At Big Picture Training, our people are at the heart of what we do, and none more so than Shenaid, our energetic and insightful Learning & Development specialist.
With a passion for people, a playful approach to facilitation, and a knack for turning big ideas into real-world impact, she brings a unique spark to every session she delivers.
In this blog, we go beyond the job title to uncover the tea-fuelled productivity hacks, career highlights, and leadership wisdom that make Shenaid such a valued part of our team.
Let’s get started…
- If your career had a soundtrack, what song would be playing right now?
- The first song that comes to mind to describe my career is Harder Better Faster Stronger by Daft Punk. I started my career in a fast-paced, high-performing sales organisation with a strong focus on learning, development, and creating higher-performing teams. That environment shaped how I work and sparked my passion for people development in every role since.
- The first song that comes to mind to describe my career is Harder Better Faster Stronger by Daft Punk. I started my career in a fast-paced, high-performing sales organisation with a strong focus on learning, development, and creating higher-performing teams. That environment shaped how I work and sparked my passion for people development in every role since.
- What’s one Australian slang word or phrase you think everyone should adopt?
- I’m a shocker for saying yeah nah without even realising, but I don’t know if the world needs that haha. And of course, hearing someone call a beer a frothie always gets me keen for a beer in the sun.
- I’m a shocker for saying yeah nah without even realising, but I don’t know if the world needs that haha. And of course, hearing someone call a beer a frothie always gets me keen for a beer in the sun.
- Coffee, tea, or something stronger, what powers you through a training session?
- Always english breakfast when I am training – two bags!
- Always english breakfast when I am training – two bags!
- What’s a surprising fact most people don’t know about you?
- I grew up in a tiny outback town called Jundah with under 500 people. My parents owned the pub, so that was a pretty unique and wild way to grow up.
- What was your dream job as a child, and how close did you get?
- I used to want to be a marriage counsellor or psychologist. I studied psychology but ended up using it in business, working in organisational effectiveness and OD instead.
- I used to want to be a marriage counsellor or psychologist. I studied psychology but ended up using it in business, working in organisational effectiveness and OD instead.
- If you could swap jobs with anyone at Big Picture Training for a day, who would it be and why?
- I think I’d have to be strategic and pick someone from the UK team. I’d love a change of scenery for the day, preferably a sunny one in London haha.
- I think I’d have to be strategic and pick someone from the UK team. I’d love a change of scenery for the day, preferably a sunny one in London haha.
- What’s the most memorable “oops” moment you’ve had while delivering a workshop?
- One time we booked a venue in a really unfamiliar area and chose a venue that advertised a conference room. Turned out it was just a floor in the pub next to the pool tables and everything. Easily the funniest place I’ve ever facilitated, we had spring rolls for lunch.
- One time we booked a venue in a really unfamiliar area and chose a venue that advertised a conference room. Turned out it was just a floor in the pub next to the pool tables and everything. Easily the funniest place I’ve ever facilitated, we had spring rolls for lunch.
- What’s your go-to productivity hack when you’re working from home?
- Giving myself a to-do list to reward things like my morning coffee or lunch break, and booking meetings to deliver work so I’ve got a clear deadline. It helps me stay motivated and on track when there’s a lot on.
- Giving myself a to-do list to reward things like my morning coffee or lunch break, and booking meetings to deliver work so I’ve got a clear deadline. It helps me stay motivated and on track when there’s a lot on.
- You’ve got a free plane ticket anywhere in the world, where are you heading and what’s the first thing you’re doing there?
- Japan and getting a ramen!
- Japan and getting a ramen!
- If you could invite any three people (alive or historical) to a leadership workshop, who would you choose and why?
- Dr Sylvia Earle: American marine biologist and ocean explorer who’s logged thousands of hours underwater advocating for ocean conservation.
- Leila Hormozi: Serial entrepreneur and investor who co-founded Gym Launch and Acquisition.com to help businesses scale.
- Dietrich Mateschitz: Austrian marketing visionary who co-founded Red Bull and built it into a global lifestyle and media powerhouse.
💼 Digging Deeper – Shenaid’s Why
- What first inspired you to work in learning and development?
- When I became a sales manager, my favourite part was coaching my team, which led me to move into a facilitation role so I could have a bigger impact.
- When I became a sales manager, my favourite part was coaching my team, which led me to move into a facilitation role so I could have a bigger impact.
- How do you define “unlocking potential” in the workplace, and what does that look like in action?
- For me it means creating a safe space where people explore strengths, set stretch goals, and take ownership of their growth, becoming genuinely excited about what’s next.
- For me it means creating a safe space where people explore strengths, set stretch goals, and take ownership of their growth, becoming genuinely excited about what’s next.
- You’ve worked across multiple industries. What’s one universal truth about people and learning you’ve discovered?
- Across industries, I’ve learned that clear communication and genuine intention are king, thoughtful wording builds trust and makes learning stick every time.
- Across industries, I’ve learned that clear communication and genuine intention are king, thoughtful wording builds trust and makes learning stick every time.
- What makes the work you do at Big Picture Training feel meaningful?
- What feels meaningful is knowing I help organisations build skills that directly improve community housing outcomes.
- What feels meaningful is knowing I help organisations build skills that directly improve community housing outcomes.
- How does your role help support social housing organisations and the communities they serve?
- I help team members build versatile skills they can use across roles to deliver consistent, high-quality tenant support and drive positive community impact.
- I help team members build versatile skills they can use across roles to deliver consistent, high-quality tenant support and drive positive community impact.
- In your opinion, what makes a learning experience truly impactful?
- That “aha” moment is when a big idea connects to your why. It’s learner-led and tied to real life, so you know it will stick and leave a lasting impression.
- That “aha” moment is when a big idea connects to your why. It’s learner-led and tied to real life, so you know it will stick and leave a lasting impression.
- What’s the proudest moment of your career so far?
- Stepping into my first Leadership & OD role. Finally getting the chance to shape our people strategy, roll out high-impact training programs and see real change in how teams perform.
- Stepping into my first Leadership & OD role. Finally getting the chance to shape our people strategy, roll out high-impact training programs and see real change in how teams perform.
- What’s one piece of advice you always give to leaders you coach or train?
- Lead authentically. Own your strengths and vulnerabilities, amplify what you do best, and build support systems to fill the gaps.
- Lead authentically. Own your strengths and vulnerabilities, amplify what you do best, and build support systems to fill the gaps.
- How do you balance lifelong learning for yourself while delivering it for others?
- Depending on the season of life – when I have capacity I love formal study, events and reading. Other times I love to learn by observing peers and leaders, staying curious about my own growth areas and seizing any chance to step outside my comfort zone.
- Depending on the season of life – when I have capacity I love formal study, events and reading. Other times I love to learn by observing peers and leaders, staying curious about my own growth areas and seizing any chance to step outside my comfort zone.
- If you had to sum up your approach to learning and development in one word, what would it be, and why?
- Playful
From outback beginnings to organisational development, Shenaid brings curiosity, creativity, and a whole lot of heart to everything she does, and we’re lucky to have her on the Big Picture team.