25. ANDREW COLVIN PODCAST PART 1

This is the first podcast in the Mentor Stories of the Courage to Lead Interview Series, where we interview the mentors of our previous guests. In this case we are introducing Andrew Colvin AO APM former AFP Commissioner, mentor to Mick Willing, the 3rd guest of this podcast. Andrew says he was not a natural leader but that he could help mould people around him. He is still learning every day, we all are. We are all far from perfect as human beings. The obvious support, respect and gratitude Andrew has for his wife and his family, shines through this interview. The Bali Bombings on 12/10/22 was when he took real steps forward as a leader in a crisis. There is no “how to” book to manage a crisis like the Bali bombing. Let’s just have a go and not look for perfect. The world doesn’t work that way anymore. Andrew just wanted good human beings, Police are incredibly adaptable. He trusted them. Andrew was well supported across agencies. Andrew made considered decisions and I backed himself, he got things wrong but he got a lot of things right. Andrew stresses we should work with the people who you want to work with-and have fun. He promoted creativity do things differently. An example of this was In the 1990s - Andrew achieved approval in taking an Australian Court off shore into a foreign country in the Australian embassy to interview witnesses who would never come to Australia ending in the biggest heroin seizure for many years to come. Through Andrew's relationships and skills the AFP worked with other agencies, and they worked hard together. Andrew was fortunate to secure a placement at Harvard Kennedy Leadership school - this helped him position policing in an international sense and made him aware how we can work differently. If we are trying to make change and be a good leader- it is not easy it is hard. Self reflection- about himself. He was resilient, but he always needs to understand context. How is what I’m doing, fit into where I am at and who I am talking to. Understand other peoples perspective. The entrance exam to get accepted into the Kennedy School. His analytical and comprehension side of the exams were off the charts his maths and science were very ordinary. Lecturers who presented were contemporary in world politics and existing situations. Opened his eyes to something bigger than himself. How we do things is the important part of a process. The ends do not justify the means. Before the interview commences I will leave you with this one impression of Andrew Colvin. His Linkedin Profile picture has him in full uniform as the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, sitting on the floor speaking to a group of primary school children. This kind of says it all. Empowering the next generation at their level, no airs or graces. This interview in part 1 also talks about AIPM- The Australian Institute of Police Management where the focus is on the next cadre of future leaders for policing across Australia. To challenge their thinking, people who enter into the AIPM family become life long friends. AIPM focuses on bringing on the Senior cadre of senior police leaders to round them out as better human beings, uncomfortable self reflection, uncomfortable vulnerability and learning from others. Andrew found that AIPM inspired him and he learnt had that everyone had the same doubts, it was a refreshing time. Andrew learnt that he did have ideas, that his ideas are a valid as anyone else’s, and that he wanted an opportunity to shape those ideas. Towards the end of Part 1 Andrew speaks of his weaknesses. When he confronts a problem he steps right in and builds dependency on him rather than build the capability of others around him. Andrew continues to work on that trait today but anyone listening to this interview would reflect his skills in this area are better than any of us could ever imagine. Part one of the Andrew Colvin interview ends at just stepping in AFP COMMISSIONER.