Resilience is one of those words that gets used so often it risks losing meaning. We talk about it in leadership rooms, in performance reviews and in moments of crisis. But when you strip it back, resilience is rarely polished or inspiring in the moment. More often, it’s simply showing up when you would rather not, but know you have to.
That idea sat at the centre of a recent conversation with Georgie Gardner (at our recent Women Leading Together Breakfast), who has just stepped away from her role at the Nine News desk, after 24 years. Her departure prompted an outpouring of respect, not just for her longevity, but for the way she carried herself through a career spent in the public eye.
When asked about her decision to leave, Georgie spoke less about a single moment and more about timing. A sense that this is the top of her game and it’s time to do something new and own the exit. Certainly, that kind of clarity doesn’t arrive overnight; it comes from years of trusting your own judgement, especially when external noise is loud.
And there was plenty of noise. Hundreds of public comments, messages of support, and reflections from viewers who felt they had grown up with her. Turns out, people notice consistency and they remember steadiness. And in a profession built on scrutiny, that’s no mean feat.
When the conversation turned to resilience, Georgie was quick to move past the polished version of the word. In her experience, resilience has looked more like determination, fortitude, even what she jokingly called ‘pig-headedness’. A refusal to step back when things get difficult and a strong sense of self that acts as an anchor when everything else feels uncertain.
Because there were moments, of course, when things weren’t graceful. There were times when confidence wavered, when criticism landed harder than expected and when the pressure of being constantly watched felt heavy. Says Georgie, what matters in those moments isn’t how composed you look, but whether you get back up.
That’s where values come in. For Georgie, integrity has always been non-negotiable: it shapes how she shows up, how she makes decisions and how she builds trust. And trust, particularly in today’s media and political landscape, is fragile. It has to be earned repeatedly, through actions rather than words.
For many women in leadership, that challenge is familiar. Being visible often means being judged. It can chip away at confidence if you let it. Georgie’s approach is simple, but not easy: be selective. Know when to say no. Back your own instincts. Confidence is something you have to practise.
There’s also a quiet strength that comes with experience. Georgie spoke about the value of being over 50 in a profession that often prioritises the new. With time comes perspective and a clearer sense of what matters, and what doesn’t. Less need to prove yourself and more willingness to stand your ground.
If there were a few takeaways from the conversation, they were: resilience isn’t about being fearless, it’s about continuing anyway. And staying anchored in your values, surrounding yourself with support, and when things feel uncertain, trusting that you’ve already built the strength you need.
By Alexandra Smart, Partner, ECI Partners
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