Leading transformations – a holistic approach to leadership development

Abstract

So, what was Woodside’s challenge? How does an organisation lead through a business transformation, an industry transformation and a global energy transformation simultaneously? And what was Woodside’s answer? To redefine a whole of business approach to leadership and uplift leadership capabilities. The first step was to create a framework to revolutionise the concept of leadership and uplift leadership capability. Woodside wanted every employee to identify as a leader and lead, no matter what their role. In 2021, Woodside partnered and co-created a leadership development program with the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) at UNSW. The program was designed for employees to uplift their leadership capability while empowering Woodsiders to be more deliberate in developing themselves and the organisation into the future. The commitment to date has seen thousands of employees undertake residential immersions and other learning experiences. Leadership and inclusive leadership capability have been uplifted and the framework has been leveraged as Woodside has successfully transformed operating models and completed a large merger. What was originally a stick drawing drafted on a napkin between two Woodside colleagues is now a conclusive framework known as Navigator. Since its inception in 2021 more than 2600 employees across all five countries have attended a Navigator immersion and more than 2500 Apply Learning experiences have been completed globally. Navigator has expanded its global reach across Woodside’s operations in Australia, China, the USA, Trinidad, and most recently in Dakar, Senegal.