Susanne Martins is the Manager of Workforce Development and Project Management at the Housing Authority. With a decade and a half of experience in her field, Susanne is uniquely positioned to oversee a wide range of tasks on behalf of the Housing Authority in Western Australia, which provides affordable housing solutions within the State. During the course of her daily routine, she drives organisational cultural change, workforce planning, project and transformational change practices that builds the capability and capacity of the Housing Authority workforce.

Susanne is passionate about transformational change due to her prior industry experiences and her educational background, which includes a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Human Resources and Organization Development from Curtin University, a Diploma from the Institute of Company Directors, and a Master’s in Education with a research thesis on cultural intelligence in workplace leadership from Murdoch University.  

One of Susanne’s external roles is also as a volunteer Board member of the global Change Management Institute where she is committed to raising the education standards related to change leadership. 

Spending time with.... Susanne Martins

Leadership

What are the most important traits that every leader should possess?

Humility, compassion, ability to listen, conviction, authenticity, and a can do attitude.

Moments in time

What are the two most pivotal moments in your career that you either learned from or got you where you are today?

When I realised that I was the creator of my own destiny and so I focused on what I wanted.

When I met a HR Manager who told me to believe in myself and get a degree as higher education would open doors.

Creativity and Motivation

How do you encourage creative thinking within your organisation?

Providing space and opportunity for people to share ideas, during courses, through projects and collaborative think tanks.

HOW DO YOU motivate your team?

Motivation is intrinsic. I try and provide opportunities for self development, celebrate milestones and achievements. Be positive myself and upbeat, sharing the vision of WHY we do things.

Your advice

What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?

Listen to your staff, care about their well being and constantly communicate with them.  

Growing yourself

What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader?

Go on experiential learning programs with like minded people.

Do you have a mentor? If so, what traits are you seeking in a mentor and why?

Not at present. My mentor would need to be on a Board, be decisive, humble, honest, dynamic and have great influencing skills with a vision of solving big issues in WA to create a better future for the community.

Lifestyle

How do you start and end your day?

Jump out of bed quickly, say an affirmation of gratitude for the day ahead. 
End my day by reading my book and also reflecting on the day.

What's the most exciting thing you have done over the past year?

Bought a house which I love and have a small cottage garden where I love to see the flowers bloom.

WHAT's left on your bucket list that you are dying to do?

To write a novel.

We loved spending time with Susanne! It's always a privilege to spend time with extra-ordinary people!