Read first hand accounts from Archer Leaders about their transformative exchange
This year, the Kokoda Track Foundation (KTF) supported 11 exceptional final-year tertiary students to undertake the Archer Leadership Development program, which includes an exchange trip to Australia. The Archer Leadership Development Program is in its thirteenth year and seeks to find and foster the next generation of dedicated and passionate leaders for Papua New Guinea.
The 2023 Archer Leaders are:
Courtneyella Dotson (Bachelor of Law, University of PNG)
Latifa Jonathan (Bachelor of Law, University of PNG)
Rodwaltaz Billy (Bachelor of Law, University of PNG)
Raymond Billy (Bachelor of Science, University of PNG)
Luther Temai (Medicine and Surgery, University of PNG)
Flare Namaliu (Executive Masters in Business Administration, University of PNG)
Herman Namora, Bachelor of Arts, University of PNG)
Julia Tubang (Bachelor of Arts, University of PNG)
Getta Kambar (Construction Management, University of Technology)
Houston Nen (Building and Construction Management, University of Technology)
Dianne Siweli Nason (Bachelor of Dentistry, University of PNG)
During the 12-day exchange to Australia, the Archer Leaders participated in a series of enriching experiences including adaptive leadership workshops and tailored work experiences.
The Archer Leaders knew that this trip was going to be an exciting trip of a lifetime but some didn’t realise the impact that this journey of personal and professional self-discovery was going to have on them.
Raymond Billy expressed, “My experience has been a rollercoaster of events. KTF really set out the program to really bring me out of my comfort zone. Most of the time, I was pushed out of my comfort zone and I didn’t enjoy that, but then when the day was over, I reflected and said to myself: “I did that!” And it was followed by this feeling of confidence and satisfaction that I’d just done something I’m afraid of and it didn’t kill me. It taught me that growth is painful but it’s worth taking the 1% steps.”
Dianne Siweli Nason stated, “To be honest, the experience we had was speechless. Words cannot describe it. We were away from home and had to adjust to a new environment and it was a little struggle at first. Thanks to Terri we were able to understand ourselves better and identify our strengths and weaknesses and how to better work on our weaknesses and embrace our strengths so that we may practice good adaptive leadership. The program’s planned was spectacular, we were able to have a 180-degree U-turn to have a change of perspective that is broader and more open-minded. We were also able to face our phobia in the process successfully.”
As part of this journey, Archer Leaders were matched with professional work experiences tailored to their education, interests and professional goals. This experience was an opportunity for Archers to learn through mentorship but also through experiencing challenges and learning how to overcome them.
Raymond Billy expressed, “(The highlights of this professional experience were) being able to absorb all that I could but also contributing whatever little knowledge I had on the subject. My favourite part is learning about stakeholder analysis from Green Gravity and the importance of social impacts and their sustainability from Square Circle. However, I am an introvert and I am unable to hold and maintain conversations. Being sent out to talk to experienced people in my area of interest was a nightmare. But with the support and conducive environment provided by Green Gravity, Sicona Batteries, Square Circle, NEWCREST, Tetra Tech and Sun Engineering, I was able to say all that I needed to say.”
Latifa Jonathan says, “My first highlight was spending a day at the Victorian Bar. I got to observe a few court proceedings in the Supreme Court and Magistrates Court. My second highlight was at Minter Ellison and I am so grateful to have had Anna Lyons and Katherine Scott for the wonderful conversations and for introducing me to people working within different areas of the firm such as Environment and Planning, Legal Operations, the Human Rights Law Centre and their Graduate Program. I also got to speak to a senior partner Mr. Scott Chesterman whose words of wisdom on leadership to always be ''an interesting person but also interested in other people'' have truly stuck with me.”
These experiences were vital in helping the Archer Leaders develop their career goals.
Luther Temai said, “The archer program has helped enormously in terms of my career goals because the exchange program has taught me a lot, it has taught me more than what I learned in my four years of studies at the University. The two days of work experience have also enlightened me very much on where I want to be in the future and also my career goals.”
Courtneyella Dotson says, “Through my work placement I have gotten a part-time job at a global law firm: DENTONS, and have also grown my network and my leadership skills.”
Raymond Billy says, “It gave me a clearer view of what I can contribute to this world and that is through following the path of Sustainable Energy or doing Environmental Risk Management. The program exposed me to a lot of key people who both directly and indirectly influence my interest areas. The program also provided me with a mentor who is specific to what I aspire to do in my career. This mentorship program has been guiding me to make my personal vision more and more clearer.”
They also felt that this journey has been crucial for personal development as well.
Latifa Jonathan says, “The Archer Leadership Exchange Program taught me more about myself and my leadership style in 11 days than I ever learnt in 4 years of university. This was my first ever international flight and I was caught in a dilemma of choosing between being excited or nervous. Every day was a journey with myself but also most importantly with those around me. It's exposed me to new perspectives, new mindsets, new food and amazing people and connections. For the longest time, I've become complacent with my impact and what I can do in my community and country. This exchange trip has equipped me and prepared me to see leadership through a different lens and I'm ready to bring 1% every day of the best version of my leadership style that I can offer amongst my peers, within my university and in my community in PNG.”
Luther Temai expressed, “Personally, the exchange program has developed me to change my mindset and also broaden my understanding about the big world and how things are done differently. It also helped me to learn and step outside of my comfort zone to do things which helped me identify myself, especially my strengths and weaknesses so that I can work more on my strengths and improve on my weaknesses. It also helped me personally to view things differently than I used to before and I now see myself as different and ready to make a change and difference for my country.”
The Archer Leaders were also able to take part in adaptive leadership workshops conducted by Conversus Leaders where they were able to learn how they can utilise this style of leadership in every part of their life.
Raymond Billy learnt that “Leadership is a collaborative art and it is adaptive. Leadership isn’t an ability someone is born with but something that can be adapted by a person. Leadership is underpinned by curiosity and asking the right questions. Leadership is being able to listen attentively and ask the right questions. Leadership is stepping out of my comfort zone and taking the 1% steps and being able to understand what’s below the iceberg ( confidence, self-awareness, empathy, vulnerability, managing emotions etc.)of my stakeholders. Leadership is not a noun by a verb. A comfortable place is not the place of a leader.”
Rodwaltaz Billy says, “Leadership can be practised in different forms and it is not standard. A good leader knows the difference between Hearing and Listening. Leadership is all about making mistakes and learning from them; a leader doesn't have to know it all. And finally, leadership is all about change- as times change and evolve, leadership adapts to these changes.”
Latifa Jonathan stated, “I believe the essence of the workshop was surrounding adaptive leadership. Learning more about myself helped me recognize my own leadership style and identify adaptive skills or what was termed as ''under the iceberg'' skills such as vulnerability, accountability, collaboration and many more. I believe the workshops simultaneously taught me about myself whilst teaching me about the importance of others. Leadership is never done alone. And that you don't need to make drastic and gigantic changes, it can start out as a small step out of your comfort zone. Leadership begins with the little things like showing up on time or checking on the quietest voice in the room.”
KTF is so proud to work year after year to provide these life-changing experiences for cohorts of young smart, dedicated and passionate students who want to make a positive difference in their local communities, schools, workplaces and country.