3. MICK WILLING (REMASTERED)

Welcome to the next guest of the Courage to Lead Interview Series, Former NSW POLICE FORCE, Deputy Commissioner Mick Willing, now the Managing Director, National Security and Safety, Accenture. This interview has been remastered as it was the 3rd interview I did when I first started the podcast series in late 2022. The quality of that 3rd interview was atrocious and I didn't know how to fix it. I've learned some new skills since then so this is an improved copy of this very popular interview. How does a boy from Dubbo join the NSW Police Force in 1990 and rise to the rank of Superintendent as the Commander of the Homicide Squad for 6 years, then the Assistant Commissioner of Counter Terrorism? Mick Willing, then lead the Recovery Strikeforce for the South Coast Fires in 2019/2020 after being asked to “Turbo Charge” the Recovery Strikeforce by Commissioner of Police Mick Fuller, on New Years Day. Mick Willing brought a level of leadership and coordination that had never been seen before for a level of disaster that had never been contemplated after the fires destroyed over 2000 homes and disrupted the lives of whole communities in early 2020. The striking part of this Bushfire Recovery Story was how effective everyone worked together across the highest echelons of State and Federal Government to achieve outcomes that have never occurred before. It is apparent that this knowledge and capacity and cooperation was not available when it came to the unprecedented NSW Floods a few months later. Mick is also a Harvard Business School Graduate, having the privilege to receive lectures from the world Change Management Expert and Guru, John Kotter (so jealous). Mick was then promoted to Deputy Commissioner and interviewed for the role of Commissioner of Police. He was nominated as the preferred candidate for the role of Commissioner of Police by one Premier, but a change in Premier, saw him loose the nomination, and shortly after have his Deputy Commissioner contract terminated, by the new Police Commissioner, whilst he was on holidays. And just like that Mick Willing was no longer a NSWPF officer after 30+ years of diligent and exceptional service. The interview will leave you in awe of the dignity and professionalism of Mick Willing after this challenge created new opportunities for the next chapter of Mick Willing’s life. A common theme in this interview, is that all leaders are essentially the same, it’s just the situations and arenas they work in that changes, and how they lead in those arenas. It was a privilege to do this interview, as it is a story of some excellent skills and achievements, and despite all those significant attributes and good standing, a story of incredible challenges. It was only through the support firstly of family, close friends and a trusted medical team do we see who comes out the other side. An inspiration to all of us, about never giving up.