hobsons bay city council
executive leadership team and management team
high-perforMance conversations leadership program
OrganisationAL Profile
Hobsons Bay City Council is a progressive local government organisation in Melbourne’s inner west, serving diverse communities across suburbs including Williamstown, Altona, Newport, and Laverton. The Council provides a broad range of services and infrastructure to support community wellbeing, sustainable growth, and economic development.
With a strong focus on inclusion, innovation, and environmental leadership, Hobsons Bay is committed to delivering on its strategic vision through collaborative governance and community engagement. The organisation strives to build a connected, resilient, and forward-thinking city that reflects the values and aspirations of its people.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Hobsons Bay City Council engaged the Australian Leadership Academy (ALA) to deliver a tailored high-performance conversations program for its Executive Leadership Team and Management Team.
Designed for the local government context, the program strengthened leadership capability, enhanced collaboration, and supported leaders to navigate complex, adaptive challenges.
The focus was on building confidence and competence in high-performance conversations, equipping leaders with practical tools to engage in open, constructive dialogue around performance, change, and cross-team collaboration.
Through applied learning, coaching, and peer engagement, participants deepened trust, sharpened their leadership practice, and developed strategies to lead with clarity, accountability, and shared outcomes.
Executive Leadership Team and Management Team
High-Performance Conversations Leadership Program
EXECUTive leadership team AND MANageMENT team
Program Feedback
ALA’s leadership program was
motivational and challenging?
100% strongly Agree
ALA’s approach supported the learning
needs of Executives and Managers?
100% strongly Agree
The Executive and Managers actively
participated in the program?
98% strongly Agree
ALA’s leadership facilitator was
credible and effective?
100% strongly Agree
“love the energy and practicality”
Janet Dawes
Manager, Arts, Culture & Community
Program outcomes:
To what extent would you recommend the Australian Leadership Academy?
100% STRONGLY AGREE
Embedding High-Performance Conversations
Leaders integrated the High-Performance Conversations Framework into their everyday leadership approach, adopting it as a practical and consistent method for driving clarity, alignment, and effective performance discussions across the organisation.
Applying Learning to Real-Time Leadership Challenges
The program translated directly into day-to-day leadership practice, with leaders strengthening their approach to feedback, accountability, and expectations while addressing complex operational and people challenges.Strengthening Empowered and Accessible Leadership
Leaders developed greater confidence in maintaining open and accessible leadership while avoiding over-ownership, enabling teams to take increased responsibility and engage in proactive problem-solving.Sustained Shifts in Leadership Behaviour and Presence
The program supported a measurable shift toward a coaching-led leadership style, strengthening leaders’ presence, influence, and ability to empower others.Collectively, these outcomes demonstrate a strong commitment to embedding high-performance conversations and leadership habits that will positively influence organisational culture, communication, and accountability across local government teams.
“Making coaching a part of my
regular catch UPS”
Laura Murphy
Manager, Parks
“keep up the
great work”
Terri Rowe
Manager, People & Culture
“amazing”
Belinda Stewart
Manager, Community Life
