Tamara (TJ) shares how she turned recognition into real-world impact as AIOP’s Hunter Region Division President. From earning influence without authority to designing a career that works for family life, TJ unpacks the systems, boundaries and mindset that keep momentum going - especially when work gets busy. We also chat about the new AIOP Mentor Program (launching 2026), practical professional development strategies, and the future-ready skills every admin should practise now.
In this episode, you’ll learn
- Influence without authority: Why rapport is step one in any pipeline, and how to protect yourself when politics show up.
- Career compounding: The early decision to build genuine relationships and how it paid off years later.
- Making impact visible: Showing trust, respect and honesty to decision-makers
- Career design for parents: Boundaries, honest comms, and choosing roles that fit life.
- Peak-period playbook: Daily priorities, focus blocks, team check-ins, pre-built templates and fast wins.
- Negotiating flexibility: Come with a solution, a coverage plan and agreed guardrails.
- Future skills (2026): Adaptive problem-solving and weekly practice to build continuous improvement muscle.
- AIOP Mentor Program (2026): Closing the gap between capability and progression with structured support.
- After the award: Handling imposter thoughts, using recognition as permission to step up, and leading through the “messy middle.”
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