Sharing a vision leads to success

Kwinana Industries Council director Chris Oughton took time out to have a quick chat with NIALL BOYLE about his hopes for Kwinana’s future and reveals the best advice he was ever given.

Q: What does leadership mean to you?

A: For me leadership is not about waving a flag and expecting my organisation to follow me. At Kwinana Industries Council we only have a couple of staff and my industry members, so leadership is something different. It is more about having internal motivation, as opposed to something others would observe. Garnering the support (voluntary effort) of others to achieve a particular outcome is leadership without the authority to “require” action — sharing a vision and weaving people into the journey. That’s my world and while it can be quite a lonely place to be, the rewards for achieving success are all the sweeter.

Q: How has your leadership style changed over time?

A: I remember my first full-time job as a young, spotty-faced parks officer in a local government in charge of 15 burly blokes working outdoors, most of whom were at least twice my age. Now that was a leadership learning experience you can’t buy. As my career progressed, I observed and learnt about many leadership styles. If I were to describe my leadership style now I would say “I lead with...” as opposed to “I am leader of...”.

Q: Which business leader do you most admire?

A: You know, when I reflected on this question, there was no single individual that I could name. In the many management and community roles I’ve held, I’ve interacted with numerous business and community leaders, from scout leaders or teachers in my youth to CEOs of major companies. They were leaders in their own right and many showed me an aspect of themselves that I have looked up to and have learnt from.

Q: What’s the best advice you were ever given?

A: A grandfatherly figure in one of my early jobs said to me “do it today young fella, because tomorrow it will only get harder”.

Q: What do you wish someone had told you when you first started out?

A: Always put 10 per cent of your wages into an accredited mid-risk investment account, and don’t touch it until you retire.

Q: Tell me the biggest business challenge you’ve ever faced.

A: This may sound a little corny, but working for my KIC members, and for that matter the community as well, to get the industrial buffer zone protected from wobbly town planning decisions that have and can put homes too close to industry, and then getting it enshrined in law. This is like a three-year game of chess, with twists, turns, and out-manoeuvrings to be planned and implemented — and the end is in sight.

Q: What’s the most important moment in your career so far?

A: Becoming the director at KIC, which is the CEO of the industry association for the industries in the Kwinana Industrial Area. It is a privilege to be entrusted with fixing many of the challenges that can hold the KIC back. There is so much at stake for Kwinana and Rockingham communities if these industries are thwarted by unnecessary bureaucracy or a lack of strategic infrastructure planning. I’ll wager that if you are reading this you know someone who in some way derives their livelihood from the KIC companies.

Q: Which technology can you not live without?

A: My boring old laptop — it travels everywhere with me.

Q: What are your interests outside of business?

A: Making home brew, gardening and I am an avid pollie watcher.