From the President

Often challenges that we come across are out of our control and unplanned, but it’s our response to those challenges, which we can control, which will determine the outcome.

This edition of Consulting Matters focuses on the theme of Challenge Defining. A challenge can be described when something is new and difficult, which requires effort and determination. I think we can all agree there have been so many challenges thrown at the world, individuals, families, and business, certainly over the last two years, that it would be easy for us all to rattle off a list.

Often challenges that we come across are out of our control and unplanned, but it’s our response to those challenges, which we can control, which will determine the outcome. In some cases, this can be defining for us as individuals, governments, and business.

When I reflect from a personal perspective, I am the person I am, not only because of the DNA that is part of me but also from the experiences that have shaped me and will continue to. Whether that’s travelling and working overseas, or the separation of parents. Interestingly I took on my current role at Aurecon on 1st March 2020 just a couple of weeks before the Pandemic hit Australia. So, I have been certainly defined in my role as a leader who has steered my business through the challenge of a pandemic.

Just look at Covid 19 and the very different responses that each country, government and their leaders made to the pandemic, and then what that has meant for the citizens of those jurisdictions, their health and their economy.

I have been delighted to have seen the rapid adoption of flexible working and working from home, that without the pandemic would have taken business a long time to be fully convinced it could work. So, some challenges force change as a necessity. Imagine if we as an industry and society had the courage to adopt changes ahead of those challenges so we are better prepared to respond?

One thing the last two years has taught us is, we are, and will continue to be, in a Volatile, Unpredictable, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA) environment. I was reflecting with someone last week that this new paradigm might mean that those that have led when things are stable and safe may not be the right people or have the right skills to lead in this new world. Indeed, our ability to adapt and evolve to the environment at a pace may indeed define our success as a business or as an individual. We have seen how industries and companies have ascended to prominence and also fallen off the radar over the last few decades as change has happened around them.

If we consider the challenges our industry is facing with skills shortages, the ability to attract and retain talent as well as the ability to attain PI insurance in a once in a lifetime infrastructure boom, we as an industry will certainly be defined by how we respond to those challenges. Throwing our hands in the air and saying ‘it’s all too hard’ won’t be our finest response, but as a collective we have the ability to respond to that challenge together stronger.

“Being Challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional” – Roger Crawford •

Rowenna Walker

President