You Don’t Need a Title to Lead: Lessons from Women in Mining

In the last couple of weeks I had the privilege of speaking at the Victorian Women in Mining Awards, a night that left me full of inspiration and hope for the future of our industry.

Seeing all of the nominations is really humbling. Its about more than doing your job, everyone shows passion, women being visible, vocal, and values-driven in the way they lead.

What really stood out to me is this: you don’t need a title to lead.

Leadership isn’t defined by your job description, or whether your name sits in a box on an org chart.

Leadership is how you show up.

How you influence.

And how you create change, especially in places where it hasn’t existed before.

When I reflect on the themes from the panel discussion on the night, this is what really stood out to me.

There is always opportunity

One of the powerful themes that came through in the Q&A was the idea that leadership often begins by saying “yes” to something uncertain.

Every woman who stood on stage that night had looked for opportunities, sometimes in unexpected places. They weren’t waiting to be picked.

They put their hand up. They stepped forward. And they figured it out along the way.

You don’t need a formal role to do that. You just need curiosity, courage, and the willingness to try.

Back Yourself to Have a Go

If there’s one message that echoed loud and clear, it’s this: back yourself.

Not because you’re 100% ready. Not because you’ve got it all figured out.

But because courage often comes after the decision, not before it.

Back yourself to take the role. Speak in the meeting. Apply for the award. Ask the question.  You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to have a go.

Sometimes leadership looks like showing up before you feel ready, because deep down, you know you’ve got something to offer.

Find Your Place in the Industry 

Someone described mining as being “like a family”, and it stuck with me.

Like any family, it has its quirks. It can be tough. It can stretch you. But when it’s at its best, there’s connection, pride, and people who’ve got your back.

Leadership in that kind of environment means contributing to the culture, not just the outcomes.  It means mentoring the new starter. Backing a colleague. Offering your experience, or asking for help when it counts.

Focus on Your Impact, Not Your Title

What difference are you making? 

Whether you’re solving technical problems, building safer teams, volunteering in your community, or sharing your story to help others feel seen, that’s impact that people remember.

You don’t need permission to make a difference.

Start where you are. Use what you know. Share what you’ve learned.

Relationships Matter: On and Off Site

The strongest leaders don’t just lead their teams, they invest in their communities too.

We heard stories of stepping outside of work, leading community initiatives, and making their workplaces more inclusive. That’s the ripple effect of leadership, it doesn’t stay inside the gates.

Whether you’re connecting with Traditional Owners, mentoring young workers, or supporting your ERT or SES, relationships are the real resource.

Be People-Focused, Not Position-Focused

People follow people, not positions.

The women we celebrated last week weren’t climbing over others to reach some leadership ideal. They were constantly trying to better themselves.  They were learning, and building up those around them. Listening, connecting, advocating, cheerleading.

Their leadership was human. Relatable. Grounded in real conversations and genuine care.
That’s the kind of leadership that sticks.

Hold Boundaries. Stay True to You.

Perhaps the most powerful reminder of all: don’t lose yourself in the process.

Whether you’re early in your career or deep in your leadership journey, the pressure to prove yourself can be intense. But every woman on stage showed us what it looks like to lead authentically, with strong boundaries, clear values, and no need to compromise who they are.

You don’t need to lead like someone else to be effective.
You just need to lead like you.

If you’ve ever told yourself:

• “I’m not senior enough to lead.”
• “I don’t have the right title.”
• “I’ll speak up when I’m more established.”

Let me say this clearly:

Leadership is already yours to claim.
It lives in how you act, how you treat people, and how you back yourself, even when no one’s watching.

And as we saw: some of the most powerful change in this industry is coming from those who aren’t waiting for permission.

They are the change.
And you can be too.