

Future Fit Leadership
Sadhana Smiles
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/
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/
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 7, 2025 • 55min
Scott Millar on - Rethinking 9-5: GenZ, Reverse Mentoring & Leading with Love Languages at Work
From high school entrepreneur to CEO of one of Australia’s fastest-growing companies, Scott Millar has never played by the rules. Nicknamed the “Teenage Entrepreneur” by the media, Scott turned down the traditional career path to build a business that helps organisations connect with Gen Z and future generations. In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, Scott shares how curiosity, courage, and creativity have shaped his journey. We talk about why Gen Z leaders are rewriting the playbook, what it means to thrive in a world of constant change, and why the best leaders of tomorrow will be those who aren’t afraid to rewrite the rules today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 31, 2025 • 60min
4000 Sundays: Burnout, Brain Drain, & Why Leaders Must Walk the Wellbeing Talk
What if you only had 4000 Sundays in your lifetime? And what if the way you work today is quietly stealing them away? In this conversation, Dr Kristy Goodwin takes us inside her own life-altering wake-up call — a moment in a Code Red hospital ward that forced her to confront burnout, mortality, and the “success tax” so many high performers pay. Kristy shares why our bodies keep score, how to stop crawling to Friday and start arriving at Sunday fully alive, and why protecting your focus, energy, and relationships is non-negotiable if you want to lead into the future. This is not just about wellbeing, it’s about the kind of leaders we choose to become — human-first, sustainable, and fiercely intentional. 🎧 Listen now and ask yourself: how many Sundays do you have left, and how do you want to spend them?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 24, 2025 • 43min
From Performative to Purposeful: Kate Mason’s Guide to Leadership That Lasts
Kate Mason’s leadership journey is anything but ordinary. From touring with Paul McCartney to leading culture and transformation across global giants like Coca-Cola Amatil, Amcor, and Credit Suisse, Kate has sat at the biggest tables — and now she’s rewriting the rules of leadership with her business, Social Value. In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, Kate shares powerful lessons on building diverse CEO pipelines, moving from performative to purposeful leadership, and why culture is more than words on a wall. She opens up about the personal cost of leadership, her lived experience as a lifelong carer, and the insights she brings to helping leaders balance performance with purpose. If you’ve ever wondered how to lead with heart, avoid the traps of burnout, and create real social impact — this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 17, 2025 • 55min
If you walk past it, you endorse it: Courage, Mattering and Leading from the Edge with Holly Ransom
What does it take to lead with impact when the world won’t stop changing? In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I sit down with Holly Ransom — author of The Leading Edge, global speaker, and one of Australia’s boldest leadership voices. Holly shares the lessons that shaped her, from her grandmother’s courage in standing up for others to the mantra that if you “walk past it, you tell the world it’s okay.” We talk about why method — not mindset — is the biggest gap in leadership, why mattering at work transforms culture, and why adaptability, courage, and curiosity will define the leaders of the future. A sharp, energising conversation with insights from Holly’s own journey and her conversations with leaders like Barack Obama and Richard Branson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 10, 2025 • 14min
The Optimism Effect: Why Future Fit Leaders Radiate Belief and Possibility
What if optimism wasn’t just a personal trait, but a leadership strategy? In this Spotlight episode, we’re joined by Victor Perton, founder and Chief Optimism Officer at the Centre for Optimism. Victor shares why declining optimism is one of the greatest public policy challenges of our time — and why the leaders of the future must be “magnetic optimists.” He unpacks what it means to lead with infectious energy, how optimism builds trust, resilience, and innovation, and why every CEO should be asking their teams: “What makes you optimistic?” A joyful, compelling conversation for every leader who wants to shape a better future — by starting with belief.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 3, 2025 • 13min
“Why Great Leaders Design Work That Works for Everyone” with Michelle Redfern
In this Spotlight episode, Michelle Redfern calls on leaders to take radical accountability — not just for results, but for developing people. She shares why skills are the defining currency of the future, why too many leaders still overlook talent development, and how inclusive workplace design can unlock untapped potential. From leadership brand to business intelligence, Michelle breaks down her BQ-EQ-SQ model and challenges leaders to lead with intention, integrity, and a clear sense of purpose. 🎧 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.

Jul 27, 2025 • 10min
From Purpose to Plastic: Nik Robinson on Leading with Courage, Curiosity and Kids
Nik Robinson, founder of purpose-led brand Good Citizens, joins us for this episode of the Future Fit Spotlight series. Known for turning plastic waste into stylish, 100% recycled sunglasses—and doing it alongside his two young sons—Nik brings an honest, refreshing take on what it really means to lead with purpose, courage, and collaboration. In this candid conversation, Nik shares why vulnerability is a superpower, how his kids challenge him to think differently, and why the best leadership doesn’t come from the top down—it comes from listening deeply, embracing discomfort, and staying curious. 🎧 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.

Jul 20, 2025 • 9min
Gen Z, Trust & the Future of Work: Leadership Insights with Ashly Fell
In this episode of our Future Fit Leadership Spotlight series, demographer and social researcher Ashly Fell explores how generational change is reshaping the workforce—and what leaders need to do about it. From Gen Z’s expectations of purpose and flexibility to the future of workplace culture and trust, Ashly brings a fresh, data-backed lens to leadership. If you’re managing multi-gen teams or designing culture for the future, this conversation is essential listening. 🎧 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.

Jul 13, 2025 • 7min
How to Lead with Humanity, Clarity and Courage with Michelle Loader
Michelle Loader is the Managing Director of Future Leadership — an organisation shaping the future of board and executive capability in Australia. In this Spotlight episode, Michelle shares the three traits she believes are essential for future-fit leaders, the underestimated risks and opportunities of AI, and why empathy is now a business-critical skill. It’s a grounded and insightful conversation about what it takes to lead with humanity, clarity, and courage in a fast-changing world. 🎧 Part of our limited Future Fit Leadership Spotlight series — four questions, fresh perspectives, and leadership insights that stay with you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 6, 2025 • 11min
Curiosity, Human Leadership, and the Power of Unlearning with Ben Hamer
In this episode of our Future Fit Leadership Spotlight series, futurist and workforce expert Ben Hamer shares what it takes to lead in a rapidly changing world. From the underestimated power of curiosity to the rise of Gen Z in the workforce, Ben challenges outdated assumptions and urges leaders to prioritise adaptability, energy over time, and human connection. This short conversation is packed with forward-thinking insights—from managing energy instead of hours, to rethinking what younger generations value most at work. 🎧 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.