Julie Barton

Julie brings a diverse and practical background in leadership development, career coaching, and facilitation, with a strong foundation in corporate and the public sector environments. Her career began in banking and tourism, then a transition into learning and development, people strategy, and leadership coaching. She has since worked with thousands of individuals and teams across sectors including government, health, community services, finance, media, insurance, legal, not-for-profit, and mining. As a facilitator and coach, Julie specialises in supporting emerging and experienced leaders to build confidence, influence, and capability—particularly in essential conversations, feedback, coaching, team culture, and navigating change. She has partnered with organisations to deliver impactful workshops and multi-session leadership programs, helping leaders lift performance, set clearer expectations, and manage difficult situations with empathy and accountability Julie's leadership experience extends beyond leading teams and projects—she has also coached others stepping into leadership roles for the first time or managing complex, remote, or high-pressure environments. She has designed and facilitated programs for dispersed teams, hybrid workforces, and frontline leaders navigating reform or burnout.

The work Julie enjoys most involves helping leaders have real conversations that shift mindsets, build trust, and unlock potential—whether in a coaching session, a team workshop, or a leadership program. She thrives on seeing people experience those “aha” moments—when clarity, confidence, or courage clicks into place. She has a particular passion for supporting first-line and mid-level leaders navigating operational demands, team dynamics, and their own growth. Helping them step into their leadership identity and create a culture of accountability and care is a deeply rewarding part of her work. Julie is known for creating safe yet energising learning environments where people feel seen, challenged, and supported. She brings structure and practical tools while keeping things real and human. Her natural curiosity and intuitive approach allow her to read the room, adapt quickly, and meet people where they are. At her core, Julie believes that leadership is about presence, not position—and she is passionate about helping others discover their own authentic version of leadership.

Her work is grounded in adult learning principles, positive psychology, and evidence-based leadership and coaching frameworks. Julie draws on models such as GROW for coaching, SBI and SCARF for feedback and communication, and frameworks like the Leadership Pipeline and Lencioni’s team dynamics to support leadership development at all levels. She also incorporates concepts from adaptive leadership, Carol Dweck’s growth mindset, and behavioural science to help leaders understand not just what to do, but why certain approaches are more effective—particularly in high-stakes or emotionally charged situations. Julie’s learning philosophy centres on the belief that people grow best when they feel safe, seen, and stretched. Whether coaching one-on-one or facilitating a group, she aims to create thought-provoking, supportive environments where leaders can explore and experiment with new tools and mindsets in their real-world contexts. Her approach is practical, relational, and purpose-driven, designed to help leaders walk away with both insight and the confidence to lead with clarity, empathy, and impact.

Julie chooses to work with LIW because their values and purpose align strongly with her own. LIW’s focus on building more human, connected, and capable leaders resonates deeply with her belief that leadership is about creating the conditions for others to thrive. She is drawn to LIW’s commitment to practical, research-backed development that drives real behavioural change. Their frameworks are simple yet powerful, and their approach to collective leadership enables the kind of systemic impact Julie is passionate about contributing. She values that LIW’s programs are tailored to each organisation’s unique context and designed to help leaders think, reflect, and act in ways that are authentic and sustainable. For Julie, it’s about working with people who prioritise impact over ego—who lead with both heart and rigour. That’s what she sees in the LIW team, and why she’s proud to be part of their work.

Participants often describe Julie as warm, insightful, and practical. She creates spaces where people feel safe to be honest, reflect deeply, and stretch outside their comfort zones without fear of judgment. Known for balancing support with challenge, she makes learning tangible by translating theory into usable tools and everyday language. Julie meets participants wherever they are in their leadership journey—whether new to the role or highly experienced—and uses stories, real-world examples, humour, and frameworks to keep sessions engaging and relevant. Her calm, grounded presence encourages open dialogue and meaningful engagement, even in large or virtual settings. Above all, Julie is recognised for her genuine care—she listens deeply, adapts in the moment, and ensures every session feels like a valuable investment in growth, not just another training event.