Xero New Zealand

Based on the experiences my manager, Rochelle, exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding leader who is highly accessible, an excellent mentor, and a skilled communicator. Accessibility and Mentorship Rochelle is consistently accessible and approachable. She is actively involved in key moments of my journey, such as rotation kick off sessions, and makes time for regular one on one meetings. More importantly, she has fostered an environment of high trust where I feel comfortable discussing complex and sensitive personal matters. She has proven to be an exceptional mentor by not only listening but also by working with me to create actionable plans to support my personal and professional development. For example, we have had constructive sessions to work through my personal brand and to formulate strategies to address personal challenges, which has been invaluable for my growth. Communication and Feedback Rochelle’s approach to communication and feedback is supportive, direct, and effective. She is a trusted leader to whom I feel confident escalating important issues, including sensitive cultural matters. Our discussions are always constructive, and she has provided me with valuable coaching on professional skills like proactive communication. When I have needed support for personal health matters, she has been incredibly supportive and has worked with me to find flexible solutions that accommodate my needs while respecting my work commitments. This demonstrates a leadership style that is built on empathy, trust, and a genuine commitment to the wellbeing of her team.

Managers seem very approachable and fast to respond if ever being contacted on a need. As grads, we tend to relate more to our people leads and with these, we have regular, weekly catch-ups in-person or online. Slack seems to be a great base for praise and recognition, usually to a group of team members in the same field or on the same project