How are our Alumni leading with what's needed for Aotearoa to thrive in the 21st Century? We sat down with NICOLA KEEN-BIGGELAAR (Alum 2019) to track her journey and unlock the ways her leadership mahi is making a difference in Aotearoa since graduating from The NZ Leadership Programme (NZLP).
What wisdom and tools from your NZLP experience have you added to your kete?
More self-awareness of my journey and how that influences my reactions to people and events around me. Self-care has always been my nemesis and by no means have I conquered it; however, I have added a lot of wisdom, knowledge and understanding of the necessity for rest. Pushing forward and being the force of nature (I was always so proud of this), no longer serve me nor those around me, and certainly doesn’t enable the quality results and value I want to leave, wherever I have been.
I am always open to testing my thinking and regularly reach out to peers and colleagues for guidance and to bounce ideas off, even when I think I already have my answer. Leadership can be lonely, particularly when you’re leading change, and I have learned through the NZLP experience, that we don’t need to be as isolated as we sometimes create for ourselves through thinking we need to have all of the answers and appear in control.
Mindfulness, which for me is best served through journaling, has helped me centre myself through a few storms and rocky patches! Taking time in silence, to really understand what is bubbling under the surface has aided me in the heaviness that we can experience as leaders.
I have always had a love of learning, and this lives on in different ways after NZLP with deliberate curiosity to explore a wider range of topics that I wouldn’t have engaged in previously.
In what ways has NZLP elevated your way of thinking, seeing or feeling the world?
I am definitely more connected to the environment, and in fact, regularly get my bare feet in the sand to ground myself and to remind myself of the rhythm of life and how insignificant we really are. I care deeply but I also recognise and accept my limitations and instead empower those around me to shine bright and fill my gaps.
I am more curious to understand the view of others, what informs that view, and what gold there is for me within the different views I encounter. I believe this makes me a more open-minded, supportive and humble leader.
I am also really interested in our journey as a country to embrace, value and bring life to the worldview of our indigenous people and what Aotearoa, New Zealand looks like for all peoples that is positive and supportive for all. I wrestle with the challenges of being a female leader, and increasingly a white female leader. NZLP planted the seed of responsibility for me in leading in a way that is respectful of a bicultural, multi-ethnic community, and I keep striving for a genuine and meaningful approach to this commitment that sits very firmly at the heart of my leadership.
What impact has the Programme had on your organisation or community?
The long-lasting impact of the programme, alongside the strong and connected alumni that I now walk with, has enabled me to continue to be a courageous, transformative leader. This is unfolding in my organisation in ways that are hard to quantify however it does look like a team that feels valued, empowered to be their unique and whole selves, a deep commitment to our work, and striving for excellence that best serves our communities. Drowning Prevention Auckland is also leading a collaborative approach to water safety in Tāmaki Makaurau and I draw a lot on my experience with NZLP to lead this powerfully. I stand boldly for an improved way of working as a sector and am deeply committed to seeing this come to fruition.
As a not-for-profit sector leader, if you had one piece of wisdom for future leaders, what would it be?
Invest in yourself in order that you can really serve your communities in the way that they need it most. To use Bréne Brown’s famous quote, “who we are is how we lead” – this is so true for me and became a bright beacon through NZLP. The charitable sector is full of passionate people and the more we invest in ourselves to heal, to really know our true selves, to embrace our humanity and imperfection – the more we enable our teams to do the same, which in turn empowers our communities to find their own leadership for the issues that call to them the most. Together, in authenticity, we can achieve so much of value.
Nicola Keen-Biggelaar is Chief Executive - Drowning Prevention Auckland
Did Nicola’s story resonate with you? This is one of many courageous, enriching and impactful journeys on The NZ Leadership Programme.
Leadership NZ is on a mission to find the committed, visionary, brave leaders who can lead with what's needed for Aotearoa to thrive in the 21st Century. In this time of uncertainty and change, our purpose to catalyse leadership in Aotearoa as a force for positive change has never felt more important.
Are you a mid-level, senior or community leader in New Zealand who feels purposeful to evolve its leadership landscape? Do you know someone who is?
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We warmly invite suitable leaders across New Zealand to apply now.