Challenges 08 - Leading into Tomorrow

Rotorua, 2 & 3 July 2008

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Challenges 08 is a conference for leaders, about leadership.
And the challenges we face.

Consider the challenges we as leaders face:

• Two of three Europeans (67%) say they distrust the leaders of corporations
• Only 50% of US workers say they trust their leadership
• 68% of the New Zealand workforce are characterised by Gallup as being disengaged.

Is it any wonder we need a new model of leadership?

As Stephen Covey asks:

• Why do so many business and government leaders fall short of getting the results they want?
• Why are so many workers disillusioned with their leaders?
• Why is the corporation the least trusted entity in our society - with government not far behind?

Now consider the opportunities we as leaders must embrace:

“Today's leaders have to be concerned about tomorrow's world and those who will inherit it. They are the custodians of the future and it's their job to make sure that they leave their organisation in a better shape than they found it.”
Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner, The Leadership Challenge

Leadership - in all its many facets - will be examined, prodded, discussed and re-shaped by a line-up of speakers and leaders from around New Zealand and the world.

Our Speakers

Lester Levy Professor of Leadership, Auckland University Business School; Chief Executive Excelerator programme. Topic: The shape of authentic leadership in New Zealand. 2nd July, 9.15am A graduate of Medicine and an MBA with his formative management background in multi-nationals 3M and Beecham Research Laboratories, Lester is best known for leading a number of organisational performance transformations in both the private and public sectors... Read more
Jared Blumenfeld Director of the San Francisco Department of the Environment. Topic: Leading your organisation, city and community to sustainable practice. 2nd July, 1pm SF Environment develops innovative, practical and wide-ranging environmental programs, fostering groundbreaking legislation, and educating the public. Jared was the chair of U.N. World Environment Day 2005... Read more
Ruth Aitken Coach of the New Zealand Silver Ferns international netball team. Topic: Leadership challenges and lessons from international sport. 3rd July, 9.15am 2003 Halberg Coach of the Year Ruth Aitken took over the reins of the Silver Ferns in December 2001... Read more
Bob Field Chairman, Toyota New Zealand. Topic: Engagement - every business is a people business. 3rd July, 10.30am Under Bob's leadership Toyota has dominated the New Zealand vehicle market for more than two decades... Read more
Ann Sherry CEO Carnival Cruise Lines; past CEO Westpac New Zealand. Topic: Looking to the horizon: Successfully navigating a leadership vision. 3rd July, 1.15am Ann was appointed CEO of Carnival Australia, a division of Carnival Corporation, in July 2007.Carnival Australia is the dominant cruise holiday provider in Australia and has doubled in size over the last three years... Read more
Rob Harley Journalist and documentary maker, author and communicator. Topic: Tales of courageous leadership. 2nd July, 8.00pm Rob's work has been recognized around the world with more than a dozen awards for excellence in film-making. His documentary work has taken him to East Timor, Sudan, Kosovo, Cambodia and India, amongst other exotic locales... Read more

Conference Themes

• How to build a credible leadership base for New Zealand ... leaders who are trusted
• Creating and sustaining values-based leadership
• Leading people through inspirational example
• Sustainability on two key fronts - and how to build it in your organisation:
  • Environmental sustainability - it's a global imperative but how to do more than recycle? What are leaders around the world accomplishing?
  • Leadership sustainability - what do we all need to know to ensure our own spirit is sustained across the stresses of leading people through change?

NOTE: Challenges 08 offers sector discussions after keynote speakers; this unique feature allows you to engage with your colleagues and focus on applications about each topic.

Workshop Topics

1. Recognition, celebration and encouragement - keys to successful leadership. Christine Johnson, New Zealand Defence Force
2. Leading a strategic approach to a environmentally sustainable workplace. Jared Blumenfeld, San Francisco Department of the Environment
3. Values-based leadership - leading with credibility and authenticity. Bob Field, Toyota New Zealand
4. Leadership and the talent/skills shortfall - retention strategies that work. Jane Davis, The Warehouse
5. Developing a leadership culture in your organisation - a case study from a leading New Zealand employer. Amanda MacDonald, Genesis Energy
6. The leader as strategist. Dr Nick Fleming , SKM Consulting
7. Leadership sustainability: sustaining your own spirit amidst the stresses of leading people. John Hornblow, Nexus Partners

Each session will be:

• Interactive. Challenges 08 is about challenging the status quo.
• Pragmatic. Challenges 08 is not just about theory; it's about practical applications for your sphere of influence
• Creative. Challenges 08 will be presenting leading edge learnings from around the world, stimulating your own lateral thinking
• Thoughtful. Challenges 08 is a conference for leaders, by leaders; this is top-notch thinking at the highest level
• Representative. Challenges 08 has attracted a variety of speakers from all spheres of leadership: education, government, private industry, the media

Take the lead. Join us. Click here for conference details.

Come with your questions. Your experience. And your imagination.

And prepare to be challenged. And to challenge!

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