The Creative Leadership Forum was born in November 2005 as a result of national research that clearly indicated creativity and innovation were on Federal and State governments' agenda both from an economic and skills training perspective. The CLF research was confirmed in March 2006 with an excellent report from the Business Council of Australia under the title in March 2006 entitled New Concepts in Innovation - The Key To Growing Australia.
An International and National Advisory Committee was formed and has been instrumental in guiding the CLF through its early start up phase. Particular mention must go to Christopher Bell, CEO, the Leadership Consortium and Peter Williams, Senior Partner, Deloitte and CEO, the Eclipse Group.
Click here for full details of the advisory council membership.
The first 12 months has been like any start-up full of risk, excitement, failure and success.
Strategic alliances were developed with Deloitte, the Leadership Consortium, IXC Australia - the InformationXChange Network and the Global Leaders Network who provided us with access to their extensive networks and credibility within the market place when they recognized the Creative Leadership Forum was responding to a need for skills training in creativity and innovation in the market place,
The main emphasis in the Creative Leadership Forum programme has been on presenting highly interactive International Master classes as an introduction to creative thinking skills and processes supported with case studies from recognized international creativity leaders and practitioners.
Over 100 senior executives from a broad range of Australian companies, universities and Federal and State government agencies experienced presentations in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney by
- Caroline Van Den Brul, project director, BBC UK on the BBC's famous Making It Happen Harvard Case Study corporate cultural change programme that aimed at making the BBC the most creative organization in the world
- Colin Funk, Director, Leadership Lab, The Banff Centre, Canada on the design and content of the Banff Centre Leadership Programmes, the world's leader in creative leadership programmes for corporate executives
- Dr Kobus Neethling, Executive Director, the South African Creativity Association and the African Creativity Conference on the role of creative leadership in politics in particular in its effect on the apartheid regime and its current importance in business development in South Africa.
Australian presenters included Giam Sweigers, Chief Executive, Deloitte Australia;; Kerry Barwise, Director, the Centre for International Economics; Christopher Bell, CEO, the Leadership Consortium; David McCubbin, Managing Director, coup; Peter Williams, CEO, Eclipse Group; Tess de Quincey, choreographer; Ken Wall, CEO, the Thinking Network and Ralph Kerle, CEO, the Creative Leadership Forum.
Here are some of the responses the CLF received…
I am always sceptical about attendance on seminars, especially those with nebulous titles. I attended this because I realised the need to innovate in my organization. The sessions far surpassed my expectations and have changed my perceptions forever..
Director, University Sector
This forum has been one of the most exciting and relevant programs that I have participated in. It has personal, professional and organizational applications that could positively change, improve and assist all those who participate in it..
Director, Information Technology Sector
Inspiring, Connecting, Passion, Evoking. This program is a must for anyone who is involved in Leadership Development and wants to take themselves and others to the next level of creativity and effectiveness.
CEO Coach
The Creative Leadership Forum is stimulating and energising. The people who attended are effective people in their walks of life and it is wonderful to be a part of a learning process with high calibre presenters and participants.
Senior Manager, Federal Government
This was a really well balanced program from corporate innovation and analysis to experiential process for personal insight and future application
Managing Director, SME
To top off the year, the Creative Leadership Forum was instrumental in launching the Creative Skills Training Council, Asia Pacific and Australia Region initiative.
The Creative Skills Training Council, Asia-Pacific and Australia Region is an international members only on line network and community of practice and knowledge made up of senior business executives, academics and creative practitioners and facilitators from Australia, Canada, Singapore, United Kingdom and United States.
By working with the Creative Skills Training Council, Asia-Pacific and Australia Region, the Creative Leadership Forum has access to the latest information on trends, new applications, experiences, case studies and instant feedback from this global community of practice.
Most importantly, through the Council, the Creative Leadership Forum has access to global leaders when devising forum and workshop content which ensures the programme content is practical and applicable whilst being at the cutting edge of creativity and innovation training internationally.