Kerri Hartland became director-general of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) in February last year.
Before that, the former journalist held senior executive roles at Employment and Workplace Relations, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, Prime Minister and Cabinet, Finance, Industry, Resources and Energy, Human Services and Immigration.
In this special edition of our Sticky Notes series, Hartland nominates her biggest leadership challenges in 2024, explains the importance of team diversity and reveals her officers are not just James Bond wannabes.
What was your 2023 highlight?
In 2023, I was privileged to have commenced as the first female director-general of ASIS — an agency that celebrates its 72nd year since its establishment in 1952.
Since my commencement, a key highlight has been learning more about the incredible people in ASIS and the work that they undertake in pursuit of ASIS’s mission to collect secrets, disrupt threats and secure Australia.
In our long history, ASIS officers have done amazing things such as helping prevent terrorist attacks, saving Australians in harm’s way overseas, supporting our defence forces in conflict zones and providing critical intelligence to the Australian government.
Our work, however, is far more nuanced than James Bond or Jason Bourne depict. In fact, I’ve seen firsthand that ASIS officers are definitely not ‘James Bonds’. They’re a diverse group of people who seamlessly blend into the environments they operate in, and I’m honoured to work with them.
What will be at the top of your agenda for 2024?
People are our strongest capability — they’re the cornerstone of our success. And if we want to continue attracting people as an employer of choice, ASIS needs to help people understand who we really are. Whether it’s debunking myths about what we do or how we do things, building awareness of who we are and why we exist, or reaching into those places where the next generation of ASIS officers may be (from rural regions to cities, trades to universities, or the private to public sector) — one key focus for me and my team in 2024 will be enhancing ASIS’s public profile in order to build a more diverse workforce.
What is your agency/department’s biggest issue or opportunity?
In this age of artificial intelligence, machine learning and ubiquitous surveillance — blending in is becoming increasingly difficult. Even so, I see this as a critical opportunity for ASIS to continually transform and diversify, including focusing on who we hire, and attracting talent from more different cultural, social, gender and educational backgrounds.
This diversity is critical: it makes us a better place to work and it helps us deliver intelligence success in the range of operational environments where we operate globally. Ultimately, I believe a more diverse and equitable workplace delivers us a unique edge over those who wish Australia harm.
What do you expect will be your biggest leadership challenge?
Today we’re working in increasingly complex operating environments, facing more challenging threats, including emerging technologies. In the face of all this, ASIS must continue transforming in order to effectively navigate these contexts and continue to deliver on our mission. We can’t afford to do things because “that’s the way they’ve always been done”.
I see these challenges as opportunities for myself and ASIS: to think of out-of-the-box ideas and solutions, to master rapidly developing technologies, and to build new capabilities to better respond to Australia’s adversaries.
What advice do you have for those wanting a career in the APS?
The advice I’d give to people interested in a career with ASIS is just as applicable to the broader APS: at the end of the day, it will be about the attitude you bring to the table, more so than any formal qualifications.
A willingness to learn, to be versatile and agile in the face of change, to be a problem solver and a belief in the value of public service will be foundational for whatever path you seek to take.
My career in the APS has truly been an adventure — being open to opportunities has been the key ingredient for me.
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