The SES Development Series is enhancing the capabilities of our Senior Executive Service members.
Alex Lyon is no stranger to change or challenges.
A long time member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) and soon to step into a new executive role at the Department of Local Government, Industrial Relations and Safety, he’s built a career navigating complex industrial relations, reforms and organisational transformation.
It was his drive to lead adaptively, be forever curious and continue to learn that saw him enrol in the SES Development Series.
Alex has completed 2 of the 3 courses in the series – Using Policy to Shape WA and Leading and Influencing for Change.
“What I liked about the 2 courses I’ve done so far is that they’re set in the public sector context,” he says.
“They’re about the WA SES and everything’s grounded in the work that we actually do which is quite novel.”
The practical nature of the learning resonated immediately but it was Leading and Influencing for Change course that had the greatest impact.
“The course gave me tools that helped me through a very turbulent start to the year in both my personal and professional life,” Alex shares.
“One of my biggest takeaways was a point one of the facilitators made about resilience not being something that continually grows – it can be eroded through bad experiences or bad context.
“It was a really good reminder for everyone in the room that the best leaders identify that [erosion of resilience] personally, accept it and then act on it.”
Equally valuable were the connections made with fellow executives from across the public sector.
“People were so generous with their time and their views and you could then take their experience or advice back into your workplace,” he says.
“You don’t get that opportunity very often – to sit in a room with your peers, step out of the weeds and learn together.”
For Alex, this experience reinforced the value of investing time in leadership development.
The SES Development Series is a suite of 3 courses designed exclusively for Western Australia’s senior public sector leaders:
- Walking in 2 Worlds Together
- Using Policy to Shape WA
- Leading and Influencing for Change
Find out more on WA.gov.au .
