Interview with Lindsay Porter

What’s your industry background and current role?

I’ve been with the company for five years – starting as business development manager with Corporate Traveller for two years and I have been in my current position with FCM for three years. My role is to bring onboard new, large market customers by building mutually beneficial relationships and demonstrating the capabilities of FCM to help them maximise their travel program goals.

What do you think makes a great leader?

Different leaders have different characteristics, but to me a great leader is one who supports individuals and their team to achieve their best. I also think it’s important to have clear and consistent expectations and direction, as it encourages everyone to work together to move in the same direction.

What benefits do women bring to the table?

I think women, as with all people, bring a diversity of ideas and opinions. I also think it’s inherent in our nature to want to build truly genuine connections with people. This is a particularly great asset when you are working in a business development role and in a service-based industry.

Who is your greatest influence?

I have a few! James Kavanagh (Managing Director Australia, Flight Centre Travel Group) really stands out for me as he leads with empathy and has a genuine desire for equality and fairness. Also my current leader Sue McEvoy (Head of Sales FCM Australia), who is an incredibly authentic and supportive leader, and she has been able to share valuable insights with me. Plus on a personal note, my parents have instilled a strong work ethic in me.

What is the most important leadership lesson you’ve learnt?

That you don’t have to be a leader to lead. I was lucky enough to complete a Flight Centre Senior Leadership Course last year and it really showed me that you can have an impact and make a difference even if you don’t have the word ‘leader’ in your title.

What’s the best decision you have ever made?

I took a year off to travel before I joined Flight Centre. While I didn’t realise where that decision would lead me at the time, it was this experience that led me to join Flight Centre when I returned – which is the best company I have ever worked for.

What’s the worst decision you’ve made?

Not making any decision can often be the worst decision, as you can miss opportunities to explore your passions and full potential. In a previous job I was comfortable in the role, but my potential was not being recognised by my employer or me. I had every opportunity to make different decisions sooner but I didn’t, so I’ve tried to learn from that.

What’s the biggest barrier for women in progressing their career?

It’s often ourselves! We can be our own worst enemy, by not having belief and confidence in our abilities. I think sometimes we are influenced and programmed by society’s expectations, whether or not they are right for us personally.

What do you think deters some women from aspiring to top leadership roles?

Self-belief and lack of exposure to good role models. I really believe in the philosophy that ‘if you can’t see it, you can’t be it.’ That’s why we need to see more women in senior leadership roles.

What advice you could give to any woman considering the next step in their career?

I’d say be curious, look to others to seek advice and have a good mentor to help you visualise what your next steps could look like.

What is your role in the Flight Centre Womenwise program?

I’m a member of the local WA Womenwise chapter, which is an internal initiative designed to give more women the confidence to put themselves forward for senior leadership roles. The program looks at how women can help each other to succeed - but men are also welcome to join too! We have also started
taking this message to our clients, by holding a luncheon with key guest speakers from FCM.

You’re also passionate about Flight Centre’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) – what is it?

The purpose of our RAP is to focus on FCTG’s commitment to and vision for Reconciliation, by putting a range of initiatives in place within the business. I have been involved in some local Indigenous engagement initiatives, and also in developing a business plan that has seen national senior leadership support for
formalising our commitments with the development of our first RAP. It has been really exciting to work on something I’m so passionate about with colleagues that have inspired me and shared this passion, and collectively we can’t wait for the final endorsement of our Plan and the impact it will have in our business.

‘Each for Equal’ is the IWD theme for 2020. What does equality mean to you?

I think equality is difficult to define, but this theme really captures the fact that equality is a collective responsibility and something that needs to be supported by everyone.