Leading by Example: The Power of Self-Leadership In leadership, one often hears the phrase, “lead by example.” It’s a timeless principle that highlights the importance of demonstrating the behaviours and values you wish to instil in others. But what if we take it a step further? What if the key to effective leadership lies not only in leading by example but also in leading oneself first? This is key right here… “By leading yourself first, you demonstrate how to help others learn.” When I was younger, I barged through life, saying things I’d been learned through school, family and community and shooting from the hip. I come from the country, and things are real out there. The weather, the flies, and the straight-shooting words that flow from people’s mouths. When I moved to different countries and worked in large cities I continued. Yes, I got promoted, probably because I was good at my job. But the issue was my emotional intelligence was low. I didn’t fully understand the impact of my words and actions on others. It wasn’t until I was forced to stop and reflect on my experiences that I realised the importance of self-leadership. This is when I truly began to grow as a leader. Through self-awareness and continuous learning, I recognised the need to improve my emotional intelligence and develop a more empathetic and inclusive leadership style. By leading myself first, I was able to create a more positive and supportive work environment. An environment where people loved to come to work, and the team thrived. Self-leadership can be hard as we often don’t know what we are projecting out into the world. It involves understanding strengths and weaknesses, setting clear goals, staying disciplined, and constantly striving for personal growth. When you lead yourself well, you set a powerful example for others to follow. Leaders in Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) play a pivotal role in shaping the culture, values, and practices within their organisations. When RTOs are dedicated to providing high-quality training and education, they are impacted by their leaders. Leaders who exhibit a commitment to continuous learning and self-improvement inspire their teams to do the same. By leading by example in this regard, they create an environment where staff and students are encouraged to seek out opportunities for growth and development. Enhancing Training Delivery: RTO leaders who lead themselves effectively demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and improvement. This mindset can be infectious, inspiring trainers and instructors within the organisation to adopt a similar approach. By prioritising their own development, RTO leaders set a precedent for trainers to invest in their professional growth, ultimately leading to higher quality training delivery and improved outcomes for learners. Building a Positive Learning Culture: Leaders who embody self-awareness and emotional intelligence foster a positive and inclusive learning environment within their organisation. They understand the importance of empathy and respect in interactions with both staff and learners. Modelling behaviours such as active listening, constructive feedback, and conflict resolution sets the tone for a supportive culture where everyone feels valued and motivated to excel. Driving Organisational Growth: RTO leaders who lead themselves first are better equipped to set strategic goals and navigate challenges effectively. Their clarity of purpose and disciplined approach to decision-making inspire confidence and trust among stakeholders. By demonstrating resilience and adaptability in the face of change, RTO leaders encourage staff to embrace innovation and contribute to the organisation’s growth and success. Embracing the principles of self-leadership and leading by example can profoundly impact RTO leaders’ ability to drive excellence, foster innovation, and promote continuous improvement within their organisation. By prioritising their own growth and development, RTO leaders inspire their team members to do the same, ultimately enhancing the quality of training delivery and empowering learners to achieve their goals. Read more from RTO Mentor

In Vocational education and training (VET), the RTO assessments play a pivotal role in ensuring learners acquire the necessary knowledge and skills for their chosen industry. However, with evolving training packages and regulatory requirements, staying abreast of assessment best practices and transitioning to updated qualifications can be a complex endeavour for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). In this blog post, we’ll explore key considerations for assessments, mapping and additional insights to help RTOs navigate these challenges effectively. RTO assessments serve as the cornerstone of the RTO, providing learners with opportunities to demonstrate their competencies. When designing assessments, it’s crucial to align them with Training Packages (TP) requirements and ensure they accurately measure the underpinning knowledge and skills outlined in the units of competency. Working closely with industry clients provides me with invaluable insights into the challenges they face when implementing training programs within their specific industry. Recently, I had the opportunity to collaborate with a client who expressed frustration over the inability to contextualize the resources they had acquired to meet their learners’ needs effectively. The client’s frustration stemmed from the disconnect between the resources provided by the commercial producer of the training and assessment resources, and the practical demands of their industry. Consideration of workplace activities will provide outcomes for students that aligns them to industry needs. Assessments should reflect real-world scenarios and tasks relevant to the learner’s industry. While RTOs are bound by the units of competency and training packages mandated by regulatory bodies, industry stakeholders operate within the complexities of real-world situations where adaptability and context-specific knowledge are paramount. Therefore, it is important to align to industry as much as possible. Collaborating with these stakeholders provides invaluable insights into industry needs, learner expectations, and emerging skills demands, enabling RTOs to tailor their assessments to meet real-world requirements. By fostering a collaborative approach that involves continuous communication and feedback loops with industry partners, RTOs can better understand the specific challenges and requirements of their clients. Assessing at the correct AQF level: It’s essential to consider the level of competency required for each assessment task and ensure alignment with the AQF framework. This alignment ensures that assessments effectively measure the intended learning outcomes and provide learners with opportunities to demonstrate their skills and knowledge at the appropriate level. Frequently, during validation activities, I see assessment questions that surpass the AQF level designated for the training course, potentially creating over assessing. Therefore, another consideration must be the alignment with the AQF to create fair and accurate assessments that truly reflect the course outcomes. Clear instructions are important for ensuring a smooth and effective assessment process for both learners and trainers alike. When learners receive clear guidance on assessment conditions, expectations, and available support, they are better equipped to approach their assessments with confidence and clarity. Having clear instructions includes details such as assessment tasks, submission deadlines, assessment criteria, and any specific requirements or resources needed. This transparency helps learners understand what is expected of them, reducing confusion and anxiety and enabling them to focus their efforts on meeting the assessment criteria. Assessment tools should be fair and impartial, ensuring that all learners have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills. This requires careful consideration of factors such as language, cultural background, prior experience, and learning barriers that may impact learners’ performance. Fair assessment practices involve designing assessment tasks that are free from bias, discriminatory language, or cultural assumptions and providing clear guidance on assessment expectations to all learners. Quality assurance within the RTO are essential components in upholding the reliability and fairness of assessments. Through internal validation and moderation procedures, RTO’s can ensure that assessments accurately reflect the intended learning outcomes and are consistent across different assessors, and contexts. Clear marking guides and observation checklists further enhance assessment reliability by providing transparent criteria for assessment. Additionally, incorporating provisions for reasonable adjustments ensures that assessments remain flexible and accessible to all learners, regardless of their individual needs or circumstances. These quality assurance measures foster a learning environment where every student has the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge. Effective assessment design is an important part of successful VET delivery for RTOs. While it may present its challenges and frustrations, it is paramount for RTOs to remain informed, engaged with stakeholders, and committed to prioritising quality outcomes. This requires RTOs to actively monitor changes in training packages, keep abreast of industry trends, and engage in professional development activities to enhance their assessment expertise. By adhering to rigorous assessment principles and employing sound assessment practices, RTOs can uphold the integrity and credibility of their training programs. RTOs play a pivotal role in developing a skilled and competent workforce across various industries in Australia.  

In 2024 the journey of an entrepreneur is constantly being filled with challenges that allow us to think differently, or look from a different perspective creating opportunities. In a recent survey encompassing 341 business owners both in Australia and globally, findings indicate that a considerable portion of small business proprietors remains optimistic about their sales prospects in 2024, despite encountering diverse challenges. The study sheds light on the ambitious goals of entrepreneurs, placing particular emphasis on their intentions to establish new partnerships, systemize and scale their enterprises, and elevate overall sales. The surveyed business owners, a majority of whom fall within the 43-58 age range (59%), express enthusiasm about their future endeavours, eagerly anticipating the opportunities that the year 2024 holds for their businesses. Recognizing the benefits of forging new partnerships, streamlining operations, and expanding the business as fundamental is a testament to entrepreneurship. The journey encompassing these strategies indeed presents challenges, but it is in overcoming these obstacles that businesses uncover their genuine capacity for growth and innovation. Creating New Partnerships and Collaborations One of the standout findings from the survey is the eagerness of entrepreneurs to explore new partnerships and collaborations. Through strategic alliances, businesses can tap into diverse expertise, share resources, and co-create innovative solutions. Maybe you want to add training to your business. If this is the case you could partner with an RTO that has the scope you need. For those considering setting up their own RTO, forging strategic alliances can be a game-changer. Partnering with industry leaders, educational institutions, and other businesses can provide access to valuable resources, networks, and expertise. These collaborations not only enhance the credibility of your RTO but also open doors to new opportunities and markets. These partnerships enrich the business and contribute to the broader community impact, fostering a culture of collaboration and collective growth. Beyond the immediate business gains, the partnerships become a catalyst for positive change, promoting a collaborative ethos that benefits both the involved enterprises and the communities they serve. Systematising for Success The significance of systematising and expanding your operations cannot be emphasised enough. Systemisation, in essence, entails the development of efficient and repeatable processes that can be consistently applied, thereby mitigating the risk of errors and streamlining workflows. Recently, in a conversation with a consultant specialising in this field, she underscored the importance of helping small business owners systematise their operations to enhance the potential for selling their businesses. Despite her recommendation to implement this strategy from the outset, many clients tend to address it only when contemplating a sale. The drawback of delaying systemisation until the decision to sell arises lies in the lack of solidified systems and the absence of a history of continuous improvement. Taking proactive steps to implement such systems from the inception of the business ensures a more robust foundation and facilitates smoother processes, ultimately contributing to the overall success of the enterprise. Looking at scaling options Scaling refers to expanding your business to reach new markets and capitalise on growth opportunities. If you believe that an RTO (Registered Training Organisation) could play a pivotal role in helping your business scale and capturing untapped markets, it’s essential to explore this avenue. An RTO can provide specialised training programs, certifications, and educational resources that not only enhance your workforce’s skills but also position your business as a credible player in new markets. By leveraging the capabilities of an RTO, you not only invest in the professional development of your team but also demonstrate a commitment to quality and expertise in your industry. This can be particularly advantageous when venturing into new markets where establishing trust and credibility is crucial for success. Incorporating an RTO into your scaling strategy allows you to align your business with industry standards, adhere to best practices, and foster a culture of continuous learning. This, in turn, enhances your competitive edge and opens doors to previously unexplored opportunities. Consider the strategic integration of an RTO as a proactive step toward not only scaling your business but also solidifying its presence in emerging markets. Overcoming Challenges: While the survey revealed the optimistic outlook of business owners, it’s essential to acknowledge the challenges they face. Business environments are constantly evolving, and adaptability is key to overcoming challenges. Being flexible in your approach allows you to adjust to unforeseen circumstances, market shifts, and changes in consumer behaviour. This is where the presence of a mentor or a coach becomes invaluable. While mentors bring experience and wisdom from their own journeys, coaches specialise in facilitating structured growth and development. A mentor serves as a guiding force, providing a wealth of experience, wisdom, and insights that can significantly impact your personal and professional growth. Their perspective, shaped by years of industry expertise, can prove invaluable in shaping your own strategies and approaches. Through collaborative discussions, a coach can help you define clear, achievable objectives and create a roadmap to attain them. This process ensures that your efforts are aligned with your overarching vision and that each step taken contributes meaningfully to your success. Creating new partnerships, systemising operations, and scaling the business are recognised as pivotal strategies for success. The journey may be challenging, but with the right mindset and strategic approach, the rewards are boundless. In summary, the recognition of creating partnerships, systemising operations, and scaling the business as pivotal strategies for success is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit that thrives on adaptability, collaboration, and strategic thinking. With the right mentorship, to stay the course, face the storm, and do it afraid you can realise your dream. Whether you choose to set up your own RTO or simply collaborate for success you can embark on a journey, where challenges become the fuel for growth, and the rewards are indeed boundless. If you think you need a business mentor or to set up your RTO connect with RTO Mentor to discuss your situation.