Why did you choose to study a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Business with Monash University?

I chose Monash because of the breadth of opportunities and subjects. I loved being able to integrate studies in the performing arts into my Bachelor of Arts – an option that wasn’t available at some other universities. It enriched my experience being able to complete business subjects while engaging in completely different disciplines in my Arts degree.

The flexibility of the degree and the standard of lecturers also appealed to me. For example, in the politics department, I was able to do three subjects under one of my favourite academics, Dr Nicholas Economou. He was incredibly knowledgeable and inspiring.

What were some of the benefits of your Arts degree and how have they impacted your career?

In a Bachelor of Arts, you study alongside people from all walks of life who have had different experiences from you. When you bring this diverse mix of people into a classroom and you are delving into large, wicked problems that don’t have clear solutions, you are exposed to a true diversity of thought, learning so much from those around you.

By studying a Bachelor of Arts, I was empowered to explore politics, criminology, philosophy and drama. It also allowed me in the end to study business, which was something that I didn’t know I was interested in at all.

The amount of opportunities given through internships and international and hands on experiences gives you the kind of education you cannot get from any other degree.

What are you doing now and how did you get into this position?

My role current role is grounded in research and teaching – I’m a Senior Lecturer in Leadership with the Monash Business School.

My research examines servant leadership. This is a type of compassionate leadership which puts the professional and personal development of followers first.

What I like about this form of leadership is that you don’t have to look or act a certain way in order to engage with or benefit from servant leadership. No matter your background, nationality, gender, sexuality or disability – it does not matter. It is about understanding who you are, who your followers are, and prioritising their needs to work together towards both individual and organisational goals.

At the moment, my research is focusing on demonstrating the impact of servant leadership, and how we develop this next generation of leaders. The next generation of leaders looks a lot different than past generations and we hope they will think differently to leaders of the past as well.

One of the highlights for me at the moment is running a leadership education academy in the United States. This is a ‘train the trainer’s’ program, where we have hand-picked facilitators from around the world to deliver and teach leadership educators how to be better educators themselves.

Has your study with Arts affected your view on leadership?

Definitely. Studying political philosophy and understanding the theories of major philosophers have influenced me throughout my career. It has encouraged me to think deeply on the question of ‘why?’ For example, when it comes to leadership, why are we leading?

I have been able to apply the skills I learnt studying drama to teaching students and professionals about the different ways leaders can communicate by using both verbal and body language. When I am talking about concepts like charismatic leadership and how we set-up speeches and vision, I draw on the knowledge that I learnt from drama. So many of the things you do on a daily basis during a drama degree are incredibly important in leadership.

How has your time with Monash shaped your career?

The reputation of Monash, internationally, really helps. The Monash brand is incredibly strong, and the quality of our research and our education is known worldwide. It is part of the reason our alumni are in some of the top companies around the world. Having a Monash education opens a lot of doors.

Doing a drama major helps give you that ability to talk to people, think critically and comprehend other perspectives. For me, being able to have conversations with people at that level has led to a rewarding career.

What is your message to future or current students about the benefits of an Arts degree?

I think an Arts degree the perfect accompaniment for any degree because it enhances every other area of study that you do.

The Bachelor Arts works in two great ways. In one way, it is a gateway to opening your mind to different areas you didn’t know existed going through high school.

Like a lot of other people when they go into university, I didn’t know what was out there. An Arts degree is a great way to be able to understand the broad range of subjects and broad range of careers that are out there. You don’t generally get with any other degree.

The double degree program, to me, is a no-brainer. By doing an Arts degree in addition to another degree, you will be in a better standing once you go out into the workforce because you are going to pick-up skills that singular graduates just will not have.

By taking the extra year and getting that second degree, you will enhance your development as a human being as well as your employability.

Interviewed by Tallis Miles, journalism intern, Monash Arts, 2020