What If We Can?
Last week at the Surveyors Australia National Congress in Darwin, we didn’t just talk surveying—we talked leadership.
In a world that feels faster, louder, and more complex than ever, we paused to ask a deeper question:
What does it really mean to lead in 2025?
This wasn’t about job titles or technical skill. It was about courage. Clarity. And the character required to lead when things are hard, not easy.
Andrew Griffiths was one of the keynote presenters and he reminded me that true leadership is grounded in three things:
🔭 Vision
🧠 Wisdom
🛡️ Courage
And Andrew Geddes highlighted in today’s landscape, there’s one more essential ingredient - Adaptability.
🔭 Vision: Future-proofing your leadership
We heard about a business that created a 100-year plan. Not because they could predict the future, but because they were committed to preparing for it.
That kind of bold vision becomes a magnet for talent, a filter for decisions, and a strategy for long-term success.
In a fast-changing world, vision isn’t optional. It’s the anchor that holds us steady and the map that keeps us moving forward.
🧠 Wisdom: Ask better questions
One phrase stood out: “But what if we can?”
It’s the kind of question that cracks open possibility. That shifts the focus from limitation to opportunity.
Wisdom isn’t about having the right answers—it’s about having the courage to ask better questions. The kind that unlock new thinking, fresh energy, and real momentum.
🛡️ Courage: Leading when it’s hard
Your team doesn’t just watch what you do—they watch how you handle the hard.
Leadership means standing firm in tough conversations, making bold decisions, and speaking truth when it would be easier to stay quiet.
Courage doesn’t mean being fearless. It means showing up, even when the stakes are high.
🔄 Adaptability & Self-Awareness: The modern edge
One of the most powerful sessions came from Andrew Geddes, who reminded us that leadership today isn’t just about IQ or EQ—it’s also about AQ: your Adaptability Quotient.
We were invited to reflect honestly on how fit our businesses are for the 2026 financial year—across sales, culture, talent, processes, governance and resilience.
But more importantly, we looked inward.
Andrew Geddes focus on self-awareness hit home for me. I know I’m not perfect—I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) where I still need to grow. And I’ve seen how much damage can be done when leaders lack self-awareness.
Because leadership isn’t just about leading others. It starts with knowing and leading yourself.
⚡ So what now?
Here are 3 bold actions I’m taking forward:
- Reconnect with your vision.
Is it clear? Is it future-focused? Does it pull people in and push the business forward? - Start asking better questions.
Especially the ones that challenge your assumptions. Especially: “But what if we can?” - Commit to growing your adaptability.
Reflect on your leadership, your team, and your business. Are you truly ready for what’s next?
Want help gaining clarity and momentum?
Start with my free guide:
📘 From Stuck to Strong: 5 Steps to Progress Your Career with Purpose
A practical, empowering resource for leaders navigating change, growth, and the next bold chapter.
Because leadership into the 2025/26 financial year is about more than staying afloat—it’s about stepping forward with purpose.
Let’s be the leaders who grow, who stretch, and who keep asking:
What if we can?
