The Game Changer for the Women of Bankwest

On Friday, we participated in the Bankwest Women in Leadership Forum. The Forum aims to support Bankwest's commitment to diversity and their focus on developing, profiling and growing female talent across the bank. Fifty colleagues from across New South Wales came together in Sydney for the event which was hosted by Vittoria Shortt, Chief Executive Bankwest Retail. 

Phillippa Bartlett, Head of Retail Stores, shared her career story with an illuminating look into how the early choices she made growing up (including repeatedly running away from home as a 4 year old to join her older sister at school) have shaped her and her career path. Phillippa also imparted the key philosophies which she subscribes to which have driven her to be ready for and make the most of the career opportunities that have come her way. A work-in-progress, Phillippa has an impressive career with Bankwest which to-date spans over 14 years.

Know The Game Director, Paula Ward, then presented "The Game Changer" which encouraged participants to look at their career through a different lens by considering how lessons from the sporting field can have implications for our own corporate career. We covered an eclectic range of sports including golf, netball, rugby and sailing as well as the careers of some of Australia's sporting elite such as Ian Thorpe, Sam Stosur and Shane Warne. The lessons shared were combined with a framework for action that aimed to guide participants with planning career success and their role as a leader.

It was an interactive, entertaining and engaging afternoon, and it was a pleasure to be involved in the inaugural Sydney event.