The Dynamic Leader Podcast

In this thought-provoking episode, Shelley engages in a conversation with Ella Zhang, a dedicated strategic change maker, facilitator and executive coach with extensive experience in both fortune 100 companies and start-ups. The focus of their discussion is the profound link between self-care and success, delving into the correlation between inward self-awareness and its profound impact on outward outcomes. Ella, the author of the book 'Upgrade,' passionately explores how our thoughts, emotions and actions bear direct consequences that ripple across our organisations and interpersonal dynamics. She advocates that understanding this crucial link between self-care and success is paramount for modern leaders. The emergence of self-reflection and personal growth in leadership development has gained momentum in recent years. Ella emphasises the need to intertwine professional and personal development, gaining insights into our own cognitive and behavioural patterns to prevent self-sabotage. Often the challenges we are facing are not from the outside world, but self-imposed. It is through overcoming and 'upgrading' these challenges, adjusting our habitual reactions, that we can enhance our effectiveness as leaders. She underlines the essential aspect of managing and taking ownership of our time, energy and performance to become the inspirational leaders that others need us to be. Grab a copy of Ella's book 'Upgrade': Ellazhang.com.au/book  Connect with Ella: linkedin.com/in/ellazhangsyd  Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠

Culture is something we could endlessly explore, there are so many different perspectives and opinions. In this episode, Shelley talks with Lisa Carlin about working within your culture, as opposed to changing it. Lisa is a strategy execution specialist and the co-founder of Future Builders Group, a network of organisational development specialists.  She works with Leaders to turbo charge their transformation projects and change. Strategy execution, Transformation, Change, Projects, implementation, cultural change, digital transformation – these words all mean something slightly different and they mean something different to each individual. They all motivate a feeling of ‘let’s do something significant to move forward’. Lisa’s first step to developing her transformation journey began in South Africa the 1990's when she started working in systems development. This encouraged a curiosity in change management. Following this, she started working for McKinsey on strategy projects. The firm delivered amazing strategy work, but just like systems development, didn’t always go as planned because due to people. After moving to Australia, Lisa started working for a culture change organisation where ideas from a transcendental, meditation movement where used to developed ‘culture in the workplace’.  Culture was not used or understood in the workplace in these years and it inspired Lisa to start her own business combining all the different skills learnt over the years. Lisa's learnings in strategy, technology, culture and people work, led her to create a multidisciplinary transformation perspective. There are three stages to multidisciplinary transformation and Lisa will guide you through these during the conversation. Connect with Lisa: Subscribe to Turbocharge Weekly or 17 top transformation tips. Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠

In this episode, Shelley speaks with Mei Ouw and Kylie Ryan, two remarkable experts in emotional leadership.  Shelley delves into the profound impact of emotions on the way we lead in the workplace and live our lives.  Mei, an esteemed executive coach and master trainer of NLP and Spiral and Kylie, the secret weapon behind elite-level coaching, particularly with entrepreneurs, are catalysts for global change.  Shelley has personally been working with Mei and Kylie on her ‘emotional’ journey and her lessons in emotional clearing and Spiral was transformative. Spiral, a practitioner-led process is a systematic series of sessions activating and awakening our inherent power bases and specific energy centres, it’s like delving into a series of filing cabinets of different issues.  In the fast-paced world of leadership, characterised by ceaseless decision-making and complexity, relying solely on the mind can lead to burnout and decision fatigue. Hence, the imperative to bring our whole selves to the workplace and every aspect of our lives.  Learn more about the school of Spiral: https://thespiral.com Connect with Mei: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mei-ouw-b14b6914/ Connect with Kylie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylieryan/  Connect with Shelley: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠https://shelleyflett.com⁠

In this chat, Shelley sits down for a second time with seasoned operational leader, Wayne Schembri, who has just started in a new role with RMBL after working for his previous organisation for over 17 years. At the time of this conversation, Wayne has only been in his new role for just a month, and shares some fabulous insights into his approach on culture, people, strategy, systems and processes.  He shares the discomfort of doing something different after such a long time and the benefit of taking time out between roles to rest, reflect and gain clarity on what you want next. This is a fabulous conversation for any leader transitioning into a new role. Connect with Wayne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayne-schembri-55a8b152/  Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠

In this conversation, Shelley engages in a thought-provoking dialogue with Dr. Brett Lillie, a seasoned practitioner with a Chiropractic masters degree, who has spent over two decades fostering wellness in his Sydney clinic.  Delve into the realms of rediscovering your inner athlete and movement's profound significance in both life and leadership.  Brett's own journey with movement, from the wilds of his bush upbringing, climbing trees and conquering rocks, to the exhilaration of motorbikes and skateboards, followed by surfing in high school and the endurance challenges of triathlons in university, sets the stage for his insights.  A turning point arrived during the second year of his master's program, when a debilitating accident shattered his shoulder, leading him through years of arduous rehabilitation and pain. This experience shattered the youthful invincibility, giving rise to a quest for holistic answers beyond the realm of muscles alone.  As the conversation unfolds, Brett and Shelley explore the intricate connections between chronic pain, the psychological and physical facets, cultural influences, and even the interplay between the mind and body. Grab a copy of Brett's book 'Rediscovering your athlete within': ⁠https://www.brettlillie.com/the-book/⁠  Connect with Brett: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettlillie/⁠  Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠⁠  Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠

In this conversation Shelley speaks with Nina Mapson Bone in an exploration of meaningful work and its role in cultivating fulfilment across our lives and careers. Nina, a dynamic leader holding positions such as Managing Director at Beaumont People, and President and Chair of the Recruitment Consulting and Staffing Association for Australia and New Zealand, shares her firsthand experience of work's transformative power. Drawing from her extensive work in recruitment, Nina unveils the remarkable improvement that emerges when individuals are immersed in meaningful work. As the conversation unfolds we discover ‘flow state’, where we work to our strengths and find energy and synergy. Everyone's journey to meaningful work is unique and this conversation will help explain the four essential ways to achieve this sought-after state of fulfilment. Tune in to explore the multifaceted world of meaningful work and unlock its potential to elevate your life. Grab a copy of Nina's book 'Meaningful Work: https://www.ninamapsonbone.com.au/ Connect with Nina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninamapsonbone/ Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠

In this conversation, Shelley delves into the inspiring narrative of Max Ginpil, whose journey began with an appetite for confronting challenges head-on and embarking on a quest to 'do things better'.  His aspiration to 'do better', even when others hesitated, propelled Max from a dedicated team player to a visionary team leader and eventually a dynamic divisional leader. Curiosity drove him to ask the pivotal question: "How can we do things better?"  This curiosity not only fuels his own growth but also ignites a sense of safety and curiosity within those around him, fostering an environment where questions like "why" are not threats, but rather gateways to innovation.  Max recognises the affect of stifling curiosity, acknowledging that in its absence, rigidity takes root and the very essence of leadership dwindles.  As we journey through Max's experiences, we are reminded that nurturing a culture of safety and value is essential, empowering individuals to explore new paths, employ their skills in uncharted ways and ultimately become architects of transformative leadership. Connect with Max: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-ginpil/ Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com⁠

In this conversation Shelley talks with the remarkable Peter Baines to unravel why leadership truly matters. After following Peter's journey for many years it was such a pleasure to learn more about him as the founder of the charity Hands Across the Water.  This extraordinary organisation was born in the wake of the heart-wrenching 2004 tsunami in Thailand to help children left orphaned, raising an astonishing $33 million along the way. But there's more to Peter's story.  For 22-years, Peter worked within the Police Force in the elite Forensics Service Area in NSW, where he played an integral role in the aftermath of events like the Bali Bombings and the Thailand tsunami.  Their conversation delves into the heart of leadership dynamics, shedding light on the delicate balance between wielding control and igniting the fires of collective purpose.  It’s an invigorating discussion that explores the very fabric of leadership, as they debunk the notion of 'do as you're told' in favour of ‘bringing people on the journey’. Grab a copy of Peter's book: Leadership Matters https://peterbaines.com.au/purchase-books/leadership-matters Connect with Peter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterbainesconsulting/  Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com ⁠

In this conversation Shelley delves into the pivotal connection between business and customer with a true visionary, Michael Clark. Two decades ago, Michael found himself entrusted with a contact centre blueprint, a challenge he embraced with no prior experience in the field. What transpired since, has forged his remarkable expertise spanning contact centres, customer experience, project management, technological transformation, leadership and change. Michael's profound grasp of the crossroads between leadership, customer satisfaction and employee engagement has proven invaluable. Tune in as they uncover the art of managing and influencing outcomes to meet customer needs through curiosity—a potent force that uncovers who the customer truly is, their desires, preferences and engagement patterns.  They explore the intricate balance between efficient call handling and delivering quality results, all while fostering a workplace that cultivates the power of curiosity and question asking in a judgment free zone—a lesson that resonates far beyond the professional realm. Connect with Michael: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mclarkcxtt/⁠  Connect with Shelley: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠⁠⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠⁠⁠https://shelleyflett.com⁠⁠

In this episode Shelley engages in a captivating conversation with Jacqueline Farrington, a true 'change maker' with two decades of experience igniting leadership potential through the art of storytelling. Jacqueline's transformative journey, woven through the realms of performing arts, communication and psychology, has led her to craft unparalleled solutions for today's pressing challenges, including digital transformation, cultural evolution and social justice. Armed with a master's in theatre and vocal pedagogy, alongside a foundation as a classically trained actress, Jacqueline's profound insights emerge from a decade in the heart of New York's theatre scene, marked by the life-altering impact of 9/11. Join us as we explore how Jacqueline's profound understanding of stories not only shapes our perceptions of the world but also binds us through shared emotions and connections at the deepest level. Grab a copy of Jacqueline's book, The Non-obvious Guide to Better Presentations: https://www.amazon.com/Non-Obvious-Presenting-Virtually-Without-Slides/dp/1646870468 Connect with Jacqueline: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinefarrington/ Connect with Shelley: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/⁠ Work with Shelley: ⁠https://shelleyflett.com⁠