We caught up with Josh Forshaw, Coordinator, Maintenance Worker, City of Port Adelaide Enfield, about what led him to participate in the program, how he found the Opening Retreat, and what he's most looking forward to as part of the development opportunity. 

What made you sign up for the Emerging Leaders Program?

Signing up for the Emerging Leaders Program presented a chance to build on my leadership skills and to understand what it takes to be a successful leader in local government. 

What was your biggest takeaway from the opening retreat?

The biggest takeaway from the Retreat was acknowledging that it's okay to be vulnerable in a leadership position. As long as you can identify your weaknesses, it gives you an understanding of what you can improve on in the future to make you a stronger leader. Being taken out of your comfort zone really sets you up for challenges you may face in your leadership journey.

What are you most looking forward to as the program progresses?

Certainly, the progression of my leadership capabilities within my workplace. I think this program will build the framework for me to transition into my day-to-day work environment. I also believe this will give me a greater understanding of how different leaders lead and what it takes to be a successful leader. 

We caught up with John Straccia, Coordinator, Project Delivery at the City of Tea Tree Gully, about what led him to participate in the program, how he's enjoyed it so far, and how he is already seeing positive results within his work environment because of the development opportunity.

Why did you decide to participate in this program?

I joined the Ignite Program because I’m driven to do more than just go through the motions. I want to lead with purpose, challenge how things are done, and help shape a better path forward. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and lose sight of the bigger picture, so I saw this program as a chance to step back, reflect, and grow as a leader.

What have you enjoyed most so far about the program?

What I’ve enjoyed most so far is being exposed to new concepts, ideas, and conversations that challenge the way I think. Hearing different perspectives from other participants has been valuable and has helped shift how I approach certain situations. I’ve also taken away practical tools and techniques that I can apply straight away, which has made the experience engaging and useful, both in theory and practice. 

What is something interesting that you have learnt so far during the program?

I’ve learnt that leadership isn’t always about having the answers, it’s often about asking better questions, listening better, and creating space for others to step up. This shift in mindset has helped me reflect on how I show up in my role and the kind of leader I want to be.

How has/will this program improve your experience in your current role?

The program has given me new ways to approach challenges in my role, particularly around leading through complexity and influencing without authority. It’s helped me step back from task-focused project delivery and think more strategically about how I lead, communicate, and support others. The tools and perspectives I’ve gained are directly applicable to the real pressures of the job and will help me lead with more clarity and impact.