The Dynamic Leader Podcast

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

In this engaging conversation with Jamie Anderson, an accomplished professional with a multifaceted background spanning entrepreneurship, academia and keynote speaking, we discuss the profound significance of mentorship for leaders and individuals alike.  Hailing from Australia but currently residing in Belgium, Jamie shares his invaluable insights on the transformative power of mentorship, drawn from his diverse experiences as a hotel and art gallery owner, academic and author.  His purpose, defined by supporting individuals to strive for their highest aspirations, stems from a childhood deeply influenced by his mother, instilling in him the values of selflessly supporting others. He highlights the essence of being a role model without explicit mentorship, stressing the alignment between leadership ideals and authentic actions as pivotal for making a genuine impact on those we lead.  Jamie’s journey not only illustrates the potency of mentorship but also emphasises the subtle qualities that make a mentor relationship truly impactful and enduring. Connect with Jamie:  https://jamieandersononline.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-anderson-75657b/ TED Talk: What is Success, Really? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmc6HohWVCs Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠

In this episode Shelley has a thought-provoking conversation with David Fish, a globally renowned strategist driven by a desire to bring simplicity to the complex and make it easier to communicate the value of any solution.  They delve into the essence of human conversations… conversations that we think about, make connections through and find relevance and emotion in. One simple take away for all communication or for creating a narrative is ‘logic is always your friend’. Starting with a clear, organised concept and systematically unpacking the details can boost comprehension by a staggering 40%. David walks us through how we navigate through the ups and downs until we get to a resolution. Grab a copy of David's book: ⁠https://www.davidfish.com.au/shop/p/what-it-takes-to-create-winning-presentations⁠ Connect with David: ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/david-fish-fishy⁠ Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠⁠  Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠

In this conversation, Shelley has the pleasure of delving into the world of transformation and strategy with Adam Bennett, the Principal of Great Change Consulting. With over three decades of experience at the forefront of navigating disruption, Adam's passion has been guiding individuals through the journey of change and transformation. He challenges that we have yet to peach peak change, drawing attention to the colossal macro forces shaping our world—climate change, population shifts, geopolitics and the imminent impact of AI on global supply chains and decision-making. Adam's insight is profound; he believes there is more change ahead of us than there is behind us. It's a perspective that challenges us to view this impending transformation as either punitive or a remarkable opportunity. Adam talks us through strategies, empowering both individuals and leaders to embrace accountability and ensure their professional relevance amidst the impending waves of change. Grab a copy of Adam's book: Great Change - The way to get big strategy done: https://amzn.to/43DXhBfGREAT CHANGE: the way to get big strategy done  Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠

Shelley loves a random conversation. Today’s guest is Kim O’Keeffe, who she met on a plane earlier this year on a trip to Brisbane. After a great conversation on the plane, they found they had a lot in common on their thoughts around leadership, professional growth and careers. Kim, the ever-curious and optimistic spirit, is currently the State Member for Parliament for Shepparton District. A true community champion, she's devoted to fighting for her electorate's needs and supporting the people of Shepparton. Growing up in the embrace of regional Victoria, Kim's roots run deep, instilling in her a strong sense of connection to her community. It's clear that her upbringing has shaped her passion for serving her constituents and advocating for their well-being. Kim's journey, starting at the tender age of 15, was guided by inspiring mentors who encouraged her to envision a future and map out her path. Words like "good people don't stand still" were the catalyst for her entrepreneurial aspirations. The influence of others and their belief in her have been driving forces, propelling her toward seizing opportune moments. Connect with Kim: https://www.kimokeeffe.com.au/ Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠

In this episode, Shelley speaks with Grayson James, a seasoned expert with over three decades of experience assisting Executives, Boards and Senior Management teams in enhancing their collaborative business performance. A common misconception is that effective collaboration hinges on the level of cooperation exhibited by our colleagues—a notion Grayson opposes, considering it a costly oversight. To Shelley, the term 'collaboration' is often carelessly tossed around in many workplaces. Grayson simplifies it to 'working together with other people to get important stuff done,' an essence critical to the existence of organisations. Delving deeper, they consider whether the rising emphasis on collaboration aligns with a decline in hierarchical structures. Grayson has seen a shift over recent years in the nature of interactions and expectations, steering away from the top-down command and control model, which does not fly anymore, especially by the younger generation. Embracing a collaborative leadership approach, Grayson acknowledges the necessity of command and control, consensus, or even no consensus, depending on the given context. The true challenge lies in how we discern what is needed at this time and to pivot and respond effectively in the given situation’. Grab a copy of Graysons book: Full Contact Performance: The Internal Art of Organizational Collaboration. Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Full-Contact-Performance-Organizational-Collaboration/dp/1803412518 Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/full-contact-performance-grayson-james/1142627370?ean=9781803412511 Indiebound Books: https://bookshop.org/p/books/full-contact-performance-the-internal-art-of-organizational-collaboration-grayson-james/19039197?ean=9781803412511 Connect with Grayson: linkedin.com/in/graysonjames Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠