Mater Education Corporate Learning and Organisational Development Manager Jo Griffin has been recognised by Catholic Health Australia (CHA) as an ‘emerging leader’ for her significant contributions to improving knowledge in health through our innovative program, Speaking with Good Judgement.
This week Jo was presented with CHA’s annual Emerging Leader Award, which is granted to an individual who shows great commitment to leadership through a research project, innovative program, introduction of change management or provides a significant contribution to improving the body of knowledge in health and aged care.
Jo has been the Program Lead for Speaking with Good Judgement since she joined Mater in 2018 — a program that has been adopted by other organisations and is recognised as one of our most successful.
The program provides a communication framework for an organisation-wide, consistent and transparent approach to having curious, respectful and helpful conversations with colleagues.
This approach enables participants to develop skills to question unsafe or unprofessional behaviours, regardless of their status, and ensure patient and staff safety is prioritised.
Jo’s achievement reflects the leading work being achieved by the team at Mater Education — our nationally accredited, hospital-based independent Registered Training Organisation.
Catholic Health Australia Chief Executive Pat Garcia said the program’s success was due to Jo’s people-centred approach to engage with managers to understand core issues within the organisation, and to its co-design, which connected Mater people through demonstrated examples and authentic stories.
“Joanne Griffin is an outstanding advocate of her team and for Mater and is constantly sought to coach and counsel leaders and managers from across the organisation due to her strong reputation to resolving conflict while holding people in high regard and with high respect.
“She demonstrates outstanding responsibility, commitment and accomplishment in effecting cultural transformation and leadership development. She does not simply coach and teach leadership and management essentials, but also embodies great leadership practice.
“It is qualities such as these that our sector values in their emerging leaders.”
Jo shared that it was an honour to receive the award but noted “as a leader, you’re only as good as the team you lead”.
“This award would not have been possible without the wonderful collaboration and connection within the Corporate Learning and Organisation Development team,” she said.
“They’re a group of talented and passionate professionals who really love their work, so it helps me each day to really enjoy my role as their manager.”
A key philosophy reflected in Jo’s servant leadership style is that it is important to enable employees to flourish as human beings and to find joy in their work.
“It’s focussed upon serving others as a leader — valuing all human life and creation and at the same time striving for excellence — and not just being a manager that ticks boxes,” Jo said.
Mater CEO Dr Peter Steer congratulated Joanne on her award and praised the impact that her work has had on Mater’s culture.
“The principles of the Speaking with Good Judgement program have quickly become a core part of Mater’s culture,” Dr Steer said.
“Joanne’s work has enabled Mater people to work more effectively and respectfully together.
“She can be very proud of the impact she has made at Mater and we are certainly very grateful for all of her work.”
Mater’s Speaking With Good Judgement Program is now available for any external organisation hoping to transform culture through conversations within their teams. Please contact swgj@mater.org.au if you would like to find out more about this opportunity.