Executive Journey
Are Good Leaders Born Or Made? What Drives People To Step Up And Lead With Confidence
Good leadership is like a wonky table in a restaurant. If the table has a short leg, you go and
October 15, 2025
An established OnTalent client, Brisbane Youth Services (BYS) engaged us to identify a Clinical Services Director to lead its youth
focused health service, supporting young people living outside the system with limited access to mainstream healthcare.
The organisation initially sought to appoint a Medical Doctor to lead the service. However, despite extensive search activity and
market engagement, it became clear that the role configuration was not viable. The salary band, scope and complexity of the role
did not align with market expectations for medical professionals at that level and continuing with the same brief was not going to
deliver a sustainable outcome to support its growth and evolving clinical needs.
Rather than continuing to recruit against a role that the market could not support, OnTalent partnered closely with BYS to reassess
the brief. This involved open, consultative discussions around structure, leadership capability, organisational values and long term
impact.
Through this process, OnTalent recommended reframing the position as a senior nurse leadership role with executive accountability. The focus shifted from title to capability, identifying the need for a leader who could operate strategically, influence stakeholders and align strongly with the organisation’s purpose.
A new targeted search and campaign was launched, focused on experienced nurse leaders with executive exposure across hospital and community based environments.
OnTalent successfully attracted and placed a senior Director from Metro North Health Service. The successful candidate brought
extensive leadership experience, strong strategic capability and a values driven approach that aligned closely with BYS’s mission.
Their transition into the executive team was seamless, with immediate acceptance from the clinical workforce. The appointment
has strengthened the service’s leadership, elevated its profile and positioned it for sustainable growth.
BYS valued OnTalent’s willingness to challenge the original brief and provide honest market insight. By taking a consulting led
approach rather than a transactional one, OnTalent delivered a solution that balanced capability, culture and long term impact. The
result was not just a successful placement, but a role design that truly supported the organisation’s purpose and future direction.
Good leadership is like a wonky table in a restaurant. If the table has a short leg, you go and
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