So you want to be a leader... Really? By Defy Expectations

Today's guest, David Cunningham, discusses conscious leadership and the role of spirituality, centered on the idea that 'love matters' in every interaction. David the shares formative experiences that led him to dedicate his life and work to making love the preeminent way of being, including writing a book and founding a nonprofit.

Today we speak to Beth Mielbrecht on why leaders must treat health as foundational to performance, quality, client satisfaction, and team sustainability. An engineer and former business leader, Beth describes seeing employees struggle silently as revenue and deliverables slipped, and highlights two commonly ignored early warning signs.

In this episode, Helen speaks to Daria Rudnik, discussing resilience strategy and 'hybrid intelligence', drawing on Daria’s HR and organisational development experience across crises, transformations, and team dysfunction. 

In this episode, Helen speaks to Garrett Wood about sustainable success in leadership, burnout, and why many people avoid promotions due to added responsibility without support.

In this episode, Helen is joined by Pradeepa Narayanaswamy to discuss unlocking authentic leadership by 'mining for diamonds'; focusing on strengths and brilliance rather than obsessing over flaws and endless improvement.

What if the real skill of leadership isn’t having the answers, but asking better questions? In this episode, Bill Shander explores the art of “stakeholder whispering” and how to uncover what people truly need, not just what they ask for.

In this episode, Helen speaks to Jim Bouchard, to discuss the importance of human-centric leadership. Jim shares his journey from addiction recovery through martial arts to becoming a leadership expert, emphasising the need for leaders to inspire, empower, and guide by connecting with people and prioritising meaningful habits.

Helen explores the intricacies of leadership with Dave Schoof, who focuses on blending business results with consciousness expansion. They discuss the importance of unlocking innate genius, the balance between execution and influence, and the transition required to navigate today's complex leadership landscape.

What if resilience isn’t about pushing through, but about how quickly we can return to balance under pressure?    In this solo episode, Helen shares insights from her recent research into resilience, nervous system regulation, and what it really takes to help leaders perform sustainably in high-pressure environments.    Discover why resilience is more than mindset, and how understanding the scienc...

In this episode, Helen meets Patrick van der Burght, an expert in ethical persuasion. They discuss the science of human decision-making and its application in leadership, with Patrick sharing the key principles of persuasion, emphasising their ethical use for long-term success, and practical tips for leaders to enhance their communication and influence.

In this episode, Helen meets Paul Petera, a veteran in leadership and culture. They discuss the significance of self-awareness, the evolution of leadership roles, and practical tools for building successful organisations, highlighted by insights from Paul's career and his book, 'Built On Purpose.'

In this episode, Helen delves into the highs and lows of leadership with Gerrit-Jan Van Velze, an executive coach with a rich background in professional rugby. They discuss the importance of emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and feedback in both sports and corporate settings, and how these elements contribute to creating a sense of belonging and high performance within teams.

Helen is joined by Ben Brearley, who shares his journey from corporate roles to leadership coaching, discussing the importance of self-awareness and self-acceptance in effective leadership, 'accidental leadership,' and how to adapt one's style authentically. 

In this episode, former Pearson CEO John Fallon joins Helen to unpack what 'digital-first' really takes: Why customers set the pace, how incumbents reinvent, and the enduring value leaders must protect as models shift. From AI vs. dot-com déjà vu to middle managers as the organisation’s “shock absorbers,” John offers a practical, purpose-led playbook for change.

In this episode of So You Wanna Be a Leader, Really Helen talks with Mark McBride-Wright about rethinking inclusion by engaging the majority. Together they explore how men’s mental health, vulnerability, and the SAFE leadership model can reshape what truly inclusive leadership looks like today.

In this episode, guest Debbie Plager shares her passion for empowering leaders, and discusses the impact of coaching, and the importance of holistic development to drive organisational success.

In this episode, host Helen Honisett speaks with Sean P Shannon about his passion for building high-performing sales teams. They cover Sean's experiences in solution sales, the importance of curiosity and integrity, and the challenges of transitioning from sales to leadership.

Helen speaks to Matt Light, a passionate advocate for people development and leadership in the bids and proposals industry. They discuss the crucial role of bid and proposal teams in generating significant organisational revenue, the challenges of ensuring team wellbeing under high-pressure deadlines, and the importance of breaking out of traditional perceptions to foster leadership qualities with...

Helen is joined by Susan M Barber, who delves into the essentials of leadership visibility. Susan shares her personal journey - from being overlooked to becoming an advocate for self-promotion and visibility.

Helen is joined by Willy Kuhne, to discuss the intricacies of leadership, the importance of consistency, and how self-awareness shapes great leaders. Willy shares his journey from East Germany to Google, and discusses the role of standards, structure, and ongoing development in building high-performing teams.

In this episode, host Helen Honisett discusses the intricacies of leadership and personal branding with guest Lirone Glickman.

In this episode, Helen speaks to Bernadette Smith about the challenges and societal shifts in DEI, the significance of an inclusive 360 approach, and the barriers to achieving true diversity.

Helen speaks to actor-turned-leadership expert Dominic Colenso about his new book 'Cut-Through: The Pitch and Presentation Playbook', and how leaders can use the power of story, communication and messaging to huge advantage. Dominic's new book is available now, here You can find out more about Dominic on his website and YouTube channel

In this episode, we explore the complexities of leadership with guest Robin Camarote, discussing the importance of impact, the challenges of leadership roles, and the significance of curiosity and self-awareness.

In this episode, we explore the complexities of leadership with guest Charles Spinosa. Charles shares his journey from academia to consulting, emphasising the significance of defining one's passion and taking moral risks in leadership.