EVEN IF ... YOU were the ONLY PERSON in the room attending our talk, WE STILL GIVE the BEST that is in us. Thank you dear friends at MQ PPIA (the Indonesian Students Association at Macquarie University, Sydney) and their extended friends from Hong Kong, Vietnam, and India -- undergraduates, postgraduates, and exchange students alike.

And my gratitude to Semarang State University (UNNES) not only for our enduring partnership but for showering us with your gift of appreciation! (The related article by UNNES)

The Lighthouse: Research. Lead. Coach  is a two-hour live discussion to fan the love of seeking understanding and knowledge through researching and in-depth study, developing authentic, critical and creative thought not just filling the mind with incessant flow of information. 

This incessant flow of information has made people think they may 'know many things' --  yet, struggle to find direction in their lives. This partly due to an inability to connect information with deeper knowledge or maintain a sense of purpose. (Encyclical Letter of His Holiness Leo XIV Magnifica Humanitas #146)

How true this statement is. A sense of purpose is liken to the roots of a tree. Without it, the tree will be decayed. Likewise, without a sense of purpose, activities we do -- whether in our academic studies or at work -- will seem like unrelated series of event; meaningless. Having a strong of sense of purpose transforms us into purpose-driven individuals who not only have a great sense of responsibility but also make us resilient -- essential qualities of a leader. 

It's then, the role of coaching that helps individuals grow in their capability as leaders. But most importantly to become better individuals that lead through their personality -- shining a light for others around them. 

In this Lighthouse, we also complemented this knowledge with the role of management, highlighting its difference from leadership. How both capabilities can co-exist in one person, in a team and in business. And know how to play each role well in any circumstance of life's work, even in this uncertain time of great Artificial Intelligence.

Thank you for your beautiful feedback: 
"Hi Ms Fourteena, I just wanted to reach out and thank you for an insightful panel discussion today. Your sharing on leadership and management gave me a much deeper understanding of the topic and I truly believe that will be valuable for my career. I really hope to attend more event you’re part of in the future. Thank you again for your time and sharing your experience. Best wishes, Stella Mai"

Finally, armed with the knowledge you've gained today (Thursday, 30 July 2026), go ahead, put the capabilities you’ve built to good use. Do something good: Improve and beautify the world around you!

May there will be many more sessions to come, soon! 

Sydney, 5 August 2026
Fourteena P. Dewi
Founder of Arc Australia Consulting

In mid-June 2026, the Business Management team at BINUS University Online (BION) -- an online learning institution based in Jakarta -- asked Arc Australia Consulting to host two webinars on three topics: Resilient Leadership, Agile Project Management, and Personal Branding. The team aspired that these webinars to be BION's first international learning experience for its online students.

Although these three topics were emerged as the most sought-after areas among alumni feedback within BION's Career Readiness Program, yet, it remains crucial to explore further the reasons behind them. 

WHY THEN THESE THREE TOPICS?  Resilient Leadership, Agile Project Management, and Personal Branding— at first glance, these may seem like three unrelated topics.

Yet, not to our minds!

As practitioners with more than two decades of in-depth experience in navigating the entire business journey in a global scale—from identifying opportunities to successfully collaborated with numerous people of diverse skill and culture backgrounds in delivering projects, and managing them to achieve results, these three topics are not only crucial but also interconnected. Moreover, in the time of Artificial Intelligence, these are real-human qualities and capabilities that cannot be imitate by machines.

With this view in mind, Fourteena and Linda of Arc Australia Consulting weave these three topics into one cohesive narrative -- delivered in two-day webinars. The webinar began by scene setting to give the participants a comprehensive overview, to help them visualise where the journey is heading -- what challenges they will encounter along the way. With the skill of a narrator, the presenter (Fourteena) took the participants a few step back to see the influence of the 4th Industrial Revolution, the digital age, in the world of economy and the enormous impact it has on them as they enter into workforce and corporate world. And encouraged them not to be dismayed but be prepared to face challenges ahead.

Knowing and mastering the difference between leadership and management give them a clarity in developing skills that required for both roles and a sense of purpose why they need to develop these skills. 
The webinar is enriched by an inspirational reflection and guidance on how individuals need to work on themselves to cultivate attitude and characters necessary to develop resilience within them and in order to be able to lead through personality, especially in today’s world that constantly evolving as the technological advances continue disrupting our world and lives. 

The 4th Industrial Revolution (IR4) is characterised by the rise of digital platforms and AI systems, along with their ongoing transformations. The Project Management Institute (PMI) predicts that most work today will primarily be project-based, making the role of project management increasingly vital. But what type of project management is necessary in this digital era where change is constant? 

Traditional vs. Agile Project Management
This section doesn't discuss methodology, but highlights the significant differences between traditional project management (before the era of Artificial Intelligence) and agile project management by examining the reasons behind the concept of 'agility' and why being agile now is important. Again, enriched by real-world examples of project deliveries around the globe, highlighting both successful and unsuccessful project management cases, this section not only emphasises the critical role of leadership but also what kind of project leadership is needed for the diverse project team members to thrive, and what qualities should individuals posses to be able to lead and/or collaborate harmoniously in order to deliver collective outcome under uncertain conditions and environments.

And what about the Personal Branding? 
In an ever-competitive workforce that is now increasingly unpredictable, developing a strong personal brand can provide a source of confidence. It allows individuals to articulate their professional narratives, highlighting their qualities and capabilities in just a few words. Indeed, personal brand is a way to communicate professional identity and values.

This Day-2 webinar explores not only ways to cultivate a personal branding on a daily basis by incorporating reflective questions, engaging in critical and creative thoughts while fostering in-depth study, but most importantly to remind them to be a 'wise architect' -- to choose with care 'what' and 'how' to build an enduring personal branding. All of these create a rhythm that helps train the mind to establish a sense of purpose. This webinar is made both meaningful and practical by relevant examples and inspirational stories.

How do global views enrich the learning experience?
As if a telescope has been placed in the hand of the participants inviting them to be active explorers of knowledge. Viewing through a global lens allows them to explore these three-topics-landscape in a panoramic view: How they intertwine and manifest in real business settings through illustrations and examples from real-world insights and project experiences.

This reflected beautifully by one of the BION team members:

"It was an inspiring experience, and we learned so much from you [the presenter] and the Arc Australia Consulting team. Your passion for education and creating meaningful global connections is genuinely contagious.

One reflection that stood out for me is how the webinars encouraged participants to think beyond technical skills and embrace curiosity, lifelong learning, and international collaboration. I believe that message resonated strongly with everyone involved."  -- Baghas Budi Wicaksono, Business Management Department, BINUS Online Learning, BINUS University

WE THANK YOU!
​Arc Australia Consulting wishes to thank all participants attending the Webinars and especially to BINUS Online Team. This is a truly wonderful adventure! Our very FIRST intellectual journey. May this adventure continue on ... Till the next journey!

Arc Australia Consulting
Linda Chuk and Fourteena P. Dewi
Sydney, 14 August 2026

Unique Way of Presenting Topics in a Narrative Approach
Arc Australia Consulting addresses highly relevant topics concerning today’s management and leadership challenges encountered by businesses and individuals in a narrative approach.

This approach engages the audience by making them feel connected to the topic at hand. Arc Australia produces words and images that resonate with various challenges, enabling individuals to easily visualise, contextualise, and logically address these issues in a memorable way.

One of the most common questions I hear from students is both simple and profound:

“What should I do after graduation?”

This question carries a deeper concern: the world of work is evolving faster than traditional academic pathways can prepare us for it. Universities remain crucial for developing intellectual skills. They teach students to think critically, analyse evidence, and grasp complex ideas. These competencies remain essential, regardless of the chosen career path. However, in real-world settings, challenges seldom present themselves as neatly as they do in textbooks.

Organisations operate under uncertainty. External forces -- political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal (known as PESTEL) -- invade: priorities inevitably must be re-arranged. Fresh graduates soon discover that academic knowledge alone is not enough; success requires sound judgement, adaptability, and the capacity to work with people from varied backgrounds and cultures.

This is where InspireME becomes critically important. In my capacity [Sandy Arief] as a Senior Coach and Mentor for the InspireME initiative at Arc Australia Consulting, I have come to appreciate the profound value of fostering conversations between experienced professionals and students.

InspireME is a thoughtfully designed strategic program that intricately weaves together coaching, mentoring, and internship approaches to create a comprehensive support system for emerging talents.

This program distinguishes itself by moving away from one-size-fits-all solutions; instead, it focuses on empowering students, fresh graduates, young professionals to cultivate their own confidence and clarity.

HOW? By engaging in meaningful dialogues, they are encouraged to explore their aspirations, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and navigate the complexities of various professional environments. Through personalised guidance and support, InspireME equips students with essential skills and insights, ultimately preparing them for success in their future careers. The transformative impact of this program not
only enhances their professional journey but also fosters deep self-awareness and resilience.

The AI Age and the Changing Nature of Work
The rise of artificial intelligence, automation, and digital technology is continuously reshaping industries worldwide. Many students are concerned about the relevance of their skills, but a more pressing question is which human strengths will be valued in a world increasingly dominated by technology. While machines can process information quickly, they cannot replicate human judgment, ethical reasoning, or the capacity to foster trust and collaboration. The professionals most likely to succeed will be those who combine expertise with critical thinking, ethical understanding, and the ability to work and collaborate with other human beings across various disciplines.

The future will not only favour specialists but also thoughtful professionals who recognise the importance of both knowledge and learning how to learn. From Knowledge to Judgement Traditionally, universities have focused on transmitting knowledge. While this is essential, it does not guarantee professional excellence. Success in professional life requires the development of judgment – the ability to interpret complex situations, balance competing interests, and make responsible decisions. Judgment cannot be taught through lectures alone; it arises from dialogue, reflection, and exposure to real-world perspectives.
Dialogic conversations provide the necessary space for this growth.

As a Certified Coach and Mentor, I emphasise the importance of equipping students with the “tools for good work.” These tools extend beyond technical skills; they encompass intellectual frameworks, ethical awareness, practical knowledge of organisations, and skills for effective collaboration. They represent a blend of knowledge, experience, and character. Graduates who develop these abilities are prepared not only to complete tasks but also to make meaningful contributions to their organisations, communities, and
society.

The Responsibility to Share Knowledge
InspireME embodies a powerful principle: sharing knowledge and experience enriches both the giver and the receiver. True education extends beyond individual success; it fosters a responsibility toward others. Each generation thrives on the insights of those who came before. When professionals invest their time in coaching and mentoring students, they cultivate a vibrant culture of shared wisdom, innovative ideas, and growing confidence. For the giver, the experience is equally rewarding, as the real fulfilment lies in witnessing how their support empowers others to reach their full potential.

The primary goal of education is NOT merely to produce graduates with degrees but to develop individuals who can use their knowledge wisely, act responsibly, and contribute to society with integrity. If universities can nurture such individuals, they will successfully fulfil their mission.

And here we are at Arc Australia Consulting, ready to be the wind at their backs!

Download InspireME information here

Sandy Arief
Certified Coach and Mentor
Arc Australia Consulting

Has 2025 just come and gone? Is it  time to create new plans and set sails for 2026? 
No! Not just yet. Now, it’s a moment to pause a while, to reflect on all we have accomplished and to express gratitude to those around us who trust us and collaborate with us in nurturing the seeds of great work.

It's time to reflect and give thanks for the wonderful 2025 we've had. We've been surprised by joy all through the year of 2025. And here are to the people with whom and for whom we've achieved something wonderful together. Thank you! Let the joy continue ... 

What a wonderful time it was to meet in person with Andi Renreng, the Marketing Director of Xiaomi Indonesia, on Friday evening, December 12, 2025, in Jakarta. This catching-up was organised by Jeannie Purnamasari, the Managing Director of KlikPR, Xiaomi's Public Relations partner.

Through Jeannie's insightful idea, Fourteena of Arc Australia Consulting was connected to Xiomi for a special mission: introducing a very specific executive coaching programme for Andi at Xiomi Indonesia. The five coaching conversations were virtually held during the month of October 2025. Read the interview of Andi's coaching journey "From Classical Music to Lamborghini". 

There's nothing more delightful to collaborate with the two young, talented professionals like Andi and Jeannie, whose skills complement each other so beautifully. 

With Arc Australia Consulting joining the effort, may our partnership continuously create a magnificent harmony, like a symphony that enriches our life's works for many more years ahead.

Jakarta, Saturday, 13 December 2025

Download pdf

A Story of Revitalization 
All stories have a beginning, yet some are destined to have their end indefinitely. While some stories are purely imaginative, others are based on true facts and sequence.

Ours are a bit of both: ours is a tale of an intellectual adventurous journey.
​It is a journey of 'revitalization' --  to explore new ways of learning and to look with new eyes at the wonders of collaborating in harmony. Discovering how, together, achieve higher and travel further. That this is a real story.

The Beginning of the Journey
What about its end? Well, the answer lies at the journey’s end, naturally. So, read on… it’s an awesome journey!

It all began with three coaches from Arc Australia Consulting—Sandy, Linda, and Fourteena—along with 16 members from the cross-functional teams of Kairos Utama Indonesia. Founded in 2005, Kairos is a Jakarta-based information technology services company. The organisation serves a diverse range of clients, from local businesses to multinational corporations, across industries such as banking, finance, and oil and gas.

Recognising the Need for Change
After several discussions between Kairos CEO, Laura Chrysanti, and Arc Australia’s Fourteena, it became clear that this 20-year-old company was in a great need of 'revitalization'.

Laura shared her primary concerns: “The back office doesn’t understand that the discipline of time in client billing is vital for ensuring a smooth cash flow.” She also noted that often new business opportunities missed; some project delivery team members worked in isolation and lacked strong business acumen. “Yes, our pride lies in being dedicated to serving our clients well, but the time and effort invested are the lifelines of professional service revenues, which they often overlook.”

Launching the Kairos Systemic Team Coaching (STC) Programme
The Kairos STC programme was launched in March 2025, progressing through a multi-stage intellectual conversation and alignment process. Key milestones included an initial kick-off in March, an inquiry stage from June to August, and a gaps identification and improvement process from September to October.

During the Inquiry Stage, which began with the completion of a High-Value Creating Team questionnaire, followed by one-on-one interviews and several candid dialogues, insights were gained into the team's day-to-day activities and interaction patterns.

Challenges Uncovered
One classic issue discovered was a high staff turnover rate. Kairos employs around 300 individuals, with only about 10% being permanent staff. More than half had been with the company for less than five years, leading to frequent disruptions in the team’s work.

Key tasks such as billing, payroll, and training had been neglected, highlighting weak execution discipline. Communication was mostly transactional and task-focused, resulting in poor cross-team coordination and limited knowledge sharing. Customer engagement was handled by a select few—sales, pre-sales, or project managers—with little proactive relationship building. By now, we knew what the CEO Laura, meant about missing new business opportunities.

Some members expressed that “team feedback is not translated into action – it is not practiced,” and described an “absence of a learning culture.” Project knowledge was rarely well documented, leaving some feeling “invisible and unaligned.” 

The question arose: where should Kairos' team -- comprises sales/pre-sales, operations/back-office, and delivery -- begin its journey of transformation?

Facing the Truth: The Real Issue -- "A Scattered Bag of Marbles"
Over more than 30 hours of candid and lively dialogues spanning seven months, the team finally articulated their greatest issue: ego. They humbly admitted that the importance of cross-functional teamwork had never truly crossed their minds. For years, they had operated like a scattered bag of marbles.

Taking Action: Building a New Vision
Between September and October 2025, guided by coaches Sandy, Linda, and Fourteena in both team-based and all-team conversations, these cross-functional team members – now 14, two have left – realised it was time to relinquish self-centredness and be honest with one another by acknowledging shortcomings that led to mediocre performance. Using the fishbone method, they identified key gaps and began rallying around a common vision.

The main gaps hindering performance and alignment were:

• Lack of Strategic Alignment
• Siloed Collaboration
• Unclear Ownership and Execution
• Stakeholder Disconnection
• Weak Learning Culture

To overcome these, the team was guided to:

• Clarify Strategy and Goals
• Strengthen Accountability and Responsibility
• Revive Cross-Team Collaboration
• Enhance Stakeholder Orientation
• Cultivate a Learning Culture
• Established Consistent Channels of Communication and Recognition 

Their efforts led to meaningful and actionable steps towards achieving their vision.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Kairos 
Kairos, aspiring to be an internationally recognised technology company, is now able to foster a team spirit built on discipline, creativity, and harmony. In their future state, everyone is encouraged to courageously share ideas, align efforts across people, process, technology, and business, and collaborate as a role-model organisation. By implementing these improvements, Kairos can enhance clarity, increase alignment, and collectively achieve its vision.

The Well of Truth: the Perfect Harmony
Returning to our story: “What makes the desert beautiful,” the little prince said, “is that it hides a well somewhere …”

The Kairos Team Coaching journey, over a seven-month period, required all members to step away from business-as-usual and enter a ‘desert’—travelling together through hard work, discipline, and reflection, yearning to discover the well of truth. After twenty years, they finally found what was missing. In the seventh month, their quest for excellence was rewarded.

At last, this ‘well of truth’ is  their new way of working together. In a digitally hyper-connected world of constant change, they can always return to this well for nourishment, refreshing their teamwork and striving for perfect harmony.

Dedication. As the adventure goes on ...
This article is dedicated to the remaining Kairos Coaching Team members (14): Gempar, Molisa/ Mia, Merry, Bethry, Yunita/ Lyvia, Mutia, Dian, Flor, Rully, Ardhiyan, Melki, Ramdan—for their great work, active participation, and wonderful collaboration from March to October 2025. Thank you!

And our big thanks also go to Kairos' Senior Leadership Team: Laura Chrysanti and David Satrio.

“Don’t adventures ever have an end? I suppose not. Someone else always
has to carry on the story.” (The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring)

Nor does team coaching.
Remember, the coaching is not over; it is simply passed on to all of you.
Please carry on. We will be the wind behind your back!
​
From Your Coaches at Arc Australia Consulting
Sandy Arief, Linda Chuk, Fourteena Dewi
​Sydney, 16 November 2025

"Big thanks to the coaches Sandy, Linda, and Fourteena for all the training sessions over the past few months!
The sessions were really fun, engaging, and full of useful insights.
We truly appreciate the time, effort, and positive energy you’ve shared with us.
It’s been such a great learning experience 😊" (The Delivery Team at Kairos), 17 October 2025

Here were once grads and post-grads mentees assigned to us, mentors, under the MQ Alumni Mentoring Pilot Program. Bright, enthusiastic, and dilligence as mentees should be. Like the Velveteen Rabbit, they longed to become Real: From being ‘students’ to truly becoming ‘real’ professionals in the business world.

This reminds me of the Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams (1881-1944). Here's the conversation between the Velveteen Rabbit and the wise Skin Horse in the nursery about being "Real":

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," the rabbit asked, "or bit by bit?"

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "... but once you are Real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always."

Indeed, dear mentees, things take time; we have just wrapped up our six-week mentoring program yesterday (16 October 2025). May the real-business experiences, insights, and skills we shared expand your vision and opened the avenues of knowledge and opportunities– these what make you REAL – because we really care about you! So, look forward and trust. We will be a fair wind behind you! 

Thank you to all involved in the MQ Alumni Mentoring Pilot Program. The journey was wonderful and unforgettable. To my beloved mentees Chayanee Charoenhongthong Hassan Camara, and newly adopted mentee Lê Hưng Phạm. And many Congratulations to Hassan on your graduation this week!

Participating in academic activities and collaborating with both undergraduate and postgraduate students has been one of the most delightful shared purposes at Arc Australia Consulting.

What a great joy to be selected by Macquarie (MQ) University for its MQ Alumni Mentoring Pilot Program, along with one of team members, Sandy Arief. The joy was even greater on one evening of 18th September 2025, as we met the nominated mentees: the under-grads and post-grads of MQ. 

I had the opportunity to meet my mentee, Chayanee Charoenhongthong, who is a third-year postgraduate student pursuing a Master's in Business Analytics at MQ, all the way from Thailand. 

How uplifting it was to see eyes sparkled, spirit soared as they listened to real-world experiences, as if they had found a 'magic wardrobe'. Unlocked. Inviting them to step inside and catch a glimpse of the land of 'Narnia'. That the world beyond academic is worth exploring. 

What a joy to be with them! Good news is, such a joy was only a beginning. As we'll be journeying together for some time to help MQ shape its Mentoring Program. 
THANK YOU, MQ! Until next time! 
​
Note:
Linda Chuk of Arc Australia Consulting is also an appointed mentor of University of New South Wales (UNSW) and CPA Australia. 
Visit our team members profile Team Profile

Within this document, "To Serve with Impact," we highlight some of our accomplishments in coaching and consulting. Small steps at a time, we journey on our way. 
Yet each small step shines brightly, illuminating the path ahead.
​Download this document here: arc_australia_to_serve_with_impacts.pdf

Download arc_australia_to_serve_with_impacts.pdf 

2025: Our year of giving. We give the best that is in us! Always.

Download our news in pdf here news_arc_australia_mid-2025_v1.pdf