Welcome to the Getting into Leadership podcast series – an initiative by Cotton Australia to empower the next generation of cotton and irrigation industry leaders.

The series focuses on eight timely aspects of effective communication and leadership, and features some of the most influential growers driving the industry forward.

In this episode, Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay provides an overview of the series and introduces the podcast topics and guest speakers.

Being an effective online advocate for the cotton or irrigation industry and cutting through the noise and misinformation, can be a real challenge.

In this episode, Mungindi-based farm manager, Sam Heagney, and Emerald-based fibre and grain producer, Renee Anderson, share their advice on navigating the social media landscape.

Australia’s vibrant cotton and irrigation industries operate in a constantly evolving environment, so it’s vital that leaders have the skills and vision to navigate future challenges and opportunities.

In this episode, Theodore-based grower Fleur Anderson shares her thoughts and insight on what makes an effective industry leader, based on the senior leadership positions she’s held for more than 15 years.

Cotton Grower Associations provide many personal development and networking benefits. They also provide a unique platform to give back to regional communities through events and fundraising initiatives.

In this podcast, Emerald-based irrigator Aaron Kiely reflects on how his involvement with the Central Highlands Cotton Growers and Irrigators’ Association has increased his leadership capacity and involvement in his local community.

Speaking up to a room full of industry representatives may sound like a daunting prospect for some, but the benefits of participating in group discussions and communicating ideas can be huge.

In this podcast, Dalby-based farm manager Dave Walton gives his tips and advice on what it means to be an effective communicator within a committee or group environment.

Self-care can be a range of actions or activities, and making time for self-care during the bustle of day-to-day life can be a good way to pause and reflect on the things that matter to you.

In this episode, rural business owner Meg Kummerow shares how self-care helps her cope during challenging times, and the importance of participating in self-care within an industry context.

Being part of a Cotton Growers Association is a great way to share industry information and make a positive impact in rural communities. It’s also a unique platform that fosters and promotes effective leaderships skills across the industry.

In this episode, NSW farmer Sinclair Steel discusses how being involved with the Macquarie Cotton Growers’ Association allowed him to make the most of industry leadership opportunities.

When it comes to making informed business decisions, keeping up-to-date with the latest industry insights and R&D findings is of vital importance.

In this podcast, Liverpool Plains farmer, Scott McCalman, and Moree irrigator, Mick Humphries, share their advice on accessing information and leveraging knowledge from industry networks.

When it comes to sharing information and stories about the cotton and irrigation industry, face-to-face conversations allow people to connect and share experiences in a way that social media just can’t emulate.

In this final episode of the series, Brookstead-based cotton producer Georgie Krieg shares her experience and advice on speaking about the cotton and irrigation industry with those outside the industry.