Most People Underestimate This Leadership Skill with Melissa Dunbar

Melissa Dunbar, a highly respected Australian entrepreneur and founder of Big Fish Events Group (est. 2004), whose three-decade career spans events, marketing, communications, and innovation, and includes recognition as a 2019 Telstra Businesswoman of the Year finalist. Melissa recounts how, after returning from London and Texas and finding traditional roles hard to land, she tapped into her network and was offered a massive first project by former Australian cricketer Dean Jones—a 37‑day, 113‑event journey from Cairns to Sydney celebrating 25 years of State of Origin. The team transported a custom-made trophy “ball” via surfing, kayaking, walking, running, cycling, cars, trains, and a flotilla of boats into Sydney Harbor, raising about $250,000 for Make-A-Wish and granting 11 wishes for children, showcasing her talent for ambitious, high-impact event design rooted in sporting culture and state rivalry.

Takeaways:

1. Create Your Own Opportunities (The Big Fish Origin Story) Melissa didn’t wait for the “perfect job.” After returning from overseas and struggling to find a role, she leaned on her network, said yes to a big challenge from Dean Jones, and turned a single opportunity—a 37-day, 113-event State of Origin tour—into the foundation of a 20+ year events business.

2. Influence = Intentional Knowledge Transfer Melissa defines influence as the intentional transfer of knowledge from one person to another—spoken, written, or visual. She emphasizes that influence carries responsibility: your actions and words should have clear, positive intent, because every interaction has the potential to shape someone else’s thinking or behavior.

3. Values, Boundaries, and “No Compromise” As a woman working in male-dominated, high-profile sporting and events environments, Melissa’s guidance is to never compromise your values. You always have a choice—silence is still a choice—and you likely have more influence than you think. Her approach is to stay safe, uphold standards, and sometimes step in to “shut down” behavior that isn’t okay, focusing on getting it right, not needing to be right.

Quotes:

"We talk a lot at Big Fish Events about getting what you need, not necessarily what you want." Used while describing creative problem-solving (like funding the Opera House sails turning blue). Melissa’s focus is on outcomes and resourcefulness, not perfection or wishful thinking.

"You don't always have to be right, but you've got to get it right." Melissa’s philosophy on leadership and decision-making: drop the ego, own mistakes, and stay focused on delivering the best result for the team, clients, and stakeholders.

"You have more influence than you think." Shared in the context of women (and anyone) in male-dominated or high-pressure environments. Melissa stresses that every person, regardless of title, can shape behavior and outcomes by using their voice and values.

Timeline:

00:00 – Anton’s intro to the Find Your Influence podcast and to guest Melissa Dunbar, outlining her background and achievements. 04:42 – Melissa explains returning from overseas, struggling to find a job, and how reconnecting with her network led to launching Big Fish Events. 06:34 – Detailed story of the first Big Fish project: 37 days, 113 events, 86 legends, and raising $250,000 for Make-A-Wish. 11:25 – Behind-the-scenes “footballers on tour” story and early leadership boundaries on that first big event. 12:35 – Melissa describes creatively getting the Sydney Opera House sails turned blue and finding a last-minute sponsor. 14:48 – Discussion of Melissa speaking on stage at the Sydney Opera House in 2025 and what that experience felt like. 17:14 – Melissa defines what influence means to her: intentional transfer of knowledge plus responsibility and intent. 20:56 – “Create your own stage” concept: you don’t need a big stage to influence; you can build your own platforms and opportunities. 22:10 – Advice for women working with “blokey blokes” in male-dominated industries: never compromise, always choose, and understand that silence is a choice. 26:27 – Key line: “You don’t always have to be right, but you’ve got to get it right” and “You have more influence than you think.” 27:13 – Early influences: growing up one of six, brothers, lots of kids at home, and the people skills that created. 29:16 – The impact of dance training: discipline, professionalism, presentation, and “excellence as base level.” 31:48 – What Melissa learned from elite athletes and why they “don’t compromise” on excellence. 35:20 – Favorite elite sportspeople and notable figures she’s worked with, including Dean Jones, Darren Lehmann, David Beckham, Olivia Newton-John, and Queen Elizabeth II. 39:11 – Melissa’s definition of leadership: do what you say you’re going to do, own your mistakes, and always bring a solution.

Conclusion:

This conversation with Melissa Dunbar showcases how intentional influence, uncompromising values, and a commitment to excellence can shape a remarkable career in events and leadership. From her audacious first project—a 37‑day, 113‑event State of Origin tour that raised significant funds for Make-A-Wish—to turning the Sydney Opera House sails blue and eventually speaking on its stage, Melissa demonstrates what’s possible when you back yourself, create your own opportunities, and refuse to compromise your standards. Her philosophy—influence as responsible knowledge transfer, leadership as doing what you say you’ll do, and the reminder that you have more influence than you think—offers powerful guidance for anyone wanting to build a meaningful career, especially in high-pressure or male-dominated environments.