This webinar is for ALGIM Council / CCO members only.
The Invisible Leader," recounts a pivotal hostage situation in Auckland where Vitale Lafaele faced a critical decision: follow orders that could endanger hostages or authorize his team to use explosives to save lives. His reflection on why his team trusted him under extreme pressure led him to explore the essence of true leadership—emphasizing values, trust, and the culture of the organization as the foundation for effective team performance. He advocates for leadership that is invisible yet impactful, where the leader empowers the team and fosters resilience, mental health awareness, and mindfulness.
About the Presenter:
Vitale Lafaele
Principal Advisor
Ministry of Social Development
In 1962, a Sāmoan family journeyed to New Zealand - a country immigrants once called 'the land of milk and honey' - in search of a better life. Instead, their eldest son, Vitale, arrived in an era of dawn raids by police and immigration officials, and endless racism and bullying at school. Yet he endured and, against the odds, grew up to become one of a select few civilians to pass New Zealand's elite SAS selection process.
After seven years in the army, Vitale scaled impressive heights to become tactical commander of the police special tactics group, commander of the armed offenders squad, head of dignitary and witness protection, and one of New Zealand's most decorated policemen. He rose through the ranks to Armed Offenders Squad (AOS) Commander, Special Tactics Group (STG) Tactical Commander, and Area Commander Counties Manukau. Under his leadership, tactical squads deployed in some of the most nationally significant events such as the Napier siege, Urewera anti-terrorist raids, and the New Lynn hostage rescue.
He is a leader, author, keynote speaker, accredited business mentor with the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and 2023 was appointed Principal Advisor Leadership & Culture in the Public Sector, coaching and mentoring senior leadership teams in the largest Government agency in New Zealand.
From high-profile hostage situations to overcoming a career-ending stroke, Soifua Vitale Joseph Fatutoa Lafaele's story is an inspiring one, of overcoming difficulty with values to guide you through life's challenges - ua se vaʻa tu matagi, like a canoe before the wind.
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