Thriving Leaders Podcast

Grant Gemmell is the Managing Director at Facet5 Global, and someone I’ve had the privilege of working alongside for over 15 years. His deep expertise in personality science—and his commitment to unlocking human potential—has shaped how I think about team dynamics, psychological safety, and the value of quality conversations at work. In this conversation, we go deep into what it takes to build truly thriving teams. We explore how rituals, boundaries, and better dialogue can radically improve the way teams connect, collaborate, and perform. In this episode, we cover: Why personality should be seen as a lens, not a label—and how that shift transforms team culture The role of mutual understanding and respect in building psychological safety How clear personal boundaries support trust, wellbeing, and long-term performance Grant’s five “super skills” of meaningful, high-quality conversations What happens when teams misuse personality tools—and how to course-correct Simple, powerful rituals that sustain connection in hybrid and dispersed teams The most urgent leadership shifts needed right now—and the surprising trends to watch  In the work I do with teams—and in writing this book—it’s clear that conscious self-awareness isn’t optional anymore. It’s the foundation for everything: how we show up, how we connect, and how we lead with intention. If you're curious about the real inner workings of high-performing teams, this conversation is for you. Where to get the book, Thriving Leaders: Learn the Skills to Lead Confidently: Physical: ⁠Purchase here⁠ International: ⁠Amazon,⁠ ⁠Booktopia,⁠ ⁠Barnes & Noble⁠ Audio: ⁠Audible⁠ & ⁠Spotify⁠ For all other resources: Learn more about our ⁠leadership development programs⁠ Join our fortnightly ⁠newsletter⁠ Want to connect directly with Claire? ⁠claire.gray@thrivingculture.com.au⁠ Follow along on ⁠Linkedin⁠ Check out our ⁠website⁠ 

In this episode, I sit down with Leo Bottary—author of Peernovation and founder of Peernovation, LLC—to explore what truly makes teams thrive in today’s complex and collaborative work environments. With a rich background in CEO advisory groups and an unwavering commitment to psychological safety, Leo brings deep insight into the power of peers to transform team dynamics. From the core principles of servant leadership to the vital role of psychological safety in innovation and performance, Leo shares how the very best teams operate—and how leaders can intentionally create those conditions. In this episode, we cover: Why psychological safety is not optional—but essential—for thriving teams The five key factors that underpin peer-powered performanceHow peer forums became a blueprint for high-performing teams The critical difference between collaboration and cooperation Why leadership is about creating the conditions for others to succeed One of my favourite takeaways? Thriving teams are intentional and create habits and rituals such as celebrating wins, reflect on progress and embed learning. I also love his tips when asking for help, which can feel uncomfortable. This episode is a must-listen for leaders who want to tap into the collective intelligence of their teams and create cultures where accountability, trust, and performance go hand-in-hand. I’d love to hear what stood out for you—let’s connect on LinkedIn and keep the conversation going. Link/s: Connect with Leo: leo.bottary@peernovation.biz Visit: http://peernovation.biz Buy Leo’s book: https://a.co/d/6qfVD5O

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Kaye Monk-Morgan—President and CEO of the Kansas Leadership Center—to unpack what it really means to lead in today’s civic and organisational environments. Kaye brings three decades of leadership wisdom and a sharp lens on adaptive challenges, systems change, and collective accountability. From her roots in education to influencing public leadership across Kansas and beyond, Kaye offers rich, practical insights into how leadership can (and must) be practiced by everyone—not just those with authority. In this episode, we cover: Why leadership is an activity, not a role—and how that changes everything The difference between authority and leadership (and why it matters for teams) How to distinguish technical from adaptive challenges in real time The role of civic leadership in tackling issues like homelessness, parks, and public planning How shared and systemic accountability builds stronger, more resilient teams One of my favourite takeaways? Leadership doesn’t always mean stepping up—it often means stepping aside, giving the work back, and creating space for others to lead. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating complex change or seeking to build a thriving culture where leadership is truly everyone’s business. I’d love to hear what stood out for you—let’s connect on LinkedIn and keep the conversation going. 

In this episode, I sit down with Professor David Clutterbuck—pioneer of team coaching, co-founder of the EMCC, and author of over 70 books—to explore what makes teams thrive in today’s complex environments. A deeply insightful conversation that transforms how we think about teams. From the science of team dynamics to building cultures of accountability and coaching, David shares frameworks and stories that every leader should hear. In this episode, we cover: What it means to see teams as complex adaptive systems The six essential PERILL elements that influence team performance Why leaders need to foster coaching cultures—not just coach individuals How to navigate stakeholder complexity and team alignment Creating self-sustaining teams and scaling distributed leadership One of my favourite takeaways? The difference between discussion, debate, and dialogue. Teams that truly thrive don’t argue or compromise—they find new meaning together. This conversation is full of practical strategies for building teams that don’t just function—they flourish. I’d love to hear what stood out for you—let’s connect on LinkedIn and keep the conversation going. Physical:  ⁠⁠Purchase here⁠⁠ International:  ⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠  ⁠⁠Booktopia⁠⁠  ⁠⁠Barnes & Noble⁠⁠ Audio:  ⁠⁠Audible⁠⁠  ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠  For all other resources:  – ⁠⁠Learn more about our leadership programs⁠⁠  – ⁠⁠Join our fortnightly newsletter⁠⁠  – Want to connect directly with Claire? ⁠⁠claire.gray@thrivingculture.com.au⁠⁠  – Follow on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠  – Visit: ⁠⁠www.thrivingculture.com.au 

I’m thrilled to share the latest episode of the Thriving Leaders Podcast, featuring an insightful conversation with Claire de Carteret, Managing Director of Gallup APAC. If you’ve ever wondered what truly drives high performance in teams, this episode is a must-listen. Gallup is renowned for its global research on engagement, wellbeing, and leadership. Claire brings the data to life with real-world strategies that leaders can apply immediately. We talk about the 12 conditions required for high performance, how to shift away from outdated hierarchies, and why "having a best friend at work" is more than just a feel-good phrase. In this episode, we cover: – The evidence behind Gallup's definition of engagement and how it's linked to high performance –The enduring power of the Q12 elements—and what makes them still relevant today – Why most engagement strategies fail (and what to do instead) – The four key needs of followers and how great leaders meet them – How to create meaningful conversations that drive trust, stability, and hope One of my favourite takeaways? Claire’s simple but powerful strategy: One meaningful conversation a week. That alone can shift the dynamic of your team. If you're committed to building a thriving team culture, this episode will give you fresh ideas and evidence-based frameworks to do just that. I’d love to hear what resonates with you. Where to get the book, Thriving Leaders: Learn the Skills to Lead Confidently: Physical:  ⁠Purchase here⁠ International:  ⁠Amazon⁠  ⁠Booktopia⁠  ⁠Barnes & Noble⁠ Audio:  ⁠Audible⁠  ⁠Spotify⁠ For all other resources:  – ⁠Learn more about our leadership programs⁠  – ⁠Join our fortnightly newsletter⁠  – Want to connect directly with Claire? ⁠claire.gray@thrivingculture.com.au⁠  – Follow on ⁠LinkedIn⁠  – Visit: ⁠www.thrivingculture.com.au⁠ 

In this Thriving Leaders Podcast I meet with Dermot Crowley—productivity expert, bestselling author, and founder of Adapt Productivity. Dermot’s practical and people-focused approach to productivity has reshaped how thousands of professionals manage their time and teams. In this episode, we dive into the critical habits and systems that allow leaders and teams to perform at their best—without burning out. We explore what causes teams to get bogged down in busy work and how they can reclaim their time and energy through smarter collaboration, clear communication, and prioritisation that actually works. This conversation is full of actionable strategies to help leaders go beyond individual productivity and build team cultures that thrive on clarity, consistency, and effectiveness. In this episode, we cover:  – The two types of productivity erosion and how to prevent them  – Why individual systems matter just as much as team tools  – How to make work visible and reduce friction in collaboration  – The three productivity cultures that shape every team's success  – Simple shifts to streamline meetings, emails, and communication One of my favourite takeaways? “Make work visible.” Whether it’s through Asana, Planner, or another tool, clear visibility helps teams align, prioritise, and collaborate without chaos. Whether you're a seasoned leader or new to leading teams, you’ll find actionable gems that can transform the way your team works—starting tomorrow. Where to get the book, Thriving Leaders: Learn the Skills to Lead Confidently: Physical:  Purchase here International:  Amazon  Booktopia  Barnes & Noble Audio:  Audible  Spotify For all other resources:  – Learn more about our leadership programs  – Join our fortnightly newsletter  – Want to connect directly with Claire? claire.gray@thrivingculture.com.au  – Follow on LinkedIn  – Visit: www.thrivingculture.com.au 

Amy Edmondson, a Novartis Harvard Professor and top management thinker, shares her groundbreaking insights on building thriving teams. She explains the crucial distinction between trust and psychological safety and how to foster both. The conversation delves into redefining accountability as a privilege, encouraging open dialogue, and the power of intelligent failure. Edmondson emphasizes that psychological safety shouldn't just be the goal but the environment enabling teams to excel. This discussion is packed with practical strategies leaders can instantly implement.

This is our last episode of Season 1 of the Thriving Leaders podcast. Change is normal, but it can be uncomfortable. We are constantly evolving, improving and adapting the way we do things. Thriving leaders need to lead and communicate change effectively. This creates certainty even when we live in an ambiguous world. To assist you in communicating and leading change, we cover:Understanding change at a deeper level, including the 4 stages of changeThe mindset transition when facing changeVUCA environmentsWhy we need to see the value in change to commit to itWhat to focus on when communicating change effectively That brings season one - Thriving Leaders: Learn the Skills to Lead Confidently – to an end.  Thank you for tuning in, for taking notes, for sharing this podcast with your friends and colleagues, and, most importantly, for applying the teachings of this book so you can become a thriving leader and start leading confidently now.Stay tuned for Season 2!  Where to get the book, Thriving Leaders: Learn the Skills to Lead Confidently: Physical: Purchase here International: Amazon, Booktopia, Barnes & Noble Audio: Audible & Spotify For all other resources: Learn more about our leadership development programs Join our fortnightly newsletter Want to connect directly with Claire? claire.gray@thrivingculture.com.au Follow along on Linkedin Check out our website 

Following on from our previous 2 episodes on Communication (ep. 16 Communication and ep. 17 Communicating with Purpose), we continue the conversation by diving into structuring your communication so its most effectively received.  In this episode, we explore:  Why repetition is so important  Be compelling and engaging; how to maintain their attention  Clearing outlining what you’ll be communicating  Key messaging and the rule of three  The mini conclusions and the strong close  Once you master the art of structuring your communication, then it’s time to communicate change to your team.  In our next episode, we cover Communicating and Leading Change. Be sure to tune in.  Where to get the book, Thriving Leaders: Learn the Skills to Lead Confidently:  Physical: Purchase here International: Amazon, Booktopia, Barnes & Noble  Audio: Audible & Spotify  For all other resources:  Learn more about our leadership development programs  Join our fortnightly newsletter  Want to connect directly with Claire? claire.gray@thrivingculture.com.au  Follow along on Linkedin  Check out our website 

When we connect people to purpose, we inspire them. Purpose is a key driver of employee engagement.    This isn’t a new topic: humans have been searching for meaning and purpose in their personal lives and their careers for some time—seeing as we spend so much time working.    So, in this episode, we’re diving into:     Starting with Why    The Golden Circle Model    The art of storytelling    Will Brook shares  Brookfarm’s "Why". He also shares how they communicate that to their team, how they connect their team to their purpose and how that then translates to the market.   In our next episode, we go deeper into communication with a structure for communication. Subscribe now so you don’t miss it.