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Failure is not a word often associated with Adam Goodes – but overcoming it was an experience he shared with the next generation during a talk at the University of Sydney on Monday morning.

“You’re not going to make the right decision every time. It’s okay to fail, and I’ve learnt the most in my failures,” Goodes said to the 100-strong audience at the university’s Chau Chak Wing Museum.

The AFL legend, anti-racism advocate, entrepreneur and 2014 Australian of the Year was speaking at the University of Sydney Business School’s inaugural Connecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Voices event for Indigenous students, alumni and industry partners.

Goodes sat down with Associate Professor Stacey Kim Coates, Associate Dean for Indigenous Strategy and Services, and spoke frankly about his own journey from being a shy teenager to eventually co-captaining the Sydney Swans to two premierships – including the strength he drew from connecting more deeply with his Aboriginal heritage as a young man.

“Leadership starts in the family and it comes from your personal values, understanding where your values come from and what kind of leader you want to be. I learned resilience from what I’ve been through but I also learned it from my ancestors, and I feel a responsibility to do right by them,” he said.

“The year I decided I wanted to become a leader [in the Sydney Swans] was the hardest year of my career, because I wanted something. I put my mind to it, set goals and sought out mentors. One thing I learned is leaders cannot be inconsistent with their daily performance.

“If you don’t know what sort of leader you want to be, start by crossing out what sort of leader you don’t want to be.”

Goodes finished by speaking about meditation and being fully present in the moment, advising those listening to “never be too busy for the important things you value in your day.” That message resonated with University of Sydney Conservatorium of Music students Nate Griffin and Sophia Hunt.

“I’m drawn to opportunities through my phone, but in doing that I’m missing out on what might be more meaningful opportunities in person,” Nate said.

“You could see how present and responsive Adam was with everyone today,” Sophia added. “As a First Nations person, his voice is so empowering and it gives me hope that one day I could also be an inspiration for the next generation.”

University of Sydney Business School Dean, Professor Leisa Sargent, thanked Goodes. “Adam personifies leadership for good and the attributes we want for our students: resilience and optimism,” Professor Sargent said.

“This is an opportunity for reflection and connection as we think about what we want to achieve in the Business School and across the University, to fulfill our social contract in partnering with and learning from First Nations people and Indigenising our curriculum.”

The new initiative brought together our University of Sydney Indigenous alumni, current Indigenous students, and Indigenous industry partners for a morning of connection and community building.

“As our inaugural event, it holds special significance in our broader strategy to strengthen Indigenous engagement and leadership across sectors, with a view to building an Indigenous business alumni and student network and establishing a mentoring program,” Associate Professor Coates said.

“Our aim is to foster meaningful networks, celebrate the achievements of our community, and create pathways for collaboration and growth. We are deeply grateful to Adam for being our first keynote speaker. His leadership, advocacy and entrepreneurial journey continue to inspire many, and his openness and humility resonated powerfully with our audience.”

The event capped a year of progress for the Business School’s Indigenous strategy, including the extension of the Gadigal Centre within the school in – a study and meeting place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Other highlights included the school sending a in Broome, WA, to engage with Aboriginal businesses and participate in on-country experiences, and staff participating in initiatives including cultural intelligence education workshops.