COVID-19 shows how we can adjust in trying times

‘Leadership is not just reserved for governments’

GW3 CEO Kylie Porter

LEADERSHIP is not just reserved for governments.

That’s right. Each and every one of us who work and contribute to our region’s community and economy has the ability to lead.

It seems it takes a global pandemic for innovative thinking to become one of the main pillars of leadership.

Imagine if we didn’t reserve innovative leadership for crisis like COVID-19, and applied a collaborative mindset every day to lead solutions?

If we applied concepts like innovation, transformation, working together, embracing change in every single element of our daily lives, we would be unstoppable.

Our region has seen examples of strong leadership from every direction during the past few months. We have cafe owners, who have worked and reworked again their rosters to ensure every staff member had some paid hours despite tough trading conditions.

CEO of tourism groups who despite the economic uncertainty facing their own organisations, worked tirelessly to make sure our tourism sector had a loud voice.

And of course, we had many examples of leaders within our local health fraternity who responded quickly to provide support and care to our community.

Continuing this mindset beyond COVID-19 will mean our region will become even stronger. Where no idea or plan is too small or too big. Yes, our big industries like mining, METS and agriculture will lead our economic recovery but beyond that, this new passion for innovation and collaboration will mean that Mackay, Isaac and Whitsundays will truly lead the way for regional performance in Australia.

As I sit in countless meetings about planning our recovery, I am heartened by the esteem our region is held in by state and government representatives and key industry leaders because of our willingness to collaborate with each other and our aspirations for a dynamic and diverse future.

The announcement this week that Whitsunday Coast Airport has secured a new airline partner, Alliance Air to start return flights to Brisbane a week from June 22, is a tangible example of collaboration. Every tourism stakeholder was on the same page as to the value of reopening the Whitsundays to air travel.

There was no inter-regional competition. Just genuine support and co-ordinated messaging.

Another great example of collaboration is the Mackay Tourism and Whitsunday Tourism ‘mates rates’ initiative. They have come together for the good of the entire tourism sector and their energy and enthusiasm to work together so closely is refreshing and means positive things for the future.

It is up to all of us to become leaders across our region to reach out and think of ways different sectors can work together to create positive change that will benefit our local economy.

COVID-19 has been devastating for many in our community – but it has also shown us that when necessary, we can say goodbye to being comfortable in the way we do things and embrace something new. Bring it on I say.

-GW3 CEO Kylie Porter

Originally published as