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Show Notes

Lisa Moricz is the director of Umana Group, a mother, grandmother and a "foodie". However, her first love is the love of change. We are in a world of change. She appreciates that with the help of technology, we can reach out to many people wherever they are. Within this, Lisa focuses on young leaders and setting them up for success.

Lisa is a Raise Mentor with the Raise Youth Mentoring Program, which helps students in grades 7 ~10.

The common thread is "human". Umana is Italian for human, the feminine singular of Umano.

Lisa was given her first corporate leadership role in her mid-20s. Her own assessment was that she did not do very well, partly because the support was minimal.

With some self-reflection, she decided to be a "great" leader. Lisa said she needed to make it happen by learning from as many people as possible.

She created a company about 12 years ago with a few colleagues. Early observations of her clients showed that they were just too busy to train their leaders and the leaders were too busy to learn. Her business helped clients free up time for leadership development. 

She moved to Canada for a few years for work, where she did some global projects.

Back in Australia, the pandemic's impact has put a lot of pressure on young leaders and individual contributors. Mental health issues are significant. Young people need nurturing.

When looking for a mentor, it is important to value their opinion and trust them. Trust is always the initial approach until something happens to the contrary. Young people who want to grow and develop should talk to as many people as possible. Take on board the things which resonate with you and your style.

Mentoring can be as simple as asking permission to be mentored. Great mentors also know other great mentors. Ask your Leader or boss for mentoring. 

Leadership training in a big group tends to be restrained and protective. Smaller groups and diverse organisations can be a more productive environment for leadership training.

The Raise Youth Mentoring Program is something Lisa is passionate about because of the emerging leaders. The program is designed for years 7~10 and for students who are having trouble making their way forward.

Year 10 (16 years old) is the influential age when young leadership programs can have the most significant impact.

If everyone did something to help one person, the impact on the world would be huge.

Planning and communication in the current work environment are critical. Employees need some certainty about how it is best to work: hybrid, remote in the office or how best to collaborate. Leaders need to communicate transparently. They should not have to guess. During Covid and working from home, there was a lot of flexibility throughout the day, but the work day did get longer.

It is a new world, and people are not sure if their actions are acceptable.

Have honest conversations and allow the teams to talk about what they are doing.

There is a significant demand for leaders to adopt a coaching style—review Preview. Please get to know your teams, and engage and empower them.

A key lesson from the grandchildren is to remember how to ask questions and have fun.

Summary:

·       Lisa wants to create psychological safety so that people grow and trust.

·       Care and compassion: care about your team members and leaders.

·       Commitment to own self-development. It is OK to ask for help. Being vulnerable can be a strength. Take the risk to find mentors and make connections.

·       Conversations: create a safe place where people can have honest discussions and tell real stories rather than a dark mystery.

·       Consistency – keep doing it. Leadership development is not set and forgotten. Be consistent with your values.