Inspiring women:
 Brigadier Alison Creagh – Director General Public Affairs for the Australian Department of Defence
With over 25 years of experience in the military, Brigadier Alison Creagh is well aware of the benefit of strong leadership and direction. At every rank in her career Alison has always followed one key rule: “Always leave a role better than you found it”. She has had the opportunity to do this in roles based in Australia, Cambodia, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. Her strong leadership skills have also led Alison to being awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross in 1994 and a NATO Meritorious Service Medal in 2009.
In her current role as Director General Public Affairs for Defence, Alison is responsible for managing the communication with the public about Defence incidents, activities and events. This role is her most challenging to date, but with her experience and the professional support of her team, she is relishing the demands of this dynamic role.
What path has your career taken to date?
Over the past 25 years I have had an extensive career in the Army and in the wider Defence organisation. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to gain significant operational experience, most recently with Headquarters International Assistance Force in Afghanistan for nine months over 2007/2008. I also deployed to Iraq in 2006, East Timor in 1999/2000 and Cambodia in 1993 and I provided support to the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Over the course of my career I have worked in a wide range of jobs that have provided me with diverse experiences including running operations, planning, training, capability development, acquisition and personnel management. These experiences have provided me with the opportunity to work with a mixed workforce of military and civilian staff as well as military from other nations.
Where do you find inspiration? Who have been your role models?
I gain my inspiration from the people around me and the impressive work and sacrifices that I witness. I have observed many people in my career with varying approaches and styles on how they perform their job, and although I don’t really have role models there are many people I have admired over the course of my 25-year career.
Do you see yourself as a role model to other women?
Not really, but in the last few years I have come to realise that women in the Army and the Australian Defence Force look to senior women as role models. I’ve had the opportunity to work in a number of interesting areas, and in some cases I have been one of a small number of women who have worked in particular roles, resulting in both women and men in Defence asking me how my career has developed.
What experiences are you really proud of? Highlights, achievements, celebrations?
I’ve had a number of experiences that I’m proud of. Graduating from the Officer Cadet School Portsea in 1985 with 13 other women in the first officer training course where women trained with men was an early highlight. I am also very fortunate to have had the opportunity to deploy on operations to Cambodia, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. I was very proud to be awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross for my service in Cambodia and most recently I was proud to receive a NATO Meritorious Service Medal for my work on Headquarters of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in 2007/2008. In both cases I had great teams working with me that helped me achieve significant outcomes. I also very much valued the opportunity to command the Defence Force School of Signals where I once again had an impressive team of Navy, Army, Air Force and civilian staff who brought to life my vision and ideas.
How did it feel providing support to the Sydney 2000 Olympics as part of Operation GOLD?
I ran an organisation with Army and Air Force Information and Communications Technology (ICT) specialists who provided support to the military personnel that assisted in security, ceremonial and logistic support to the Sydney 2000 Olympics. We also provided back-up and support to the communications network that supported the security elements for the duration of the Olympics and Paralympics. It struck me at the time that the work we did was a part of history, and that we would have the opportunity to see world-class athletes giving their best at both the Olympics and the Paralympics. It was a great experience with a few challenges but very rewarding to see that, in some small way, we contributed to an event described as ‘the best Olympics Games ever’.
What has been your biggest challenge? What have you had to struggle with in your career?
Deployments on operations are always a challenge as you have to quickly adjust to new and demanding environments where your personal security might be at stake. I don’t really consider that I’ve had any struggles in my career. I’ve just focused on doing my job, I’ve tried to understand my options and how the organisation works, and to take things as they come.
What advice would you offer other women who are struggling to reach positions of leadership?
In my experience women generally tend to under-estimate their abilities and often don’t feel that they can take on new and demanding roles. Women will often say that they don’t have the right skills or background to do something, while men will never tell you that they can’t do something. Women should be confident in their abilities, and they need to believe in themselves. I think women should take time to reflect on what they are good at, and what value they can bring to their organisation. Women in the ADF are talented and willing to take up challenges.
What do you look for in recognition for your achievements?
Simply, nothing. However, I’d like people to value my contributions and consider me to be someone who is making a difference.
Have you ever mentored/provided support to other women around leadership issues?
I have never formally been asked to mentor women or men in my workplace, although there are a few women and men who will contact me to discuss critical issues relating to their career development, career options, leadership challenges and general approach to problems. As a senior woman in the Army and the Australian Defence Force I have been asked to present my thoughts on mentoring and supporting women in our organisation.
Have you ever been mentored? Please elaborate.
I have never formally been mentored but I have very much valued and sought the advice of several bosses throughout my career. There is one individual in particular who has consistently provided me with sound and thoughtful advice that has helped me balance what is important over my career. He also presented me with opportunities to develop, and indirectly guided my thinking at a couple of difficult points in my life.
What hurdles do you think women face today?
Women in Defence are fortunate as we are paid the same as our male colleagues – this is one hurdle that we don’t have to worry about. I think challenges for women today are about achieving work-life balance, particularly if you have a busy job and children. I also think women face challenges in being valued for the work they do rather than measured on performance as women first. We all want to feel valued and be recognised for what we do and how we do it, and not by our gender.
How do you think women can support each other in their ambitions?
In my experience women are often each other’s harshest critics and will often place unrealistic demands on each other. I have a number of young, intelligent women working for me in my current role. Their enthusiasm, aspirations and resolve are very impressive. I would like to see them develop and grow and know that they have the capacity to work in many different areas. The choices are there to be made and the opportunities are there to be taken.
What challenges are on the horizon for you?
My current role entails working long hours so I expect my biggest challenge will be achieving a work-life balance. I have only recently taken up my current appointment. As with every new role in Defence there is always much to learn. You then have to quickly move on and focus on helping the organisation achieve its evident potential. At some point in the future I’ll leave the Army and the Australian Defence Force and look for other challenges. Thinking about what the future has in store for me is exciting.
Is there a quote you stand by or rules of thumb you live by?
I was at a presentation by Australian Triathlete Jackie Fairweather several years ago and her mantra of ‘Be the best you can be and then be better’ really struck a chord with me. While I’m not sure I can live up to her mantra, it is one that I remind myself of when I need a bit of confidence. I was also told early on in my career that I should aim to leave an organisation better than I find it and strive to make a difference. I’d like to think that I have met this rule in all the appointments that I have held.
Brigadier Alison Creagh will be speaking at the Australian Police, Defence and Emergency Services Leadership Summit in Canberra on 16th & 17th September. For more information, including registration details, click here.
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