Leadership over a lunch break

Media Release

10 July 2013

Leadership over a lunch break

This afternoon more than 80 Kiwis tuned into a discussion with four New Zealand business leaders on the importance of great business leadership in New Zealand.

The Live Business Lunch, part of the Sir Peter Blake Trust’s Leadership Week, saw Chris Quin, Chief Executive of Telecom Retail join NBR Publisher Todd Scott; World Moving & Storage Managing Director Raymond Dobbe; and entrepreneur Sachie Nomura to explore what great leadership looks like, and why it is so crucial for driving business outcomes. Olympic gold medallist Hamish Carter acted as MC for the discussion.

Shelley Campbell, Chief executive of the Sir Peter Blake Trust, said the aim was to hold a business-focussed event that reached out to business leaders and aspiring leaders all over New Zealand.

“Sir Peter Blake Leadership Week is a great opportunity for New Zealand business leaders to share lessons from their own leadership journeys and inspire other Kiwis to be able to achieve the same levels of success.

“Great leadership requires more than just being focused on your own business; it’s about sharing your knowledge with others to help contribute to the future success of New Zealand. In sharing their perspective, on what great leadership looks like, these four leaders will have greatly helped hundreds of Kiwis who will now be able to apply this wisdom to their own businesses and workplaces.”

Telecom Retail Chief Executive, Chris Quin stressed the importance of developing your strengths instead of focussing on your weaknesses.

“Forget your weaknesses. To be outstanding develop your strengths. There’s a collection of strengths and weaknesses you’ll never be but be inspired by others.”

Owner of Sachie’s Kitchen, Sachie Nomura said there is leadership potential in everyone and her job is to recognise and help develop it.

“I believe everybody can be a leader. I just need to see the potential in a person and take the time to nourish and develop that skill.” Said Sachie.

World Moving & Storage Managing Director Raymond Dobbe said leadership is about seeing the bigger picture and being aware of what is around the corner, particularly in the wider global context.

“New Zealand is a part of the world. It’s about being aware of what’s coming and how that’s going to affect your business five years from now.”

People can go to www.telecom.co.nz/livebusinesslunch to watch the recorded Live Business Lunch.

For more information about 2013 Leadership Week go to http://www.sirpeterblaketrust.org/get-involved/2013-leadership-week/

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