Annabelle Clare, General Manager, Walshs
In September, I had the incredible opportunity to spend two weeks at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management in Boston, as part of my Executive MBA through QUT.
With less than two months remaining until graduation, the MIT immersion was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the past two years. It was an opportunity to step outside my usual environment, learn from extraordinary minds and challenge how I think about leadership, innovation and what is possible.
Above all, it reinforced the value of curiosity, questioning assumptions and approaching challenges with an open mind.
Innovation is more attainable than we think
One of my biggest takeaways was a shift in how I view entrepreneurship.
MIT Professor Bill Aulet’s sessions on Disciplined Entrepreneurship challenged the idea that entrepreneurs are simply born with brilliant ideas, demonstrating that innovation is a skill developed through understanding problems, testing assumptions, learning and taking action. Most importantly, entrepreneurship and innovation are team sports which really resonated with me. Having played team sports for most of my life and a deep love of all sports, this really resonated with me. Both on the sporting field and throughout my professional career, I have experienced the power of high performing teams. While individuals can achieve great things, bringing together people with diverse perspectives, experiences and ideas can achieve outcomes far greater than any one person could accomplish alone.
A highlight was working with four fellow MBA participants to develop and pitch an innovative business concept and winning the pitch competition! Beyond the excitement of winning, the experience reinforced that turning ideas into opportunities requires collaboration, discipline and the courage to challenge conventional thinking.
At Walshs, we have the privilege of working with clients doing incredible things in their respective industries. Whether building businesses, exploring new markets or finding better ways to serve customers, entrepreneurial thinking is something we see every day. MIT gave me a renewed appreciation for their journeys and the important role Walshs plays in supporting their ambitions.
Great businesses are built by great people
While innovation and technology featured heavily throughout the program, some of my most valuable lessons focused on people, leadership and organisational culture.
Professor Wanda Orlikowski’s leadership session reinforced something I have increasingly appreciated throughout my career: effective leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about bringing together people with different strengths, creating a shared vision, empowering them to achieve things collectively and knowing when to step back and let them do what they do best.
As General Manager, one of the most rewarding parts of my role is seeing our people grow in confidence, capability and responsibility. My ambition is to continue building on what already makes Walshs an exceptional place to work, always looking for ways to make it even better and ensuring our people feel supported, challenged and genuinely valued. When our people thrive, our clients ultimately benefit too.
Embracing change while staying connected
We also explored the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence, data and technology in business, particularly relevant as Walshs continues exploring opportunities to improve efficiency, connect our systems and embrace emerging technologies.
For me, technology is not simply about doing things faster. It is about freeing our people from repetitive administrative work so they can focus on applying their expertise, solving problems, building relationships and delivering even greater value to our clients. Technology will continue transforming professional services, but I believe trust, judgement and genuine human connection will remain fundamental to our success.
The people who make it possible
Balancing a full-time leadership role, an Executive MBA and life with three children has certainly been challenging at times! When you set yourself a big, hairy, audacious goal, the rest of life does not stop to accommodate it. Work commitments, family responsibilities and everyday demands continue, and making it all work requires determination and an incredible support network.
I am immensely grateful to Walshs for supporting my development and contributing to this opportunity. I am equally grateful to our wonderful exec team, whose capability and commitment allowed me to step away knowing everything was in good hands. And to my family and friends, thank you for your patience, understanding and encouragement throughout the many evenings, weekends and moments over the past two years when I could not be fully present. Your support has made this journey possible.
The power of doing what you can
Watching the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, experiencing a college football game, running along the Charles River and sharing countless memorable moments with my MBA cohort were all highlights of the trip. But one experience that particularly stayed with me was a session with Bill Carter, author of Fools Rush In, who shared his extraordinary experiences in Bosnia.
When I asked how individuals could contribute when faced with seemingly overwhelming global challenges, his response was beautifully simple: “Do what you can.” Those words reinforced that meaningful impact does not always require grand gestures. Sometimes, it starts with recognising where you can make a difference and taking action, however small.
As I approach graduation, I am excited to bring these experiences and perspectives back to Walshs and to the wider community. MIT reminded me that meaningful progress often begins with curiosity, the willingness to challenge what we know and the courage to take the next step.
I am excited to see where these new perspectives take us and what we can continue to achieve together at Walshs.
