Know Your Style: An Afternoon of Connection and Communication
Reflecting on our networking lunch with Leah Mether
Understanding how we communicate can make a real difference to the way we connect, collaborate and build relationships. This was the focus of our Gippsland Women in Business networking lunch with Leah Mether on Thursday 18 June 2026.
Held at the Morwell Innovation Centre, the event brought together 51 attendees for an afternoon of learning, reflection and conversation over lunch. With Maree McPherson OAM as our MC, it was a wonderful opportunity to connect with women from across Gippsland and explore skills that support both our professional and personal lives.
Leah’s session, Know Your Style, encouraged us to consider our natural communication strengths and how our approach can influence the people around us. As a communication and human skills expert, Leah brought a practical and relatable perspective to a topic that touches every workplace, business and relationship.
Whether we’re leading a team, working with clients or navigating a difficult conversation, understanding our own style is only part of the picture. Recognising how others communicate, and adapting our approach, can help reduce misunderstandings and build stronger connections.
The session explored several valuable themes:
Understanding your communication style: Becoming more aware of your natural approach and the strengths you bring to conversations.
Adapting to others: Recognising that different people may need a different approach to feel heard and understood.
Building confidence: Developing practical skills for conversations, meetings and networking.
Strengthening relationships: Considering how clear communication can support trust, collaboration and connection.
Applying what you learn: Taking communication tools beyond the session and into everyday situations at work and home.
Alongside the presentation, the lunch offered time to share experiences, meet new people and reconnect with familiar faces. These conversations are an important part of our events, creating space for women from different industries and backgrounds to learn from one another.
We were particularly grateful for Leah’s generosity in requesting a donation to the Gippsland Pride Initiative in place of a speaking fee, extending the event’s impact into our wider community.
Thank you to Leah for sharing her expertise, and to Maree for hosting the afternoon with warmth and care.
A special thank you also to our major sponsor, Alan Wilson Insurance Brokers, whose ongoing partnership helps GWIB provide valuable networking and professional development opportunities across our region.
To everyone who joined us, thank you for being part of the conversation. Your support helps us continue creating welcoming opportunities for Gippsland women to connect, learn and grow.
To learn more about Leah and explore her communication resources and books, visit leahmether.com.au.