Company: The Audacious Agency, Australia
Company Description: The Audacious Agency are profile building and awards specialists, helping entrepreneurs and business owners who are sick of being the world's best-kept secret, to boldly stand out from the competition and be sought-after credible leaders. We help changemakers and leaders become googlicious!
Nomination Category: Thought Leadership Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Female Thought Leader of the Year - Business Services
 Nomination Title: Stacey Ashley - Big Leadership
- Briefly describe the nominated individual: history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 200 words used.
In senior corporate roles, I noticed issues with reactive leadership structures, where managers lacked necessary support and training. To address this gap, I transitioned into roles as a coach, speaker, author, and business leader, focusing on enhancing leadership practices and fostering deep leadership pipelines in organisations.
Financially stable, I generously shared my intellectual property to aid clients for free or at reduced cost during the pandemic. Through 2021/22, I provided access to my "The New Leader: the 1000leaders," 12-module online program, supporting clients in post-pandemic recovery. This led to turnover doubling from $150k to $300k, and an anticipated income of $750k this year.
With over 30 years of leadership/coaching experience, many clients engage repeatedly, some for over a decade. On average, client relationships for leadership development span three years, across 45 industries, including health, non-profit, education, financial services, hospitality, and Indigenous communities.
My new leadership philosophy - Big Leadership - launched this year. Collaborating with global organisations, Big Leadership focuses on a holistic, human-centred approach, preparing leaders for evolving business landscapes and challenging conventions, making bold decisions, and taking courageous actions to shape the future. It's not about size; it's about significance, influence, gravitas, and impact, starting with self-leadership.
- Outline the nominee's thought leadership achievements since July 1 2021 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 257 words used.
In 2021, I embarked on a rebranding journey to meet the growing demand for transformative change agents in today's dynamic business and leadership landscape. With over three decades of high-performance leadership and coaching experience, I felt compelled to make a significant impact in the face of rapid workplace changes. I developed the Big Leadership philosophy - redefining how CEOs/senior leaders lead by integrating qualities like humanity, kindness, and empathy, while strategically investing in technology and people with innovation or action learning projects, incorporated into all I do to deliver ROI and future-proof client’s organisations.
Eg - Stepping Stone House, a nonprofit helping homeless youth - I conducted a program that nurtured leadership from top executives to middle managers. The CEO remarked, "You've profoundly transformed our approach to leadership."
Achievements:
- Achieved Professional Doctoral Certificate (P.D.C), Global Leadership and Management from European International University - Paris
- Published Amazon #1 best seller "Big Leadership: How CEOs Create The Future"
- 2023 - Launched associated programs
- Delivered over 50 webcasts and featured on 50+ podcasts, addressing 40,000+ individuals in 35+ countries, in 45 industries, including the 2022 Asia Pacific Alliance of Coaches (APAC) Annual Conference and the 2022 Institute of Practicing Accountants USA Leadership Academy
- 2021 - authored three Amazon best-selling books - "Power Up," "You're on Mute," "Show Up21”
- International Fame Awards for Global Leadership, Best International Executive Coaching Business, and Stevie Asia Pacific Silver Thought Leader of the Year award in 2023
- Delivered over $300k of work for free COVID/post-COVID to assist struggling organisations.
- Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 175 words used.
For over three decades, I've dedicated myself to coaching and training organisations in the realm of leadership. The attached support document serves as a portal to delve into my extensive experience and skill set, offering you a comprehensive view of my recent achievements. It sheds light on my remarkable journey over the past couple of years, showcasing my contributions to business growth and the development of numerous individuals into better leaders and individuals, particularly during the challenges posed during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please see page:
2 - Deeper insight into my background
3 - Awards won for my work
4-5 - My work’s impact
6 - Media wins/outreach
7-10 - Speaking achievements, testimonials, case study reflecting my impact as a speaker on leadership
11-13 - Coaching achievements including case study reflecting my impact as a coach
14-20 - Overview of my programs and services including a case study and testimonials
21-24 - Overview of my authorship including testimonials and cases studies
25 - Client list
26 - Links to social media and website
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes, explaining the achievements since July 1, 2021 of the nominated woman, OR written answers to the questions? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video. If you are submitting written answers to the questions for this category, provide them in the spaces below:
- Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the nominee's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 243 words used.
"Big Leadership: How CEOs Create The Future" sparked controversy by boldly challenging the status quo. In contrast to my prior works, Big Leadership serves as a resounding call to action, a wake-up call, delving into the potential consequences of evading true leadership responsibilities, posing the crucial question, "If not now, when?"
Leadership expectations have shifted, no longer confined to decision-making, critical thinking, and strategic planning; it’s evolved into a holistic, human-centred approach. My contemporary leadership approach emphasises a broader perspective, encompassing tactical solutions and long-term strategic significance, aiming to genuinely serve and guide communities.
The strategies that led us here won't suffice for the future. The traditional ways of conducting business no longer suffice. Leadership extends beyond the apex; recognising self-leadership as essential for those leading significant change. While my primary focus is on CEOs and C-Suite executives, the ripple effect is evident in the accompanying case studies.
Big Leadership is an expansive mindset fostering bold decision-making and courageous action to shape the future. It's imperative leaders understand the potential consequences of failing to do so, offering practical ideas and approaches for adopting this style of leadership.
My model underscores the significance of this transformation through practical guidance and strategies. It equips leaders with a roadmap to navigate the evolving leadership landscape, with the tools to adopt this transformative approach, and encourages consideration of not only day-to-day tasks, but also their impact on community, corporate and social responsibility, and team members' aspirations.
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