Lawyers often get a bad rap, but for Natalie Reynolds, she'd always planned on using her legal background for the greater good.
"At university I always focussed on areas of law I thought could help people and the environment," she says.
Today, her role as CEO of the Forestry Stewardship Council doesn't only combine the social with the environmental (the council gives the tick of approval to help consumers choose more sustainable paper and wood products), but also perfectly merges her professional training.
"A day doesn't go by where I don't use my law and business skills in combination," she says.
The diversity of the Forestry Stewardship Council's 120-strong membership means this boss of a six-person small team has plenty of challenges to tackle.
"It's the endless story of too much to do and not enough resources to do it," she says.
She has found two solutions work well.
Firstly, she values being organised and efficient, particularly when it comes to using technology.
"We use GoToMeeting to hold teleconferences on our standards, so people can participate and we're available, but we don't have to go to every corner of Australia," she says.
She also has found a unique way of keeping great team members motivated.
"I set high expectations and challenge staff by making a task ten or fifteen per cent harder than they think they can achieve, and then helping them through it [so they are able to see what's possible]," says Reynolds.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Name: Natalie Reynolds
Current position: CEO and company secretary, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Australia.
Responsibilities: Responsible for the Australian arm of the Forest Stewardship Council. "I manage a unique organisational structure that provides a forum for its members (with often competing views) to be heard."
Education: Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, Law Society of South Australia Bachelor of Laws (Hons), University of Adelaide Bachelor of Arts, University of Adelaide.
Additional training/courses: Graduate certificate in management, Australian Institute of Management, 2010 · Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment, The Malka Group, 2007.
Professional associations: Member, Australian Institute of Management.
Honourable mentions: None.
Strength: I have a very strong vision for the organisation.
Weakness: Not being able to leave work at work.
Management style and tips: Very honest and direct. I try to empower people to solve their own problems, and to come to me with solutions. I also try to be as flexible as possible with people and allow them to combine work and family life.
Work motto: Little by little; but travel in the right direction and you'll get there in the end.
