Many of Sian Whitnall’s ideas about what it means to grow have changed over the years, with the co-CEO at OMD Australia saying, “you can grow without having to move forward.”
Speaking to Mediaweek, Whitnall said OMD is in a unique position of having two co-CEOs – a role she shares with Laura Nice.
“We have dual leadership models across the whole organisation. Dual leadership models really only work if you’re able to get to the point where you can inherently understand the ‘co’ part of who you’re working with, and the whole business is, I feel, benefiting from that.”
As far as mentorship within OMD goes, Whitnall said the team is working to invest in programmes that make sure everybody has the ability to be mentored.
“We’re trying to do that nationally to make sure that it becomes really accessible, because I’m truly passionate about the fact that experiences and shared experiences are what drives us forward.
“You need to make sure that everybody has the opportunity to talk, engage, and share.”
Whitnall was a guest on The Growth Distillery vodcast, where she reflected on how navigating her daughter’s health journey has impacted her. Whitnall told News Corp Australia’s director of the Growth Intelligence Centre and independent think tank The Growth Distillery, Dan Krigstein, that, “My previous perspective on growth was the new title, new role, new job, moving upwards – the glitter.
Dan Krigstein and Sian Whitnall
“I also wanted to be the youngest account manager, which wasn’t going to help anyone, because I truly believe that you need to have lived experience to become the full package.”
Since then, Whitnall said that she now lives by the principle that “everything’s a learning moment – which sounds a bit of a cliche, but it’s true. Nobody is a finished article.
“Everybody has their own story, everyone has their own journey, and everyone has their own perception. Understanding what somebody else’s motivation is is a really interesting skill to have.”
Whitnall also told Mediaweek that being a part of the vodcast was “an opportunity to be able to pay it forward” after completing The Marketing Academy.
“The Marketing Academy allowed me to better understand myself, and then in turn, build that into my leadership. That is one of the reasons I thought it was good to share my story.”
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Top Image: Sian Whitnall