SHIFT the way we lead

SHIFT the way we lead – Meredith Ussher is a SHIFT Advisory client and GC of NZTA Waka Kotahi

Building inclusive cultures through connection, courage, and meaningful leadership.

What's a typical week like in your role? 

Every day is different, and that's one of the things I love most about the job — I never quite know what's going to come across my desk. It's incredibly varied and interesting. Of course, there are set meetings and big projects that play out over time, but unexpected issues often pop up — anything from legal issues to resolve with our partners to suspected fraud, health and safety incidents, or new litigation. It's unpredictable, and that's what makes it so enjoyable. 

Tell me about your team — how many people are there, and how do they support you? 

I oversee not just legal, but also risk, assurance, and integrity/compliance. It's around 58 people — roughly 30 lawyers, and the rest are in risk, assurance, compliance, and integrity roles. 

The legal function is divided into smaller teams, each led by one of about seven general counsels across areas like regulatory, commercial, and litigation. On my leadership team, I also have a Head of Risk and Assurance who leads that side of the business. 

It's a big team, but an amazing one made up of people who are professional, intelligent, pragmatic, and a lot of fun. They're highly competent and have a great sense of humour — they don't take themselves too seriously, which makes them great to work with. 

How do you foster a sense of connection and inclusivity across such a big team? 

I can't take all the credit — our amazing Legal Operations Manager plays a big role in driving the structure behind many of our initiatives. One of the things we do is a daily 11am morning quiz via a group call. It's completely optional and very unfiltered — just 10 minutes of light-hearted connection and chit-chat. It's become a fun tradition, and it brings some humour into the day. 

Each week, someone new writes a personal profile to share with the team. It's been incredibly impactful — people open up about their backgrounds, past careers, sporting achievements, and personal journeys. Many team members have never met in person, but these stories help with understanding and connection. It reminds us that people bring their whole selves to work, and if you don't take the time to know them, you won't get the best from them. 

Our team is spread across the country, but tools like Teams and Zoom — especially post-COVID — have made it much easier to stay connected.  

This newsletter's theme is social cohesion, to navigate challenges and different viewpoints without tearing each other down. How do you think business leaders can actively encourage social cohesion, rather than just signalling it? 

I do think there's a real role for business here. It's easy to play the diversity card and say, "We've got six different ethnicities, so we're diverse." But diversity goes far deeper than that. In our team, we've been very intentional about building true diversity — not just in ethnicity, but in age, career stage, and professional background. We have people in their 20s through to their 60s, from a mix of public and private sectors, and a wide variety of life experiences. 

That diversity of thought is incredibly valuable. Through the personal stories team members share, we've seen how upbringing and cultural context shape the way people think — and that creates richness. It challenges the group and makes our conversations more constructive and creative. 

So yes, I believe business leaders do have a role to play. If you want things to improve, you can't just wait for someone else to do it — you have to be proactive. And we've seen that in the private sector already. A lot of businesses are leading the way on things like carbon neutrality and social responsibility, without waiting for government mandates. 

What's been your experience working with SHIFT? 

It's been fantastic. The SHIFT model works incredibly well for us — flexible, responsive, and tailored to our needs. SHIFT's lawyers are highly experienced, smart, and able to hit the ground running. They integrate quickly, earn the trust of the business, and embrace our culture — even the daily quiz! 

What really sets SHIFT apart is the care taken to understand us. The team invests time in learning how we operate, what kind of people will fit, and what expertise we need. Whether it's construction, litigation, or anything else, they consistently present strong, well-matched candidates. They're also incredibly responsive, even when last-minute changes or extensions are needed. 

Do you think greater flexibility and autonomy are where the legal profession is heading — and what role does in-house legal work play in that? 

Absolutely. Flexibility and work-life balance are increasingly important in the legal profession, and I think in-house roles have really embraced that shift. Over the last 15 years, the in-house legal function has grown exponentially, not just in size but in influence and complexity. It offers a deeply rewarding career — you're embedded in the business, involved in strategic decision-making, and close to the action. 

In the past, moving in-house was sometimes seen as stepping away from ambition or capability. But now it's clear that the roles deliver sophisticated, high-impact work. 

The gap between working in firms and in-house has widened in some ways, especially in how they approach flexibility and work-life balance. Both play vital roles and closing that gap would strengthen the profession as a whole. 

One of the things I value about SHIFT is that your consultants have strong in-house experience and understand the nuances of working inside a business. That makes a big difference — because it is a different rhythm, and the context really matters.