Twenty-one of Australia’s rising agency leaders spent three intense days in Sydney last week exploring what it really takes to lead with confidence, clarity and humanity as part of Advertising Council Australia’s IPA Business & Agency Leadership residential.
Co-chaired by Kirsty Muddle (CEO, Dentsu Creative & Merkle) and Chris Howatson (Founder & CEO, Howatson+Company), this year’s program carried the theme Lead Like You Mean It — a challenge to senior industry professionals to move beyond delivery and step fully into leadership.
“Outside of technical skills, the biggest barrier is self-doubt,” Muddle told participants. “People hold themselves back, thinking they’re not ready, when maybe they are. Leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room — some of the best leaders I’ve seen are what I call ‘quiet revolutionaries’.”
Howatson added: “Confidence isn’t about having every answer. It’s about backing yourself, your people, reading the room, and knowing what to do when the path forward is unclear.”
Day 1 — Leading with Confidence
The course began with delegates diving into their own leadership style and communication strengths. Mike Read (GAICD, IECL) and Mike Jenner (executive leadership consultant) set the tone with high-impact, mini MBA-inspired sessions focused on creating high-performance teams, understanding thinking styles, and giving and receiving feedback.
As Jenner summed up: “There’s no such thing as a high-performance culture that isn’t feedback-rich.”
Day 2 — Confidence in Creativity
The second day shifted to the business and creative realities of modern leadership. Nick Garrett explored the future of networks, while Josh Grace discussed what makes remuneration models genuinely appealing to clients. Ellena Mills Stainer (Howatson+Co) outlined how to keep ideas alive before Lea Walker tackled the human side of leadership — reminding delegates that boundaries, mentors and self-care are non-negotiable.
Legal expert Clinton Parr unpacked psychosocial hazards and HR responsibilities, while Jessica Coulson from Plus Also Studios demonstrated how AI can fuel creativity when used with empathy and purpose.
By day’s end, the message was clear: leadership today demands equal parts empathy and execution.
Day 3 — Perspectives
The final day brought a broader view of leadership and creative effectiveness. Brittney Rigby (Little Black Book) reflected on the industry’s need to celebrate itself more, while Rob Galluzzo shared FINCH’s creative journey. Justin Papps and Paul Brooks of Tenet Advisory left the room buzzing with this advice: “Be the seatbelt, not the tyre-screech.”
Ashley Ringrose (SMG Studio) reframed how brands can engage audiences through play, before Brent Smart (Telstra) delivered a powerful reminder to be “hard on the work, kind on the people.”
The program closed with Sir John Hegarty, whose trademark clarity and candour inspired delegates to lead with conviction, creativity, and a clear sense of purpose.
As Howatson reflected: “Your mood is amplified as a leader — your positivity lifts others, your negativity erodes trust. The best leaders understand that and act with intent.”
And Muddle’s closing challenge summed up the spirit of the week: “Stop waiting to be tapped on the shoulder. If you think you’re ready, you probably are.”
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Next year’s ACA & IPA Business & Agency Leadership course takes place from 18-20 October. If you’re an aspiring agency leader, register your interest here.