Library Leaders Evening with Dr Kate Mason

Join the Library Leaders Hub and The Rose Read Bookshop for an inspiring evening with Dr Kate Mason, acclaimed author of Powerfully Likeable: A Woman's Guide to Effective Communication, in conversation with Lily Young. Open to library professionals, educators, leaders, and members of the public, this special event will explore how we can communicate with greater confidence, influence, and authenticity in our professional and personal lives.

Have you ever wished you could show up at work as a more authentic, powerful version of yourself? Many of us feel caught between two seemingly opposing approaches to communication: being authoritative but not particularly liked, or being warm and approachable but not fully respected. Dr Mason challenges this false choice, demonstrating how it is possible to be both powerful and likeable, and why blending authority with warmth is one of the most important leadership skills we can develop.

In conversation with Lily Young, Dr Mason will draw on the ideas from her acclaimed book Powerfully Likeable and her experience as a world-champion debater, executive communications coach, and trusted advisor to leaders across Australia, Asia, and the United States. Together, they will discuss practical strategies for building influence, advocating for ideas, navigating difficult conversations, and finding a leadership voice that feels genuinely authentic.

Throughout the evening, Dr Mason will share insights into how professionals can communicate with both warmth and authority when engaging with colleagues, stakeholders, and decision-makers. She will discuss practical frameworks for pitching ideas, requesting resources, presenting data, and advocating effectively for programs and initiatives. The conversation will also explore how individuals can increase their presence and credibility in important meetings, confidently take up space in leadership settings, and communicate their expertise with greater impact. Attendees will gain strategies for managing pushback, setting professional boundaries, navigating challenging conversations, and preserving important relationships while remaining true to their values and leadership style.

This event will be particularly valuable for library and information professionals, whose roles often require them to advocate for collections, programs, services, and resources while balancing the needs of diverse stakeholders. However, the discussion will resonate with anyone seeking to strengthen their communication skills, increase their professional impact, and lead more effectively.

Dr Kate Mason is one of Australia's most sought-after executive communications coaches, a former world-champion debater, author, and advisor to leaders at some of the world's most influential organisations. With more than twenty years of coaching experience and a career that has spanned boardrooms, start-ups, and global companies, Kate has built a reputation for helping people communicate with confidence, precision, warmth, and authority.

Her book, Powerfully Likeable, has been described by Publishers Weekly as a "game-changer," while Radical Candor author Kim Scott calls it "a compelling, compassionate and funny read in which Mason shows you how to break free."

Copies of Powerfully Likeable will be available for purchase from The Rose Read Bookshop on the night, with an opportunity for attendees to have their books signed following the conversation.

Spaces are limited, and early bookings are encouraged. Join us for an engaging evening of ideas, practical strategies, and meaningful conversation about how to advocate effectively, build influence, and lead without compromising who you are.