How Covid has changed what it takes to be a good leader in 2022: Erma Ranieri, Commissioner for Public Sector Employment

How Covid has changed what it takes to be a good leader in 2022 – and role models to inspire a new generation of SA workers. We speak to the Public Sector Employment’s top voice.

A more compassionate workplace has emerged on the back of Covid but more is still needed to break down gender and cultural bias, according to the state’s leading public sector voice.

Commissioner for Public Sector Employment Erma Ranieri says exposing young people to diverse role models and mentors is key to helping them realise their potential.

She says it’s for this reason that celebrations such as next month’s SkyCity, The Advertiser and Sunday Mail Woman of the Year Awards (WOTA) are so important.

“I think what younger people are needing is role models … (exposure to) people who have done amazing things, whether that is scientists and researchers, someone who is dealing with domestic violence, or someone in the social service area – social workers, volunteers or whatever it is,” she said.

“It is really important to shine the light on these examples, particularly women, as they’ve been under-represented in the past.”

Mrs Ranieri, the daughter of immigrant parents, said she has always been driven to fight for equality and feels compelled to “pay forward” her career success.

“(I’ve) some inner drive around equality … we have to be celebrating tolerance and equality of everyone, all levels,” she said.

“(This) isn’t about women wanting to do it all … we have to encourage young men and give them the path to be an equal contributor in raising children (and many are).

“Young men, as well as mid-career men, need as much mentoring as women to become their ‘better self’.”

Mrs Ranieri said the pandemic had driven new workplace priorities beyond flexible work options and put in focus attributes of a good leader, a mix of “strength and vulnerability”.

“I think we have learned to be more compassionate … and we’ve learned we are all vulnerable,” she said.

“We’ve seen the importance of having role models people can identify with … leaders who understand real-life challenges everyone is going through (such as) work-life balance and raising children.”

She tipped gains made during the pandemic around things such as hybrid work options would continue to evolve, adding “the future is quite exciting”.

Mrs Ranieri said she was proud SA had been nation-leading in its embrace of policies to support women in the workforce while also elevating women to leadership roles across the public sector.

“We were the first state to implement domestic violence leave, we fought for superannuation to be retained while on maternity leave and am now proud to say that’s been extended for those on short-term executive contracts,” she said.

Mrs Ranieri said about 57 per cent of public sector executive roles were now held by women – up from about 23 per cent three decades ago when she started.

Commissioner for public sector employment, Erma Ranieri. Picture: MATT LOXTON

Rachael Kay, 40, is the youngest female executive at Central Adelaide Health Network (CALHN), and is an advocate for the power of mentors. Picture: supplied

At 40, Rachael Kay, a former mentee of the Commissioner, is the youngest female executive at Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN).

“I think it’s important for young people to have a mentor to assist them to think outside what they know ... both in their careers and personal lives,” she said.

As CALHN Covid Commander, she has headed up the Wayville Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic and said workforce wellbeing had been a priority during the pandemic, particularly for the tens of thousands of frontline workers.

“While kindness is part of our DNA in health, we sometimes need to be reminded to be kind to ourselves especially when things are tough,” the capital projects and planning executive director said. .

“Sharing patient and staff stories is one way that we have embraced our work … it has helped us to share our leanings, motivate each other and take pride in the exceptional things we do each and every day.”

In 2021, it was chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier who took out the WOTA’s top gong, one of seven trailblazing South Australian women to be celebrated.

SkyCity, The Advertiser and Sunday Mail Woman of the Year Awards 2022 winners will be announced at a gala ceremony at the SkyCity Ballroom on Monday, March 7.

The winners will be revealed at advertiser.com.au and in The Advertiser on International Women’s, this year themed #BreakTheBias.