The Dynamic Leader Podcast

In this conversation Shelley and Mark explore how high performing teams actively engage in constructive conflict and don’t mind having the ‘hard’ conversations. Mark shares the impacts of engaging in conflict for the wrong reasons as well as what happens when it is avoided. Dynamic leaders approach conflict with a curious mindset and gain a rich understanding of where others are coming from. They...

If there’s anyone that knows about leadership hacks, it’s the guy who’s been applying agile leadership principles since the mid 90’s! In this conversation Scott shares the three keys to hacking leadership around mindset, approach and impact saying that today “leaders need to not only walk the talk but they also need to live the example”. He talks about the responsive world we live in and how a lac...

In this conversation Shelley and Gerard talk about what it takes for a leader to really challenge the status quo and thrive. An extraordinary leader doesn’t always standout, often they’re in the background operating with humility, observing what’s going on and being driven by a fierce resolve. Gerard shares that extraordinary leaders have a “deep purpose-lead commitment to making things happened c...

In this episode Shelley and Margie talk about‘s what is required to access your best self. They talk about having awareness in the consistency of how you are showing up with your team each day and the impact this can have on others. Margie also shares thoughts on the value of feedback in helping to highlight gaps in performance and opportunities to improve how you connect, engage and influence you...

In this episode Shelley and Bernard explore what leaders’ intentions are in how they show up with others. Is the interaction about ‘them’ or is it about the ‘collective’? Are they being intentional about how they’re investing their time and attention or are they being seduced by busyness without giving too much thought to its importance? Bernard says that leaders seem to have “lost the ability to...

In this episode Shelley and Catie talk about understanding how your values and beliefs drive behaviour and how your behaviour then increases or decreases resilience depending on whether you’re aligned. Catie shares how healthy habit formation and taking tiny steps over time (that are useful and easy) becomes part of your normal way of living and builds your resilience reserves. Now is the time to...

In this episode Shelley speaks with author of Let’s Talk Culture, Shane Hatton, about recognising and understanding organisational culture and the role a leader plays in nurturing and moulding it. Shane defines culture simply as the norms of a team/organisation but adds that it is also “deeply intricate with many layers to discover”. He encourages leaders to keep conversations open and work toward...

In this episode Narelle Burke (Shelley’s sister) interviews Shelley on what’s happening in the leadership space, what her favourite conversations have been with leaders and what’s to come for future episodes of the Dynamic Leader.  Shelley shares the challenges leaders are currently faced with and how they can build capability, manage their priorities and continue to grow without burning out....

In this episode Shelley speaks, for the third time, with David Nour around leading in a way that will attract and retain talent, focuses on productivity without burnout and continually develop your people. David shares the need to shift our focus to the value we create through the work we do and consider the output, the outcomes and most importantly, the impact of what we’re doing day-to-day. To d...

In this episode Shelley speaks with employment lawyer, Jo Alilovic, about having a vision around how you’re working as an organisation and providing your people with a clear message around why you’re doing things in a particular way. They talk about the practical elements of working from home and how leaders can ensure they are providing adequate support and guidance about safe work practices and...

In this episode Shelley speaks with researcher in organisational behaviour, Paige Williams about accountability and going past the word itself to connect with the deeper meaning of what it looks and sounds like day to day. Paige shares the need to reset how we think about these conversations and move from being fear based and aligned with punishment towards a clear transparent place that looks for...

In this episode Shelley speaks with senior leader turned conservation officer, Kevan Horder, on what he’s learnt through his career as a leader and what caused him to give it all up for a simpler life in the country. Kevan attributes a lot of his professional wisdom to his ability to constantly explore new ways of working and learning from past experiences. He acknowledges the struggles in not tak...

In this episode Shelley speaks with founder of the Blueberry Institute, Fleur Heazlewood on the topic of resilience and how leaders can enable their staff to understand what strategies will work for them. Fleur shares that we experience resilience and wellbeing uniquely so to build it we need to shift from the generic term and consider it specific to our individual needs. Grab yourself a copy of t...

In this episode Shelley speaks about the making of leaders with GM of a national facilities services organisation, Kasun Samarawickrama. While some people seem to have a natural confidence around leadership, for most, it is built through experience and practice with the longer we do it the better we generally become. Kasun shares that, with the changing business landscape, the leaders who will suc...

In this episode Shelley speaks with Chief Purpose Activist at The Cause Effect Consultancy, Carolyn Butler-Madden, about the benefits of connecting business outcomes with a greater purpose and how some of the most successful companies in the world embrace love. Carolyn shares that it is love that inspires action and keeps people showing up through the good, the bad and the ugly. When leaders can f...

In this episode Shelley speaks with management consultant, Liz Kislik, about the dynamics of conflict in the workplace. Where it’s of benefit, where it’s damaging and where it come from for most people. Liz shares how we’re wired for security and the need to be safe. We talk about those that like conflict, those that don’t and how to manage both heathy and ugly conflict. Connect with Liz: https://...

In this episode Shelley speaks with Mark about his bicycle accident that left him with a sever spinal cord injury and a fractured identity as he worked through his recovery. They talk about the impact of life changing events to identity, the guilt around dependence, the importance of hope, mindset, optimism and possibility for the future. It’s a grounding conversation that instils gratitude and re...

In this episode Shelley speaks with director of MOJOLOGIC, Monica Lunin, about the power of words and how, when done right, can have a profound impact on individuals, businesses, communities and even the world.  Monica talks about why good communication is important today and how it is the responsibility of leaders to show the way. She talks about connecting with the audience, making the mess...

In this episode Shelley speaks with Rosie Yeo, Director of Public Affairs Network, about the power of strategy and how organisations can use strategy to improve effectiveness and amplify performance. Rosie shares that “we don’t know what the future will hold and strategy isn’t a guarantee, there is no certainty, but it is about planning the best possible path forward”. They also talk about strateg...

In this episode Shelley speaks with leadership expert, Maree Burgess, on levelling up as a leader and using a variety of small nudges to make transformational change. Maree talks about how she’s seen leadership evolve throughout her career and particularly over the past two years. She shares the importance of a growth mindset and leaders being curious and aware of what’s going on, not only with th...

In this episode Shelley speaks for a second time with CEO of the Nour Group, David Nour, about relationships and connection at a professional level. David shares that “the fundamental need, as human beings, is for us to connect, connect in an authentic, genuine and meaningful way.” Whether that be face to face or virtually, it’s important for us to form hybrid relationships and not wait for the wo...

In this episode Shelley speaks with, Exercise Physiologist, Nutritionist and Neuroscientist, Paul Taylor, about the effects of poor sleep both at a chronic level as well as an acute level. Paul shares that it is good quality sleep that allows our brains to rest, get rid of toxins and help with the repair process throughout our body. When we have poor sleep it increases our levels of cortisol, redu...

In this episode Shelley speaks with founder of the ‘Happiness Concierge’, Rachel Service, about increasing satisfaction and noticing what might be holding us back in our work and life. She talks about burnout and the addiction to adrenaline that keeps so many leaders busy, overwhelmed and bored, often at the same time…and the longer term impacts this can have on us. And…she encourages us to become...

In this episode Shelley speaks with director of People Mastery, Anna Marshall, about what leaders need to consider before and during their transition into people management. When you first move into people leadership there’s a lot of stuff that you’re going to need to stop doing - this is often the hardest concept to get your head around. Anna shares the importance of recognising that leadership i...

In this episode Shelley speaks with founder and ‘risk rebel’ of Unearth, Lisa Sisson, about how people associate with risk and the need to shift the ‘tick-the-box’ approach so many business leaders take. Lisa shares her focus on reducing risk through people and teaches us that risk shouldn’t be something we fear but rather an opportunity to “proactively reduce the impact of disaster if and when it...