Teams That Swear

You might not have caused the dysfunction, but you're responsible for shifting it. Your team reflects what you allow, what you reinforce, and what you let slide. If your leadership team feels a little off, if there are too many side conversations in chats or in the meeting after the meeting, or the conversations that need to be had aren’t happening… this episode might be exactly what you need....

What leaders can learn when you or your teams aren’t at their best. Cirque du Soleil head coach Lee McDermott has rebuilt more than high-performing teams,  he’s rebuilt himself. He’s won gold medals, led global performers at Cirque du Soleil, and knows what it’s like to be stuck between what’s expected and what you actually have the energy to give. When he took over a team at Cirque that had stopp...

Ever had a moment that completely changed how you lead? In this episode of Teams That Swear , I share two of mine. One came from a trip to Cameroon. The other? A piece of brutal feedback I never saw coming. Here’s what I unpack: Why discomfort is often the best teacher What leading in Cameroon taught me about perspective The difference between feedback that helps and feedback that hurts Why some l...

Leadership sounds easy when it’s written in a book. It’s very different when you’re sitting across from someone whose career or livelihood is about to change. Pat Howard has been in that chair more than once. At Cricket Australia, he was the one who had to tell Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft what sanctions they faced after the ball-tampering scandal. At MSL Solutions, in his very f...

Are you burnt out, or are you just buried? In the latest episode of Teams That Swear , I talk about something I’m seeing in almost every conversation with senior leaders right now. They’re not disengaged. They still care deeply about their teams and the work. But they are buried. Buried in meetings, buried in emails that start with “Can you just...”, and buried inwork that no longer needs them. Bu...

If you think confidence means being louder, you need to meet Lizzy Geremia. She leads over 100 people across brand, communications, and the Breakthrough Innovation Group innovation at Reece Group, one of Australia’s biggest suppliers in trade, plumbing and bathroom products. In our latest Teams That Swear episode, we sat down for a proper, honest conversation about what leadership looks likewhen y...

What’s something you avoided for way too long, but once you finally tackled it, it changed everything? For me, it was reading Mindset by Carol Dweck. I’d referenced it, nodded along in conversations, even quoted it. But I hadn’t actually read it . Now I have and it’s reshaped how I think about leadership, learning, and what it really takes to build teams that swear by each other, not about each ot...

When your team’s flying into Afghanistan in a C-130, trust isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s non-negotiable. That’s what struck me during my latest Lunch with Adrian the Canadian episode on the Teams That Swear podcast with Ben Villalobos. Ben’s a former Royal Canadian Air Force pilot and now leads in corporate aviation. And while his stories are gripping (yes, there’s tear gas, rocket launchers, and pre...

Winter’s here. Motivation’s down. Now what? 1 in 3 Aussies admit to lower motivation during the colder months. Andit’s not just them, teams feel it too. In this episode of Teams That Swear , I talk about:    Why winter impacts team performance (and what the stats say)    The role of short-term wins in lifting energy What actually works to reset motivation. hint: it’s not holiday photos And how you...

Kerry Gassner doesn’t just lead teams, he’s led them through some of the most intense environments you can imagine. From working homicide cases to running operationsat one of Australia’s busiest stadiums, his story is as unexpected as it is powerful. In our latest Teams That Swear podcast, I sat down with Kerry for a raw, honest conversation about leadership, pressure, and the moments that define...

She was asked to lead Cricket Australia’s high performance team… right after the sandpaper scandal. No prep. No playbook. Just 50 bruised staff and a moment to step up. Belinda Clark AO and I unpacked what it really takes to lead when the pressure is on and what still matters in leadership today. In our Lunch with Adrian the Canadian chat, she shared: How to lead without relying on your title Why...

What if setting goals didn’t have to feel so… painful? In this episode, I’m sharing a smarter, lighter way to approach the year ahead by ditching rigid targets and focusing on what I call "areas of focus" instead. I’ll take you through personal stories, real wins, and practical tips that show how this simple mindset shift can lead to meaningful success, without the pressure.

Why do teams thrive in crisis moments, and how can you bottle that magic for everyday success? This episode uncovers the recipe for team effectiveness, with lessons from real-world crises and actionable steps to create that same energy, clarity, and focus—without the drama.

Is hybrid work really working? I’m exploring the tough questions leaders face about balancing flexibility with connection and why bold decisions are needed now more than ever. Curious about what’s next for the future of work? This is one episode you won’t want to miss.

Is your leadership team truly winning together? This episode dives into why prioritising Team 1; the leadership team, over Team 2 is the key to alignment, trust, and long-term success. Tune in to hear how one team transformed their dynamics and boosted engagement by over 36% with intentional collaboration and focus.

What does it take for a leadership team to truly lift their game? Hear the story of Shannon, a C-Suite exec navigating the fine line between strategic focus and empowering future leaders, while challenging his team to think bigger. If you’re ready to get your team out of the weeds and working smarter together, this episode is your next move.

Is your team truly thriving, or could there be somethingyou’re missing? In this episode, we explore the often-overlooked dynamics that can make or break a team. Through the story of a leader who reignited team morale, we uncover the warning signs of cultural misalignment and how stress and competing priorities can impact teamwork. You’ll learn actionable strategies to improve collaboration; whethe...