In today’s episode we are joined by Kelli Blakely, the General Manager of Ashford Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia. Kelli has over 20 years of experience in the private health industry.
Kelli emphasizes the significance of seizing opportunities, even when the timing doesn’t feel right . One pivotal moment for her was transitioning from nursing into a business development role, which greatly expanded her horizons and revealed career possibilities she hadn't considered before. In our conversation, she shares how she navigated these opportunities and how she developed her leadership skills on the job, with a strong safety net of trusted mentors and professional and personal network.
Let’s dive in!
Key moments in the podcast:
00:00 Introduction: Embracing Imperfect Opportunities
00:35 Welcome to Forks in the Road Podcast
01:11 Career Overview
03:33 First Fork: Transitioning to Management
05:40 Second Fork: Business Development Leap
06:16 Balancing Career and Personal Life
08:39 Mentorship and Leadership Development
15:13 Becoming a General Manager
17:52 Navigating Complexities in Healthcare
28:09 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts
30:59 Closing Remarks and Next Episode Preview
Here is what stays with us from this conversation:
Embracing Opportunities
Taking career leaps is important, even when the timing isn’t ideal.
Support networks and mentorship encourage significant career transitions.
Role of Mentorship
Mentorship is key to recognizing and fostering potential.
Passing on mentorship to emerging leaders helps sustain growth within an organization.
Cultivating Relationships
Building connections with team members strengthens dynamics and supports effective administration.
Engaging with staff in both formal and informal settings fosters a collaborative culture.
Facing Complexity with Confidence
Transparency, open communication, and kindness are essential for addressing challenges.
Difficult conversations are reframed as “important conversations” to promote mutual respect.
Personal Development and Growth
Continuous personal development through hands-on experience and formal learning is essential.
Lifelong learning and adaptability contribute to effective leadership.
Core Takeaways
Effective leadership involves seizing opportunities, investing in relationships, and upholding transparency.
Mentorship, relationship-building, and ongoing learning are foundational to leadership success.
Overall, this episode is a testament to the power of mentorship, the courage to embrace change, and the importance of genuine connections, offering practical lessons for aspiring leaders.
Listen to this podcast on Spotify or Apple or subscribe to it on Substack. We would love it if you would leave us a comment, screenshot the episode and tag us on social, and share this episode with your community so that they can better navigate their forks in the road.
Connect with Kelli Blakely
This is an original podcast by Flyntrok. We help organisations, communities and individuals change and adapt to a new world. You will Find Flyntrok on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.
Hosted by Stephen Berkeley and Anne Boland
Produced by Rajeev Nedumaran of Inscape Media.
Music by Damian Smith of Bespoke Music.
Art work by Ben Tibbin of Mozmo Creative and
Social Media Creations by Alana Rauert of Muse Communications.
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