Why I Believe The Best Leaders Come From The Most Unlikely Places.

Growing up, many may have thought my life was easy. It was compared to some. But it came with plenty of hard work as well. My father grew our family business into a multinational company. That work ethic infused every corner of our family’s life. For those who know me, I hardly stop.

My early experiences in life taught me about Leadership.

Here’s what I mean.

1. Leadership is created, not born.

I met Julia Truong in 2015.

She’s an incredible entrepreneur and a case study of the impact of Western Chances.

Growing up as a child of Vietnamese refugees, she didn’t have much. Until the age of 15, she didn’t have a bedroom. And would regularly sleep on the family’s pullout couch. Her family sometimes couldn’t afford books, stationery, and school trips.

But this start to life didn’t hold her back.

She received her first scholarship at the age of 14. Studied at the University of Melbourne. And then started her own business. She’s now been in business for over a decade. Recently, she won the Australian Women’s Small Business Championship Award.

I can’t help but be inspired by people like Julia.

Through the support and opportunity she got through Western Chances, she changed the entire trajectory of her life and her two young children. At 32, she’s an award-winning entrepreneur, advocate for Melbourne’s west, and a Western Chances ambassador.

Julia’s story reminds me that leadership isn’t about what you start with but how you rise above challenges. How much progress you had to make and the obstacles you had to overcome.

Leadership isn’t where you begin. It’s where you choose to go.

2. Sometimes, all you need is an opportunity.

One of my favourite Terry Bracks quotes is:

“Young people don’t lack talent, only opportunity.”

I’ve known Terry for decades.

This philosophy embodies what she believes and what Western Chances is all about.

The organisation invests in young people who have the drive but need support to reach their potential. The scholarships and mentoring they provide unlock doors that would otherwise remain shut (or locked).

I’ve been a supporter of Western Chances since the inception of the organisation. And last year, we signed a new five-year sponsorship. I couldn’t be more excited to support such an exciting organisation.

Why have I supported Western Chances for so long?

I’m always reminded of a quote that actor Christopher Reeves (who played Superman) said once;

“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”

Western Chances is an organisation that finds these unlikely heroes.

It gives them support, belief, and a community of people they can call on.

I was personally fortunate to have mentors and opportunities that guided me toward my goals.

But not everyone gets these chances.

By supporting initiatives like Western Chances, we create a ripple effect.

These young people not only achieve their dreams but also inspire others and give back to their communities. Much like how Julia is now a Pro Bono supporter of Western Chances and actively mentors new scholarship recipients.

When we create opportunities for one, we uplift many.

3. I lost two close friends late last year.

In many ways, they were polar opposites.

They were from different ideological backgrounds. They approached life differently. And viewed the world from a different angle. I miss them both dearly.

But despite their differences, they both exemplified leadership.

I never got to tell them this, but I’ve taken many of my leadership lessons from them. I admired their ability to embrace the struggle. Stand firm in their values. Especially when they weren’t convenient or popular.

But through knowing them both intimately, they both shared one common experience:

Adversity.

The ability to:

• Rise after falling.
• Continue despite challenges.
• Stand up for what they believed was right.

… is the hallmark of great leadership.

But resilience alone isn’t enough. These great leaders also have empathy.

This brings me back to Western Chances.

Being at the Good Business Forum in November highlighted stories of young leaders who are not only resilient but also deeply empathetic. These individuals understand what it means to struggle and lead with compassion and understanding.

True leadership isn’t about where you start but how you rise.

These young people have had to overcome numerous obstacles at such a young age. Often with very little support or guidance from others.

Leadership is about leveraging your experiences—both good and bad—to inspire and empower others.

Thinking back to Superman, I always noticed one thing:

Villains are consumed by their pain and want to hurt the world.

Superheroes use their pain for good.

Adversity isn’t a bug to be removed. It’s a feature to be embraced.

In my eyes, the best leaders are…

…not perfect.

They are flawed. Insecure. Feel jealous and make mistakes.

Just like every other human I know.

But they act and try to improve despite these feelings.

I know how easy it is to think of leadership as reserved for those with perfect resumes and polished careers.

But in my experience, the best leaders often come from the most unexpected places.

They’re the ones who’ve faced challenges head-on and emerged stronger.

Through platforms like Western Chances, we have the privilege of seeing these leaders in action—young people whose potential knows no bounds, given the right opportunities.

By investing in them, we’re not just creating better leaders. We’re building stronger communities, resilient businesses, and a more compassionate society.

Till next time,

Peter.

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