Mal Connellan AfsM
Testimonials
I have known Mal Connellan for nearly 30 years and worked very closely with him in several roles within Fire & Rescue NSW over a decade or more. Mal worked directly with me as my Chief of Staff, and later as Executive Director People and Culture (Deputy Commissioner) from 2016, a position responsible for over 7,000 employees working from about 400 locations statewide.
Mal is an outstanding executive; an empathetic, natural leader and a clear-thinking, highly ethical strategist. Mal built trust in the workplace because of his clear communication, his ability to have sometimes necessary but difficult conversations, and because he always followed through if he gave an undertaking. His pleasant manner and the obvious respect and high regard he held for all staff endeared him to those closest to him, and he was highly regarded as a “straight shooter” throughout the organisation.
During my term as Commissioner (2003-2017), Mal was a highly trusted advisor, confidante, and friend. He gave excellent considered advice and input on a range of operational, organisational, cultural and strategic matters, and had the ability to identify and highlight possible innate biases or blind spots. He was prepared to question custom and practice and cultural norms, always doing so in a problem-solving, reflective and questioning manner that was non-confrontational but extremely effective.
Many people came to Mal for career advice and counselling over the years and it was obvious that he found helping others to be personally rewarding. I witnessed him developing his own style of coaching as he mentored people, many of whom progressed to high ranks and very responsible positions.
Mal is a natural teacher and has the ability to bring out the best in people through questioning and encouraging, rather than by simply providing answers. I thoroughly recommend him as a coach and mentor to anybody seeking to advance their careers or to navigate their way through new positions of high responsibility.
Greg Mullins AO, AFSM
Former Commissioner, Fire & Rescue NSW
Mal Connellan is an authentic mentor and teacher who works to develop the person you can be not the person you should be. He has a specific ability to pinpoint what is most important and to communicate this in a way that enables rather than disables. One of his strengths is that his considerable experience in leading strategic change and workforce development is underpinned by a genuine curiosity and respect for others. He brings to the table a working knowledge of how to rise to the challenge of building healthy workplace cultures which is informed by his experience of someone who has been there and done it.
Celeste Young
Collaborative Research Fellow
University of Victoria
“I found it really useful to talk through problems with Mal. Mal is a good listener and with his vast and varied experience, was able to point me in the right direction. Mal gave me confidence to believe in my decisions and ideas. A great sounding board and good company too!”
Penny Johnston
National Legal Support Manager
Clyde & Co
“Mal has demonstrated all of the qualities I would like to emulate in my leadership. Mal’s techniques are kind, humble, and deeply insightful. He has helped me to develop goals and overcome obstacles by assisting me to understand my particular strengths and the manner in which I draw joy and energy from my work and relationships”.
Louise Clarke
“Mal Connellan is an astute, kind and generous human; and I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to learn from him. His business acumen is only surpassed by his great understanding of people. Mal looks for and nurtures the decency and potential in everyone he deals with and he has an innate ability and unwavering dedication to driving excellence in leadership”.
Debra Dobson