THE COURAGE TO LEAD INTERVIEW SERIES

In this episode of The Courage to Lead , Deputy Commissioner Ben Millington shares his inspiring leadership journey from surf lifesaving as a teenager to leading operational coordination for NSW Rural Fire Service . Ben reflects on key lessons from policing in tough communities, coordinating crisis responses during the Black Summer fires and COVID, and driving reform in Queensland. With honesty an...

🎙 Navigating Leadership in Crisis Situations: Jamie Caldwell’s Leadership Journey In this powerful episode, we sit down with Jamie Caldwel l, Director of Energy Operations in New South Wales , to explore what it means to lead through complexity, uncertainty, and crisis. Jamie shares his insights on why leadership is less about technical know-how and more about human connection, trust, and adaptabi...

This interview by  Allan Sicard  on  The Courage to Lead Interview Series with Professor Pauline Boss , author of Loving Someone with Dementia, looks at what our futures will be like.  1 in 2 women, and 1 in 3 men over 85, in the western world will experience dementia.   The scary part is that the carers of dementia are currently dying quicker than the people with dementia.   This interview and he...

This interview by  Allan Sicard  on  The Courage to Lead Interview Series explores what is really meant by Gender Equality with a true expert in the field Professor Cordelia Fine.  This is the 2nd time Cordelia has been on our podcast(see Episode 36 ). She is described as a 'living legend' researcher in this field with her books on the subject having the following descriptions : ‘Ten books about w...

This interview by  Allan Sicard  on  The Courage to Lead Interview Series delivers a story with a twist on leadership.  As we hit the golden age of 40 + we bring with us a level of wisdom and capabilities that we didn't possess when we were younger.   This is the story of leadership from Aneace Haddad, A C-Suite Coach who unlocks the potential of C-suite teams. Aneace introduces "joyful rejuvenati...

This interview by Allan Sicard on The Courage to Lead Interview Series delivers a story that we do not see that often.  A CEO and a Company that genuinely puts their people first and from that building an amazing culture and a profitable business. This is the story of leadership from Michelle O'Keeffe , CEO of Engaging.io a technology business in North Sydney that recently placed in the top 10 wor...

This interview by Allan Sicard on The Courage to Lead Interview Series delves into the captivating journey of renowned Australian journalist Peter Overton , exploring his path from school leadership to pivotal career moments like the Thredbo disaster, while emphasising the values of authenticity, mentorship, and teamwork that have shaped his distinguished career. By embracing early leadership oppo...

Wayne Larden is the Event Director of TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS - The 7th Abbott World Marathon Major .  This interview by host Allan Sicard is the second interview with Wayne Larden on The Courage to Lead Interview Series , with the first interview over 3 years ago, before the Sydney Marathon entered the qualifying process for it to become an Abbott World Marathon Major, next to the...

**The Power of Leadership: Insights from Rebecca Moulynox** In today’s fast-paced corporate world, the essence of effective leadership is often overshadowed by metrics and bottom lines. However, Rebecca Moulynox, General Manager of Great Places to Work Australia and New Zealand, reminds us that true leadership is about creating environments where employees feel valued, trusted, and engaged. Rebecc...

In a recent episode of the Courage to Lead podcast, I had the privilege of speaking with Amelia Adams, a senior reporter for 60 Minutes Australia. With years of experience covering high-stakes global events, Amelia’s career has been marked by a commitment to powerful storytelling, resilience under pressure, and an unwavering curiosity about the world. What struck me most, however, was how her lead...

Mark Coyne, the former CEO and current Executive Director of Employees Mutuals Limited (EML). Mark’s journey from professional footballer to business leader Key Lessons and Insights: Leadership in Sports and Business: Mark’s first true experience of leadership came from his time as a professional footballer with the St. George Dragons. He learned the importance of doing the basics right and the co...

Some quotes from our interview with Reika Phung. We need more leaders like this in our workplaces, so everyone and that means everyone has a great place to work. "To be a strong leader, you've got to drive ego out of the equation as much as possible because the essence of leadership is that its actually about everyone else and not about you." "The key thing for me in terms of my relationship with...

In this next episode of The Courage to Lead Interview Series, we talk to the newly elected Mayor of Willoughby Council, for her 2nd Term, Tanya Taylor Community Engagement in Queenstown, Tasmania Growing up in the small, isolated community of Queenstown, Tasmania, had a significant impact on Tanya's values and sense of community. Her experiences in such a close-knit environment shaped her understa...

Key Takeaways with Breda McCague From Curious Girl to Trailblazing Leader: Breda’s journey began with a childhood curiosity about the military, leading her to become a leader in both the defence forces and the corporate world. Her story is a testament to the power of curiosity and determination. First Leadership Roles and Challenges: Breda shared her early experiences in leadership, starting as a...

This next episode of The Courage to Lead is truly special as I had the honour of interviewing Isaiah Dawe, the CEO of ID Know Yourself, a non-profit organisation dedicated to mentoring Aboriginal young people in and out of home care and the child protection system. Isaiah’s story is nothing short of inspiring, and I can’t wait for you to hear it. Here are some intriguing moments from our conversat...

In the latest episode of the Courage to Lead Interview Series, I had the pleasure of speaking with John Foong, Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director of Agent Experience at Domain Group. With an impressive background that includes roles as the Global Head of Account Management and Customer Engineering for Uber in San Francisco, and Global Director of Partner Sales and Strategic Alliances a...

In the latest episode of "Courage to Lead", I had the pleasure of speaking with Gemma Felicity Acton, Director of News Operations for Seven West Media. Since taking on this role in June 2024, Gemma’s career has spanned both finance and media, giving her a rich perspective on leadership. Her journey is not only remarkable but also filled with hard-earned lessons—complete with a few battle scars alo...

Welcome to "Courage to Lead," where we explore the power of resilience and leadership through compelling stories. In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to have an extraordinary guest—Jana Pittman. From Olympic athlete to medical professional and devoted mother of six, Jana embodies the essence of perseverance and empathy. Join us as we delve into her inspiring journey, uncovering how she navigated th...

Kylea attributes her first true experience of leadership to being the oldest of four children. Growing up in a small town in New South Wales, Australia, she was often expected to step up and help care for her siblings. This early responsibility instilled in her a sense of duty and the belief that if something was broken, she should work to fix it. Kylea's upbringing in Coonabarabran, a small town...

Informal Leadership: The Foundation Anna's leadership journey began in university, where she often found herself nominated to lead committees and social initiatives. * Seek Opportunities: Look for informal leadership roles in your community or workplace. These roles can provide valuable experience and help you develop essential leadership skills. * Focus on Impact: Concentrate on the positive impa...

Courage to Lead: Insights from Tanya Kunze on Leadership, Resilience, and Success In the latest episode of the "Courage to Lead" interview series, Allan Sicard sits down with Tanya Kunze, a global keynote speaker, author, TV anchor, podcast host, and neuroscience-based coach. Tanya's journey from Johannesburg to becoming a recognised leader in enablement is nothing short of inspiring. This blog po...

In the latest episode of the Courage to Lead interview series, Allan Sicard sits down with Sapphire Parsons, a senior workplace lawyer at Macpherson Kelly. Sapphire's impressive accolades include being named the Best Young Lawyer in Australia for under 35 in 2023 and winning the 2023 Lawyers Weekly Under 30 Award for Workplace Health and Safety. This interview delves into Sapphire's journey, her e...

🌟 Leadership Lessons from Childhood: A Journey with Asha BHAT AOM 🌟 In a recent conversation with Asha BHAT, I was captivated by an inspiring childhood memory that profoundly shaped her leadership journey. As a young girl, Asha won a competition and navigated public transport in India, alone to bring her prize home. This early experience, coupled with her defiance of traditional gender roles, la...

Today, I'm thrilled to share with you a truly enlightening conversation I had with Terri Martin, the head of corporate training at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA), based at the University of New South Wales. The Genesis of Leadership: A Tale of Early Responsibility My chat with Terri began with a question I pose to all my guests: "What is your first ever true experience of leadershi...

My conversation with Lee Cooper, Senior lecturer Center for Social Impact University of New South Wales, was a great example of Empowering Leadership. Lee's journey is a testament to the power of resilience, trust, and the willingness to learn from every experience. The Formative Influence of Selfless Service Lee's story begins with a powerful example set by his grandfather.  His grandfather's lea...