The Dynamic Leader Podcast

This conversation is encompassed in adversity and how it exists in parallel with awesomeness. Leanne, an award-winning trainer, speaker, coach and author, she was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (MND) in 2016. Her journey of facing adversity has only fuelled her determination to live passionately, making mindset and resilience crucial to her survival. Leanne’s passion lies in teaching people about resilience and the incredible power of mindset. She is accustomed to pushing through pain and her comfort zone, inspiring others to discover their own resilience and belief in what’s possible. This not only helps others but also gives Leanne purpose. Join Leanne and her support carer Kylie as they discuss taking charge of your destiny, believing everything happens for a reason, and embracing gratitude no matter what happens. Grab a copy of Leanne's book: https://leannesklavenitis.com/book-2 Connect with Leanne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannesklavenitis/ Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠

In this conversation, Shelley speaks with Dr. Jane Foster about emotional resilience, drawing on Dr. Foster's four decades of experience as a teacher and educator in Australia and internationally. Throughout her career, Dr. Foster observed the destructive impact of a culture dominated by blame, criticism and judgment. She's expresses that emotions are fundamental to life but classifying them as good or bad leads to judgment. Instead, she proposes using terms like rough and smooth to avoid judgment and build resilience. She notes that while it is natural to want to shield others from rough experiences, these challenges are crucial for developing the skills to regain and maintain control. Join Shelley and Dr. Foster as they explore how everyday changes in language and approach can foster a more resilient and supportive culture. Grab a copy of Jane's book: https://www.itsinyourhandsdrjanefoster.com/ Connect with Jane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jane-foster-476b1258/ Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠

Today, we're discussing the concept of choice with Julie Hyde, the host of the Leading You podcast, a leadership coach, resilience expert and author of two books. Her second book, "You Always Have a Choice," explores strategies for embracing change, overcoming overwhelm and making empowered decisions. Join Shelley and Julie as they emphasise the importance of understanding the choices available to leaders and their teams, even when it feels like options are limited. Julie explains that choice is a clear, directional decision—left, right, or straight ahead—while decisions require logical analysis and weighing pros and cons to come to a decision. They discuss how overthinking can lead to paralysis and adopting a mindset that supports making empowered decisions and empowered choices is crucial for both personal and professional growth. Grab a copy of Julie's book: https://youalwayshaveachoice.com.au/ Connect with Julie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠

In this episode, we delve into the intricate world of workplace relationships with an emphasis on effective communication. Shelley shares insightful perspectives drawn from personal and professional experiences, highlighting the overlap between these realms. Acknowledging the complexity and uniqueness of every relationship, the conversation urges leaders to adopt a stance of curiosity, continuously evolving and adapting. Shelley shares the need for leaders to remain open-minded and avoid falling into the trap of assuming they know it all, the episode stresses the importance of recognising that people change over time and from interaction to interaction. She talks about three helpful questions: ~ How would you like to be led when things are going well? ~ How would you like to be led when things are not going well? ~ And, how would you like to be led when accountability is necessary? By fostering transparent communication and embracing curiosity over judgment, leaders can cultivate trust, understanding, and appreciation within their teams. The episode concludes with a reminder that relationship-building is an ongoing journey, both personally and professionally, and offers support for those seeking practical guidance in implementing these principles. Connect with Shelley: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠https://shelleyflett.com⁠

In this episode, Shelley speaks with Scott Greenberg on increasing influence. Scott is a dynamic international speaker based in the US, renowned for his expertise in elevating businesses and the individuals steering them. With a background rooted in a decade-long tenure as a multi-unit franchise owner with Edible Arrangements, Scott's journey is marked by transformative achievements. From steering a struggling franchise to profitability within a year to garnering global accolades for outstanding customer service and management, his strategic acumen and human-centric leadership style have been pivotal. In this conversation with Shelley, Scott delves into the essence of leadership influence, stressing the importance of fostering a culture where leaders inspire buy-in through integrity and respect, rather than relying on traditional hierarchical power dynamics. In today's evolving landscape, authentic leadership that prioritises character and earns trust is paramount to driving organisational success and fostering collective fulfilment. Grab a copy of Scott's book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1642011622?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_TBKN44BCVGPAEDC6H0TG Connect with Scott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-greenberg-1b17539/ Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠

Join Shelley as she walks you through the four types of conversations—getting to know you, expectations, accountability, and feedback - and how you can use these as a guide to the kind of conversation that will best serve you and get the most out of your people long-term. Shelley will reflect back on a previous episode where she discussed The Five Modes of Leadership—Coaching (ask & listen), Train or Teach (tell & show), Mentor (guidance & opinion), Manage (directing, defining, responsibility) and Confidant (building trust & deepening relationships)—and how they align. Often, we enter conversations without knowing the type we're about to have, risking the loss of sight of the outcome or failing to approach it appropriately. By understanding these conversation types, we can better prepare, ensuring thoughtful engagement and maximising outcomes while appreciating the perspectives of those we engage with. Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠

In today's discussion, our focus is on wellbeing, a crucial aspect of both personal and professional life. Joining us is Carolyn Apostolou, an expert in fostering thriving cultures of success and igniting transformative change in workplaces. In an era where approximately 46% of Australian workers report feeling burnt out, it's evident that the pace of life has accelerated, leaving many feeling overwhelmed by the multitude of responsibilities and obligations. It's imperative now, more than ever, to prioritise self-care by establishing boundaries, learning to negotiate effectively and resisting the urge to overcommit. By intentionally creating space in our lives, we can cultivate opportunities for meaningful experiences and enhance our overall wellbeing. Throughout their conversation, Shelley and Carolyn will explore strategies for individuals to take ownership of their health and wellbeing, emphasising the importance of accountability in one's journey. Additionally, how employers can play a pivotal role in supporting their staff, ultimately leading to reduced sick leave, a more positive company culture and stronger relationships within the workplace. If you would like to listen to Shelley and Carolyn's first podcast, please check out Dynamic Leader Podcast #123. Connect with Carolyn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynapostolou/ Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠

In this episode, Shelley chats with Narelle Burke, her older sister, about leadership effectiveness. Shelley and Narelle discuss their overarching theme for the year, 'transformation' and contrast it with the emphasis they place on effectiveness for the leaders they collaborate with. Distinguishing between effectiveness, productivity, and efficiency, they explore how the conventional focus on productivity often falls short in fostering substantial business, people and cultural advancements. They reflect on the human tendency to gravitate toward the path of least resistance, perpetually caught in the rush of daily tasks without living purposefully beyond work, hindering overall effectiveness. Their chat extends to dissecting the various phases within business cycles and environments, confronting the challenges of the day-to-day grind and recognising the essential value drivers such as purpose, that may not always be immediately quantifiable, but are indispensable for sustained personal and professional fulfilment over time. Connect with Narelle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/narelleburke/ Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠

In this episode, Shelley offers some valuable insights on leadership and how we identify and define ourselves as leaders. She recounts her transition from a decade-long career in banking to establishing herself as a leadership coach. Initially confined by the perception of being solely a coach, her perspective shifted to developing a successful practice around different modes, of which coaching was just one. She learnt to embrace a multiple modes of sharing her thoughts and expertise including coaching, facilitation, speaking, mentoring, training and authoring. With Leadership as her key focus,  she discovered which modes would deliver the best transfer of leadership knowledge to the people she was working with.   This simplistic approach has redefined how she sees leadership as a space where she can bring out the best in other people. Shelley shares her experience on how leaders can create the environment and develop the relationships that allow people within their remit, to be the best version of themselves. Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠

In this episode, I chat with Casey Buttler, the Head of Operations for GMHBA and the Victorian State Committee Representative for Auscontact Association. With 14 years of experience in leadership and overseeing approximately 120 individuals in her extensive team, Casey's journey into the operational space began under unique circumstances, as she was unable to complete her education due to family challenges. Her initial experience in the professional arena involved pursuing sales leads in contact centre’s, eventually leading her to a role in the service sector. Casey shares the trajectory of her leadership evolution, from an early style characterised by command and control to a more democratic approach. She reflects on the valuable lessons learned from diverse life experiences, emphasising the importance of adaptive leadership. She highlights that effective leadership transcends a one-size-fits-all model and the significance of understanding and incorporating the various styles within her team, while remaining accountable for achieving results. Connect with Casey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-buttler-a8b3a877/ Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠