Level Up Leadership

No one likes bad news, but as a leader, it’s your responsibility to get ahead of it. When Brett Wiskar said during our interview, "Good news is bad news delivered early," it really resonated. Surprises are rarely welcome, and as leaders, it's our job not only to manage them but to stay ahead of them. In this candid episode, I chat with Brett, a seasoned tech executive, about his rol...

Today's episode is talking about what I believe is the most important first step in leadership - knowing your leadership style. Whether you're an aspiring leader, a new leader, someone who's been at it for a while or an absolute seasoned pro, you need to know what your natural leadership style is. So why is this important?   Your leadership style is happening, whether you know about...

Do you get the best from your team? Guest Brianna Ansaldo is CEO of Australia's largest independent podcast production agency in Australia, and has a completely virtual team. When I started this podcast two years ago, I clicked immediately with Brianna but also knew that after the onboarding I'd be working with the team not Brianna directly. Here's the fascinating bit - her team was...

In 2010 podcast host Kate Peardon met fellow Australian Emilia Simonin in an MBA classroom in Paris. Throughout the years they've shared their journey across a number of countries and through corporate leadership, and today Emilia is the Global Market and Business Intelligence Director at L'Oreal, in Paris.  Today's episode interviews Emilia on her three key leadership lessons on he...

Join Claire O'Shea on her journey from young dancer to Dance Energy Studios founder, podcast producer, and business mentor. At just 19 she started her first dance studio and in this interview she shares insights on scaling her studio, building the right team, and navigating leadership in the arts. Learn about her transition from dance teacher (the person with the technical skill) to the CEO,...

If you've got a problem at work, is it: a) you b) other people c) the environment d) all of the above. Have you ever changed jobs, only to find the issue still exists in your new job? This is a definite sign that you thought it was (C - the environment) but it was actually (A - you).  So how do you figure out the cause of the issue before making big changes? In this episode I use a metaphor f...

Have you experienced burnout, or know some who has? Today's guest is the remarkable Liz Bradford, a seasoned leader with 20 years of diverse experience, currently serving as the Managing Director of Wholesale Banking at HSBC Asia in Hong Kong and the CEO of Transform Perform. Liz shares candidly about her defining moment in leadership, experiencing burnout not once, but 1.5 times, and the cru...

When challenges arise, the wise prioritise over powering through. Lauren Fraser, founder of Thea Media, challenges the conventional wisdom that toughness is the only answer. Join us as we delve into her entrepreneurial journey—from navigating chronic  fatigue to building a thriving digital marketing agency that values balance and well-being. Lauren's honest account is not just a success story...

Ever dreamt of ditching your corporate gig to start your own creative agency? Emma, the brains behind Sparo Studios, did just that. Join us as we unravel Emma's journey from her childhood in prairies in Canada, to the bustling corporate world of Sydney, Australia to founding a thriving design agency. This isn't just a story of entrepreneurial courage—it's a playbook for leaders who...

Ever thought about how a wardrobe refresh could actually kickstart a positive shift in your life? Today I'm sharing my recent experiences with virtual stylist Anna from Anna Mabin Styling.  Life threw me a series of curveballs, from health scares to the joys of new motherhood, and my closet was in desperate need of a revamp. In this chat, Anna breaks down why people turn to stylists during bi...

Low Motivation and Procrastination can be really great mates, particularly in my case. I always picture them sitting at a bar together and Motivation says, "Okay, it's probably time to do something." And Procrastination says, "Well, we could, let's just have one more drink." Today’s episode focuses on my recent dip in motivation and the science on how to get unstuck....

In today's world, the concept of career paths has transformed drastically. No longer is the question merely, what do you want to be when you grow up? Because the average 12 year old today will have 17 different jobs over five different careers. Back when I was at school, I had no idea that a profession like mine even existed. This episode interviews Nicole Dyson from “Future Anything”. She&ap...

In my business journey, spanning from human resources roles to executive leadership, entrepreneurship and consulting, I've honed the elusive art of interviewing. It's been a bit like discovering a superpower, useful not only for recruiting but also for everyday life. Picture this: my first interviews were more nerve-wracking than a rollercoaster ride. So, in today's podcast, I'...

Today's show is a double whammy, a two-part series tailor-made for all you leaders out there, whether you're steering the ship in a big corporation or you're the captain of your own startup. We're diving headfirst into the wild world of interviews, and trust me, it's not just about asking "Tell me about your strengths and weaknesses." Nope, we're going full...

Welcome to today's leadership podcast episode, which marks the beginning of our exciting leadership interview series. In this series, we will be diving deep into the world of leadership by talking to leaders and specialists to shed light on the multifaceted concept of leadership. Our first guest is none other than Dr. Alis Anagnostakis. Alis and I crossed paths in Spain and have collaborated...

Ever feel like you're stuck dealing with those mind-numbing, everyday tasks that almost drive you to pull your hair out? Oh boy, I've been there too. Just the other day, I had this whole drama with the fridge at one of my investment properties. It just decided to throw in the towel, and guess who had to scramble to find a replacement? Yep, yours truly. Talk about a major headache! And it...

A delightful tale of my coffee machine woes and how professional tweaks can work wonders for your team. Imagine me, sipping my morning elixir, when I realize it doesn't taste heavenly anymore. Panic sets in—are my taste buds betraying me? Have I become immune to caffeine? But then, it hits me like a caffeine rush—I've got a coffee machine emergency! Instead of splurging on a new machine,...

An embarrassing story of my time as a new manager. Even as I’m recording it I can’t believe I’m sharing it with you. I was in my early twenties, I was confident and competent, but on the inside I was worried that they might notice that I'd never led a team before, and would I be good enough?  As a new leader, I thought it was my duty to deliver hard feedback. I thought tough love was the way...

I'm whisking you away (mentally!) to the awe-inspiring landscapes of Patagonia. Picture this: snow-capped peaks, icy blue lakes, and winds fierce enough to unseat a politician's toupee. Back in November 2019, I embarked on a thrilling hiking expedition through this wild wonderland. But Patagonia became more than a physical challenge; it became a masterclass in giving and receiving feedba...

Five years have passed since my Vertebral Artery Dissection and Minor Stroke, marking a significant milestone in my journey. While lying in the hospital bed, I set an audacious goal for myself—to complete another half-ironman triathlon in just six months. However, the reality of my condition quickly set in. Simple tasks like walking down a corridor or making a sandwich became monumental challenges...

I absolutely love travelling and have been fortunate enough to visit 38 countries and counting. Currently, I'm on an exciting adventure, but this time, there's a twist – I'm travelling with my five-month-old baby, Alba. It's a whole new experience that both excites and makes me nervous. I want her to grow up exploring the world, just like me, with a passion for continuous learn...

We often get caught up in the never-ending to-do list frenzy without stopping to ask ourselves if the work actually aligns with our goals. Being busy doesn't automatically mean we're being productive. Trust me, I've learned this the hard way, and so have my clients So, how do we escape this productivity quicksand? It's time to flip the conversation and approach things different...

I'm excited to share my upcoming journey to Europe with my husband and our five-month-old daughter. Over the next six weeks, while my husband takes parental leave, I'll be working remotely and exploring new places during the European summer. To ensure a smooth operation for my business while I'm away, I've implemented five key strategies.  First, delegation plays a crucial role...

Join Kate as she takes a thoughtful journey through the first six months of 2023, evaluating the highs and lows in both her professional and personal life. In this candid and introspective review, Kate reflects on her goals, the transformative experience of becoming a new mum, and the impact it had on her business while on maternity leave. With refreshing honesty, Kate delves into the triumphs and...

Are you tired of avoiding those dreaded feedback conversations like they're a swarm of angry bees? Well, fear not! In this podcast episode, we dive deep into the world of feedback to help you become a confident and effective feedback giver. Feedback isn't just about formal performance conversations or receiving grades on tests. It can take various forms, such as verbal or written communi...