Story by: Tom Lewis

The key to solving any problem is . . . people. If the right people aren’t available to tackle problems in a way that is meaningful to them and that gives them some real ownership of the outcome, then nothing useful is going to happen.

Nowhere is this more true than within our own seafood industry.

The increasing complexity of our industry and the diversity of challenges we face mean that the need for industry members to get involved – to contribute constructively – has never been greater. However, who in their right mind is going to put up their hand and say “Pick me. I’ll do it.” unless they are confident that they understand the issues and that they have the skills and support to contribute in a meaningful way?

This, then, is our challenge. How are we, as an industry, going to provide our members with the skills, knowledge and support they need to: i) want to get involved in the first place, and ii) get involved in a manner where they feel they can make a valuable contribution? Where, in fact, do we start?

From recent experience, I’d suggest that the model developed by the Tasmanian Leaders Program is worth a close look. Tasmanian Leaders participants are immersed in a structured program designed to build their understanding and leadership capability through meeting, exchanging ideas and working together at regular intervals through an action-packed year. Participants are provided the unique opportunity to speak with a cross-section of today's leaders, to hear their opinions and learn from their experiences.

I was lucky enough to be a participant in the inaugural year of Tas Leaders. It was truly an eye-opening experience, focussing as it did on developing the basic skills of leadership – personal awareness and understanding – through a series of interactions with Tasmanian leaders of all stripes and persuasions: from politics, industry, government, community services and more.

Interactions with colleagues and mentors presented the opportunity and support to take a break from the day-to-day activities of the “dance floor” and spend a bit of time on the “balcony”: looking at the industry through new eyes, and developing a new vision for how to contribute. What this meant for me was that my understanding of what leadership is, and what it isn’t, grew. And consequently, so did my understanding of the leadership issues facing me, my company, my industry and my community – and what I could do differently to address them.

I reckon this type of experience would benefit anyone wanting to explore where they can make their best contribution to the Tasmanian Seafood Industry. The Tasmanian Leaders program will be calling for nominations for its third intake soon. Anyone who is interested in applying or learning more about the Program should check out the website and contact Jennifer Lee, Program Manager on 6233 5716 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Feel free to give me a call, too – for an insider’s perspective.

For Tasmania to maintain a strong, resilient and flexible seafood industry, we have to establish the means whereby anyone with an ounce of keenness is given the support and skills to get involved in the way that suits them. With its emphasis on diversity within its yearly cohorts, it’s doubtful that we’d be lucky enough to get more than one or two people a year into the Tas Leaders Program. I therefore suggest that a Tasmanian Seafood Industry people-development program – based on the concepts of building skills, networks and confidence – should be placed high on our agenda.

Our industry really is all about people, but we have to invest in them.

Tom Lewis manages the Seafood and Food Manufacturing Programs for Rural Development Services and can be contacted on 03 6231 9033 email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it