Niki Drysdale: Leadership Tips for Project and Change Management
Driving Transformation Through Leadership, Adaptability, and Strategy
With 18 years of experience spanning project management, business analysis, service delivery, and change leadership, Niki Drysdale has built a career on driving transformation across industries. Her expertise spans state and local government, construction, property development, mining, healthcare, oil and gas, software vendors, higher education, and the not-for-profit sector.
Throughout her career, Niki has held roles such as Head of PMO & Performance, Project Director, Consultant, Senior Business Analyst, and Service Delivery Manager, each giving her a deep understanding of the entire project lifecycle. Known for her pragmatic, flexible, and dynamic leadership style, she thrives on creating structured processes that deliver successful outcomes.
Beyond technical expertise, Niki is passionate about team leadership, fostering a positive workplace culture, and empowering others to succeed. She believes that project and change management success is not just about technical skills, it’s about people, mindset, and adaptability.
What factors do you think have been critical to the success you have achieved in your career?
Having a broad skill set rather than just specialised technical skills has been crucial. While technical knowledge is essential, leadership, culture-building, and strong people skills make the most significant difference in career success. Experts are always available for technical questions, but leading a team, building trust, and creating a positive work environment requires different skills.
Beyond that, attitude and courage play a considerable role. It’s important to call things out, ask the apparent questions others hesitate to ask, and challenge the status quo—but always tactfully and constructively.
Finally, knowing when to move on is key. If an environment doesn’t align with your values or career aspirations, don’t be afraid to seek something better. There are always opportunities out there; find a place where you feel valued, where your work excites you, and where you can truly make an impact.
What's the most valuable piece of advice you have received in your career and how did it help you?
Learning to delegate and not hold on too tightly has been invaluable. Hire the best people you can afford, trust them to do their jobs, provide guidance on what needs to be done, and give them the freedom to decide how to do it. This allows them to use their skills and creativity to meet challenges. Another piece of advice I've embraced this year is the importance of movement for physical and mental health. I've been more conscious about balancing working from the office and home and incorporating gym sessions into my week. The positive impact on my mood and outlook has been noticeable.
What's the most challenging situation you have faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?
One of the toughest challenges I’ve faced was being promoted to lead a team shortly after joining it as one of the newest and youngest members. While it was an exciting opportunity, it also came with imposter syndrome and resistance from some team members.
To handle this, I took the time to understand what each team member was working on and built strong relationships. I also set a clear vision for the team, communicated it effectively, and led by example.
Over time, some team members naturally moved on, while others embraced the new leadership structure. As we brought in new talent and strengthened the team culture, we developed a motivated, high-performing team that achieved successful project outcomes. This experience reinforced the importance of clear communication, resilience, and leading with confidence.
If you were starting your career now, what would you do differently?
If I could return to choosing my university courses, I would think more critically about the long-term career implications.
I initially pursued a double degree in Science (Medical Biotechnology) and Business (Marketing and Public Relations) because I loved Biology and wanted to keep my options open. However, halfway through, I realised I didn’t want to work in a lab—I preferred working with people and leading projects. My goal became Biotechnology Commercialisation, but job opportunities in that field were limited.
By chance, I landed a role as a Business Analyst in Information Technology, and I’ve never looked back. This experience taught me that career paths aren’t always linear, and sometimes, the best opportunities come from unexpected places. If I were starting again, I’d be more intentional about aligning my studies with lifestyle and career goals—but at the same time, I wouldn’t change the journey that led me here.
