Just be you

For leaders, 'not knowing' is our greatest source of vulnerability.

Leadership is in the business of ambiguity - if not for ambiguity, we don't need leadership. If we choose to insert ourselves into the ‘known’, we're most likely getting the road, or worse, doing someone else’s job for them.

There is no authenticity without vulnerability, and no vulnerability without bravery.

As Pete Carroll, the legendary NFL coach, says, “We need to figure out who we are”, the most profound form of ‘not knowing’, something you earn through the courage to show who you really are, especially when you don't know what comes next.

But it is not a solo journey.

Yes, as leaders, we often feel lonely, but we are not alone.

As our next guest, ‘In the Arena’, Western Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains explains, "I am only where I am because of the people who have supported me and invested in me."

Belonging

Ameet, whose family arrived in Australia from India in 1971 and fell in love with Australian football through a host family, could easily have found himself in the uncomfortable middle of not quite belonging anywhere.

Growing up, Ameet felt the differences as a kid of Indian heritage in 1980s Bendigo. Therefore, that possibility was real, but football became his bridge.

"The cultural things you did or the food you ate or the holidays you took at different times."

"Bendigo in the early 80s was still adapting to multiculturalism, shall we say. Football for me and I think for my sister, Netball was a way of really connecting and feeling part of the community and feeling the same and normal."

The fact that he could play a bit also helped.

"Having an aptitude certainly at that level was again a great connector, a sense of belonging and yeah, something that really fast-tracked my journey."

This experience would shape how he later created a sense of belonging for others, understanding both the vulnerability of being different and the power of spaces that welcome everyone.

His journey to CEO of the Western Bulldogs has always been about the courage to step into the unknown.

The Foundation

When Ameet's parents won second division Tattslotto in the early eighties, they made a choice that would define their children’s understanding of what truly matters.

"Rather than investing in better cars or a better house, there were two things that were important to them - having the capacity to travel overseas and visit family at the end of each year and their kids' education."

Ameet, in his final year at Melbourne Grammar, was appointed School Captain.

His parents chose education and connection, no guarantees, of course, but the courage to invest in possibility and connection.

Standing Up

After laying a tackle when playing for Old Melburnians in the Amateurs, not long out of school, his opponent racially abused Ameet.

"It just felt like a sense of violation. The game had been such an inherent part of me and my life, yet this could happen in a game of footy. Having seen some of the unfairness and inequity in society, there was just a real want to carry that forward."

He took it to the tribunal, understanding there was no certainty of justice. It would always be his word against theirs, but with the courage to step into the place where the possibility of change happens.

He stood up and carried the weight forward.

Listen First

"When you're taking on any new challenge, and particularly where you're moving into an environment where you are not the subject matter expert…it is to listen and learn.”

Walking into St Kilda's football department, rather than pretending expertise, he lived in the vulnerable space of learning.

Senior Coach Ross Lyon and Recruiting Manager Tony Elshaug became allies because he didn't try to insert himself where he didn't belong; he created space for their expertise while navigating the ambiguous role of leading people who knew more than he did.

"I don't think I'd ever frame it as knowing enough because I think the journey of learning is never ending."

Crisis Connection

There was no playbook, no precedent for an AFL Club CEO seeking to negotiate COVID, operating in the unknown while others need answers you don't have.

"The hardest thing I've ever been involved in has been the decision-making around standing people down and not being able to allow people to continue working and not give them any certainty."

Listening to Ameet speak of this experience, operating from hotel rooms in different states, as his team somehow won its way into the 2021 Grand Final, my sense is Ameet isn’t a leader taking comfort in eliminating uncertainty, but being present within it.

Creating Space

I am unsure I have seen the re-signing of a Senior Coach’s contract handled better, by both club and coach.

By the time Senior Coach Luke Beveridge's contract situation arose, Ameet led a process that allowed space for ambiguity, rather than rushing to false certainty, an often overwhelming inclination. No predetermined outcomes, no scripted conversations, just the courage to sit in the unknown together until clarity emerged.

"There is obviously a lot of consideration that goes into it... the openness of communication... we made a point of the four of us catching up for dinner once a month from December to just have that conversation."

This is Ameet, just being Ameet, with the confidence that it will always be good enough.

A wonderful person and an outstanding CEO.

Notebook ready

Play on!