Why Ilya stepped back from the business she poured her heart into

Plus, the headline that caused him some major headaches

By Ben Tweedie

Published 10 February, 2026

Why Ilya stepped back from the business she poured her heart into

Plus, the headline that caused him some major headaches

By Ben Tweedie

Published 10 February, 2026

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The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog

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On paper, former NSW Premier Mike Baird’s career could almost seem pre-determined.

He followed his father into politics and quickly established himself as a big name in the Liberal Party. He became Premier (to no one’s great surprise) and stepped aside at the time of his own choosing, only to start a high-powered role in the banking sector.

But since then, Baird has made surprising career calls. Ones that don’t necessarily align with ‘typical’ corporate or political ambition.

In a two-episode interview special on the FW Leadership Series podcast, Baird speaks with FW’s Helen McCabe about his faith and leadership motivations. Here are our six favourite takeaways from the interview.

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1

The most important question...

Baird’s unusual career trajectory has been driven by this set of questions: “Can I contribute? Am I contributing here? … Is there a chance to do more?”.

From his term as Premier to leading a Big Four bank, then heading up an aged-care provider and now working for The McKinnon Institute for Political Leadership- Baird has been motivated by a desire to give back.

“You’ve got to find what you’re passionate about and what motivates you, not necessarily the career trajectory that others think you should do,” he said.

“Many people will try and shape you and head you in the direction that is their lens, but doesn’t necessarily connect with you, who you are and what motivates you.”

2

The best leadership teacher

When Baird first entered politics, he settled on three leadership teachers and hung a picture of each of them in his office.

He was inspired by the abolitionist William Wilberforce’s integrity, Martin Luther King Jr’s passion and Victorian Cross recipient Sir Roden Cutler’s bravery.

But there was another sort of teacher who Baird said he has learned the most from.

“[In a way] the best instructors are the worst [leaders] … because you remember what they did and make sure that’s not what you’re going to do,” he said.

3

'Dangerous devotion'

Soon after Baird became Premier, he opened the weekend paper only to be greeted by a headline about his Christian faith.

“There’s a big picture of [me] underneath and at the top there’s ‘Dangerous Devotion’ [as the headline],” he recalled. “It was almost like, spoiler alert everyone, we’ve got a wild one here.”

For a moment Baird questioned how – or if – he should talk about his faith. He also remembered his media advisor saying, ‘If only you were part of a cult, that would be much easier to talk about’.

But he knew he could not hide his faith. “[My faith is] an important part of me. That’s who I am. And I won’t shy away from that,” he said.

“But at the same time, I don’t think I have to legislate my faith. I am here to serve all and to lead for all … [no] matter what faith or what culture or what background, I’m here for everyone.”

List component

On paper, former NSW Premier Mike Baird’s career could almost seem pre-determined.
He followed his father into politics and quickly established himself as a big name in the Liberal Party. He became Premier (to no one’s great surprise) and stepped aside at the time of his own choosing, only to start a high-powered role in the banking sector.
But since then, Baird has made surprising career calls. Ones that don’t necessarily align with ‘typical’ corporate or political ambition.
In a two-episode interview special on the FW Leadership Series podcast, Baird speaks with FW’s Helen McCabe about his faith and leadership motivations. Here are our six favourite takeaways from the interview.
“This is a quotation example. This is a quotation example. This is a quotation example.”

On paper, former NSW Premier Mike Baird’s career could almost seem pre-determined.

He followed his father into politics and quickly established himself as a big name in the Liberal Party. He became Premier (to no one’s great surprise) and stepped aside at the time of his own choosing, only to start a high-powered role in the banking sector.

But since then, Baird has made surprising career calls. Ones that don’t necessarily align with ‘typical’ corporate or political ambition.

In a two-episode interview special on the FW Leadership Series podcast, Baird speaks with FW’s Helen McCabe about his faith and leadership motivations. Here are our six favourite takeaways from the interview.”This is a quotation example. This is a quotation example. This is a quotation example.”

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 28: Cate McGregor and Lisa Wilkinson arrive ahead of Lisa Wilkinson's 'Women of Influence' photographic exhibition at SmartArtz Gallery on October 28, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Sam Tabone/WireImage)