Beginnings and Ends

Do you believe in a work-life balance? I ask her.

Her head jolts back as she lets out an exuberant laugh and looks at me, eyes flickering. A knowing grin spreads across her face and I suspect this isn't the first time she's been asked this question. The look she gives me suggests that she often asks herself this question.

"No!" She laughs again as she shifts forward and resettles back in her chair. "But it depends on what you are trying to achieve. I do the things I enjoy doing and I work hard because I enjoy working hard, and I feel good about the outcomes so it's for personal reasons that I put a lot into my work." No one would argue that Inga Davis doesn't put a lot into her work.

I do the things I enjoy doing and I work hard because I enjoy working hard

For the last 10 years, Inga has moved up through the ranks at the University of Canberra and has had a front row seat (and often a starring role) in the immense changes that have swept over the institution in the last decade, transforming it from the black sheep of Canberra's higher education community into the bustling, thriving, on-the-cusp-of-something-big institution that it is today.

"There is absolutely opportunity for work life balance" she clarifies, "and one thing I've come to admire greatly is the mums and dads who are home all night with a baby and come into work every day". She rests her head against her hand, elbow on the table, and reflects for a moment before looking back at me. I smile. The sincerity in her comment is genuine; Inga feels deeply for the people around her and the institution to which she's given so much. I ask her what the best part of her job is – even though I'm sure I know what the answer will be – and without hesitating she exclaims: "The people! They become your friends who you see every day. I really appreciate the people around me and the fun times and laughs we've had working together to achieve an outcome. That's what I'll miss most when I leave."

It's always strange when someone who has been such an integral part of something decides to move on. Like when you rearrange furniture but imprints remain embedded in the carpet. Or when the name of an old acquaintance resurfaces and something inside your gut twists, if only for a moment. After 10 years, Inga has decided to move on.

I didn't set out with the aspiration to be a senior manager, my approach and philosophy is just to enjoy yourself, make the most of now, and deliver really good outcomes for people

Since starting with UC as Marketing and Project Manager, Inga has been the University's Alumni Manager, the Vice-Chancellor's Executive Officer, the Director of Advancement, and finally, the Director of Advancement, Marketing and Communications. "I didn't set out with the aspiration to be a senior manager, my approach and philosophy is just to enjoy yourself, make the most of now, and deliver really good outcomes for people."

She doesn't know this, but she is someone that I have looked up to. She always seemed so confident, so optimistic, so put together, so capable. Even now as she speaks I look down at my hands as I fidget with the skin around my nails and I mentally admonish myself for my bad habits. As a young female in management, I'm told second-guessing yourself is common. I question her about it.

"Being a young female manager has made no difference to me at UC. I've always been treated as an equal. Sure there are times when it's even an advantage because people don't know what to expect and you can surprise them. They might write you off because you're young and female, so it becomes easier to get people's attention. They might be surprised by your confidence and the experience you bring to the table."

As we dig deeper however, it's clear that this confidence is something that she earned, through hard work. "I changed degree three times, I didn't really know what I wanted to do. I was never really encouraged to go to University at school, but I thought I would apply." Mistakes, too, have been a part of her journey: "UC has afforded me the opportunity to learn to be a leader and a manager and I'm grateful to the team because everyone makes mistakes and the team has been very flexible in accommodating my growth." She looks at me thoughtfully and gives an almost imperceptible nod of her head, as if to tell me that she has taken ownership of her past mistakes and regrets.

Always meet and exceed people's expectations

I start to see parallels between her story and the University's; someone who is moving onwards and upwards in the world, someone who has built confidence over time, someone who brings a fresh perspective to old problems, someone who takes ownership of the past but builds for the future, someone unexpected. I consider telling her this but decide against it for fear of sounding idealistic. Instead I ask her how she became the most prolific and effective networker I know. "Always meet and exceed people's expectations. That's the best way to build a network rather than a superficial approach of name dropping. Understand what they want to achieve and help them achieve it. That helps develop your reputation and puts you in good stead when opportunities come your way"

She glances at her watch as her office phone rings behind her. "Just ignore it!" she says. I know she is busy but I selfishly want more of her time and I have one more question. I want to know what has changed the most in her 10 years at UC.

"Self-confidence. We were always looking over our shoulder at the ANU."

"[In 2007] Stephen Parker arrived and the revolution for me really began. In 2008 we ran 40 events in three months for the uni's 40th and I felt a shift in the University that we didn't feel as bad about ourselves. The people who started the institution were pioneers. They were writing these new courses that were unheard of.We were starting to stand on our own two feet and we were starting to feel that this was a University to be proud of and our achievements and history were something to be proud of and we had to own it."

"We started hitting KPIs in regards to research performance and education performance and were doing all sorts of innovative things and suddenly we were feeling much better about ourselves and about the past."

"The next generation of change is the campus development which will unlock the fortunes of this University, it's going to be fantastic."

As for Inga, some hard-earned personal time is enough for now. "I only went to my first music festival this year!" she explains. The next era for Inga will most certainly cement her potential as a leader and a path-maker. Whatever she does, it's going to be fantastic.

Inga on networking:

"I don't network for the sake of networking, there always needs to be a purpose. It's about making a mutually beneficial outcome. There are lots of great people around, but it's about understanding how you can add value in a service type way. That's the quickest way to form a network and get a reputation as a person who helps."

Inga on marketing:

"You have to be optimistic in a role like this, you're helping to paint a story and narrative behind the brand and vision behind the place and if you can't be optimistic you need to be doing something else"

Inga on humour:

"Have a good sense of humour; don't be scared to relate to people on a personal level. It's not all business, have a laugh with people and enjoy what they bring to the table"

Inga on career progression:

"Capitalise on every opportunity that comes your way and always extend yourself in whatever you do. Always give 110% because you never know what opportunities will evolve. Get lots of work experience. Take the time to travel, internationalise, I didn't get to do that as a new graduate, which is why I'm doing it now many years later. Enjoy what you're doing and focus on the things you are naturally good at.

Words by Chloe Diggins