living_real_leadership Archives

When it’s wrong you must speak up

05.05.2017 // Leave a Comment

As you know from my last post, I’m in the midst of my second peak work period for the year. Eight weeks full-on now ‘til […]

WOTW: Cantankerous

06.03.2017 // Leave a Comment

This is a shout out to all the mums and the handful of dads who battle that Monday-itis of the very worst kind… getting those […]

Real Leadership – The Waler Way

13.05.2016 // Leave a Comment

It’s been a very emotional week with my horses… a new baby, major surgery for my dressage-horse-in-training, the continuing battle with suppliers and contractors to […]

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Jen Dalitz

I help individuals & organisations to thrive + survive. Strategy Advisor. Exec Coach. Board Director.

Jen Dalitz

10 months ago

Books, books, books! As is custom, this International Women’s Day #IWD2024 I have copies of my Little Wins books up for grabs. This book was a passion project back when I first stumbled across the world of gender diversity and inclusion. The impetus for the first edition was a chance meeting with an exemplary businesswoman, who confided in experiencing self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and the crushing weight of perfectionism that comes with the double-bind of needing to prove she was twice as good, to be considered even half as capable as her male peers. Turns out she was not alone. A lot has changed since the first edition of #LittleWins. Some 10,000 copies of this little book made their ways into the hands of women from all walks of life and industry who participated in the various coaching, mentoring and professional development programs I’ve run. Their feedback was consistent, on point, and telling of the common challenges of working women face every day, but also of the successes and wins they were having every single day. International Women’s Day is an opportunity to reflect and refocus our efforts on addressing systemic bias that holds women back, and to remind those women who dare to have it all that you are not alone and we are in it together. We can lift each other up and we can celebrate all those 1-percenters and little wins we achieve every single day, that contribute to a successful, happy and meaningful life. This year I’m offering 3 boxes of Little Wins (each containing 72 books) to those organising or participating in an International Women’s Day event in Australia this March for either: (a) a for-purpose organisation where you work; or (b) a fund-raising event for a charity supporting women and children; or(c) an organisation where you work that hasn’t previously celebrated #IWD. To be in the running, let me know in the comments what International Women’s Day means to you, and how you would use the books this #IWD2024. And sharing is caring – friends I’d be grateful if you can help spread the word with a repost so we can get these books into the hands of people who need them. #inittogether #IWD2024 #littlewins ... See MoreSee Less

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Jen Dalitz

1 years ago

What do you see in this picture? Woven baskets? Or medicine? Waranara means ‘to seek’ in the First Nations languages of the Sydney region – seek knowledge, seek truth, seek understanding. First Nations guides on the Waranara Tours at the Australian Museum invite you to do just this, in understanding the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural objects in the collections of Australia’s oldest museum.Towards the end of our recent Waranara experience, tour guide Bree gestured towards this display and declared “Medicine: This is important medicine”. Medicine? Ummm… looked like a few woven baskets to me? But Bree went on to explain that on her Country, when someone is not in a good space mentally or emotionally, they are sent to the meeting place to weave.Weaving was traditionally a way to bring people together with elders in the natural environment, like on the riverbank or under a tree, to have a yarn and work together on an important community task. The process of weaving produced essential tools for fishing and storage and other decorative pieces for ceremonies and trade. And it turns out activities like weaving provide an effective somatic therapy for treating mental and emotional health issues through the connection of mind and body. This body-centric approach of using fingers, hands, arms and legs to transform natural fibres into useful objects works to improve mental health by helping to release stress, tension and trauma from the body. Sort of medicine, for the soul.According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2020-21 over two in five Australians, or 8.6million people, reported experiencing a mental disorder at some time in their life, with younger people disproportionately affected. At the same time, Australian Government expenditure on mental health-related services was $11.6 billion per annum, with almost $1.6 billion spent on mental health-related Medicare services and $635 million on mental health-related prescriptions in that one year alone.Meanwhile, untreated mental health conditions cost Australian workplaces $10.9 billion per year – $4.7 billion in absenteeism, $6.1 billion in presenteeism and $146 million in compensation claims, according to a PwC and Beyond Blue report on mental health in the workplace.This epidemic of mental health issues is a wicked problem that won’t be cured with a simple pill or a potion, but maybe in exploring potential solutions there’s something to be learned from our Aboriginal heritage and storytelling. If only we are prepared to listen.#yes23 #storytelling #mentalhealth #levelup #performanceimprovement #sustainability ... See MoreSee Less

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Jen Dalitz

1 years ago

The date has been set. On 14 October, Australia has the opportunity to correct an historical failing in our democracy by giving our First Nations people a voice in parliament. Like hundreds of other company directors I have chosen to declare my personal support for the Yes campaign. But this has only come after a period of research, reflection and intense curiosity. For our nation, it’s important we do our own independent thinking about what #thevoice means to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, to our beautiful country, and to each and every Australian. I’ve been fortunate to access some wonderful resources and reflect on some deeply moving life experiences along the way and over 7 days I will share some of these, to perhaps assist others in shaping their views. Meanwhile, all Directors are invited to jump on board and show their support - sign up at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScrtvbi2VUKU5GHSaSUx8hb7HbGVYb9N8JBivkKWC9ZAdCTwA/viewformKudos to Ming Long AM for leading this movement.#thisisleadership ... See MoreSee Less

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Jen Dalitz

4 years ago

On #IWD2021 I took my 12yo son to watch “Girls Can’t Surf”. We’re not surfers but - honestly - this movie does more to explain the barriers to gender equity, equal pay and unconscious bias than any diversity and inclusion training I’ve participated in. And I’ve done a LOT of that. So it’s a big statement.Earlier in the day, as we ate breakfast, my son had asked me: “Why do we even have an International Women’s Day, mum?”I don’t have enough hours to write about all the reasons why, so this video is a bit of a download of my feelings in the perfect storm that’s brewing this International Women’s Day. “Girls Can’t Surf” is a fitting metaphor for all the things that conspire to keep men and women operating at different levels, with different privileges, on different pay scales and with access to different opportunities. Still. In 2021. In Australia and just about every country across the globe.Here’s the trailer - do check it out: youtu.be/rBjcbZla2cAPut simply: You can’t have equality until you have a level playing field. Until women and men are surfing the same waves. And, if you think that women and men can be equal when the playing field is not level, you’re kidding yourself.PS it really was early morning when I made the video - so apologies for my brain dozing - the movie title is definitely “Girls Can’t Surf” and it’s playing in cinemas now. ... See MoreSee Less

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Jen Dalitz

4 years ago

Like most Sydneysiders, my holiday plans are derailed. Again. This time its thanks to the Northern Beaches hotspot, right on the door step of my safe space. My sacred place. Where I’ve trained to train the horses that in turn taught me so much. How completely and utterly infuriating. And yet, if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that there’s very little we can actually control on this third rock we inhabit.So all that’s really left for us is to choose is our response. We can choose to get back up and go on. And we will.If at this point you’re thinking “I just can’t”, I get it. And so, I present for your inspiration one Gillian Rolton AM riding the magnificent Peppermint Grove at the Atlanta Olympics in Team Eventing. This was the second Olympics for Gill and Peppermint Grove following on from their successful gold-winning campaign at the 1992 Barcelona games. And it’s a ride that not only fueled my love of horses but showed me what true courage and grit and teamwork really looks like. With perhaps a dash of insanity, for good measure.Eventing is an equestrian event where a single horse and rider combine and compete against others across the three disciplines of dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. This event has its roots in a comprehensive cavalry test that required mastery of several types of riding. At the Olympics, team eventing pits teams of horse-and-rider pairs, one country against another. Men and women compete equally for a place on the team, the three highest scores counting towards the medal tally. No gender segregation. Only talent determines who makes the team. Gill was the first Australian female to win an equestrian medal at the Barcelona games in 1992, and the only woman on the team in 1996.Coming out of the dressage, the Australians were on the brink of winning gold when Peppermint Grove skidded during the cross-country phase. Gill remounted (as the rules allowed back then) unaware she’d broken her collarbone and ribs, but found herself unable to use her left arm. The next jump was one of the most challenging on course: a massive down-bank into the water then up onto a bridge then back down into the water. Peppermint Grove stumbled off the bridge under the dead weight of his rider who fell again, this time into the water. At this point Gill had a split-second decision to make: “Do I get up and go on? Or do I give up?” Team Eventing is just that. A team sport. Giving up means relinquishing a medal not only for oneself, but also for the team.Gill was all in. She got back on the horse, and now had trouble breathing as her lung was punctured. But Peppermint Grove carried her home, across the impossibility of another 15 jumps for an excruciating 3 kilometres, and all the way to the winner’s podium. Taken to hospital afterwards, Gill refused painkillers in case she had to ride again the next day. She didn’t have to, but her ride proved an inspiration to her team, which went on to win gold.Gill was later heard to say "You don't go to the Games to be a wuss, you don't go to the Games to be a wimp, you go to the Games because you've got to get through those finish flags no matter what." I get it. 2020 sucks. And, we’re going to make it to the finish line. Together. No matter what. Merry Christmas and see you on the other side! Jen xowww.youtube.com/watch?v=7tXL9atLwAo ... See MoreSee Less

Gillian Roltons amazing Atlanta Olympics ride

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A broken collar bone did not stop her

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