kabarsula ‘Stop negotiating against yourself’: ACM’s Kate Cox on backing your instincts bandar SLOT INDONESIA

A career in media rarely follows a straight line, and for Kate Cox – Australian Community Media (ACM) publisher for Explore, The Senior and Content Solutions – some of its defining moments have come from rolling the dice.

From editing The Sun-Herald  after initially turning down the job to growing Explore into an award-winning travel media brand, she has challenged convention and championed regional Australians as an influential, often overlooked travel audience.

In her words, “Never Too Much” means pursuing ambition without apology and recognising that strong leadership is as much about empathy as it is conviction.

Here, Cox reflects on the mentors who shaped her career, the importance of making room for family alongside professional ambition, and why backing yourself should go hand in hand with creating opportunities for others.

What does “never too much” mean to you personally?

It’s an interesting theme. I’ve always been a pretty excitable personality so for me it means resisting that instinct to dial down my enthusiasm, ambitions or ideas in order to make other people feel comfortable.

When I believe in something, I throw myself into it, whether that’s a story, a new business idea, a team or a travel experience. I love people who care deeply about what they do, and I don’t think we should ever apologise for that.

But I also think there’s a misconception that taking up space means being the loudest person in the room. Some of the strongest leaders I’ve worked with are also the most compassionate.

They listen hard, they bring people along and they create opportunities for others to shine.

As women, we can sometimes feel we need to choose between being ambitious and being likeable, or between being decisive and being kind. I think (and hope!) that we’re moving beyond that.

We can be unapologetically passionate, back ourselves and lead with empathy. In fact, I think empathy is one of the greatest strengths a leader can have.

Who was the woman who showed you it was okay to take up space?

I’ve been lucky enough to work with some extraordinary women throughout my career. The ones who had the greatest impact on me were the ones who were confident enough to back their own judgement, generous enough to share their knowledge and secure enough to champion other women.

Publishing titan Pat Ingram was a wonderful mentor when I was a magazine editor. I still draw on her insights and wise counsel and so admire everything she achieved in an extraordinary career through enormous change.

She’s also a fabulous raconteur with a wicked sense of humour. I work with remarkable women every day. Explore editor Sarah Maguire is the best in the business and our commercial lead Sarah Dasey is ridiculously connected and a passionate advocate for regional audiences.

My leadership team across Explore, The Senior and Content Solutions is entirely female, and there are so many inspiring women throughout ACM.

It’s also worth pointing out that I’ve been enormously supported by men throughout my career, champions of my adventures and progression even when I wasn’t entirely sure I was ready myself. That includes my ACM MD, Tony Kendall, an excellent media mind and generous mentor.

What’s the trip, the role, or the moment that felt almost too big to reach for?

I initially said no to becoming editor of The Sun-Herald. It was a huge job, with huge KPIs, and I had two little boys at home. I couldn’t quite see how to make it all work.

I’m so glad I was talked into it and made changes at home. It was one of the best decisions of my career.

Editing a Sunday newspaper back then was the best job going around. Now I think I once again have the best job going around and saying yes has been such an important part of my pathway.

Taking on the challenge of launching and growing Explore into a national, multiplatform travel media brand has been enormously exciting. We weren’t just launching a publication; we were rethinking how to reach and engage a valuable travel audience that had been overlooked by much of the industry.

To see the brand recognised this year with two global INMA awards and named Media Brand of the Year at the Mumbrella Travel Marketing Awards has been enormously rewarding.

But I love building things. I love bringing talented people together around an idea, challenging the way things have always been done and seeing what’s possible when a team believes in something.

And we really do believe in Explore‘s audience. Regional Australians aren’t a niche – they are enthusiastic travellers and one of the most engaged, influential, commercially valuable travel audiences in the country.

According to recent CBA iQ data, they spend 16 per cent more on accommodation and 25 per cent more on cruises per capita than metropolitan Australians. Yet much of Australia’s travel journalism is still created through a city-centric lens.

What would you say to the woman who’s still convincing herself to ask for less?

Stop negotiating against yourself before anyone else has even entered the conversation!

Women can be incredibly good at talking themselves out of opportunities. We convince ourselves we’re not quite ready, don’t tick every box or should wait until the timing is perfect.

But most interesting opportunities in life come with an element of uncertainty. If you wait until you feel completely ready, you might never make the leap.

I’ve learnt that passion, curiosity and a willingness to learn can take you a long way. You don’t have to know everything, and it’s worth being honest about that.

Be honest about the non-corporate side of your life, too. Looking back, I missed too many school graduations, awards ceremonies, sporting events and performances. It really used to drive me nuts that the mother’s day-type events were in school hours but the father’s events were after hours!

I think this is changing. I wish I’d had the courage to loudly announce I was leaving work to attend those occasions. It would have been better for my family and a much better example for the parents in my team.

I’d also say that ambition doesn’t have to come at someone else’s expense. Some of the most rewarding moments in my career have come from helping other people grow and succeed.

So, back your instincts. Ask for the opportunity. Pitch the big idea. Say yes. And hold the door open for the next woman.

What do you tell yourself in the moment before you step up?

I’ve always been excited by new opportunities, although that doesn’t mean I’ve always felt completely confident.

Imposter syndrome is real, for men and women, but I’ve also discovered that acting braver than you feel can be effective!

Even after years in leadership, there are still moments of self-doubt. A big presentation, a difficult decision, a new opportunity or a conversation where you know you’re going to have to challenge the status quo.

But feeling nervous doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not ready. I try to remind myself to trust my experience and my instincts, to over-prepare, but also – and this is so important – not to take myself too seriously.

A little perspective and a sense of humour can go a long way. And I always come back to the people around me.

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers or proving you’re the smartest person in the room.

It’s about bringing out the best in others and giving people the confidence to try something new.

So my advice to myself is pretty simple: back yourself, stay authentic, be kind – and roll the dice!

What’s the one travel item you can’t live without?

A big pair of headphones. I travel a lot on my own and they’re something of a security blanket, but not just on the plane.

They’re brilliant for exploring somewhere new. I can listen to directions without looking like a lost puppy, or wander unfamiliar streets with a favourite playlist or local podcast in my ears.

There’s something quite liberating about having your own soundtrack in a strange city.

Once I’ve found my feet, I’ll take them off and soak up the real sounds of a place – the conversations, the traffic, the markets, the music.

I love exploring solo, but that doesn’t mean I don’t occasionally need a little moral support from Spotify!

Early bird pricing for the Women in Travel Awards ends on 3 November 2026.

Held at ivy Sydney, the December 2 ceremony will bring the industry together to celebrate the 2026 winners, unveil the Women in Travel Power List and crown the 2026 Woman of the Year. 

Entry criteria, nomination details and the full list of 2025 winners are available on the Women in Travel Awards website. 

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