Partner Story: Megan Davidson

Where were you born?

Born in Perth, Western Australia (five generations Australian)

What did you do before becoming a coach/facilitator?

My career started in the Australian Regular Army as an officer in the corps of Royal Australian Electrical Mechanical Engineers (RAEME). After eleven years, I moved on to the Electricity Supply Industry in QLD then moved back to my hometown of Perth to work at Rocky Bay. From there I joined Integral in 2014. I’ve been concurrently working as a trek leader since 2005 having taken people across the Kokoda Track in PNG, Inca Trail in Peru, up Mt Meru and Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and through the high passes of Nepal to Everest Base Camp.

What is an interest fact about you?

I raced the PNG Kokoda track in 2007 and was the fastest Australian female in 36 hours.

What do you enjoy doing in your personal time?

Yoga, hiking and mountain biking. I became a yoga instructor in 2023 which allows me to share yoga with others too.

What causes are you passionate about?

Preventing mental illness in serving and ex-serving military and emergency services personnel. So much so, that I started a not-for profit (Buddy Up Australia) in 2018 that is now a national organisation delivering events all over the country for service personnel to decompress, connect and thrive.

Origin Story: What inspired you to become a coach and facilitator, and can you share one unforgettable moment from your early days?

After experiencing coaching for myself, I was hooked on the transformative process. It helped me to set up the NFP and it was a natural progression to seek formal training and then share the coaching with others.

Superpower: What kind of work do you focus on and makes you unique in your profession/what’s your superpower?

I’d like to think my superpower is being able to get people to think differently and open their minds to possibilities. I’ve been fortunate to have so many experiences in my life, and it is primarily because I’ve felt the fear and done it anyway. Thanks Susan Jeffers and Brene Brown.

Your Style: If you had to describe your coaching style or approach to leadership & organisational development with a metaphor or analogy, what would it be and why?

Practical, methodical, relatable are three words I’d use to describe my style. When I facilitate, I am excited by the debate of leadership. My job is not to place leadership on a platter and serve it up. I offer some leadership theories, loads of practical application and a tiny bit of controversy to challenge thinking and discussion.

How do you adapt your [coaching/facilitation] techniques to resonate with diverse personalities or groups in the workplace?

I’ve been fortunate to work in so many areas including: the military; operational roles in the electricity supply industry; the disability sector, which was female dominated; and at executive level - I currently sit on a board of Directors. Also, my role as a trek leader for 20 years has required me to interact immediately with clients from all walks of life to maximise their experience.

HR Perspectives: What’s one misconception you often encounter from HR or L&D managers about leadership development?

Having been an L&D Manager, I wouldn’t want a consultant coming in and telling me what to do. Integral is different and we really listen to what the organisation needs. Our team get a buzz from knowing that what we have facilitated has sunk in and will be applied. I love knowing that the coaching has made a difference to both the individual and the organisation. That’s the best!

Dream Leadership Program: If you were to design a leadership program from scratch, what’s one non-negotiable activity or exercise you’d include?

Individual coaching. It’s a game changer.

Hidden Habits: What’s one underrated individual/personal, leadership or team/group habit/behaviour/capability you believe can make a huge impact, but is often overlooked or underdeveloped?

Active listening. People want to be heard and validated. It’s so simple and yet so powerful.

Lightbulb Moments: Can you share a “lightbulb moment” from a client that still makes you smile when you think about it?

When they realise that leadership isn’t a one size fits all and that they have to adjust to the individual. One young leader was about to performance manage a senior staff member. After 3 coaching sessions she had turned this person around and they were once again an engaged employee. It still makes me smile because it was a clear example of the situational leadership theory.