Navy recently welcomed leadership teams, support staff and referees from the National Rugby League (NRL) elite officiating teams to undertake leadership training activities as part of their pre-season preparations.
The program was facilitated by experienced staff across all ranks at Navy's Leadership and Management Development Centre (LMDC), HMAS Penguin, and provided the NRL attendees with valuable leadership lessons and practical leadership exercises from LMDC programs.
Leading Seaman Freya Weston said the lessons and activities are designed to enhance problem solving, communication, teamwork and leadership skills in high-pressure environments.
"It was interesting to see the NRL officiating teams step outside of their usual roles on the field and conduct our leadership exercises by adapting quickly to unfamiliar challenges and demonstrating problem solving in different situational leadership roles," Leading Seaman Weston said.
Over the three days, the NRL officiating teams engaged in multiple sessions that linked the discipline and fast-paced nature of the ADF and the rapid decision-making required in professional rugby league officiating.
Petty Officer Coen Powell addressed the commonalities of working in a high-pressure environment.
"The NRL and military environments sustain high levels of pressure and stress in unique environments, both individually and in a team dynamic," Petty Officer Powell said.
"These parallels draw in great opportunities for unique opportunities and shared learning. The opportunity for me to share and gather visceral experience was motivating and challenging and something I look forward to continuing into the future."
According to Chief Petty Officer Joseph Skimmings, the staff at LMDC also found the program valuable.
"The NRL bespoke leadership session was an amazing opportunity for me to cross train within a high-performance team environment and teach simple principles and systematic approaches to improving communication, team values and positive culture," Chief Petty Officer Skimmings said.
David Fairleigh, an ex-player and Australian rep legend, remarked on the value of the program.
"To express the level of professionalism and standard of delivery of material and the benefits to our organisation would be an understatement; we are looking forward to a very long and productive relationship with Navy and the leadership school at HMAS Penguin," Mr Fairleigh said.
The partnership between LMDC and the NRL elite officiating teams is an ongoing relationship that began in early 2024 and continues to show the importance of leadership development in the ADF and on the sporting field. It also strengthens the shared values of discipline, integrity and teamwork in the two very different work environments.
