It has been almost 16 years since Sonia McDonald, a respected figure in the leadership and transformation space, founded LeadershipHQ. Prior to that, she held a senior HR role based in Shanghai, China, for Korn/Ferry International Futurestep Inc.
Upon moving back to Australia, she initially sought to reset her life and career, while staying within the internal HR field. Instead, she found herself working in leadership development and culture transformation, coaching engineers and superintendents on construction sites, which was a far cry from her corporate background.
“It was just really different, and also they loved it,” she says. “They really do embrace leadership because they don’t really teach it when they’re on the tools, and they don’t really teach it at uni.”
This ignited McDonald’s love for coaching. One thing led to another, and she started her own consultancy delivering customised leadership development programmes, executive coaching, and cultural transformation across Australia and the United States (a region she serviced virtually). Her clients have included CEOs and HR leaders as well as heads of government departments and educators.
Since 2016, she has authored three books: Leadership Attitude (2016), Just Rock It (2017), and First Comes Courage: Leadership Starts Within (2020). The titles address having the right leadership mindset, uncovering one’s potential, and nurturing courage in leadership and team culture.
“HR needs to embrace that they are changemakers”
When asked about the distinction between her previous HR experience and current role, McDonald points out that HR professionals are privileged to witness transformation happening within an organisation on a daily basis.
“We kind of come in and out,” she says, regarding what she does as a leadership coach. “I adore my business and I adore the work we do, but we don’t get to see the outcomes as much; that’s what I miss.”
She says she has a love-hate relationship with HR in that she loves the profession but dislikes that many people see HR as transactional, with a policing role within organisations. This changed during the pandemic, however.
“When we were going through that crisis, people went, ‘Wow, HR is really valuable; HR really looked after us,’” says McDonald. “HR said, ‘OK, we have to overcome these challenges and we have to come up with solutions. We have to take care of our people, because the people are now fundamental for our business to thrive.’”
She adds: “I would love to see HR really embracing that, really seeing that they are changemakers.”
HR Stars Awards
“HR are kind of like unsung heroes,” says McDonald. “We need more role models so we can get more people into the industry.” This is why she is so enthusiastic about serving as judge for Chief of Staff Asia’s HR Stars Award.
“I am a really passionate believer in the power of human leadership,” she says, adding that genuine human connection is important for HR to implement innovative solutions to the specific challenges faced by organisations. McDonald seeks HR Stars who are likewise passionate and authentic.
“What I’m looking for is demonstration of leadership,” she says. “That authenticity, that vulnerability, that care and passion for HR.”
