Todd Williams is regarded as a proven collaborator and metrics driven executive, with a track record supporting entrepreneurial growth. He is currently the CEO of Regional Development Australia Hunter.

His leadership agenda is to maximise the value of emerging economic opportunities specifically for the Hunter, so that it is recognised as a leading region in Australia in which to invest and grow a business.

Todd is inspired by other leaders who back themselves to do things differently.

For a snapshot of our audio interview with Todd Williams, please view the above video.

• What do you believe makes business in the Hunter unique?

Well the Hunter is a unique place in itself, but I think it’s a two-fold answer.

We’re a legitimately international competitive market, with the benefit of having an extremely high level of collaboration.

That can only come with the size of what we do in the Hunter.

We’re small enough to have the collaboration benefits, but big enough to be competing on a global level. We’ve really got the best of both worlds, competing on the world stage, whilst having smaller town networks and collaborations.

• What leadership style do you use?

Leadership is an interesting one. When I think of leadership, it is situational.

What I try to do with RDA in this current role is to try and create the environment for my team to be successful as possible.

I think successful leadership is changing your style to get the best outcome for everyone, whatever the situation is.

I think you’ve really got to peak and trough with whatever the environment give you.

I’m also a big believer in leading by example, so being out there doing things, what you’re asking your team to do.

• How do you encourage creative thinking and leadership within your organisation?

We’re lucky at RDA as we have quite a broad mandate. We attract and promote creative thinking and leadership, because there is a lot of scope for that to flourish.

The employees are given a lot of scope to run projects and find innovative ways to solve problems that they come up with in their areas.

There is a strong link between creative thinking and leadership and I really challenge the members of RDA and the members of my team to push the boundaries of that and see what they can come up with.

• What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing leaders today?

I think they’re the same questions and issues as what they’ve always been.  One is changing markets ‚Äì how to compete in changing markets. Currently we’re dealing with internationalisation, changing consumer needs and wants.

The other thing is building a team around that, to obtain the business objectives. How do you make sure that you’ve got the team to capitalise on the different markets and the different skills sets you need to tap into that market.

• What local businessperson do you find inspiring?

I’m inspired by anyone who is willing to give it a go.

I’m inspired everyday, especially when people have backed themselves to do something different and it’s paying off. That actually underpins or characterises what the Hunter is and the businesses that we have in the Hunter are willing to give it a go.

I am inspired daily, there’s not a particular person or organisation, I’m just a believer in the Hunter.