Networking can be a daunting task, especially if you’re a bit more reserved or introverted.

On today’s episode I spoke to a pair who struck up a friendship thanks to networking at Rural Women Lead, a program that empowers and connects women personally and professionally in South West Victoria.

Alison Byrne is the Executive Officer of South West Community Foundation that helped sponsor the Rural Women lead event, and in one of their first sessions she sat next to Jackie Elliot who created Rural Women’s Day.

The pair have since caught up and developed a relationship outside of the event that they’re both incredibly grateful for.

Each of them share some tips for how to make connections and address some of the barriers women face in wanting to attend events like these.

If you’re wanting to get a project like Rural Women Lead off the ground, reach out to Leadership Great South Coast or Ducks on the Pond.

Thank you to Leadership Great South Coast for sponsoring this 3 part collaboration.

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This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production. Interested in making your own podcast? Let us help you tell your own story!

Jodie Hill is one of the masterminds that developed Rural Women Lead, a program that empowers and connects women personally and professionally in South West Victoria.

Today she offers a peek behind the curtain about how the project came to be and the benefits of replicating a program like this in your region.

As the CEO of Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West and a board member for Leadership Great South Coast, Jodie is no stranger to leadership roles.

She speaks about how this program could help more regional women into leadership positions in their community.

If you’re wanting to get a project like this off the ground reach out to Leadership Great South Coast or Ducks on the Pond.

Thank you to Leadership Great South Coast for sponsoring this 3 part collaboration.

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This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production. Interested in making your own podcast? Let us help you tell your own story!

What if some of your greatest leadership strengths are the things that energise you?

In the first episode of a special three-part Ducks on the Pond collaboration with Rural Women Lead, supported by Leadership Great South Coast, Kirsten Diprose talks to clinical and health psychologist and positive psychology practitioner Dr Jodie Fleming about the human side of leadership.

Jodie works with individuals and workplaces to identify and harness strengths, values, self-compassion and emotional intelligence to help individuals and teams perform at their best.

And this conversation goes beyond the usual leadership advice. We explore what actually makes us thrive at work, how leaders can better understand themselves and their teams, and why compassion and accountability aren't opposites.

In this episode, we discuss:

🔹 How to find your strengths and what energises you.

🔹 Why you shouldn’t overuse your superpowers.

🔹 The five elements of emotional intelligence.

🔹 Compassion doesn't mean avoiding accountability,

🔹 Are workplaces still valuing IQ over EQ?

This episode is the first in a special three-part collaboration with Rural Women Lead, supported by Leadership Great South Coast. Across the series, we're looking at practical ways women can build leadership skills, create impact and invest in their professional development.

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This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production. Interested in making your own podcast? Let us help you tell your own story!