First Peoples Leading - Leadership for Impact
Empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with leadership confidence and capability
Course Overview
Developing the confidence, capabilities and connections to successfully transition and thrive in leadership roles is critical to achieving tangible, long-term improvements in the social and economic outcomes experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their families and communities. FPL IMPACT is targeted at First Nations people who are team and people leaders looking to strengthen their impact on team effectiveness. The program uses a strengths-based approach to leading and guiding teams.
Often motivated more by aspiration than ambition, many First People possess the hallmarks of good leadership – purpose, resilience and humility. Yet First People are likely to face a number of unique challenges that must be anticipated, managed and ultimately leveraged in order to realise the purpose that drives their leadership aspiration.
The program is delivered online via live video stream and is a uniquely engaging experience. Delivered over 10 weeks, the program is centred around 5 x 2.5 hour workshops, comprehensive e-learning resources and small group coaching circles.
This is an interactive and participatory program and an opportunity to develop long-lasting connections and powerful professional networks.
Program features
Our FPL micro-credentials offer a unique value that differentiates us from other programs
Culturally Relevant Curriculum: Developed in partnership with First Nations' lived experience, our program reflects the unique values and perspectives of Indigenous leadership, emphasising consensus-building, connection to Culture and Country, and long-term vision. This culturally grounded approach sets our program apart.
Skill Development & Micro-credentials: Participants gain practical skills in strategic planning, communication, and advocacy, all while earning micro-credentials that validate their expertise to employers.
Ongoing Learning Opportunities: These micro-credentials can be applied towards further education and career development within the FPL program, providing a clear pathway for continued growth.
Supportive Learning Environment: We foster a strong community where participants connect with other First Nations leaders and mentors, building a network for ongoing support and collaboration.
First Peoples Leading Team
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Nicole Major
Thirriwirri | Bundjalung
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Jason Ardler
Thirriwirri | Yuin
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David Major
Thirriwirri | Yuin-Maneroo
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Sally Ross
Executive Central
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Rachel Ardler
Thirriwirri | Yuin
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Paul Garcia
Choose Coaching
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Melissa Ellis
Thirriwirri | Yuin/Dunghutti
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Jess Herder
Thirriwirri | Dunghutti
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Trent Brickle
MobCo | Palawa
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Melissa Hamilton
Thirriwirri | Wiradjuri
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Claude McDermott
Thirriwirri l Bundjalung
What You Can Expect
5 x Expert-led Workshops
Delivered over 10 weeks
Small group coaching circles
With a senior executive coach
Access to Online Learning Materials
Video, texts and interactive content
First Peoples Leading — IMPACT is a program tailored for First Nations people who are experienced team and people leaders.
Learning Outcomes
Identify and analyse your values, purpose, aspiration and ambition, and understand how these contribute to being an impactful leader
Critically appraise and reflect on your own Emotional Intelligence & unique operating style and that of your team and evaluate how this contributes to team dynamics
Comprehend and apply strategies to maintain your resilience and the resilience of your team
Comprehend and model dignity, trust and authenticity as a leader in the workplace and foster these skills in your team
Communicate for engagement, influence and impact
Understand your Gallup Strengths assessment and identify how to use them to lead high team performance
Identify the phases and effects of change on individuals and teams and implement strategies to mitigate the impact on performance and outcomes
Workshop One
Purpose
Effective leadership
Purpose, Aspiration & Ambition
Emotional Intelligence
I-We-You Leadership Framework
Workshop Two
Standing Where You Are
Self-awareness
Imposter Syndrome
Resilience
Dignity – Building trust
Authentic Leadership
Workshop Three
Influence and Impact
Operating Styles
Self and team awareness
Strengths
Workshop Four
Leading and Managing Change
Communication
Transformational Change
Workplace case study
Workshop Five
Looking Ahead
Team Effectiveness
In-team Behaviours
Career Mapping
Who This Program Is For
First Peoples Leading — Impact is a program tailored for First Nations people who are experienced team and people leaders.
People who are looking to have a more significant impact and enhance their leadership skills and tools
Team/people leaders looking to improve their leadership capacity to manage more effective team performance
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people/team leaders wanting a culturally unique and rich workshop environment for leadership challenges and growth
What Our Participants Say
"I was incredibly lucky to be selected by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment to take part in the Thirriwirri First Peoples Leading program. Over the past three months I had the privilege to share and learn from other First Nations leaders from both private and government sectors. We laughed, we cried, and we learnt an almighty lot about how to lead with purpose, resilience and authenticity. It was an experience that I will take with me through the rest of my career.”
Sienna Coleman
Download Brochure
“For Aboriginal leaders, the social and moral obligation that comes with community leadership is life-long. Those who lead, who have authority, must care for and look after those who come behind.”
— Senator Patrick Dodson
Our Vision
“Our aspiration is not just to create great First Nations leaders, but to create great leaders, full stop! Purposeful leaders, equipped with the agility and confidence to respond adaptively and with dignity to the unprecedented complexity and pace of change currently experienced by our communities and organisations.”
First Peoples Leading Board
Upcoming Program Dates
We offer group and community rates, please contact us to find out more or to request an invoice
First Peoples Leading is a registered Not-For-Profit organisation that aims to offer supported places to First Nations community organistions to access high quality leadership development programs.
Thirriwirri is a 100% Aboriginal owned and operated organisation formed for the purpose of supporting First People communities and others to build the confidence, capabilities and connections to work together differently to achieve improved outcomes.
Executive Central is at the forefront of leadership development, executive coaching and business consulting in Australia and the Asia Pacific region.
Some of the organisations we work with
Acknowledgement of Country
We pay our respects to Elders and community leaders, and those leaders that came before us, who for millennia have maintained the world’s oldest surviving cultures and who have made it possible for us to do what we do. We acknowledge the strength and innovation of our young people, the leaders and Elders of the future.
We acknowledge our families, who have always supported us to dream big and who continue to support us as Thirriwirri evolves.
We also pay respect to the non-First Nation people we work with who share our vision for an empowered, prosperous and culturally assured First Nations Australia.