My Confluence Story
James embraces the principle of Confluence – his purpose is to merge and garner individual and collective strengths to realise the full potential of teams for a better future for all Western Australians and those visiting our place.
With over 25 years experience and a strong foundation in executive leadership, strategy, corporate governance and financial and stakeholder management, James has delivered strategic and impactful outcomes across a broad range of health, education, community, corporate, tourism and indigenous affairs projects.
Passionate about improving lives and making positive change in Western Australia; James has brought people and organisations together to work on new projects, to face new challenges and develop creative solutions. James has created extensive networks and relationships across all sectors of the Western Australian community and has built inclusive and lasting relationships across a diverse range of stakeholders.
His respectful, enthusiastic and engaging leadership approach brings people together to manage situational landscapes and fiscal constraints to deliver timely, well governed and optimal outcomes. James is as comfortable at a board room table as he is in the dirt around a campfire.
My Leadership Approach*
Strategic
Quickly weighs alternative paths and determine the best one and has a natural ability to anticipate, play out different scenarios and plan ahead which makes James an agile decision-maker.
Connector
Builds bridges between people and groups and helps others find meaning by looking at the bigger picture of the world; giving them a sense of comfort and stability in the face of uncertainty.
Arranger
A natural ability to coordinate people and resources for maximum effectiveness. James creative flexibility in complex situations leads to greater efficiency.
Individualiser
An innate ability to figure out how different people can work together productively.
Developer
James sees the raw potential in people and helps others learn, grow and improve.
Empathiser
James awareness of the expression, value and motivations of others’ emotions makes them feel like he understands them.
*(Clifton Strengths Test)
Impact & Benefits
Enhanced corporate Social License
Increased Productivity
Stronger more diverse supply chain
Talent Retention
Community-good outcomes
Increased team cohesiveness
Heightened Staff morale
Value for money
My Valuable Experiences
Lived and worked in remote indigenous communities, celebrating deep, rich relationships and connections with the Martu people of the Western Desert and the Noongar People of the South-west.
Established and led Western Australia’s Reconciliation Secretariat delivering mutually beneficial value to the 350 members and 18 key partners Reconciliation WA and the broader WA community
Led a Statewide multi-disciplinary cross sector longitudinal effort to address social, cultural, economic and environmental challenges
Held voluntary leadership roles within the Rottnest Channel Swim Association Committee including having held the Race Director role for multiple channel swims and Vice President role, contributing to the swim becoming the iconic international event it is with an unparalleled safety record.
Worked as a School Principal and mentored disadvantaged youth
Contributed as a Board Member on a number of Community Sector Organisations
Completed a major research project on indigenous health at individual, familial, community and population levels
Led skills training in the oil and gas industry in both Australia and China
Sailed extensively in Australia and overseas and has contributed to tourism efforts in Australia, Turkey and Indonesia
Jilalga Murray created this painting for James to describe his Reconciliation journey from regional and remote Western Australia to the City. It embodies James’ love of water and Country. The painting explores James’ ability to connect people and strive for place-based solutions to build stronger communities. It was a parting gift from Reconciliation WA to James.