Grant Kelley joined Vicinity Centres in January 2018 and has over 30 years’ of global experience in real estate investment, corporate strategy, funds management and private equity.Grant was formerly CEO at City Developments Limited, a Singapore-based global real estate company with operations in over 20 countries. Prior to this, Grant was the Co-Head of Asia Pacific for Apollo Global Management, leading their real estate investment activities in the region. In 2008, Grant founded Holdfast Capital Limited, an Asian-based real estate investment firm, which was acquired by Apollo in 2010.From 2004 to 2008, Grant was the CEO of Colony Capital Asia where he guided acquisition and asset management activities in Asia. From 2002 to 2004, he was based in New York, where he was a Principal at Colony with responsibility for US and European investment opportunities.Grant holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Adelaide, a Masters in Economic Sciences from the London School of Economics, and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.Grant is Chairman of the Adelaide 36ers, Chairman of Holdfast Assets, a Director of the Shopping Centre Council of Australia, Deputy Chair of the Board of Governors of Pulteney Grammar School, a Council Member of the Asia Society Policy Institute, and a Member of the Premier’s Economic Advisory Council (South Australia).In this episode, Grant and Daniel talked about:his journey, career and how he found himself owning the National Basketball Team, the Adelaide 36's. key influencers throughout his life and factors for his personal and professional success, and he dedicate a great deal of his learning to the amazing relationship he has with Mother.  His thoughts on the traits of a great CEO and described to us how a remarkable and high performing team work together.  We deep dived into performance, and the areas he places his focus for business to be successful  Grant provided his thoughts on how to manage family and business - we can't be workaholic, prioritise the family, how something as simple as walking with your dog brings can bring alot of joy and escape We also discusses the the world of basketball and why he decided to become to be the owner of 36ers How he manages all of his work and emotions of it all and how he has the ability to compartmentalise it all. I also asked a big question of When does enough becomes enough ? Books  mentioned in this episode:Leadership - Lessons From My Life in Rugby  By Eddie JonesGood to Great - Why Some Companies Make the Leap... And Others Don't - By Jim CollinsWhere to find Grant KelleyLinkedInJoin the conversation on Synergy IQ LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram (@synergyiq) and please support other leaders by liking, subscribing and sharing this podcast. Access SynergyIQ Website to get to know more about us. Say hello to our host Daniel Franco on LinkedIn.

Bek is a fitness industry professional, a former physiotherapist, a professional public speaker, psychology educator, wellbeing advisor and coach. Bek Smith enables transformation by teaching a layered psychological skillset we need to perform at our best. She is a former researcher, physiotherapist and sponsored athlete, who now uses applied neuroscience and psychology to build high-functioning individuals, teams and organisations. Bek loves working with out-of-the-box thinkers and guiding them to build the confidence they need to challenge the status quo and make a real difference in the world. Bek's purpose is to expand awareness and elevate consciousness so we can love ourselves, each other and the planet more. The vehicle she uses is mental fitness, where she teaches practical "bite-sized" psychological exercises which help to shift mindsets and behaviours. Bek and Daniel Franco went deep in this conversation and just dived straight into it. They talked about Bek's feeling of not belonging to a community or group and feeling as though she was a fringe dweller. They also talked about the idea of being normal, what is considered normal, and who actually decides what is normal. Bek shares her thoughts on the realism of burnout, the negative mental health effects of working from home, how we can fill up our own cups by designing circuit breakers in our lives and much more about Psychological Fitness.Books  mentioned in this episode:Daring Greatly - How the Courage to be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead - By Brené BrownStolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention - By Johann HariLost Connections - Why You're Depressed and How to Find Hope - By Johann HariAtlas of the Heart - Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience - By Brené BrownA New Earth - Awakening to Your Life's Purpose - By Eckhart TolleThe Power of Now - A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment - By: Eckhart TolleWhere to find  Bek SmithLinkedInhttps://www.smithandwellness.com/Join the conversation on Synergy IQ LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram (@synergyiq) and please support other leaders by liking, subscribing and sharing this podcast. Access SynergyIQ Website to get to know more about us. Say hello to our host Daniel Franco on LinkedIn.

Carmen Garcia is the CEO and Founder of national award-winning diversity and inclusion certified social enterprise, Community Corporate. Operating in the niche space of corporate social responsibility, they specialise in recruitment with a social conscience and corporate volunteering. In 2021, Community Corporate won National Social Enterprise of the Year at the Australian Small Business Champions Awards. Fondly known by her peers as the Diversity and Inclusion Warrior, Carmen is a well-regarded social entrepreneur driven to make a profound economic and social impact through work. Based in Adelaide the social enterprise operates nationally. In 2021 Carmen received the Women in Innovation Award for Social Impact and was listed as one of the Top 50 Small Business Leaders in Australia by Inside Business. In 2020, she received an Australia Day Commendation Award for Inspiring SA Women, was also jointly awarded the Governor’s Multicultural Award for Individual Outstanding Achievement and her business was listed as one of SA’s Fast Mover companies in 2020. She is also an inaugural winner of the 40 Under 40 Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs in SAThis episode was so inspiring, as we learnt about some of the amazing work Carmen and the team at Community Corporate are doing, making a profound social impact on the community. Her passion to bridge the gap for Refugee and Migrant people helping to secure them work in corporate Australia is prevalent through this conversation. Statistics such as on 6% of refugees have worked after 6 months being in Australia, and still, only 25% after 2 years is a damming statistic that Carmen is feverishly trying to fix. She shares some great insights for corporate leaders in how to improve their social impact and diversity and inclusion within their organisations and how we can recognise our unconscious bias and reprogram our brains. We also discuss the challenges of being an entrepreneur and dive into her experiences along the way. Books  mentioned in this episode:Social Impact Investing -  An Australian Perspective - By Stewart Jones, Helena de Anstiss, Carmen GarciaWhere to find  Carmen GarciaLinkedIncarmen@communitycorporate.com.au Join the conversation on Synergy IQ LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram (@synergyiq) and please support other leaders by liking, subscribing and sharing this podcast. Access SynergyIQ Website to get to know more about us. Say hello to our host Daniel Franco on LinkedIn.

🎙The Synergy IQ female team took over the Creating Synergy Podcast from Daniel Franco to talk about the International Women's Day 2022 campaign theme:  #BreakTheBiasHosted by Michelle Holland, listen to each one of the women on the Synergy IQ team discuss what this theme represents and the stories they have to share that impacted them when trying to break the bias.We are working together to #breakthebias Guests:  Sophie Bretag , Fiona McAllister,  Kylie Morton,  Roxy Wardle FCIPD, FCPHR,  Paula Jacques,  Gabriela Vasconcelos,  Jane Russo,  Jane Miller and  Skye Browne.Learn more about the campaign  here: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Join the conversation on Synergy IQ LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram (@synergyiq) and please support other leaders by liking, subscribing and sharing this podcast. Access SynergyIQ Website to get to know more about us. 

Jindou Lee is the CEO and Co-Founder of HappyCo, a software company that builds mobile and cloud solutions to enable real-time property operations. Prior to his current role, Jindou also founded and exited two previous tech companies. Jindou spent most of his adult life growing up in Australia and graduated from the University of South Australia with a Bachelor of Visual Communications (Design). After that, he worked at Midway Games where he led the User Interface team to work on classic titles such as Mortal Kombat, Gauntlet and Dukes of Hazzard. Besides his love for technology, Jindou is also an avid real estate investor, ex-semi pro soccer player and speaks five languages.In this episode,  Jindou shows us that success comes from being vulnerable, not being afraid to just have a go, and putting yourself into uncomfortable situations.Jindou and Daniel went down many rabbit holes, but some of the topics we explored were:Recently seed funding where HappyCo raised $72 million in seed fundingHow to attract investors and fundingThe ups and downs of growing and scaling a business, dealing with knockbacks uncertainty and all the ambiguity of being an entrepreneurThe importance of creating a culture where people want to workRecruiting people who share the same core values and behavioursTime vs energy allocation - how the things you love doing don't suck up the energy How and why he decided to scale outside of Australia and into the US What the future holds for HappyCo and much more. Books  mentioned in this episode:Rich Dad Poor Dad - What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!  - By Robert T. KiyosakiThe Richest Man in Babylon - By: George S. ClasonThe Hard Thing about Hard Things - Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers - By Ben HorowitzWhere to find Jindou LeeLinkedInJoin the conversation on Synergy IQ LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram (@synergyiq) and please support other leaders by liking, subscribing and sharing this podcast. Access SynergyIQ Website to get to know more about us. Say hello to our host Daniel Franco on LinkedIn.

Bruce Djite is currently the CEO of Committee for Adelaide, a membership-based and non-sector specific company, that brings together diverse organisations to drive economic, social, cultural and community growth in South Australia.In an earlier life, Bruce is a former Socceroo who has played football for clubs in several countries including, Turkey, China, South Korea and Indonesia. Business has always been a passion for Bruce, and during his time playing, he spent over 4 years on the Executive and Governance committee of Professional Footballers Australia. He has also held other positions, at PKF Adelaide, Fox Sports Australia and most recently was Adelaide United Football Club’s Director of Football.  He is a current board member of the South Australian Multicultural Commission and the Australia Day Council of South Australia, as well as being a member of Welcoming Australia’s Sports Advisory Committee. You can also see his face commentating on the A-League on Network 10 and Paramount Plus.  In this episode, Bruce and Daniel touch on Bruce's new CEO role at Committee for Adelaide and the great work they are doing, Shaping the future of Greater Adelaide.  Transition to his new CEO roleWhat is it that the Committee for Adelaide actually does? And the benefits of being a member? All things South Australia, Leadership, Politics and much more. He believes in how South Australia can become a powerhouse StateThe release of the Committee's new policies, which include: the creation of a high growth fund for South Australia, policy settings that support population retention and growth and promoting the States competitive advantage.Book mentioned in this episode:Audacity of Hope - Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream  By Barack ObamaWhere to find Bruce DjiteLinkedInJoin the conversation on Synergy IQ LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram (@synergyiq) and please support other leaders by liking, subscribing and sharing this podcast. Access SynergyIQ Website to get to know more about us. Say hello to our host Daniel Franco on LinkedIn.

Trevor Cooke is one of the State’s most highly regarded property and finance leaders and has an outstanding track record in funds management globally, and a wealth of experience in the property and health sector. In his role as CEO, Trevor provides Commercial & General with a competitive advantage as the company continues to expand its national footprint.  He is an experienced operator with a diverse skill set which enables C&G to deliver a truly unique and complete business solution across funding and investment models, design and development, program and project management, feasibility analysis, building, marketing and sales. Trevor’s portfolio of projects includes Calvary Adelaide Hospital, 88’O’Connel Street and the Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy & Research.   Further to this Trevor sits across multiple boards for Junction Australia, Asia Pacific Real Estate Association,  Committee for Adelaide  and is division councillor for property council of Australia.  In this episode:Listen to Trevor as he spoke in detail about his journey which started where he was born in Canada, then all around the world to where we find him today as the CEO of Commercial & General.  Daniel and Trevor also deep dived into:  His personal life, how he manages his time having so many roles The importance of the values and how it drives behaviour  His beliefs in 'Open doors Culture' and 'Meritocracy Culture' The culture of Commercial & General that allows him to balance business and family time Characteristics to be a great CEO What it means to lead with integrity  Commercial & General history, journey, purpose and projectsTrevor's thoughts on South Australia,  attracting investors and capital to AdelaideHis expectations coming out from the omicron situation How the pandemic has been handled politically Mental health, meditation and mind mapping  Books and Podcast mentioned in this episode:Rapid Transformation - An Outcomes-Baed Approach to Drive Results - By Ali DavachiThe Moral Landscape - By Sam HarrisDoom - The Politics of Catastrophe - By Niall FergusonThe Ascent Of Money - Financial History Of The World - By Niall FergusonHitch-22 - A Memoir - By Christopher HitchensMaking Sense Podcast Between the Lines PodcastSaturday ExtraWhere to find Trevor CookeLinkedInJoin the conversation on Synergy IQ LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram (@synergyiq) and please support other leaders by liking, subscribing and sharing this podcast. Access SynergyIQ Website to get to know more about us. Say hello to our host Daniel Franco on LinkedIn.

With over 20 years of experience and as a leader in creating business excellence through people, Michelle has helped thousands of leaders to build their confidence and skills in change. She is an experienced culture change expert, a certified Dare to Lead™ facilitator, and a strategic advisor to some of Australia's largest businesses and corporations. The author of 3 books, including the best seller “Culture Inc”. Michelle speaks at conferences, runs workshops, advises and consults, challenging the thinking of some of Australia's greatest leaders. Not only is she a regular on this podcast, but She can also regularly be seen and heard as a guest on podcasts, networks, and interviews. Checker her out at Michelle T Holland on LinkedIn. In this episode, Michelle and Daniel had a great conversation on the challenges businesses are facing and how they can bring optimism and pragmatism to tackle the brand-new year ahead of us. We also deep-dived into:  The learnings of 2021 The uncertainty and the dilemmas business are facing due to the current circumstances such as this Omicron Variant How the language we use on a day to day basis can shape who we are and what we believe to be true. Optimism and how reality can distort our outlook and what we can do to overcome this The importance of clear communication in a workforce and how we all can communicate better The challenges around workforce shortages and creative ways to deal with them.Expectations for 2022. Where to find Michelle T. HollandLinkedInJoin the conversation on Synergy IQ LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram (@synergyiq) and please support other leaders by liking, subscribing and sharing this podcast. Access SynergyIQ Website to get to know more about us. Say hello to our host Daniel Franco on LinkedIn.

Appointed as Commissioner for Public Sector Employment in 2014, Erma Ranieri is driven to create a world-leading public sector that delivers great results and outcomes for the South Australian community through an agile, flexible and inclusive workplace.Erma’s extensive career has focused on helping organisations optimise productivity and employee wellbeing and has spanned roles in the private and public sectors.Erma has been described to me as a great leader who creates more great leaders, and her amazing qualities haven't gone unnoticed. In 2021, she was awarded the Public Service Medal and added to the Honours list for her long-standing advocacy of gender equality, diversity and disability employment, as well as her commitment to public sector reform. Previous to this she has also won the Telstra Business woman of the year award, a feat not achieved by a person in government before.In this episode, Erma and Daniel touch on Erma's journey being born in a small village in Greece/Macedonia all the way to today where she finds herself as the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment. We also deep-dived into:Erma's journey, where she describes that her parents didn't allow her to study, and wanted her to be a home carer;How she got to a very successful career in the public sector;The influence of mentors gave her the foundation to flourish;The positive impact of Erma's work in South Australia around gender equality, diversity and disability employment;Leadership and Erma's superpower of creating great leaders;How to engage people, teams and organisations through change;Impact and learning of Covid.Where to find Erma Ranieri PSMLinkedInJoin the conversation on Synergy IQ LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram (@synergyiq) and please support other leaders by liking, subscribing and sharing this podcast. Access SynergyIQ Website to get to know more about us. Say hello to our host Daniel Franco on LinkedIn.Books and Podcast mentioned on this episode:Burnout - The secret to solving the stress cycle - By Emily Nagoski and Amelia NagoskiThe Road Less Travelled - A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth - By M. Scott PeckDaring Greatly - How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead - By Brené BrownSuper Soul Podcast with  Eckhart Tolle 

What does it take to lead an entire public sector while championing innovation, collaboration, and economic growth?From the fast-paced world of finance to leading South Australia's public sector, Nick Reade has built a remarkable career. As Chief Executive of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and Head of the Public Sector, Nick is focused on driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and making government more accessible.With 30 years of experience, including his time as CEO of Bank SA and senior roles at Westpac, Nick shares his journey from the private sector to public leadership and the lessons he’s learned along the way.In this episode, Nick dives into:How INSEAD’s Strategy Course shaped his leadership approachThe rebranding of Bank SA and the success of the "Let’s do this" campaignMaking tough decisions as a CEO and bringing people on board for changeHis transition to the public sector and his day-to-day responsibilitiesThe 3 strategic pillars reshaping government operationsChallenges with workforce shortages and fostering innovation in the public sectorThis conversation is filled with valuable insights, reflections on leadership, and Nick’s vision for South Australia’s future.Where to find Nick ReadeLinkedInJoin the conversation on Synergy IQ LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram (@synergyiq) and please support other leaders by liking, subscribing and sharing this podcast. Access SynergyIQ Website to get to know more about us. Say hello to our host Daniel Franco on LinkedIn.