Leadership Matters Blog

Empathy and accountability aren’t opposites—they’re essential partners in effective leadership. Discover why the best leaders blend emotional intelligence with clear expectations to build resilient, high-performing teams.

Caring leadership isn’t just about kindness—it drives trust, loyalty, innovation and high performance. Explore eight compelling reasons why leading with empathy creates stronger teams, deeper connection and long-term success.

As the workplace rapidly evolves, leaders must balance empathy with action. From AI to RTO and pay transparency, navigating change with curiosity, clarity and trust is essential for building resilient, future-ready teams.

The Institute of Managers and Leaders Australia & New Zealand recently hosted Ms Finocchiaro for a leadership event at the Darwin Convention Centre. These are some of the reflections from IML CEO Sam Bell FIML.

This month's Member Spotlight features Daniel Swart CPMgr AFIML, Head of Clinical Operations at QBiotics Group Limited Australia. Daniel's focus on team engagement and adaptability has been crucial for navigating organisational change, driving both individual and team success. In the article, he shares how the CPMgr accreditation has shaped his leadership approach, offering strategies for building resilience, enhancing team ownership, and aligning operational decisions with strategic goals

From the rapid advancements in AI to the ongoing return-to-office debate, there are a myriad of challenges and opportunities for leaders to navigate in 2025.

True transformation in the workplace isn’t about new structures or targets—it’s about culture, relationships, and accountability. Organisations that proactively define their culture, prioritise respectful collaboration, and set clear behavioural expectations create environments where employees thrive and change becomes sustainable.

When strategies fail, the issue often isn’t resistance or poor processes—it’s misalignment within the senior leadership cohort. Without clear collaboration, these leaders unintentionally stall execution. The solution? A structured approach that fosters alignment, accountability, and teamwork to turn strategy into action.

Hybrid work has blurred boundaries, and laws alone won’t fix it. Clear team norms define when and how to communicate, reducing stress and building trust.