Working in the environment is not what people imagine it to be. It is not all koalas, and rainforests and reefs!

The practical reality is often a constant stream of negotiation. Quite often our work requires that we have difficult and challenging conversations with our clients, our people and the sectors we serve.

To be an environmental leader you must have expertise in matters such as nature, waste, pollution, resource management and efficiency, but also an external focus to perceive and respond to a wide range of factors which safeguard the rights and safety of other communities and the environments they inhabit. Holding the organisation responsible in part or entirely for these factors, and we bring an ethical responsibility to safeguard the wellbeing of others. This outward focusing aspect of environmental leadership is often forgotten when it is being compared with other leadership models.

Anticipating and getting ready for difficult conversations is a major stressor for many team leaders, and for those new to the role of dealing with clients and stakeholders. However, there are well practiced methods that can help you!

This workshop will equip you for your more difficult conversations, providing practical and tactical advice on how to prepare, how to listen, and what to ask to help your colleagues and clients move towards the answer that you want.

This full day workshop has been designed for environment professionals. It covers three topics:

1. Getting your message across
2. Sharing hard news – feedback and conflict
3. Aligning your team

In this workshop Dr Kimberley Swords will share practical tips and tricks, and help you practice so you are better in this safe and engaging face-to-face workshop.

Numbers are limited and is bound to be a sell out so register early secure your place!

Participation is limited to 25 participants per workshop to ensure everyone gets the attention they need and to enhance interaction. The majority of the day will be spent in small group activities that gamefy the skills you are developing. To enable workshops to share a variety of opinions and conversations, each workshop is limited to no more than five employees from the same organisation.

Meet the facilitator

Dr Kimberley Swords

The consistent themes of Kimberley’s work are impact at scale to the benefit the environment, and the development of people.

She holds a Masters of Business Administration, is an ANZSOG Executive Fellow, member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, former Deputy Secretary of the Australian Environment Department, and formerly a management consultant at both Nous Group and McKinsey and Company.

Currently, she is Chief Executive of Riffle Advisory, a boutique leadership and advisory firm. Riffle builds on decades of experience in sustainability and environmental leadership in the public sector, in consulting and advisory, and in the development of the people who will change our world. Kimberley works with leadership teams on operating models and strategy and how they can help their organisations work better. She also coaches individuals and teams, and advises on biodiversity and environmental topics.

Kimberley is a member of the Board of CS Energy, and the Governance Advisory Panel for the International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits which has been working to set global standards for biodiversity credits. You can read about their work here →

Kimberley has coached, trained and taught hundreds of people in the environment field how to be more persuasive and impactful.

This workshop will be evidence based, and highly interactive, providing you the opportunity to learn and practice new skills in a fun and engaging format.

Not an EIANZ member?

Consider joining as a student, associate or full member today! To receive the member rate to the symposium make sure you apply for membership prior to registering for the event! Join here →

CPD Points

Thanks to our event sponsor