Dilin Duwa's Fireside Chat with Professor Jodie Sizer

Did you catch today's Dilin Duwa Fireside chat?

Director of Murrup Barak and host, Inala Cooper, caught up with Professor Jodie Sizer to yarn about the journey of business owners and entrepreneurs in today’s climate and how Indigenous business is generating greater economic independence.

Jodie talked about the potential of impactful partnerships to create change, how to bring Indigenous ways of leading, knowing and being into non-Indigenous spaces and shared her experiences advocating and leading community-led impact and transformative change within Aboriginal communities and across broader society.

Although challenging at times, she shares some of the highlights, saying, “I always love the moments where people get it. And they see our ways of doing as an incredible asset.”

Jodie and Inala chatted about the importance of diversity for successful problem solving and that bringing in different perspectives to the table of how we might tackle issues often gives the best results.

“Diversity and inclusion is not just an add on, it should be embedded into everything we do. Diverse thinking brings the best success.”

“It’s in the doing, and not the saying,” Inala added. “It really does matter, the people, and [their] experiences of the world, if you want to make change.”

Jodie also called on those in leadership positions to take on the responsibility of being informed and consciously moving into uncomfortable spaces.

Turning the conversation to those starting out in business, Inala asks Jodie how she seeks feedback and what she considers to be valuable.

“Sometimes we get feedback when we’re not asking for it right?” Jodie jokes.

She talks about learning from those around her, building relationships and “staying curious”. Jodie gives the Collingwood Football Club Board, of which she is Vice President, as an example.

“They’re all CEOs…all completely different styles in how they navigate and make things happen.”

“You’ve got to invest in the relationships to get that advice.”

She also shares the importance of self-reflection, having the humility to ask the hard questions and the value of a critical friend or family member who can help you test your ideas.

“I ask my siblings a whole range of different questions. My brother is my ‘pub test’ on the Collingwood front and my other brother is the National CEO of a native title organisation so I’m always testing my ideas and politics.”

Her last piece of advice was to respect those that have walked the path before us.

A big thank you to Dilin Duwa for hosting such an great discussion!

Head to our Twitter feed to see more posts from the event.