Robertson - Respect Trumps Harmony: Why being liked is overrated and constructive conflict gets results

RACHAEL ROBERTSON

First published in 2020 by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd 42 McDougall St, Milton Qld 4064

Office also in Melbourne

John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd 2020

The moral rights of the author have been asserted

ISBN: 978-0-730-38383-3

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (for example, a fair dealing for the purposes of study, research, criticism or review), no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, communicated or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission. All inquiries should be made to the publisher at the address above.

Cover design by Wiley

Cover image Orla / Getty Images

Disclaimer

The material in this publication is of the nature of general comment only, and does not represent professional advice. It is not intended to provide specific guidance for particular circumstances and it should not be relied on as the basis for any decision to take action or not take action on any matter which it covers. Readers should obtain professional advice where appropriate, before making any such decision. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the author and publisher disclaim all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any person taking or not taking action based on the information in this publication.

Rachael Robertson is one of the most popular and in-demand keynote speakers in the world today. She presents internationally at over 80 events a year, drawing on her own experience to provide audiences with practical tools to build resilient, collaborative and high-performing teams.

Rachael speaks and writes from first-hand knowledge. She has experienced both extremes of opportunity and challenge. She led an Antarctic expedition, was one of Victoria's youngest Chief Rangers and was a key part of the response team during Victoria's Black Saturday bushfire tragedy. She holds an MBA from Melbourne Business School, one of only two globally recognised post-graduate business schools in Australia, and blends her practical insights with contemporary leadership theory.

Using a combination of real life case-studies, extensive research and hilarious anecdotes from her year spent working in Antarctica, Rachael presents memorable and proven leadership tools, and has worked extensively throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe and the United States sharing her iconic tools: No Triangles and the Bacon War. Her approach is down-to-earth and engaging, there is no management-speak and no jargon just practical, proven and easy-to-implement tools for building leadership and teamwork.

The best-selling author of Leading on the Edge, Rachael is now a full-time professional speaker, commentator and author. She is an Ambassador for R U OK? and as an internationally acclaimed leadership expert she knows her way around an airport. Rachael honestly and candidly acknowledges most of her career choices were made because she believes it's better to regret what you did, than regret what you didn't do.

She lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband Ric, and her son Louis, and can be found most Saturdays in winter standing in the cold at an AFL match somewhere.

This book has been 15 years in the making. It would not have been possible without the generosity and kindness of so many people. I am grateful for your support and willingness to offer your hearts and minds, and for trusting me to share your stories and experiences.

Firstly, and most importantly, a big thank you to my extraordinary husband and partner in crime, Ric. Thank you for your unwavering belief in me. I could not do what I do, and share what I've learned, without you. I wouldn't want to either. Your encouragement drives me, and knowing you are on the end of a phone as I wait out yet another flight delay reminds me that what truly matters is love and laughter! You are my world.

To Louie, thank you for choosing me to be your mum. I think you're the best and you make me laugh. Thank you for so generously staying quiet, playing on the iPad while I finished writing this book during the school holidays. I'm so proud of you.

Doug, Julian, Anthony and Georgina, thank you for all your love and encouragement over many years. Watching you grow into loving, warm, hilarious and (just quietly) strikingly good-looking adults is one of my greatest joys. Keep flying the Team Lamont flag with such strength and grace. I see so much of Nanna Spanna in all of you, and your love of family, travel and life is her gift to you.

To my wonderful family, Mum, Dad, Ben, Jane, Sam, Tim and Aunty Pammy, thanks for simply being there, especially when I can't be. Thanks for holding the fort and feeding pets and watering gardens, sometimes at very short notice. I couldn't do it without you.

Martine, Tanya and Dallas, where do I start? Usually, it's with a wine! Thanks for the debriefs, the laugh-till-we-cry times, and for keeping my head above water as that monster wave called life comes crashing in. I love doing life with you girls.

Thanks to the amazing team at Wiley, especially Lucy Raymond and my editor Jem Bates. Your patience, advice and insights are much appreciated. You're the best in the business for a reason.

To the more than 1500 organisations who have invited me to present at your conferences and events, I am sincerely humble and grateful. Thank you for trusting me with your teams. I put everything I have into every presentation. I'm often asked if I still get nervous. The answer is yes. Not because of my content I know that backwards but because I truly care that what I am presenting resonates and inspires. I get nervous because I am invested, and the day I don't get nervous is the day I walk away.

Lastly, to every person who answered my call for help and completed a survey or offered their time for a follow-up phone interview, a huge thank you. Your input was invaluable. Thank you for trusting me with your stories, and for being candid and generous with your time. I will be forever grateful that you joined me on this quest to build a world with a bit more respect.

Because respect trumps harmony, every time.

In 2005 I was chosen to lead an expedition to Davis Station, Antarctica. I was the second woman to lead the station, and one of the youngest ever leaders there. It was an extraordinary experience that tested me in ways I could never have predicted.

I had no input into the selection of my 17 team members. As is the norm in most jobs, I was presented with a disparate group of people I had never met. Somehow I had to turn this random assortment of diverse individuals into a high-performing team because in Antarctica our lives would depend on our teamwork.

At our first get to know you barbecue in Hobart I found myself chatting with two of the team about cold weather. One of them said: I was just in Alaska; it was so cold that when you stood in a puddle the water turned to ice under your feet. It must have been at least minus 21 degrees. The other replied: Well, water freezes at zero, so it must have been at least zero, not at least minus 21 degrees.