Leadership Expert Sonia McDonald Calls on Australians to Prioritise Championing and Developing Great Leadership to Secure Future of Younger Generations

LeadershipHQ and Outstanding Leadership Awards Founder Sonia McDonald has called on Australians (and the rest of the world) to prioritise championing and developing great leadership, in order for the younger generation to reach their true potential. 

This includes supporting annual events like the Outstanding Leadership Awards, which shines a spotlight on leaders from across the globe and recognises these leaders for their outstanding achievements, contributions, and abilities on a world stage.

The awards have also become a source of inspiration for people who have dreamed of one day stepping into a leadership role.

The winners for the 2022 Outstanding Leadership Awards were announced on 30th July 2022 of this year at the Sofitel Hotel Brisbane and live-streamed, after being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sonia McDonald said the leadership awards were essential for developing the leaders of today and tomorrow.

“The world needs kind, courageous and inclusive leaders more than ever,” she said.

McDonald revealed that it was her daughter’s own journey of courage that made her realise the importance of the power of leadership, and the role it will play in the lives of the generations of today and tomorrow.

The Outstanding Leadership Awards was born as a result of Sonia’s daughter’s courageous story and as a way to recognise the contributions leaders made to the world.

But for Sonia McDonald, her daughter is the most courageous leader she knows. 

“My daughter was severely bullied at 13 years old at school and online. At the time the school and police didn’t want to get involved. It was dreadful. At 14 she tried to take her own life and we were in and out of hospital for 3 years. She left school at 14 and her education and dreams. During that time the support for teenagers with mental health and well-being challenges was awful,” she said.

McDonald, who has written a book called First Comes Courage, said that one day when her daughter was 16, she asked for money to do a crimes and justice course at TAFE.

“At 16 she spoke at schools about her journey and to help other teenagers. It was inspiring. She had the courage to work so hard on her mental health and education," she said.

“She focuses on her mental well-being every day and knows her journey and grit are what makes her who she is as well as her absolute resolve to help others in need - this keeps giving her the courage to keep moving forward. Purpose. Impact. 

“My daughter is the most courageous leader I know who is out there rocking it. She is so open today about her mental well-being because she is human, vulnerable and brave.”

Finalists include Paul Scurrah, Michael Morgan, Monica Watts, Sharon McLeod, Edwin (Jim) Mi Mi, Jennifer Brown, Hacia Atherton, David Wildman, Karl Sice, Brooke Adams and over 100 more finalists representing companies, communities and agencies across the Globe.

Thank you to our partners and sponsors CQU Central Queensland University, O.C. Tanner, McDonald Inc. Recruitment, Mars Wrigley, C3 Talent, Veriskills, Seymour Whyte and Digital8.

We are also thrilled to announce the amazing Bianca Dye as our Awards Master of Ceremonies.

FIND OUT ABOUT OUR FINALISTS HERE! 

About the Outstanding Leadership Awards and Courage Conferences
 
The Outstanding Leadership Awards and Courage Conferences are the embodiment of a dream that commenced more than 20 years ago when we began working to help organisations and individuals achieve their leadership potential.

As we move into a new decade, we are taking with us a legacy of change. Leadership across the globe has been evolving rapidly over the past three years and LeadershipHQ is continuing to be at the forefront of that change. To bring you these awards we are partnering with companies whose culture rewards and fosters kind and courageous leadership.

The Outstanding Leadership Awards and Conferences are about championing leaders across organisations who make diversity, inclusion and kindness part of their day to day culture. They are leaders who have courageous conversations and strive to lead by example. They are leaders that make employees happy to come to work each day because they feel valued. Above all, they are the leader whose example others strive to replicate and who are changing the face of leadership.

By demonstrating and rewarding this type of leadership, we are encouraging leaders now and, in the future, to strive to epitomise these values. We welcome all nominations no matter the size or type of the business or organisation. Leadership HQ encourages you to nominate leaders you feel embody these leadership attributes each and every day.

2022 Awards will are live-streamed as well as being held on 30th July 2022 at the Sofitel Brisbane - https://www.outstandingleadershipawards.com.au/

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Let’s be the change we want to see in the world and reward kind and courageous leadership.

Want to be a Partner and Sponsor 2023?
The Outstanding Leadership Awards have changed the way corporates acknowledge leadership. We are creating a movement that celebrates behaviours & values that espouse great leadership across the globe.

Organisations connected with the awards are becoming employers of choice through their value system.

Do you want to be recognised for supporting great, outstanding leadership?

Would you love to build your employer brand?

Would you love to attract and retain great talent and leaders?

If you are interested in becoming a Partner or Sponsor for the 2023 Outstanding Leadership Awards, please contact our team at hello@leadershiphq.com.au