One of the joys and privileges of working for Proteus is the opportunity that we have as staff to hear from amazing leaders when they speak at our Leadership events. Last week in my home town, Queensland, leaders gathered at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre to experience one of our best ever speaker line-ups.
It was the following speaker, John Anderson, founder of Contiki Tours, who next shed some tears. He gave a moving recount of how at the age of 22 with only 25 pounds to his name he founded Contiki because he was so passionate about traveling Europe. Now over 2 million young people have travelled with Contiki and while “what happens on the bus – stays on the bus,” John’s anecdotes left a powerful impression. I will always remember the quiver in his voice as he told us that every time he sees a Contiki bus drive past he always waves at the passengers.
Post lunch Terry Hawkins and Tom O’Toole (of Beechworth Bakery fame) cranked it up a notch - challenging the delegates to reflect more carefully on our own behaviour (are we in the pit?) and gave us some great ideas to implement in our own teams and organisations.
We were joined by many of the delegates to close the first day at our traditional networking session – lots of fun!
On the second day – Peter Sheahan – asked us to challenge our assumptions – to flip our thinking and look for how we can leverage our own “STORY”. I am not alone in saying that it was at this point I ran out of room for notes in my Conference booklet!
Whether you are scared of heights or not, base-jumping champion Heather Swan’s story about confronting fear and risking embarrassment was unsettlingly powerful. I remember her reminding us to celebrate the journey as much as we celebrate the destination – a pertinent thought to apply to our own leadership journey.
It was during Richard Dore’s presentation on Establishing Leadership Habits that many of the ideas fell into place. I left with an action plan – with specific things to implement personally – and within my team. To complete the experience, Explosive Minds closed the conference with a bundle of laughs and some practical exercises on improving our communication.
WOW – what a couple of days. Don’t just take our word for it, check out some of the feedback clients have shared with us. Many have also pledged to join us again next year – I hope you can too!
Feedback:
That was undoubtedly the best conference that I have ever attended. The calibre of the speakers was exceptional and there were so many great ideas from all the speakers, which I think will be invaluable for our business. There was no time in that whole two days that I felt bored or not stimulated - so well done.
I wanted to say that the conference was fabulous! It really was the best conference that I have ever attended.
There was never a dead moment. I loved every minute of the two days. What a boost to my motivation and attitude.
Thanks to all for organising such a brilliant line up of fantastic speakers.
I really enjoyed the conference.
It’s amazing what a couple of days out of the office can do for motivation and perspective. Also Richard’s presentation was great. Thanks to everyone involved in organising the whole thing.
Thanks so much. I loved the conference. I think it was one of the best I have attended!
Thank you. It was an excellent conference. I learnt so much in those 2 short days – both personally and professionally. - Looking forward to the next one.
I would just like to express a big thank you to the Proteus Leadership Centre and all the Presenters at the conference.
The conference has been really positive experience for me and has given me a lot of food for thought.
