EP#135: Giving better: holistic community engagement with Michelle Steele

Work with Purpose: A podcast about the Australian Public Sector

On this episode, Michelle Steele from the Paul Ramsay Foundation talks us through community engagement from a philanthropic and public sector perspective, highlighting the value of listening instead of coming with solutions.

When governments engage with communities, it’s usually about a specific program or policy – but what if the first goal was to genuinely listen to the community’s broader needs?

On this episode of Work with Purpose, led by host David Pembroke, CEO of contentgroup, Michelle Steele, Chief First Nations Officer at the Paul Ramsey Foundation, draws on her experience working in the public service and philanthropy to explore what the sectors can learn from each other. Michelle also uncovers the power imbalance between funders and communities, and why positive dissent can be crucial to having genuine conversations and slowing down when it’s most needed.

Key tips:

1. The philanthropic sector can derisk and scale ideas – make sure to learn from their case studies
2. Frank and fearless advice applies in community engagement, too. When you engage, make sure you’re open and allow others to be open as well
3. When you try to build consensus, pausing and slowing down isn’t always a bad thing. Make sure you stop to listen.

Show notes:

• First Nations targeted grant round | Paul Ramsay Foundation

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