With 2026 almost upon us, questions around whether to stay in an existing role, reach for something new, or identify a leadership path may be giving many Australian women more than just a quiet nudge.

But what moves us from our quiet ponderings to the confidence and skills needed to make a change?

Whilst looking for tools to help progress through her own career, Canberra local Madeleine Taylor noticed the prevalence of overseas-dominated career advice, which doesn’t speak to the unique aspects of the Australian experience. And more recently, when she began to mentor other women for job applications.

“The final push came when I was spending time with a younger colleague following a women’s leadership event,” she said.

After the event, Ms Taylor’s colleague noted, “I loved the stories, but no one really talked about how to actually move forward in your career, especially here in Australia.”

So, with a full-time job and two small children under six at the time, Ms Taylor decided that she would do something about it.

Twelve months later, on Thursday 4 December 2025 from 5:45 to 9pm at The East Hotel in Kingston, leadership organisation The Female Leader will host the launch of Ms Taylor’s book, Make Your Move: The Australian Woman’s Roadmap to Executive Leadership, Pay Equity, and Career Confidence.

Ms Taylor says that as a proud Canberran, she could not be more thrilled.

“My career, spanning military training, major infrastructure projects, and executive leadership across the APS, ACT Government, not-for-profit sector and private sector, gives me a unique perspective on the systems and strategies required for women to succeed,” she says.

Amongst other things, Make Your Move aims to help readers build strategic influence, identify and secure their dream job, navigate motherhood and work, and identify and address bias.

It is likely to resonate with women who are weary of waiting to be chosen, tired of playing small, and frustrated by the disparity between overperformance and under-recognition.

And do the strategies in the book work?

“I’m happy to say that I used the STAR method from the book to secure my brand-new role as Director of Transition Programs and Engagement with the Joint Transition Authority within the Defence People Group,” says Ms Taylor.

But what is the STAR method?

You’ll have to get the book to find out!

Tickets for the Make Your Move book launch event are available via Eventbrite for $45, and will include a copy of the book, drinks, canapes, networking and a panel discussion with Ms Taylor and others, including Trish Gorman MAICD, Dana Spasenoska from The Female Leader.

 All proceeds will go to Soldier On Australia.