Those who control, and the Sun

Where do you find yourself on the chart below?

The average age of ASX 300 Directors for men is 62.3 and for women is 58.7 (c/o David J Schwarz & Board Direction (Australia & New Zealand)), and that red line in the image (2024) also shows how the last of the cohort have now turned 60.

I bring this up because I spent lunch at the start of the week with a colleague talking politics and technology use, and how;

• despite the arrival of Generation Alpha into the 'we are about politics though we're too young to vote'
• Generation Z well and truly rising up to start screaming for change
• Millenials being the current management cogs in the machine of industry
• Gen X hoping for climate salvation and some significant wealth transfer

.. it's still the boomers in charge of everything!

Based on my audience, that’s likely you, so congratulations :)

Now, if you want to lead tribes, be recognised as one of the best places to work, start or direct political and social movements, innovate or have effective succession in your business, it’s important to consider what drives the people you want to engage.

Getting them from A to B, having them support you, or simply being willing to listen are intrinsic motivators based on their unique situation from a life stage and demographic and cultural perspective.

And as much as I’m all for grassroots campaigns, if you want to create economic and systemic change, it’s pretty clear from the numbers here who’s pulling the strings and who you need to focus on ??

Question: In your endevours, which cohort is most relevant to your amibition, and which group ensures your ability to keep going as a business? How do you nuance your engagement?

Citizen juries, gun laws, autocracy - it’s all on the table

Blair Palese the autocrat; what would she do?? And what's between today, the place we want our kids to be working in the future, and where we want to invest as a nation?

My conversation with Blair continues, click here to listen, it’s getting excellent feedback.

Here Comes The Sun

“I just want to make a difference” - Andy McCarthy, speaking at his packed booked launch for Here Comes The Sun, introduced by Lily D'Ambrosio MP.

It was August 2020 when I was last stood with Andy on the roof of a large warehouse in west Melbourne, amidst solar panels his company was installing, recording an edition of Smarter Impact.

He was in the middle of selling his business as it transformed into RACV Solar, and what a ride it turns out to have been.

Here Comes The Sun began as authorship self-therapy, and is now a memoir, guidebook and inspiration for others, thanks to the support of Martin Hughes and Affirm Press.

Last night at Readings in Carlton, Andy was interviewed by long time friend and colleague, Keshia Noronho, Founder of ‘Australian Women in Solar Energy - AWISE’ and past Managing Director of Fronius Australia.

In the room, the genuine compassion and spirit of bringing together the community for a brighter future were palpable.

Apparently, it’s the first time Readings has sold out of books at a launch event!

“My wolf pack” as Andy put it, witnessed the acknowledgments of great personal sacrifice, the challenges of #mentalhealth, #leadership and #entrepreneurship, wrapped in what it means to deeply love and be supported by a partner.

All of this, framed in the context of a starting and growing a #renewableenergy business, then transforming our national approach.

Printed in time for the perfect Father’s Day gift, Here Comes The Sun is making its way into the hands of readers worldwide.

From the publisher;

“.. When Andy McCarthy left school in Year 10 because of relentless bullying, his career prospects weren't great, but he was determined to prove the doubters wrong.

At age 19, he connected his first solar panel and suddenly found himself powered by a purpose. He would accelerate the world's transition to renewable energy, and he would do it in the coal-fired heartland of Victoria's Latrobe Valley.

From tiny beginnings in his home garage, Andy overcame a tide of ridicule, setbacks and opposition to build one of Australia's largest employers in the renewable energy sector: Gippsland Solar.

But when his obsessive drive landed him in hospital, Andy realised something had to give. For his work to finally pay off, he would have to transform himself too.

Here Comes the Sun is an electrifying tale for anyone interested in renewable energy, in building a business and in what it takes to follow a purpose without burning out.”

Get your copy here - Here Comes The Sun - Affirm Press