Lead with Less

Leadership often feels harder than it needs to be, especially for busy and overwhelmed managers. In this episode, I sit down with Joel Bailey and Sean Craig from Impact Society to talk about how leadership can be simplified through small, intentional daily actions. In this episode, we talk about: - Why most leaders know what to do but struggle to take action - How daily micro-actions build leaders...

If you’ve ever felt like leadership is just constant busyness - this episode will help you breathe again. In this episode, I share five practical strategies to help managers lead with less stress, less chaos, and more clarity. These are the exact shifts that help you show up as the kind of leader people actually want to follow. In this episode, you’ll learn: - The three traps managers fall into th...

Every manager feels tired and stretched sometimes - but when exhaustion becomes the norm, it’s a red flag for burnout.  The good news? There are clear signs to watch for and proactive steps you can take before it spirals. In this episode, I share:  - The key signs you might be on the edge of burnout (and what to look for in your team too) - Why talking to someone is the first step to lightening th...

We’ve all sat through terrible meetings - the kind that drag on, go nowhere, and make you wonder why you showed up at all. But as a manager, you have the power to change that. In this episode, I share six essential practices for running meetings that matter, so you can save time, get more engagement, and actually move things forward. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why disorganised meetings destr...

Becoming a manager early in your career can feel overwhelming - but it can also be a powerful advantage if you focus on the right skills and mindset. In this episode, I chat with Dylan Wallace , who shares his journey of becoming a manager at 22 and the lessons he’s learned helping young leaders step into their potential. In this episode, we talk about:  - The biggest challenges young managers fac...

AI is everywhere - but for managers, it’s not about learning prompts, it’s about learning principles.  Used well, AI can help you think smarter, save time, and create space for more human leadership. Used terribly, it can strip out trust, connection, and authenticity. In this episode, you’ll learn:  - The “line” every manager needs to know when using AI - Two big mistakes managers make when overus...

Happiness isn’t just an outcome - it’s a skillset you can practice, improve, and carry into every area of life. In this episode, I talk with Declan Edwards, happiness researcher, coach, author, and founder of BU Happiness College. Declan shares how he turned his own struggles into a global mission to teach the science of happiness and why these skills are essential for leaders today. In this episo...

Sometimes you’re doing everything you can to be a great manager - but your own boss is dropping the ball.  That’s when you need to learn the skill of managing up.  Done well, it keeps your career moving forward and helps you maintain respect without overstepping. In this episode, I share: - How to understand your manager’s communication, decision-making, and work style - Why taking the lead (witho...

What if being quiet was actually your greatest leadership advantage? In this episode, I’m joined by leadership communications coach Salvatore Manzi, who has spent over 20 years helping analytical, technical, and introverted leaders find their voice and lead with impact.  Together we talk about why introverts often make some of the best leaders - and how you can embrace those strengths to grow your...

Excuses might feel harmless in the moment - but they’re slowly eroding your credibility, your influence, and your team’s performance. In this episode, I break down the three most common excuses I hear from managers, why they’re holding you back, and how to replace them with leadership habits that build trust and respect. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why “I don’t have time” costs you more time...

What to Do When Things Go Wrong (Without Losing Credibility or Confidence) No matter how skilled or experienced you are, things will go wrong. Projects fall through. Expectations get missed. People behave badly. Or maybe... you mess up. This episode is your leadership reset for those exact moments. I walk you through five clear steps to handle mistakes, missteps, and uncomfortable situations — wit...

The Truth About Control: How to Lead With Influence Instead of Fear If you’re a manager who feels the urge to control everything - from performance to team behaviour - this episode is your wake-up call. Control might feel safe, but it kills trust, independence, and performance. In this episode, I break down what control really is, why it’s often rooted in fear, and how to shift into a leadership s...

Is AI taking over? Or is it just another tool we need to learn how to lead well? In this episode, I’m chatting with Annie Johnson, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Humaneer , to talk about what managers actually need to know about AI.  Annie shares her journey from HR to AI builder, and how she helps managers navigate the messy, fast-moving space between human connection and emerging techno...

If you're overwhelmed, exhausted, or just stretched thin trying to keep up with your team - you’re not alone.  The good news? Small shifts make a big difference. In this episode, I share 4 simple but powerful leadership habits that will help you reduce stress, save time, and build a more accountable, empowered team - without burning yourself out.  These are the exact tools I teach my VIP Leade...

In this Career Stories episode, I chat with Elyse Verkuylen, a past client and now a people leader working in transformation and operations - about the winding, messy, and meaningful path to leadership. Elyse shares how growing up with limited resources shaped her resourcefulness, why she calls herself “career promiscuous,” and how she intentionally curated a leadership journey that aligns with he...

How to Build Real Accountability in Your Team (Without Micromanaging) Accountability is one of the most common leadership challenges - and one of the biggest performance levers. If your team isn’t following through, taking initiative, or owning their work, this episode will show you how to fix that without slipping into control or micromanagement. I walk you through my 6-step framework to build a...

Leadership doesn’t start when you get a title - it starts with how you show up. In this Career Stories episode, I’m joined by Andrea Cayuela, an impact marketer with experience across Australasia, Latin America, and Europe. Andrea shares her career journey from Colombia to Bali and how her global experiences have shaped her views on leadership, conflict, communication, and self-awareness. Whether...

Feeling uncertain about managing someone older than you or someone with more experience than you?  You’re not alone. This is one of the most common concerns new and emerging managers face, and it’s something I coach on regularly inside VIP Leaders. In this episode, I share six key strategies to help you manage these dynamics with clarity, confidence, and humility - so that you can lead well and cr...

It’s the 100th episode of Lead With Less!  And we’re celebrating with 10 practical, doable wins you can implement right now to build your confidence, lead your team more effectively, and get some traction - even when things feel overwhelming. Whether you’re managing for the first time or just feel stuck in the day to day, these wins are designed to give you momentum, support your growth, and help...

When you manage a diverse team, a one size fits all leadership style doesn’t work - and trying to squeeze everyone into the same box can quietly cost you trust, performance, and innovation. In this episode, I’m joined by Laura Tretheway, HR consultant, workplace advocate, and founder of Spectrum Work Aotearoa - to talk about how managers can genuinely advocate for and support neurodivergent people...

You know you need to address it - the feedback you’ve been holding back, the boundary that’s been crossed, the performance issue you can’t ignore anymore. But rushing into tough conversations without prep? That’s where things often go sideways. In this episode, I’m sharing the four critical things you need to do before you dive into any tricky conversation or situation at work (or home).  These pr...

It’s easy to fall into the habit of complaining - whether about work, leadership challenges, or life in general.  But if you’re not careful, complaining becomes a cycle that drains your energy, undermines your leadership, and keeps you (and your team) stuck. In this episode, I’m unpacking the psychology behind why we complain, what it’s really costing you, and a simple four-step framework to move...

If your inner critic is loud, draining your confidence, and holding you back from stepping into your leadership fully, this episode is for you. I’m joined by Dr Bex Bell, speaker, coach, and author of Inner Critic to Inner Coach, for a conversation on what really causes our self-doubt cycles and, more importantly, how to shift out of them.  Bex brings her background in psychology, health, and coac...

No one wants to be a terrible leader. But without realising it, even well-intentioned managers can start slipping into behaviours that erode trust, damage relationships, and impact team culture. In this episode, I walk you through three red flags to look out for as a leader and how to shift them before they do real harm. Whether you’re new to management or just want to check in on how you’re showi...

Just stepped into a management role? Or gearing up for one? This episode walks you through the three core steps that will set you up to be a manager people trust, respect, and want to follow. Being a great manager doesn’t come from having all the answers.  Most people don’t realise it comes from building trust, learning your team, and stepping into conversations most people avoid. In this episode,...