drives them on International Women’s Day, 2023.

This International Women’s Day, 2023, we would like to acknowledge the dedication, enthusiasm and collective wisdom of the women of Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership. These women work with passion and enthusiasm to deliver our leadership programs across Australia, ensuring our participants can fully immerse themselves in a truly transformative experience. But what drives these women? And what does ‘ethical leadership’ mean to the women who conceptualise, facilitate and administrate our programs?

We sat down with our Head of Programs, our Client Relations Manager, our Office Administrator, Marketing and Communications Manager, and our Programs Manager, to find out what motivates them in their personal and professional lives. Here’s what they had to say.

Dr Leslie Cannold, Head of Programs

What does ‘ethical leadership’ mean to you?

“To me, ethical leadership is about attempting to bring the best and most mature parts of you – the part that listens hard and talks less, that is warm, generous and insightful – to every interaction you have with those in the world, and those on your team.”

What is one highlight for you, about working at Cranlana?

Working at Cranlana allows the better angels of my nature to rule the roost, because they are welcomed and respected here, and are called upon in everything I do.

Is there a personal or professional achievement that you’re proud to mention?

I’m really proud of the work I’ve just completed revising our Executive Ethics program. Despite being a relative newbie to the team, I found a lot of support and advice through our internal and external teams and networks on what needed doing. Now that the final product has emerged, I feel excited to offer our participants something that’s evolved to enhance moral maturity and better cultivate the integrity – the match between our values and actions – of Australia’s leaders.

Lis Kennish, Senior Client Relations Manager

What does ‘ethical leadership’ mean to you?

“Ethical leadership is not easy, even for the most ethical people out there. We are all flawed. But I do believe that these flaws, acknowledgment of them, an ability to openly question yourself and see your privilege in your role, and a true core desire to make yourself a better person are what makes a leader exceptional. Only then can you guide others to create a culture where all are equally considered and encouraged to do the right thing.”

What is one highlight for you, about working at Cranlana?

Easy to answer this one. The main highlight for me is the conversations I have with our participants and alumni. I feel very privileged to have access to such truly interesting people from such diverse areas of society. Everyone has a story to tell.

Is there a personal or professional achievement that you’re proud to mention?

My greatest achievement in life is raising another human being who brings such creativity, kindness and joy to not only my family but to those she gathers around her.  Motherhood is not always easy and you double guess yourself often but in my heart I know I did good.

Brittany Pullen, Programs Manager

What does ‘ethical leadership’ mean to you?

“Ethical leadership to me means understanding your personal sense of ethics, doing the “right” thing and backing your decisions. It’s about the responsibility of your own power – thinking and acting for those voices who may not have as much influence or power.”

What is one highlight for you, about working at Cranlana?

Working at Cranlana has been a life changing experience for me, and continues to be. We have the great privilege of facilitating and being part of important conversations about how to make our society and world a better place. There is so much purpose and heart in what we do!

Is there a personal or professional achievement that you’re proud to mention?

I’m incredibly proud of my personal and professional growth during my time at Cranlana. From being a new university graduate when I started, to growing into this role and job I have, to completing a postgraduate degree and then being supported during my transition into being a mother – Cranlana has been an important part of these major life events for me and I’m grateful for the support this organisation has given me through all of it.

Simone Pakin, Office Administrator (and technological wizard!)

What does ‘ethical leadership’ mean to you?

“Ethical leadership means to me to create an environment of awareness of ethical issues and knowing your own biases. It includes setting ethical standards and not to sacrifice them in order to meet business/personal goals.”

What is one highlight for you, about working at Cranlana?

The highlight for me is the engagement and enthusiasm our participants show and the influence our programs have on widening leaders’ perspectives. I feel that we are creating positive change.

Is there a personal or professional achievement that you’re proud to mention?

Being curious and loving to learn new things I obtained degrees in Psychology (with philosophy as a side subject) and Information Management and did many short courses (web design, marketing and the latest one Salesforce Administration) and lived and worked in different countries.

Dr Stephanie Fernihough, Marketing and Communications Manager

What does ‘ethical leadership’ mean to you?

“For me, ethical leadership means doing the right thing – even when you think nobody is watching. Sometimes there are no easy decisions and I can’t deny that we live in a world with shades of grey. But that’s where ethical leadership comes in – strengthening your moral compass and setting aside your bias to make a decision that benefits those you lead, not just yourself.”

What is one highlight for you, about working at Cranlana?

I’m privileged to work in a role where I go to sleep each night truly believing that the work I’ve done that day has been meaningful and impactful. Cranlana is rewarding and fulfilling and a highlight for me, is liaising with our Alumni Community to see and hear that their experience with us has been – and continues to be – a transformative experience.

Is there a personal or professional achievement that you’re proud to mention?

My life has been full of personal journeys, and I take lessons from each chapter. I’m humbled to be able to say that Monash has opened each of these doors for me. From an Archaeological excavation in Italy during my undergraduate degree, to researching in Berlin during my doctorate, to now working alongside these passionate and inspiring women at Cranlana, I am thankful for each and every opportunity given to me.

You can discover more about our wider team here, or join us for one of our programs below. We’re looking forward to continuing the conversation with you this year.

Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership’s programs include the 2 day Executive Ethics, 6 day Executive Colloquium and year-long Vincent Fairfax Fellowship. We also deliver online and customised corporate programs. Find the right program for you here. They are all held under the Chatham House Rule to encourage genuine and open debate, and allow participants to candidly discuss sometimes sensitive issues in private while allowing the topic and nature of the debate to be made public, and contribute to a broader conversation. The Alumni program offers ongoing leadership development support and a lifelong connection with Cranlana.

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The Cranlana Method

We don’t teach leadership skills. Instead, we help leaders apply the skills they already have more wisely – by building clarity of purpose and ethical courage. Drawing on a rich history of philosophical wisdom, they encourage fresh and considered approaches to challenges – offering insights that, for many participants, will fundamentally transform their concept of leadership. Our courses are dialogue-based and immersive, bringing small groups of high-level leaders together for discussions that are wide-ranging and expertly guided. They are rigorous, in-depth and practical, providing high-level learning experiences and understanding to strengthen your capabilities as an effective and ethical leader.

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