November 17, 2025 in News
Unleashing Human Potential
Organisational culture is a concept that features in leading business journals, occupies the minds of leaders and is perpetuated in workplace lunchroo...
October 8, 2026
In an industry where technical expertise often takes precedence, A.G. Coombs has placed human development at the heart of its business strategy. The Leadership Academy Conversation Series represents more than a training initiative – It personifies a progressive approach to self-awareness, personal growth and leadership excellence.
The creation of the A.G. Coombs Leadership Academy embodies the company’s ethos that sustainable business success is fundamentally tied to the development of its people.
“Culture isn’t about mission statements on walls. It’s about creating an environment where every individual can thrive and achieve their personal best,” says Russell Telford, Managing Director at A.G. Coombs.
This engrained belief led to the launch of the Leadership Academy Conversation Series – an initiative reflective of the A.G. Coombs’ three pillars of leadership. These pillars democratise leadership development across every level of the organisation, transforming leadership from a hierarchical privilege to a shared responsibility:
- Role Model Behaviour empowers every individual to demonstrate leadership through daily actions, regardless of position.
- Peer Influence stands as the second pillar and shines a light on self-awareness and an understanding of what the individual brings to their team and the wider organisation.
- Leading Others redefines leadership as a fundamentally selfless role focused on creating environments where others can thrive and achieve their personal best, fostering growth mindsets and generating purpose throughout the organisation.
Words that matter
The impact of the Conversation Series lies not just in its influential roster of speakers – from Olympic champion Cathy Freeman OAM to business leaders including Tasmanian Devils CEO, Brendon Gale – but in the resulting ecosystem of impressive individuals connected to the A.G. Coombs Leadership Academy.
This organic growth demonstrates the program’s authentic appeal and credibility. The content spans diverse themes from elite sport to business innovation, providing rich, varied perspectives on leadership, resilience and high performance.
The Leadership Academy Conversation Series is creating timeless content and themes that resonate across generations. “We can fast-forward to 2035, watch the video content and it will still retain the same relevance and impact,” adds Russell. This evergreen quality ensures sustainable value and ongoing relevance for the organisation’s development programs.
Leadership Academy Conversation Series interviews
Brendon Gale| Former CEO Richmond Football Club and CEO Tasmania Devils
Cathy Freeman OAM | Australian Olympian
Cara Black | Former tennis doubles world No. 1
Clint Bizzell | High performance consultant
James Tomkins | Australian Olympian
Katie Brennan | Captain, Richmond AFLW
Liz Quinn | Culture & leadership specialist
Shane McCurry | High performance leadership
Sharni Norder | Former Captain, Australian Netball team and former Vice Captain, Collingwood AFLW
Stewart Krelsheim | Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Country Fire Authority
Wayne Schwass | Mental health advocate and former professional Australian Rules footballer.
A shared experience
The reach of the Conversation Series extends beyond the workplace, with employees sharing content with their families. This ripple effect amplifies the program’s impact, creating value that extends into personal lives and communities.
The Conversation Series anchored by leading journalist and presenter, Tiffany Cherry, doesn’t exist in isolation but integrates seamlessly with
A.G. Coombs’ comprehensive Leadership Academy development curriculum which includes 15 distinct internal training programs, from foundational continuous improvement courses to the advanced ‘Leading Edge’ leadership program spanning many hours of intensive development.
This integration allows the Conversation Series content to be repurposed into targeted learning modules, creating sound bites and visuals that support specific program objectives. The content becomes a living curriculum that enhances formal learning experiences while providing standalone value for individual development.
The power of self-awareness
A spotlight on self-awareness as the cornerstone of effective leadership is one of the most transformative aspects of the Conversation Series. This enduring theme of self-awareness creates a multiplier effect throughout the organisation. “When individuals understand their impact on others, they can consciously choose to create positive influences, turning every interaction into a leadership opportunity,” explains Russell.
A.G. Coombs’ investment in the Leadership Academy Conversation Series recognises that developing people isn’t purely about internal benefits – it’s about creating leaders who can contribute to industry advancement and social responsibility. “When you invest in developing the whole person, you create stronger teams, better decision-making, more resilient organisations and improved community outcomes,” comments Russell.
Authenticity matters
The Conversation Series represents a progressive model in corporate leadership development. One that recognises leadership as both a universal capability and a personal journey. By combining high-quality content, diverse perspectives, practical frameworks and genuine investment in individual growth, the series creates sustainable value that extends far beyond traditional training metrics.
In a highly competitive industry facing skills shortages and disruption, the A.G. Coombs Leadership Academy provides an authentic approach that attracts talent, develops capability and cultivates a culture where people actively seek opportunities to work, grow and contribute.
This article originally appeared in BE – Building Efficiency 2025 2026 magazine.
