Rachael Robertson (writer)

Rachael Robertson
Alma materDeakin University, B.A. University of Melbourne, MBA
OccupationsAuthor
Keynote Speaker
Years active2006–present
Known forAntarctic expedition leader (2005)
Websitehttp://www.rachaelrobertson.com.au

Rachael Robertson is an Australian author, keynote speaker, and leadership expert.[1] She is an authority on leading in extreme environments.[2] Robertson is a former Antarctic Expedition Leader,[3] who led the 58th Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE) to Davis Station in 2005.[4] She was only the second female to ever lead a team at the Station and one of the youngest ever leaders.[5]

Personal life

Robertson was born in Geelong, Victoria, Australia to Sharon and Lawrence Robertson and grew up as the oldest child with a younger brother and sister.[6] She spent the majority of her pre-adult life living in the South Eastern suburbs of Melbourne.[6] Robertson currently resides in Melbourne, and is a "third generation Geelong Cats AFL supporter".[7]

Early career

Robertson graduated from Deakin University with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Public Relations and commenced a career in Public Relations with Melbourne Parks and Waterways. She moved out of PR and into the operational role of Park Ranger – Customer Services with the newly created Parks Victoria. At the time of leaving for Antarctica, she was Chief Ranger of Victoria's South West Region.[6]

She holds an MBA from Melbourne Business School.[8]

Antarctica

Robertson became Australia's youngest and the second female Antarctic Station Leader at Davis Station.[9] Robertson led the 120 scientists and tradespeople in Davis station over the Antarctic summer (December 2004 to February 2005).[10] She then led and managed the 17 other people who remained behind at Davis Station to maintain the operation until the scientists and tradespeople returned in November 2005. In "Leading on the Edge", she recounts the wide disparity between Antarctic life in summer, and Antarctic life in winter.[11]

Robertson quoted, "the repetitive monotony of the day-to-day work and the same old faces at breakfast, lunch and dinner create a nine-month-long 'groundhog day' experience". .[12]

During her time in Antarctica Robertson was responsible for all aspects of life on the Station, from the safety and welfare of over 80 expeditioners in Summer, to the delivery of the Australian Government’s $20mn science program. .[13]

Robertson's leadership ideas

Robertson earned an MBA when she returned from Antarctica. [14]

In her 2014 book 'Leading on the Edge' Rachael outlines the 'extraordinary stories and leadership insights' she gained during her time in Antarctica, leading to her development of a culture of respect trumps harmony.[15]

In her 2020 book 'Respect Trumps Harmony' Robertson further explores the 3 tools that lie at the core of the respect trumps harmony leadership practice she prescribes as follows:

  • No Triangles - a tool to put an end to gossip, improve accountability and the quatily of feedback and drive innovation.
  • The bacon war - a gentle circuit breaker for calling out dysfunctional behaviour.
  • Lead without a title - an approach to developing personal leadership in your team, so responsibility and initiative are shared.

These tools are the three pillars that hold up the respect trumps harmony culture.[16]

Work

As of June 2026, Robertson has presented at more than 2500 conferences and events across a wide range of industries including mining, healthcare, education, finance, construction, and retail.[17] Rachael's work is described as focusing on 'equipping leaders with tools they can apply immediately'.[14] Her work centres on practical leadership and clear behaviours, which when applied consistenlty improve how teams operate day to day.[14]

The clients she works with range from large global organisations, such as Randstad,[18] to local fundraising events such as Day of Inspiration.[19] Businesses she has worked with include Indeed, Westpac, Bunnings Warehouse, Worely Parsons, Chevron, NSW Department of Education, UBS, and Crown.[17]

In 2025, she delivered keynote addresses at significant events, such as the International Women's Day Event Series in Adelaide (March 4)[20] and BerryQuest International in Hobart (February 24–27).[21]

Robertson has been an Australia Day ambassador.[22]

Notes

References

  1. ↑ "Early Childhood Australia 5 lessons from the toughest workplace". Early Childhood Australia. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  2. ↑ "Rachael Robertson in Asia in November 2013". Speakers Connect. 18 July 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  3. ↑ "Expedition Team in Antarctica". global.hurtigruten.com. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  4. ↑ "Antarctic station leaders announced for 2005". Australian Antarctic Division. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  5. ↑ "Saxton Speakers Rachael Robertson". Speakers Speakers. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 Robertson, Rachael (2013). Leading on the Edge (First ed.). Melbourne: Wiley. pp. 3–10. ISBN 9780730305491.
  7. ↑ "Rachael Robertson to Talk Antarctica Leadership and Living With No Regrets". Geelong Cats. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  8. ↑ "Rachael Robertson's Speaker Profile on National Speakers Association Website". Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  9. ↑ Gilchrist, Karen (16 July 2020). "Three leadership skills that Antarctic explorers are tested on". CNBC. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  10. ↑ Wiley, Melissa. "A woman who spent 14 months in Antarctica says she went through sensory overload upon returning home — and a tactic she picked up during isolation helped her cope with the change". Business Insider. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  11. ↑ Marcus, Stacy; Nov. 08 (22 June 2020). "Isolated For a Year in Antarctica". Reader's Digest. Retrieved 23 February 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ↑ Robertson, Rachael (2013). Leading on the Edge (First ed.). Melbourne: Wiley. p. 192. ISBN 9780730305491.
  13. ↑ "Rachael Robertson - Celebrity Speakers Website". Celebrity Speakers. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  14. 1 2 3 "About-Rachael Robertson". Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  15. ↑ Robertson, Rachael (2013). Leading on the Edge (First ed.). Melbourne: Wiley. pp. iii. ISBN 9780730305491.
  16. ↑ Robertson, Rachael (2020). Respect Trumps Harmony (First ed.). Melbourne: Wiley. pp. xiii. ISBN 9780730383833.
  17. 1 2 "Rachael Robertson on Speaking". Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  18. ↑ "Shaping the world of Work – Video Series". Randstad Global. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  19. ↑ "One of Australia's most inspiring events". Day of Inspiration. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  20. ↑ "Rachael Robertson". www.ausimm.com. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  21. ↑ "BQI25 welcomes Rachael Robertson as keynote speaker". www.freshplaza.com. 21 October 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  22. ↑ "My Place: Rachael Robertson". Star Weekly. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.