SUE McCARREY
The new chief of the National Rail Safety Regulator tells Brad Thompson a little praise goes a long way in transport.
Biggest career break?
Education and staying involved in education in some way. I had a degree in education and started my career as a teacher and was in the Education Department for a number of years. I went back and did law part-time and I think completing that degree really opened things up for me from a career perspective. That also helped in leading to me leaving education and stepping into a job in transport, into what was WA Government Railways. It was one of the best moves I’ve ever made because I have loved being involved in the transport industry ever since.
Describe your leadership style.
Leadership to me is really about fostering people. If you don’t bring people along with you, you’ll achieve very little. Nobody achieves things on their own in an organisation. You have to foster young people as they come through, whether in the public or private sector. My leadership style is about fostering those people who work with me, giving them the freedom to make decisions, to make suggestions, to have a go but then providing them with a safety net. If people fear making mistakes, they don’t step outside of their comfort zones and they often won’t come up with the ideas and suggestions that you want them to. As a leader you need to provide them with that safety net and provide them with direction on why they are doing the job.
Most memorable executive experience?
The past 4½ years as deputy director-general in the Department of Transport. We really have tried to set a strategic direction for transport in WA, whether it be through the regional freight transport plan, the focus on aviation through what is still a draft of the State aviation strategy, to having a good look at port governance. Every single area of transport we have looked at and set a direction for into the future. We have pulled in expertise from right across government, not just one agency, and we have worked very closely with the private sector and industry on determining what are really good strategic directions. What we have done over the past 4½ years in those areas is something I will always be incredibly proud of.
First or most unusual job?
My most unusual job was filleting cod in a fish factory in Iceland, above the Arctic Circle. I was much, much younger and travelling. A friend of mine was working over there so I joined up with her. At that stage Iceland had zero unemployment, so if you wanted a job regardless of how long you were there they would bring you into fish factories. I stood there every day filleting cod and I still have all my fingers.
Best way to improve productivity?
People need to have a meaning for why they are there. Everybody needs to understand that their job and what they do everyday contributes to something. Regardless of what a person’s job is, if you can make them realise that they are part of a much bigger machine and that their part is important then I think that really does help productivity. The other part, and it is often what we forget when we are really busy, is positive feedback. It doesn’t need to be on a grand scale but just going out of your way to say ‘thanks, you did a fantastic job on that’ is important. It reinforces for people why they are there and that they are appreciated.
Do you use social media?
Very little. I am on Facebook and LinkedIn, but I am not a great user of them. My friends have made me promise to check in to Facebook once a week with my move to Adelaide so I can stay in touch.
What do you do in your spare time?
Softball has been a huge part of my life for many, many years. I have been with the Thornlie Hawks Softball Club for well over 20 years, have played over 250 games with the club and they made me a life member last year. Unfortunately my playing days are over due to two knees which have just completely worn out. I also play a little bit of golf and would like to find the time to play more. Obviously spending time with my family and friends and, of course, there are the “fur children”, the dogs. I enjoy getting out in the fresh air and walking the dogs.
Last book you read?
Because I heard so many good things about it, I’ve just finished reading Ken Follett’s The Fall of Giants, which is the first in the Century trilogy.
Favourite holiday destination?
I just love Italy, particularly Tuscany and in and around Florence. It is a wonderful country with lovely people. There’s fantastic food in the countryside and it is great for shopping, so how do you say no to that?
What are the biggest challenges facing WA in regard to transport and transport infrastructure?
There are a lot of great things happening in transport in WA and we do so many things really well, but like any growing State and growing city we will need more transport infrastructure in the future. The difficult part looking into the future is funding that infrastructure. Budgets are under pressure, both State and Commonwealth, so the big question is how to fund some of those projects into the future for the benefit of West Australians. That will continue to be a challenge and not just in WA, right across Australia.
