Phone Calls With Clever People

We're Talking About The Leadership Gap This week is a very special episode of Phone Calls With Clever People as I'm joined by my very first guest Rohan Dredge and the interview is flipped on me. Rohan and I have a conversation about the leadership gap. The space that exists between executive leaders and people leaders in an organisation and causes some big problems. We talk about what it is, why i...

We're Talking Energy  The kind of energy that enables us to take responsibility for the things that make us better. I'm joined by my very clever friend and someone I deeply admire Lisa O’Neill. From a career in fashion and television to being a mum of four, Lisa has her feet on the ground. With refreshing directness, Lisa is passionate that we should all get to live the best version of ourselves....

We're Talking Adaptability  With the current state of the world it couldn’t be a more important topic of conversation. My guest is the incredible Lynne Cazaly. Lynne is an international keynote speaker, multi-award-winning author and a master facilitator. She is the author of 6 books (soon to be 7) and an expert at helping you think better, make sense of information and handle the realities of wor...

We're Talking Language Today’s guest is my good friend Rachel Callander. She says that ‘our language shapes our landscape’. Rachel’s late daughter Evie, was born with a very rare chromosomal condition and during the two and a half years of her life, Rachel learnt a lot about the use of language in the health system, and she has spent the subsequent years continuing to explore the impact and implic...

We're Talking Action. More specifically turning leadership theory into action. My guest is author and corporate trainer Mark Greaney. He recently told me that while leadership theory is great (and important) what matters most is that it’s put it into practice. Earlier in the year when New Zealand went into lockdown Mark was presented with the opportunity to go to sea for six weeks with one of his...

We're Talking flawsome. What’s flawsome I hear you ask? My guest on the podcast is author Georgia Murch and she says that Flawsome is not just making peace with your flaws but in knowing that without them, you would not be you. As one of Australia's leading experts in designing feedback cultures for teams and organisations, Georgia has learned that the foundation to the relationships we have with...

We're Talking Power. If you have power or privilege, then how do you become a champion for change and use that for good? My guest is Michael Bungay Stanier, author of 'The Advice Trap' and 'The Coaching Habit' (the best-selling coaching book of this century with over 700,000 copies sold and 1,000+ five-star reviews on Amazon).  These are two of my all time favourite books so the opportunity to sit...

We're Talking belief. My guest is leadership mentor, author and strategist Cameron Schwab. At 24 years of age Cameron was appointed the CEO of the famous Richmond football club, becoming the youngest CEO in the history of the game.  He told me recently that there’s a lot that leaders can really learn from the world of football and elite sport.  As the second longest serving CEO in the modern game...

We're talking connection. From regular in person meetings to spending most of our day communicating through a screen, there’s no doubt the world we are living in has changed.  My guest is bestselling author and global thought leader on business storytelling Gabrielle Dolan. She told me recently that 'creating real connection and engagement is needed now more than ever'. Today I give her a call to...

We're Talking Perspective. My guest is the very clever Zoë Routh and she is the author of a great new book called 'People Stuff - Beyond Personality Problems'. Zoë is a leadership expert who, from the wild rivers of northern Ontario to the remote regions of Australia, has spent the last thirty years showing teams how to navigate the wilderness of people stuff.  She recently told me that "perspecti...

We're Talking Brand. Joining me today is the founder of 'The Comms Department' and newly published author Bec Brown. Bec has been working as a professional communicator for over 20 years with some of Australia’s biggest and best-known media, entertainment, travel and lifestyle brands.  She recently told me that "your professional personal brand is the most important part of your career you'll ever...

We're Talking Creativity. My guest is the extremely talented and creative author Mykel Dixon. And he believes that “Creativity is now the strongest economic currency.” I recently read his book ‘Everyday Creative -  A Dangerous Guide for Making Magic at Work’ and with a title like that couldn’t resist giving him a call to find out how to tap into that magic. I should warn you up front that this con...

We're talking about checking in. *Content Warning - This episode references themes relating to mental health* This special episode coincides with RUOK Day in Australia. RUOK Day is a day that people are encouraged to meaningfully connect with people around them and support anyone struggling with life.  I thought there couldn’t be a more appropriate time to have this conversation. My guest is Locki...

We're Talking budgets. But it’s probably not the type of conversation you’re imagining. My guest is bestselling author Melissa Browne and she believes Budgets don’t work. In fact she wrote a book and made it the title. She believes that when it comes to saving and spending money we’re not all the same and yet for a long time financial advice likes to treat us as though we are.  So if budgeting isn...

We’re having a conversation about Urgency. Today’s guest is Dermot Crowley and he says that "Urgency" is something that we need more of. But it might not be the kind of urgency you're thinking of. Dermot is a bestselling author with a number of books including “Smart Work and Smart Teams” and he has a new book out called “Urgent - Strategies to Control Urgency, Reduce Stress and Increase Productiv...

We're Talking investment. Not property or shares, but leadership investment in your organisations best asset…its people. My guest is Colonel Tracy Michael recently told me that "before you can invest in others you need to take time to better understand yourself". I give him a call to unpack what this has looked like in his life and discover how the lessons can apply to ours.   Connect with Tracy o...

Wominjeka. I understand that this podcast is shared on a digital platform. And at the same time, it is also recorded in Melbourne on the lands of First Nation Peoples. So in the spirit of reconciliation, I wanted to include this additional recording and acknowledge the Wurundjeri People and the Boon Wurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the traditional custodians of the land I am speaking from. I...

We’re talking trust. My friend and today’s guest Rohan Dredge told me recently that "being trustable is the thing that makes you followable”. I give him a call to find out what it means to build trust, keep trust, and what leaders can do if trust is broken.   Learn more about Rohan at http://www.rohandredge.com/ Connect with Rohan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohandredge/ Connect wit...

We’re talking bias. More Specifically Gender Bias. In her newly released book ‘Beat Gender Bias – How to play a better part in a more inclusive world’ today’s guest Dr Karen Morley describes biases as a "sticky floor’, making it hard for women to rise to the top". I give Dr Karen a call to learn exactly what bias is and what leaders can do about it.   Learn more about Dr Karen Morley at https://ww...

We’re having a conversation about safety mindsets. Dr Amy Silver recently told me "when teams can build a culture of psychological safety and create safe spaces then they are capable of courageous communication". I give her a call to find out what this means for teams but also what looks like individually as leaders.    Learn more about Dr Amy Silver at https://www.dramysilver.com/ Connect with Dr...

We’re having a conversation about Rhythm.  In his soon to be released book 'The Rhythm Effect', Paul Farina says "it's not just about how hard you work but how well you synchronise.". I give him a call and unpack what rhythm means practically and how as leaders we can create, foster and accelerate momentum in a time where rhythm is very much disrupted.   Learn more about Paul Farina at https://www...

We’re having a conversation about scalable people. You might have heard the term ‘scalable business’ but what about ‘scalable people’? Today’s guest Mary Butler told me recently that it’s about "finding the right people for the business not just the smartest people for the business as you grow". I give her a call to find out what makes a person 'scalable'.   Learn more about Mary Butler at https:/...

We’re having an important conversation about reconciliation. This episode was recorded during reconciliation week - A time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute towards a more just, equitable and reconciled nation. Like many people I am on a journey to better understand what this really means and the role t...

We are having a conversation on conversations. Paul Matthews is the author of an upcoming book called 'SWITCH: from telling, to powerful conversations' told me recently that "conversations are like rocket fuel for leaders. They build trust and are a catalyst for change, growth and innovation". I give him a call to pick his brain on what it looks like to do leadership conversations well.    Learn m...

We’re talking all things culture. Today’s guest is my friend and author Fiona Robertson. While many leaders know culture is the defining factor in performance, Fiona told me recently that “many still aren't sure how to identify or change it.” I give Fiona a call to explore her definition of culture and how it can help us to enhance results and create thriving organisations and teams.     Learn mor...