Reflections on the Champions Conference
The last Champions get together of 2019 focused on the Champions finding their ‘edge’ during the first day, while the second featured a broader overview of the program.
In the name of finding an ‘edge’, Cameron Geddes and Vincent van der Zee went over some refreshers on self-awareness and leadership concepts before launching into a group activity that tested communications, teamwork and goal setting.
That led to the high ropes course – the real point of the day. “I found it interesting to observe how some of the group set very high, stretch targets; while others preferred to set goals they felt confident they could hit,” said Erica Solum from Wannon Water.
Erica continued: “Over lunch, there was an obvious mix of excitement and terror. After lunch we were fitted with our safety gear and let loose on the rock wall, ladders and high ropes. Fears were conquered and comfort zones were definitely challenged!”
The session helped Champions to face their fears and find their edge with the support of the whole group – and Adrian Flather from City West Water said that was one of the highlights of the day: “Watching some of our fellow champions initial struggle when they found their ‘edge’ then overcome their fears and anxieties at a personal level and with the support the whole team was a great experience.”
Talking about the experience Cameron added that the high ropes course was designed to test whether or not Champions had applied the skills they learned in practise. “The Champions workshop in October had a focus on practical application of the skills and tools the Champions have been learning about over the past one or two years,” he said.
“The session was designed to help each of the Champions identify their own ‘edge’ and then understand whether they reverted to default behaviours or applied the skills and tools they have learned. We debriefed the group to reinforce the strategies they will need to implement to maximise their performance as leaders and team members.
“We closed the workshop with a session discussing how the strategies we explored during the activity could be applied back into their normal work environment.”
One of the more solemn moments of the two days came with dinner on the first evening and former Program Director Brett Millington’s last words to the Intelligent Water Networks.
Day two brought an update on the seven programs the IWN run, while the upcoming Innovation Challenge was mentioned to the Champions.
New Champion Samar Patel commented: “The energy in the room on the day of the dinner was amazing. I feel privileged to begin my journey to IWN on such a positive note.”