Genuine relationships and practical engagement in the workplace are critical for leaders to build high-performing teams.
West Coast Eagles Head of Women’s Football Michelle Cowan
That was the key message at CCIWA’s 2025 Workplace Relations Conference last week at The Westin, where more than 200 of WA’s human resources and employee relations professionals heard from an expert line-up of speakers and panellists.
Facilitated by MC Di Darmody, the theme Redefine. Improve. Lead underpinned the conference program, covering workplace culture and inclusion, leadership, privacy laws, psychosocial risk and industrial relations changes.
Stay in the loop about CCIWA events by subscribing to The Guide.
Leadership lessons from breaking gender norms
West Coast Eagles Head of Women’s Football Michelle Cowan opened the conference by sharing her journey in AFL coaching, reflecting on her passion for the sport and determination to break gender barriers.
“Leadership has changed,” Cowan said. “The leaders who get the most of their people are the leaders who care the most about their people.
“When we wake up in the morning, we have a choice – we can choose to thank somebody at our workplace for the work that they do. They’re going to remember the way you made them feel.”
Strong culture fosters high-performance
Leading Teams Australia Facilitator Rachel Monamy
In an interactive session, Leading Teams Australia Facilitator Rachel Monamy discussed how practical engagement and shared values helped create a high-performing team.
She posed questions for the audience, including “what is culture?” and “what are some counterproductive behaviours that exist in your team?”
Audience discussion revealed that regular check-ins, addressing counterproductive behaviours and effective inductions fostered a high-performing workplace culture, while poor communication and entrenched negative behaviours were a hinderance.
“To improve your culture, get a snapshot of what your culture is like and ask about counter-productive behaviours that the team is exhibiting that’s stopping you from doing your best,” Monamy said.
Other highlights
adapt co-Founder Gabe Enslin
In addition, adapt’s Gabe Enslin led an engaging session on how evaluating workplace culture can help optimise the workforce.
Business Law WA’s Cass Wright explored why “privacy is everyone’s responsibility,” offering practical tips for building a privacy-conscious culture and an overview of current and upcoming legislation.
CCIWA’s Cristina Iacob unpacked lessons from recent workplace relations cases, providing practical takeaways for employers.
Crispin Roberts from Inclusion Solutions shared his personal experiences with workplace inclusion, highlighting its positive organisational impact.
Epigroup’s Tim Lawler examined a strategic approach to managing psychosocial risk, while Shaun Schmitke from the Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ACCI) provided an update on upcoming industrial relations changes.
The event also included a panel discussion on the right to disconnect and flexible work with CCIWA’s Tracy Al Saidi, Keystart’s Hanlie du Plessis, Inclusions Solutions’ Crispin Roberts, and RAC WA’s Catherine Murdoch.
To round out the conference, CCIWA’s Daniella Raschilla, Abbie Smith and Chloe Hutchings presented a role-play scenario addressing underperformance, demonstrating the appropriate procedures and processes in action.
To be part of WA’s peak business organisation, get in touch via 1300 422 492 or [email protected].
