The Dynamic Leader Podcast

In this episode, Shelley engages in a profound conversation with Ashley Fell, a distinguished social researcher, author, TED X speaker and Director of Advisory at the globally recognised McCrindle. Celebrating her decade-long journey with McCrindle, Ashley reflects on the ebbs and flows, or 'tensions,' that have shaped her experiences within the organisation. With a focus on the evolution of her role, Ashley shares insights into the intricacies of navigating the dynamic landscape of a research-focused career. Emphasising the concept of tension, Ashley shares valuable perspectives on communication, advocating for a balanced approach by recognising that life unfolds in the midst of tensions—where nothing is purely good or bad, and many situations are not either/or but rather both/and. This episode unfolds as a rich exploration of a decade of reflection, offering listeners a unique glimpse into Ashley's journey and the wisdom she has gained along the way. As a bonus...here are Ashley's 10 reflections after 10 years: 1. Life is lived in the tension: Nothing is all good or all bad, a lot of things are not either/or, but rather both/and. Recognising that every situation has benefits and challenges is helpful to remember. 2. Say yes to opportunities that scare you: It’s okay to feel scared and like an imposter when taking on something new, but know those feelings can be overcome and don’t let them stop you. We grow the most when we are out of our comfort zone and we rarely ever feel ready, so say yes and learn along the way. 3. Great colleagues are invaluable: We spend a third of our day at work, so getting along with colleagues is not only helpful for your work but for your wellbeing and sense of community. And if you’re lucky, can also lead to great friendships. 4. People underestimating you can be a blessing in disguise: It might seem counter intuitive, but low expectations can actually play to your favour, allowing you to prove people wrong and exceed their expectations.  5. Words of encouragement should not be undervalued: A kind word to someone has the power to put a smile on their face, brighten their day and have greater impacts on them than you might ever realise. 6. Progress, not perfection: Perfection is a myth that stops us from getting things done. Your first attempt at something is rarely good. And that’s totally fine. It gives you something to build off of. Don’t let imperfection stop you from trying at all. 7. Regular rest is essential: Big holidays are amazing and you should definitely take them, but regular rhythms of rest (daily, weekly) are vital to a sustainable career. 8. Reading is a secret power: Non-fiction can teach us so much and so can fiction as it allows us to grow in empathy. I’m also a firm believer that reading makes you a better communicator. 9. Learning takes place through osmosis: Formal learning opportunities are awesome, but don’t forget about the passive learning that takes place by being around others. Although it often takes place without you knowing it, putting yourself in the orbit of people you respect is a great way to learn.  10. Don’t forget to laugh along the way: Humour connects us. I’ve found the moments of laughter are the ones that I remember. Humour is worth pursuing - in presentations, the workplace and in relationships. Having fun along the way is important.  She thanks all those who have had an impact on her and her career so far. Especially Mark McCrindle who has modelled empowering and enlarging leadership so well. 🙏 Connect with Ashley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyfell1/ McCrindle website: https://mccrindle.com.au/The Future Report Podcast:  https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefuturereport Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠

In this episode, Shelley discusses lessons learnt through the journey of leadership with Melissa van der Burgt, head of customer experience centres in an insurance organisation. Melissa shares the valuable lessons she acquired throughout her leadership journey, emphasising the pivotal role of adopting a different approach to work and managing emotions for the betterment of her teams. Drawing from her initial leadership experience, Melissa shares the transformative impact of a strong mentor and discusses the challenges and opportunities that shaped her confidence. Together with host Shelley, they explore the significance of valuing others, being open to opportunities and embracing both victories and setbacks as indispensable components of the leadership journey, shedding light on the lessons learned from each experience. Connect with Melissa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-van-der-burgt-6198334a/  Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠

In this episode, Shelley engages in a conversation with Bette Safour, the National Contact Centre Manager at Teachers Mutual Bank, to explore the nuances of leadership within a contact centre environment. While Shelley typically emphasises universal leadership principles, she acknowledges the distinctive challenges of leading in a contact centre where readiness for dynamic situations is paramount. Drawing on her impressive 22-year tenure at the organisation, Bette reflects on her journey, commencing in the contact centre and progressing through the ranks with the support of mentors and a conducive leadership environment. The episode shares Bette's experiences working with exceptional leaders, shedding light on how her team has innovatively transformed the traditional contact centre model, enhancing service quality and processes. Bette generously shares the key influencers and driving forces that have propelled her into a position of leadership within the industry. Connect with Bette: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bettesafour/ Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠

In this episode, Shelley delves into a thought-provoking webinar she conducted alongside Fran Southward, CEO of Auscontact Association. Together, they explore the power of adopting a mindset of curiosity and the opportunities it opens up in our daily lives. Auscontact Association, is a not-for-profit organisation championing training and development for contact centre staff and leaders and has been Shelley's valued partner for over 7 years. In the webinar Shelley draws on her experience working with leaders and supporting teams across diverse industries, aiming to stimulate a new perspective on curiosity and challenge conventional approaches. She emphasises the important role of awareness and connection, sharing valuable insights and practical tools to embrace a more inquisitive mindset. This episode aims to inspire a shift in thinking, encouraging a fresh outlook on curiosity and its profound impact on personal and professional growth. Memberships with Auscontact Association: https://auscontact.com.au/Web/Web/Membership/Membership.aspx?hkey=ad7019fa-6556-4208-82fb-51620f092792 Connect with Fran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fran-southward-82455b49/ Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠

Welcome to season 5 of the Dynamic Leader podcast. In this episode Shelley shares her thoughts on the year ahead and the challenges leaders are likely to face. She talks about the paradox of leadership and the need for every leader to focus on their own growth and development and encourage their people to do the same.  This year will be focused on increasing effectiveness while developing and maintaining healthy teams. Being intentional with everything you do will be key. Connect with Shelley: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠https://shelleyflett.com⁠

We end season 4 of the Dynamic Leader podcast with Shelley reflection in a year that has been incredibly successful for some and incredibly challenging for others. With over 47 episodes published in 2023 and an increase in listeners by 55%, it's fair to say that this season was a huge success. Plus it was streamed in 16 different countries including Singapore, Germany, the US and the UK. Thanks so much to each of our listeners for taking the time to learn a little and create a dynamic leadership environment. We look forward to sharing more with you in 2024! Thanks also to everyone who invested their time in being interviewed, it is through your insights and experience that we have created such engaging and useful content for our listeners. Connect with Shelley: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠https://shelleyflett.com⁠

In this episode, Shelley chats with Nicki Ursu on our role and responsibilities as leaders. Nicki, a seasoned Director of People and Culture in the health sector with 15 years of leadership experience, brings a wealth of passion for leadership to her role. Beyond her professional commitments, Nicki also runs a side hustle as a coach and facilitator for leaders, underscoring her deep dedication to the development of effective leadership skills. The connection between Shelley and Nicki blossomed during a Neurolinguistic programming course, where Shelley, as an assistant facilitator, offered feedback to Nicki, who was a participant. Nicki shares that despite initial discomfort, the feedback was delivered with consideration and kindness and it left a lasting impression. This experience became a pivotal lesson for Nicki, emphasising the importance of providing feedback as a leader without micromanaging the outcome. Nicki stresses the significance of offering feedback in a way that fosters growth rather than shame, allowing individuals the space to reflect and genuinely desire personal development. This transformative experience has shaped Nicki's leadership philosophy, highlighting the power of seeking permission to share feedback as an integral aspect of leadership for fostering growth and personal development. Connect with Nicki: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickiursu/ Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠

In today’s conversation Shelley speaks with Daniele Iezzi, who is a senior leader on a mission, with a goal to redefine customer service from a traditional retail operating model to a seamless omni channel conversational commerce experience powered by great people and enabled by AI. Reflecting on his leadership journey, Daniele shares how, as an introvert, he navigated the challenges of stepping out of his comfort zone to collaborate with seasoned retail professionals. He emphasises the importance of humility over ego in leadership and highlights the value of continuous learning from those with greater experience. Connect with Daniele: linkedin.com/in/daniele-iezzi Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠

In this episode, Shelley engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Deanna Cooney, a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the acting and voice-over community. The discussion circles around the growing concern over the diminishing art of verbal communication among humans in the age of technology dominance, where texting and emailing has become more convenient than engaging in face-to-face conversations. Deanna, a specialised voice-over coach, emphasises the significance of bridging the gap between written and verbal communication skills. In a world where AI can emulate written communication effectively, Deanna highlights the importance of maintaining consistency in verbal expression. She advocates for the value of lifting verbal communication skills to match the eloquence often achieved in written communication and the importance of writing the way you speak, so people feel and hear you, inside the communication. Connect with Deanna: https://www.deannacooney.com.au/ Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠

In this discussion Shelley speaks with Karen Stein, a distinguished certified executive coach. Karen shares that “leadership is manifested through a series of acts or practices that we evidence and these are accessible to everyone”. The conversation not only reshapes the understanding of leadership, but also highlights the collective responsibility each person holds in contributing positively to the broader landscape of leadership, fostering a more humane and empathetic environment for all. Connect with Karen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-stein-coaching/ www.karensteincoaching.com Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com