Ignite
Leadership is a privilege. I am humbled by it every day. As leaders we have the opportunity to have a huge effect on an organisation's culture just through creating more genuine connections with our people. Connecting people to a vision takes heart, it takes guts, and is driven by passion. Telling stories that resonate and drive an organisation's purpose is a powerful and important part of a leader's ability to truly engage. Read this book, listen, learn, practise, put yourself out there and practise some more – the people you are leading deserve nothing less.
– Andrew Thorburn, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of the National Australia Bank Group
An insightful read about the human dimension of leadership. Gabrielle has provided a timely exploration of what it is to be a leader in today's complex world with information overload and the expectations of Generation Y. She peels back the layers of what it is to be an effective leader and provides a practical guide to her readers as to how we can better connect, communicate and engage as leaders.
– Janine Kirk, Chief Executive at The Prince's Charities Australia
Gabrielle Dolan provides brilliant hands-on advice for achieving success in any of the various roles you play, and models that advice in the writing of the book itself: it is a full dose of her authenticity, vulnerability and energy. She makes it real to help us make ourselves more real.
– Marty Linsky, Co-Founder and Principal at Cambridge Leadership Associates
Gabrielle Dolan lays bare the myth that traditional approaches to leadership and antiquated management by hierarchy will survive in the era of Gen Y and Millenial workforces. Authentic leadership and emotional maturity are key success criteria for today's leaders as we confront information challenges and disruptive competitors far greater than anything we could have imagined. In Ignite, Gabrielle successfully threads humour and personal perspectives, making this a very accessible and enjoyable guide for any evolving leader.
– Kate Hughes, Chief Risk Officer, Finance and Strategy, Telstra
What I love about Gabrielle is that she keeps it real. Sure she's direct, honest and straight, but she also generates real results with her clients and those she mentors. If you're after another self-help tome that blows smoke up your backside, this book is not for you, but if you're ready to take a look at who you are and what you achieve, Gabrielle has the goods.
– Dan Gregory, CEO at The Impossible Institute, co-author of Selfish, Scared and Stupid
Gabrielle's book offers a refreshing and humorous approach to thinking about leadership impact. It is quite literally bursting at the seams with practical information, ideas, stories (of course) and stimulating questions. I hope it ‘Ignites’ you as it has me!
– Hilary Crowe, Vice President, Group Human Resources, Amcor Ltd, Zurich
Leadership is about self-awareness and having the confidence to be you. If you want to know if you are leading authentically, read this book!
– Layne Beachley, seven-time ASP Women's World Champion Surfer, motivational speaker, entrepreneur and philanthropist
If knowledge is power and wisdom is knowledge applied then Ignite is that rare book that helps leaders take an idea and run with it. Packed full of practical truths you can use.
– Matt Church, Founder of Thought Leaders Global, author of Amplifiers
First published in 2015 by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd
42 McDougall St, Milton Qld 4064
Office also in Melbourne
© Gabrielle Dolan Consulting 2015
The moral rights of the author have been asserted
National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication data:
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (for example, a fair dealing for the purposes of study, research, criticism or review), no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, communicated or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission. All inquiries should be made to the publisher at the address above.
Cover design: Wiley
Cover image: © Fourleaflover/iStockphoto.com
Author photograph: Nathan Dyer
Disclaimer
The material in this publication is of the nature of general comment only, and does not represent professional advice. It is not intended to provide specific guidance for particular circumstances and it should not be relied on as the basis for any decision to take action or not take action on any matter which it covers. Readers should obtain professional advice where appropriate, before making any such decision. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the author and publisher disclaim all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any person taking or not taking action based on the information in this publication.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gabrielle Dolan launched her own practice in 2013 after successfully co-founding and then building One Thousand & One into Australia's leading storytelling company.
Over the last decade, Gabrielle has worked with thousands of high-profile leaders from around Australia and the world, helping them become more real leaders and communicators. She is a highly sought after international mentor and key- note speaker on storytelling and leadership.
Before running her own company, Gabrielle held various senior leadership roles at the National Australia Bank and was responsible for leading major organisational change.
Gabrielle is the co-author of Hooked: How Leaders Connect, Engage and Inspire with Storytelling and co-author of Eliminate Death by PowerPoint.
She is a graduate from the Harvard Kennedy School of Executive Education in the Art and Practice of Leadership Development program. Her other academic qualifications include a master's degree in Management and Leadership from Swinburne University and an associate diploma in Education and Training from the University of Melbourne.
In 2015 Gabrielle became an Australian and New Zealand Partner at Thought Leaders Global, where she works with organisations to help them gain a competitive edge through thought leadership. She was also nominated in Telstra's Business Woman of the Year awards.
When she is not working in her practice, she can be found working in her vegetable garden at her 25-acre rural property located on the southern coast of New South Wales. She believes that if there were less manure in business and more manure in vegie gardens, the world would be a better place.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A book is very rarely a solo effort and this is no exception.
I would firstly like to thank my friend of over 30 years Gail Holstock, who undertook the vast majority of the research for Ignite. Her research and suggestions gave weight to my thoughts and concepts and was the catalyst for many inclusions in this book.
A huge thanks to graphic designer extraordinaire Jodie Brennan, who takes my scrappy drawings of models and designs them so they look cool and sleek.
The book was brought up a notch or three by Jo Stewart, who undertook the initial editing process. Her work has helped turn this book into something I am very proud of and I thank her for her tough love.
I would also like to thank Lucy Raymond from Wiley for her ongoing support for my writing and initial guidance when the book was still in its conceptual stage. Thanks also to Ingrid, Alice, Pete and the rest of the Wiley team who provided valuable insights throughout the process.
Thanks