Lead with Less

What happens when you walk away from a “dream job” to follow your strengths, without a plan B? In this episode, I’m joined by Sarah Kelsey, host of The One Up Project, for a powerful conversation on courage, clarity, and creating a career on your own terms.  From quitting PWC to working remotely across Europe, Sarah shares the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership philosophy and how she’s red...

Micromanaging? No one wants to admit it but if your team can’t make a move without you, it might be happening. In this episode, I’m sharing the real signs of micromanagement that many new (and not-so-new) leaders fall into without realising. From being involved in every decision to accidentally holding your team back, these habits can quickly drain performance and trust. In this episode, you’ll le...

You can’t lead well if you’re scared of performance conversations. It’s one of the most uncomfortable parts of being a people leader, but it’s also one of the most important. If you’re avoiding poor performance, hoping it’ll go away on its own… it won’t. And the longer you wait, the messier it gets. In this episode, I’ll walk you through how to handle performance issues early, before it becomes a...

Leadership isn’t just for the people with the title. In this episode, I’m sharing exactly how to lead when you don’t have the formal authority. Whether you’re stepping up inside your team, managing cross-functional work, or just want to be seen as a leader (without micromanaging), this one’s for you. If you’ve ever had to get people on board, move a project forward, or set expectations without bei...

Gen Z is shaking up the workplace, and if you’re leading or managing them, you might have already noticed things are different. The old ways of managing just won’t cut it. Gen Z questions authority, filters out corporate jargon, and expects real engagement, not just instruction. So how do you create an environment where they can thrive? In this episode, I sit down with Henry Langdon, the founder o...

New managers take on too much, too soon. It happens all the time.  You say yes to everything, pick up extra work, and you’re suddenly drowning in tasks that shouldn’t even be on your plate. If your to do list never ends, if you feel like you’re working harder but never getting ahead, this episode is for you.  I’m walking through a simple way to get your workload under control, so you can focus on...

Coaching is one of the most powerful skills you can develop as a leader. It creates accountability, enables problem solving, and helps your team take ownership, without micromanaging.  If your team keeps coming to you for every little decision, or you feel like you’re constantly fixing problems instead of developing people, this episode is for you. In this episode, you’ll learn - Why your team kee...

In this episode, I’m sharing three career mistakes I made and what I wish I had learned sooner.  These lessons aren’t just about climbing the ladder.  They’re about avoiding the traps that keep you stuck and making better choices that actually move you forward in your career and leadership.  Whether you're a new manager, an emerging leader, or just feeling stuck, these lessons will help you take c...

HR can be your greatest asset as a leader - or it can feel like a frustrating roadblock. The difference? How you engage and leverage your HR team. In this episode, I sit down with Lisa Young, HR Coach and Founder of HRHQ, to unpack how new and emerging managers can build a strong relationship with HR to lead better, avoid costly mistakes, and create high performing teams. Whether you’re navigating...

Your decisions as a manager can either move you forward or keep you stuck. Every choice you make has a cost, which is why getting intentional about decision making is a critical leadership skill. Decision making is a skill. And like any skill, the more you practise it, the better you get. In this episode, I’m sharing practical strategies to help you make better decisions with confidence, reduce se...

Making the move from team member to Leader is one of the toughest transitions in leadership. Suddenly, the people who were your peers now look to you for guidance, decisions, and direction. It can feel awkward, overwhelming, and sometimes isolating. But it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, I break down exactly how to navigate this shift with confidence - without losing trust, credibility, or fe...

In this episode, I’m joined by Priya Bana, a veteran in Wellington’s digital design and creative industries.  Priya is renowned for her expertise in cultivating engaging, people first experiences that foster creative excellence. In today’s episode, we talk about creating a culture of gratitude and care within teams and organisations.  What we acknowledge and thank people for in our organisations s...

As a new or emerging manager, figuring out how to set boundaries and hold people accountable without damaging relationships can be tough. That’s where my Rule of Three comes in - it’s the secret to managing teams, relationships, and yourself It’s a simple framework designed to help managers and small business owners establish clear expectations, protect their energy, and build stronger teams. I fi...

This week we’re doing something a little different. Daria Williamson, friend, coach and previous guest is going to interview ME on what I think about Leadership. Daria Williamson is a Strengths and Leadership coach, Author of Unleash Your Awesome, and creator of the Strengths Deck. In this Q&A hosted by Daria, we dive into what I think about leadership and ask me a variety of questions that ch...

In this episode, I talk about the essential skills every manager should have in their toolkit for 2025.  These skills aren't just about management. It’s about turning you into the BEST and most effective leader. These foundational skills are designed to level up your leadership abilities so you lead in a way that people actually want to follow. Here’s what you’ll learn:  - How to master your p...

In this episode, I sit down with Jeremy Dean and talk about the power of emotional leadership.  Jeremy is the Founder and Master Gamemaker at Riders & Elephants. R&E makes simple, human-focused tools that reimagine the way people and organisations connect and grow.  As a Gamemaker, Jeremy takes complex concepts and simplifies them into beautifully simple card-based games and tools. All R&a...

In this episode, I explore the top leadership trends and skills for 2025.  I talk about what’s IN this year to stay ahead in your industry.  This episode is perfect for anyone leading a team because it explores new and important ways to be a great leader in 2025.  You'll learn how to use different skills and ideas to make your team stronger and more creative. It's all about staying ahead a...

Welcome back!! In this episode, I’m talking about powerful habits that drive the best leaders.  These aren’t just tasks to tick off. These are THE  ways to approach leadership that changes how you connect with, support, and lead your team to success. Whether you’re leading a team, a business, or a community, building intentional habits now can set you up for the year ahead. Here’s what you’ll lear...

As the year wraps up, it’s the perfect time to reflect, recharge, and set ourselves up for a fresh start. In this episode, I’m sharing three essential must do’s during your break to ensure you come back energised and ready to tackle the new year with renewed focus and excitement. Whether you’re wrapping up a busy 2024 or simply taking a break, these simple yet powerful practices can make a lasting...

In this episode, I’m joined by Phil Wolffe, a workplace wellbeing specialist, to break down how you can prioritise wellbeing in a way that’s actually achievable. Phil’s approach? Make it simple, make it accessible, and make it practical because the impact of wellbeing extends far beyond just feeling good.  It directly influences productivity, team engagement, and overall workplace culture. Ph...

As we head toward the end of the year, preparing your team for the holiday break can make a huge difference in the way you—and they—return to work in the new year. In this episode, I’m diving into how leaders can intentionally plan to set their teams up for a restful, effective holiday break. Whether you’re about to wrap up for the summer or prepping for any extended leave, these steps will help y...

In this episode, I help you navigate the hectic close of the year without losing all of your energy. We all feel the year end push to wrap things up, often pushing to meet deadlines that might not even be essential. As leaders, we often panic about time running out and it's so easy to absorb the stress and urgency from the people around us. I’m sharing three major traps that can drain your energy...

In this episode, I explore what it means to be both transparent and authentic as a leader. This often comes up as we pursue leadership. We wonder how much of ourselves we can show and how to be our true selves. I’m dedicating a full episode to this because it was a big discussion in one of the VIP Leaders coaching call, my leadership programme. Here’s what you’ll learn: The true meaning of transpa...

In this episode, I speak to Hannah Hardy-Jones about navigating mental health. Hannah is the co-founder of Contented, an AI startup that turns talk into extraordinary outcomes, capturing meetings and conversations and creating meaningful outputs.  She previously founded The Kite Program, a mental health tech company, and has used her background in HR and psychology within her work, as well as...

In this episode, I dive into some of my more controversial views on leadership that challenge the norm. These opinions are things I have been thinking about for a while now when it comes to leadership. These takes might challenge the way you see things, but that’s the point. Here’s what you’ll learn:   Why leadership isn’t as complicated as we make it, and how listening more could be the key...