Wendy Teasdale-Smith is the former CEO of the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre. Her career has spanned teaching, school leadership, executive roles, board work and public-speaking coaching.
This conversation looks beyond job titles to the work that prepares someone for leadership. Wendy argues that progression usually starts before a promotion appears: by taking initiative, contributing outside a narrow job description and building evidence that you can accept greater responsibility.
Episode takeaways#
- A successful career does not have to mean climbing a management ladder; doing valuable work well is an equally valid ambition.
- People who want to lead should begin practising leadership before they have the title.
- Senior roles involve less hands-on delivery and more accountability for people, budgets and outcomes.
- A portfolio career can combine several kinds of meaningful work instead of relying on one defining role.
Wendy’s links#
Graduate Theory#
https://www.graduatetheory.com/youtube