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Outstanding Leadership Awards 2021

Announcement posted by LeadershipHQ 10 Feb 2021

It’s time to show the strength of kind and courageous leadership
Three fierce organisations from across Australia and New Zealand have joined with the Outstanding Leadership Awards to get behind LeadershipHQ's movement to show that kind courageous leadership is the asset organisations need to thrive in 2021 and beyond.

In its second year, the Outstanding Leadership Awards is gaining international recognition for breaking down stereotypes and showcasing the best leaders of today and tomorrow.

Welcoming CQUniversity Australia, Kay by Design and Specialists in Communications as partners of the Awards, LeadershipHQ CEO and renowned leadership advisor and CEO, Sonia McDonald, said 2020 showed us the best and worst of leadership.

“Through some tough lessons, kindness, courage and inclusion were thrown into the spotlight. Every organisation, from the SME to the multinational, has been forced to undertake change recently. The importance of people-first leadership can no longer be ignored,” Sonia said.

“This includes truly recognising difference and listening to diverse voices, even when it makes you uncomfortable. With inequity still rife in society and workplaces, kind and courageous leaders are those who pull forward diverse voices, who ask ‘how can we be better’ and who actively seek real inclusion.

“The recent Australian of the Year awards highlighted female, Indigenous and multicultural voices. By shining a light on these voices, we all benefit. This is true leadership and each of the winners has shown the sheer power of lifting others up.

“As we move into a new decade, we are taking with us a legacy of change—and a legacy of showing that ‘when we lift others, we all rise’. Leadership HQ continues 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. We are thrilled to have partners of such a high calibre and reputation join with us to champion the importance of diversity, inclusion and kindness every day.” 

Each Outstanding Leadership Awards partner is asking the question: “Who do you think should be recognised for their leadership?".

[Quotes from the partners are provided below] 

“The Outstanding Leadership Awards are the embodiment of a dream that commenced more than 20 years ago, when I began working to help organisations and individuals achieve their leadership potential. I’m honoured to have so many organisations support my vision,” Sonia said.

Find out more about the Awards:

To find out more about the Outstanding Leadership Awards, to support the awards and to nominate a leader, visit www.outstandingleadershipawards.com.au

Quotes from the Partners:

“Being a Gold partner of the inaugural leadership awards was a real eye-opener for us at CQUniversity. We were able to connect with many great inspiring and aspiring leaders through the course of the event; and that is something our university is also excited to be a part of. In particular, the level of support and exposure that the awards, particularly through Sonia McDonald’s own personal leadership, has given us access to is amazing. We’re connected with new markets and a wider range of influencers who have opened our eyes to even greater opportunities for our university. Beyond contacts, to support our marketing activities, we were thrilled with the very personal and constant social media support we received, which helped to promote our brand in markets relevant to our teaching programs. For us, the value proposition in supporting the Leadership Awards has paid its return on our investment many times over and we look forward to participating with Sonia and the team coordinating the awards in 2021, as they continue to grow.”

— Alastair Dawson, Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice President, CQUniversity Australia

“As a silver sponsor, one of the highlights for me was the network of like-minded businesses and leaders. The level of support that Sonia gave, along with the exposure we received through her tireless efforts in supporting the partners, ensured our investment was worthwhile. We look forward to joining her again as a partner for 2021.”

— Sara Kay, Founder Kay by Design 

“At a time when organisations are changing, when care for people is front and centre, and when real social responsibility is being called for—not just lip service, but action like courageous conversations, purchasing power and education—I believe it's kind and courageous leadership that's making a difference and creating strong enterprise. That’s why I’m backing the Outstanding Leadership Awards; to show all leaders how kind, courageous and inclusive leadership is the secret to organisational success.”

— Sheena Ireland, Managing Director, Specialists in Communications

Media contact:

Dinah Bryant 
dinah@sicomms.com.au 
0414 549 460