How have our alumni been leading with what’s for Aotearoa to thrive in these times of disruption? GRAHAM BODMAN (Alum 2019) shares with us his journey and how his time on The NZ Leadership Programme (NZLP) has influenced his leadership mahi since graduating.
How has your time on the NZLP impacted your experience of work and life over the last couple of years, through the pandemic and beyond?
The Leadership NZ Class of 2019 was profoundly influenced by the unfathomable tragedy of the Christchurch shootings. This act of terror and ensuing national discourse and self-evaluation of who we are as a nation and as individuals shaped our year of “daring leadership”.
Looking back from the vantage point of late-2022, the disruption and uncertainty of three years of COVID-19, the fallout from Trump’s crusade against facts and democratic values, war in Ukraine, financial and societal upheaval and personal experience of redundancy makes 2019 feel like a time from another era.
Never did I imagine that my personal resilience and capacity for leadership would be challenged so intensively so soon.
I am thankful for my NZ Leadership Programme experience. It has helped me get through, support others, keep perspective and stay connected to family and friends who are the mainstay of my life.
What wisdom and tools from your NZLP experience have you added to your kete?
I gained many insights, the key one being to make space – pause; let things complete; take time to enter a room or meeting; be present; recognise that a relaxed space is a wise space. I loved learning about the Samoan concept of vā – the space between – which is wonderfully antithetical to our dominant Western concepts of logic, matter and causation.
I haven’t always found the idea of making space easy to put into practice. However, there have been positive changes in how I plan and engage with others which has helped to reduce stress.
In what ways has NZLP elevated your way of thinking, seeing or feeling the world?
Since completing the programme I have become more attuned to what’s important. Like many, I have re-evaluated my life ambitions and priorities over the past three years.
Experiencing redundancy a week before Christmas 2020 brought this to the fore. Insights from the NZLP helped me adopt a mindset of experimentation, opportunity and self-development. This was tested as the months passed, autumn faded, and the Auckland lockdown dragged on.
However, I can honestly say that I wouldn’t change anything and learnt a lot about myself and what’s truly important.
I feel privileged to have a new fulfilling new role at Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities, and am prioritising spending time with family and friends in addition to new community and leisure activities.
As a public service sector leader, if you had one piece of wisdom for future leaders, what would it be?
Take time to reflect, make space, be generous with your wisdom and kill the criticism (of self and others).
GRAHAM BODMAN is Director National Response at Kāinga Ora.
Did Graham’s story resonate with you? This is one of many courageous, enriching and impactful journeys on The NZ Leadership Programme.
Pūmanawa Kaiārahi 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?
Applications are open for The NZ Leadership Programme 2023!
We warmly invite suitable leaders across New Zealand to apply now.