Robin McClellan, Michael McNulty join Leadership WA

Robin McClellan andMichael McNulty have joined Leadership WA.

Leadership Western Australia has appointed former US consul-general Robin McClellan as its new chief executive, and Deloitte Perth’s office managing partner Michael McNulty as its chairman. McNulty replaces John Langoulant, who is stepping down after six years.

The organisation aims to enhance leadership in West Australian businesses and in the community.

McNulty specialises in large-scale organisational transformation and business process improvement and has advised resource companies.

McClellan was appointed director of minerals research at Curtin University in late 2013, and served as director of the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia.

Global index

Despite increasing unemployment, Australia and Singapore are the only Asia-Pacific countries to be placed in the top 10 of the Global Talent Competitiveness Index, which ranks countries based on growth and attracting and retaining talent.

The index, compiled by the INSEAD business school, the Human Capital Leadership Institute and Adecco Group, ranked Australia ninth overall, No 1 for the quality of formal education, and 10th for the higher skills and competencies of residents. It ranked 15th for access to growth opportunities, 25th for innovation, entrepreneurship and lifelong learning, but 38th for the nation’s level of employable or vocational skills.

Switzerland topped the index, followed by Singapore, Luxembourg, the US and Canada.

Adecco Australia and New Zealand chief executive Neil Jones says growing, attracting and retaining talent is key for Australia to remain competitive as the global workforce mobilises.

“We see a mismatch between the education system and the needs of business,” Jones says. “While we have the best education system in the world, we are letting our youth down by not equipping them with the hard and soft skills the labour market wants.”

Give us a break

As winter drags on and summer seems as if it will never arrive, recruitment firm Hays says employees need to learn how to spend time away from work, including holidays, and not feel guilty about it.

Chief executive Alistair Cox says taking a break to recharge batteries improves mental health and workplace productivity, but many professionals find it difficult to switch off or they succumb to guilt by limiting their time away from work.

“The advancement of mobile technology in the past decade means the office is never too far away, leaving many to feel as though they should always be available,” Cox says. “Employees often feel that they must be perceived as being always on to show they are dedicated and working hard. This is nonsense, and reduces development and productivity.”

Mentor program

Applications are open for the Australian Human Resources Institute’s annual mentoring program, which begins in October. Participants will have access to mentors offering insights, advice and knowledge.

The AHRI is also encouraging mentors to apply and develop their own coaching and mentoring skills.

Woodside Energy consultant Vilma Faoro was a mentor last year. “I wanted to use my experience and background as a way to help others succeed,” Faoro says.

Applications close August 31.