
Future Fit Leadership
Welcome to Future Fit Leadership a podcast for emerging and experienced leaders to learn, grow and become future fit!
There has been a global shift in how we lead people. Traditional models are being challenged, and our workplaces are now dynamic.
In this podcast you will hear and connect with leaders, CEO’s and change makers who will challenge the status quo and share their future ready strategies to unlock your growth.
No matter where you are on your leadership journey this podcast will give you practical ideas and tools to help you think outside the square and become a change maker in your industry.
Future Fit leadership is your place for bite sized learning, for time poor executives.
Contact Sadhana Smiles via email: sadhanasmiles@realchange.com.au
Or connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasmiles/
Latest episodes

Jun 29, 2025 • 10min
Spotlight Series - The Courage to Lead with Compassion with Penny Locaso
What if leadership wasn’t about being the loudest in the room — but the most human? In this episode, Penny Locaso, behavioural scientist and founder of the Impact Makers movement, shares a bold vision for the future of leadership — one built on compassion, long-term thinking, and women leading unapologetically on their own terms. Penny challenges traditional leadership models and explains why the next era of leaders must stop asking for permission and start defining success by impact, not ego. If you’ve ever questioned how leadership should feel — this conversation will shift your thinking. 🎧 Part of our limited Future Fit Spotlight series — four questions, fresh perspectives, and leadership insights that stay with you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 22, 2025 • 8min
Spotlight Series - The Best Leaders of the Future will Ask Better Questions with Michelle Broadbent
What if the best leaders of the future aren’t the ones with all the answers — but the ones who ask better questions? In this episode of our Future Fit Spotlight series, trusted advisor and business strategist Michelle Broadbent reflects on the leadership qualities we’ll need most in the decade ahead: adaptability, empathy, and a clear, distraction-proof strategy. Michelle shares why we must shift from being the “expert in the room” to the enabler of others, and why redefining success — away from hustle and towards purpose — is not just a trend, but a necessity. 🎧 Part of our limited Future Fit Spotlight series — four questions, fresh perspectives, and leadership insights that stay with you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 15, 2025 • 9min
Spotlight Series - Flexible, Fast & Human: The New Rules of Leadership with Lucinda Hartley
In a world where change is accelerating faster than ever, what does it take to lead with clarity and courage? Urban futurist and co-founder of Neighbourlytics, Lucinda Hartley, joins the Future Fit Leadership Spotlight to explore why curiosity, flexibility, and authenticity will define tomorrow’s leaders. She shares how speed is reshaping leadership, why perfection is holding us back, and what it means to lead with momentum — even when we don’t have all the answers. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the pace of change, Lucinda offers a refreshing take on how to stay relevant, responsive, and human. 🎧 Part of our limited Future Fit Spotlight series — four questions, fresh perspectives, and leadership insights that stay with you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 8, 2025 • 12min
Spotlight Series - Leading for the Future You Won't See with Elliott Dellys
What happens when our technology evolves faster than we do? In this episode, strategic advisor and ethical business advocate Elliott Dellys reflects on the future of leadership in a rapidly changing world. Elliott shares why visionary thinking, resilience, and empathy aren’t just desirable leadership traits — they’re essential for navigating misinformation, rebuilding trust, and leading with purpose in an age of disruption. He also unpacks the role of adaptability, ethical business, and creating a legacy that goes beyond profit. 🎧 Part of our limited Future Fit Spotlight series — four questions, fresh perspectives, and leadership insights that stay with you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 1, 2025 • 10min
Spotlight Series - Why Growth Mindset and Calm Leadership Are the Future with Dr Marianne Broadbent
In this episode of our Future Fit Leadership Spotlight series, we hear from Dr Marianne Broadbent, global executive advisor, board director, and leadership educator. Marianne shares what it means to lead with a growth mindset, why we must become more comfortable with ambiguity, and how the rapid rise of geopolitical disruption is catching many leaders off guard. She also reflects on the power of calm leadership, the importance of staying curious, and why taking accountability with empathy will be one of the most essential leadership qualities in the decade ahead. This is a quick yet powerful conversation with one of Australia’s most respected voices on leadership and governance. 🎧 Part of our limited Future Fit Spotlight series — four questions, fresh perspectives, and leadership insights that stay with you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 25, 2025 • 14min
Spotlight Series - Coherent Leadership: The Competitive Advantage No One’s Talking About with Tanja Lee
What does it really take to lead in a way that inspires trust, creativity, and collaboration? In this episode of our Future Fit Spotlight series, award-winning leadership and mindset specialist Tanja Lee shares why coherence—being in balance emotionally, mentally, and physically—is the essential leadership quality for the decade ahead. From the neuroscience of stress to creating cultures of innovation, Tanja offers powerful insights on how leaders can shift out of survival mode and into sustainable, purpose-driven influence. Part of our limited Future Fit Spotlight series — four questions, fresh perspectives, and leadership insights that stay with you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 18, 2025 • 43min
“735 Million Reasons to Listen (and Eat More Beans)” with Paul Newnham
Right now, 735 million people face hunger and one in three of the world’s population is malnourished. But the global food crisis is the ‘elephant in the room’ - too often ignored in political discussions and in the media. It's a climate crisis, a conflict crisis, and a cost-of-living crisis: it demands a massive and joined-up global response that is currently lacking. In a bid to meet the UN’s second Sustainable Development Goal (SDG2) of zero hunger by 2030, one campaign is asking you to eat more beans. Its argument? Beans are cheap, long-lasting, nutritious, versatile, planet-friendly, and ubiquitous. Paul Newnham is the executive director of the SDG2 Advocacy Hub, which campaigns to achieve the UN's goal of ending hunger by 2030. I promise you this podcast will get you reaching out for more beans in your next supermarket shop See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 11, 2025 • 44min
Workplace Wellness Warrior: How Karen Maher is Revolutionising Psychological Safety ( re-release)
Karen Maher, an expert in workplace safety and culture, discusses the critical importance of building safe and inclusive workplaces. Maher shares her background, having experienced workplace harassment and bullying early in her career, which motivated her to specialise in this field. Maher emphasises that the impact of poor workplace behaviors, such as bullying and harassment, can be devastating, both for the individuals directly affected as well as the broader organization. She highlights common misconceptions, such as the belief that intent matters more than the actual impact of the behavior. Maher stresses that organizations have a duty of care to address these issues proactively, rather than reactively. The discussion covers the concept of "psychosocial safety" - the need to ensure not just physical safety, but also psychological safety in the workplace. Maher outlines key elements that organizations should consider when developing anti-bullying and anti-harassment policies, such as clear definitions, reporting mechanisms, and support systems for affected employees. Maher also emphasizes the critical role of leadership in setting the tone and modeling the desired behaviors. She shares success stories of organizations that have transformed their cultures by prioritizing respect, education, and a strong speak-up culture. Looking to the future, Maher anticipates increased regulatory scrutiny and prosecution of organizations that fail to provide safe workplaces, particularly around psychosocial hazards. She encourages businesses to be proactive in addressing these issues, rather than waiting for something to go wrong. Overall, the interview highlights the significant impact that workplace bullying and harassment can have, and the importance of organizations taking a comprehensive, preventative approach to building safe, inclusive, and high-performing work environments. To find out more https://www.karenmaher.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 5, 2025 • 56min
Resilience is built long before it is ever tested - Leading Through Isolation and Extreme Conditions with David Knoff ( re- release)
In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, we welcome David Knoff, Antarctic station leader and author of 537 Days of Winter. David’s journey is one of resilience, adaptability, and the sheer mental fortitude required to lead a team through unprecedented isolation and extreme conditions. From managing resources and morale to navigating the mental toll of Antarctica's harsh environment—compounded by an unexpected pandemic lockdown—David shares powerful insights on crisis leadership and what it takes to keep a team motivated in the world’s most remote and challenging location. Tune in for a unique conversation that delves into leadership, resilience, and the art of maintaining hope and connection, even when you’re far from home.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 27, 2025 • 45min
Outsourcing Thought: AI, Ethics & the Future of Human Leadership with Elliott Dellys
In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I sit down with Elliott Dellys — founder and CEO of Phronesis, Australia’s first B Corp-certified cybersecurity firm. A former intelligence officer turned entrepreneur, Elliott is leading a very different kind of security conversation — one grounded not just in technology, but in ethics, leadership, and culture. Elliott believes cybersecurity is ultimately a people problem — and that the biggest risks we face aren’t just digital, they’re deeply human. From the rise of AI-powered cybercrime to the flawed systems that leave organisations vulnerable, this conversation goes far beyond firewalls. We explore: Why groupthink is one of the most dangerous threats inside modern organisations How fear, conformity, and poor leadership compromise security and innovation The myth of “hacking” — and what most businesses get wrong about risk What it means to build a values-driven company in an industry obsessed with fear His bold take on why Australia won’t meet its 2030 cybersecurity goals — and what real progress would look like Elliott also shares why he donates 10% of profits to social impact, why he built Phronesis around the Greek word for “practical wisdom,” and how philosophy remains his greatest leadership tool. This is a conversation about courage, systems thinking, and the urgent need for leaders who can think beyond compliance — and lead with conscience.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.