Vicky Lee Watson is the stock control lead at The Warehouse group and completed Project Ikuna’s Leadership Confidence course with Education Unlimited. She says she’s learnt practical skills and gained confidence that’s making a difference throughout herlife.  

“It's helped me as a person,” says Vickilee.  “It's helped me grow and grow my team. You can see the benefit, not only in work. I've got team members that are saving up to buy houses and that want to put their hand up to be future leader.”

Making time for training pays

In one of the first sessions of the programme, Vickilee realised that Project Ikuna was going to be a special opportunity to learn.

“Before, the course I was always distracted,” she admits.  “I had things going on outside that I needed to attend to, but our facilitator brought us back. And he just said, you need to drop what's outside and do what is in this classroom, because it will help you. That was the light bulb moment for me

Communication and confidence were two areas of the course that Vickilee found especially insightful.

“Something I learnt in the leadership programme was active listening. It helped me with my team; you know, putting down the phone and actively listening to what they were saying to us or me at the time."

"As a manager, we're busy. Actually, listening and putting away the devices and, participating in conversation really helps motivate the team.

Vickilee was interested to find out about different communication styles.  “Our team will respond to different ways of the communication; some might have to listen to things multiple times. To understand that helps you grow as a leader.

Learning for leadership in life

Developing her leadership style has empowered Vickilee right across her life.

“It taught me to, you know, speak my mind and have the confidence to grow and make mistakes, because that's how you learn,” she explains.

“This course gave me the ability and capability to buy my first home, and that’s no mean feat in Auckland. It just unlocked something within me to take the step.

It's nerve wracking because you think the bank has to look into every detail. But you just have to have the confidence to find a mortgage broker. And they'll tell you what you need to doto get your first time.

“Having the confidence to do it; that’s all it is that's stopping you.”

Getting on the housing ladder is not the only way Vicky-Lee is drawing on what she’s gained through the training. She’s found it’s also helped her as a parent.

“My daughter, she's nine, and she has some learning difficulties. Now I have the confidence to just keep unlocking all the doors for her with Ministry of Education and getting funding - just to push through and keep going, because someone will listen eventually.”

Opportunities come to those who work

It’s clear that Vickilee has always seen the value of working hard and taking opportunities that are offered to her. And that’s something that is a recipe for success at The Warehouse Group.

“I started off my journey with The Warehouse Group 23 years ago. I made my way up through the store ranks and then joined our logistics space. I knew nothing about logistics at first, but it was the same as in the stores. In stories you put things on shelves; in the distribution centre, you put things on a pallet.

I worked my way up to my current role as the stock control lead. You have to put the hard work and take opportunities like these courses.

Vickilee is enthusiastic about the potential and capability the Project Ikuna training can help mobilise.

“I was in a middle management level, and I wanted something for our business. Our distribution centre is made up of 80% ofPacifica Islander nationalities. To lead that team, I needed to grow myself."

Tailored training translates theory

“Seeing the growth and my cohort succeed int he course, it's great.  I can't talk more highly of it.”

The special tailoring of the course meant it was unique and impactful according to Vickilee.

“What makes this leadership course better than others is that it's facilitated by our own and delivered in our own work area. We’ve got live examples of how we can translate what is being taught to our team.

The facilitator added a couple extra things in, like fixed mindset versus growth mindset. And you know, when you're in the moment and having a growth mindset, it just unlocks everything.”

Vickilee says she’s deeply grateful forProject Ikuna and hopes that many more benefit from it in the future.

“One of my values is teaching our younger kids, teaching people that are working and workforce growing them as people. I don't know why anyone wouldn't do the courses. You just have to say yes."

“I would recommend this programme, the confidence for leading Pasifika people. 100% I would back this course again, and all the courses that are available for us through Project Ikuna."