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An ordained Uniting Church Minister and a father of two, Nick has always been passionate about leadership. His line manager saw this and recommended him to study the university’s Graduate Certificate in Leadership. He’s enjoying it so much he plans to continue with the Master of Leadership.
While the content of both programs seems similar, the master's program provides practical research experience through the Leadership Research Project. Here, students explore a specific organisation or community issue in-depth and produce a minor research paper.
They also undertake a series of coursework units. Case studies from leading professionals help students address workplace issues and train them to develop a practical approach, implement projects and improve their workflow.
Nick enjoys gaining new knowledge and skills that will equip him to meet the challenge of new moral imperatives facing the world — something that would’ve been impossible had the courses and materials not been designed to work around the lives of busy professionals. "Being able to do stuff like listening to a lecture while I'm commuting to work or booking reading around my timetable has been great," he says.
What Nick loves most about his program is getting feedback from his peers. Being a part of a cohort that challenged his views made him aware of gaps in his knowledge and, in turn, its practical implications. "And it's not just becoming aware of the gaps. It's also giving great tools for filling those gaps," he adds.
When Nick was tasked with crafting a self-leadership plan, it pushed him to reflect on his personal journey as a minister and to think through an action plan to improve his leadership skills. He has even implemented some of these points, reinvigorating his professional life.