Introducing NSW Fellows Chair - Murali Sagi FACS PSM

Highlights

  • Murali Sagi FACS PSM is recognised as an ACS Fellow member and currently sits as the NSW Fellows Chair. 
  • Murali shares his extensive experience in the ICT environment, his role as a Chair and his tips for his fellow professionals. 

  • Your career includes experiences across different industries: law, technology, business management... How do you navigate career changes across fields and environments? 

A common trait between industries is that they must all deal with people, processes, and technologies. Navigating career changes across diverse industries requires understanding the specifics of that industry.

A high degree of curiosity for knowledge outside your original domain, being adaptable and enjoying continuous learning is preferable. 

Some practical tips to effectively manage these transitions would be:

  • Understand their core competencies
  • Identify the industriess that they are interested in transitioning to
  • Identify gaps in their skill sets
  • Undertake appropriate training
  • Build a strong professional network
  • Find mentors who can provide guidance, advice, and support.

Knowledge across multiple domains is a phenomenal advantage as it allows for interdisciplinary insights from different fields, which enables innovative solutions and ideas to tackle complex problems more effectively.

  • Emotional intelligence is listed as one of the top soft skills required. What are some other skills you believe are essential for a successful leader? 

While emotional intelligence is undoubtedly a crucial soft skill for effective leadership, many other skills are essential for a successful leader.

Effective leaders must be able to communicate clearly, concisely, and persuasively. They must have the ability to make timely, well-informed decisions based on available information. Strong problem-solving skills will enable them to identify root causes, explore creative solutions, and implement effective strategies.

They also have to quickly adjust to new circumstances, navigate uncertainty, and embrace change to keep their teams and organisations moving forward. They should be able to anticipate future trends, identify opportunities for growth, and develop actionable plans. They need to foster trust, build strong relationships, and create a positive work environment where individuals feel valued and supported.

Resilient leaders can bounce back from adversity, maintain a positive attitude, and inspire their teams to persevere through challenges. Leaders must be skilled at building high-performing teams and fostering collaboration. Effective leaders know when and how to delegate tasks and responsibilities to team members. Leaders must demonstrate integrity, honesty, and ethical behaviour in all their interactions, both internally with their team members and externally with stakeholders.

  • You are the current ACS Fellows Chair. As such, you identify and recognise members who have made a distinguished contribution to the field of ICT in Australia.

    What do you consider some of the greatest achievements made in Australia lately?

    And what are some new trends you believe will revolutionise our industry in the upcoming years? 

As the current ACS Fellows Chair, identifying and recognising members who have made distinguished contributions to the field of ICT in Australia is a significant responsibility. In assessing recent achievements in the Australian ICT industry, several standout developments come to mind:

Australia has made significant strides in AI research and application across various sectors, including healthcare, finance, and agriculture. Collaborative efforts between academia, industry, and government have led to breakthroughs in machine learning algorithms, natural language processing, and computer vision technologies.

With the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber threats, Australia has prioritised cybersecurity research and innovation. Initiatives such as the establishment of cybersecurity centres of excellence have fostered collaboration and knowledge sharing to protect critical infrastructure and digital assets.

Australia's commitment to renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, has led to significant advancements in smart grid technologies and energy management systems. Innovations in energy storage, grid optimization, and distributed energy resources are shaping the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient energy infrastructure.

Looking ahead, several emerging trends have the potential to revolutionize the ICT industry in Australia in the coming year:

As AI continues to permeate various aspects of society, there is a growing emphasis on ethical considerations, accountability, and responsible innovation. Australia's efforts to develop frameworks for AI governance, ethics, and bias mitigation will be crucial in ensuring the responsible deployment of AI systems.

Australia's investment in quantum computing research and infrastructure holds promise for breakthroughs in computation, cryptography, and materials science. Quantum technologies have the potential to revolutionize fields such as drug discovery, optimization, and secure communications.

By staying abreast of these trends and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, the ACS and its Members can play a pivotal role in driving innovation, promoting excellence, and shaping the future of the ICT industry in Australia.