Episodes
Friday Sep 22, 2023
#120 Dayle Stevens OAM - Walk slower to get ahead.
Friday Sep 22, 2023
Friday Sep 22, 2023
Dayle Stevens is a leadership breath of fresh air. In our conversation, she shares her amazing journey from growing up in Ballarat to taking the super scary step to move alone to Sydney that catapulted her global career in all things Technology. Dayle Stevens is the Executive for Data & AI at Telstra, previously the Chief Data Officer at AGL Energy, Divisional CIO National Australia Bank, and IT consultant with PWC working all over the world. She offers great advice of how uncomfortable moments will always bring you the biggest rewards, how feedback can be the best or worst birthday gift - but it is always a gift and to stop leading the way you ‘think a leader in that role should lead’ and instead, let go of the control, be conscious and bring yourself to work. A down to earth conversation that promises everyone will take something away from.
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Friday Sep 15, 2023
Friday Sep 15, 2023
Ever received the feedback that you need to be more strategic?
This week Melissa explores the seven steps to enhance your strategic thinking without disrupting your life. In the volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world we navigate, strategic thinking is an indispensable tool for senior female leaders to leverage. These steps have been tried and tested by successful female executives. The outcomes include the ability to maintain better work-life harmony, the ability to add their voice to key decisions, the ability to lead and influence change and make impact. Take immediate action now: make space for two hours in your diary right away. Use some of that time to listen to this podcast. It's time to empower yourself as a strategic thinker.
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Friday Sep 08, 2023
#118 Rhonda Morris - The “Only”, or the “double only”
Friday Sep 08, 2023
Friday Sep 08, 2023
Do you have the courage to talk about what our differences are?
Imagine being focused on letting the quality, calibre and results of your work speak for themselves; yet throughout your career when successful you are questioned about whether that success is due to your race, gender or both? Imagine too that you could intentionally let that go? You would have to be someone special (and generous). Rhonda Morris is that someone special. Rhonda, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, has been at Chevron over 30 years, and in 2021 was inducted as a fellow in the National Academy of Human Resources (the highest honour granted in the HR profession). In our conversation, Rhonda shares battling stereotypes to fostering inclusivity, her practical tips, insights on allyship, and the impact of partnerships on careers. Join us for an inspiring conversation that reveals the power of unity amid diversity.
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Friday Sep 01, 2023
#117 Mel Browne - Financial Literacy is a feminist issue.
Friday Sep 01, 2023
Friday Sep 01, 2023
In the “Western world, less than 48% of women are financially illiterate, meaning that they can't answer five simple questions about finance.” Yet A Warwick Business school longitudinal study showed that both men and women outperformed the index when it came to investing in shares and women outperformed men. And this is where Mel Browne steps in. Mel Browne is an ex-accountant, ex-financial advisor and ex-working till she drops. Nowadays she’s a best-selling author, financial educator and serial entrepreneur who is passionate about helping women live a life by design not default. This is an eye-opening conversation full of tips and insights you can employ today to empower your financial decisions. Mel and I discuss the power of overcoming ‘people pleasing’, that financial literacy is a feminist issue and how it can give you choices all the while in a killer outfit and heels.
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Friday Aug 25, 2023
#116 Sadhana Smiles - Be where your feet are
Friday Aug 25, 2023
Friday Aug 25, 2023
This is such a powerful conversation. Sadhana and Melissa discuss; the culture shock of boarding school in Australia after growing up in Fiji; the realisation Sadhana could be herself and take off the Teflon jacket in the boardroom; the power of putting the right people around you and training yourself to be present and be where your feet are. Sadhana Smiles is the CEO of REIP (Real Estate Industry Partners, 2013 Victorian Telstra Business Woman and in 2016 was named one of the AFR 100 Women of Influence. Sadhana is passionate about issues of violence against women and diverse gender equality - “our workplaces must reflect the communities we work in”.
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Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!
Ready to take immediate action to manage your energy?
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Thursday Aug 17, 2023
#115 Liz Abrahams - Joy
Thursday Aug 17, 2023
Thursday Aug 17, 2023
Liz Abrahams is an authentic, passionate, straight-talking technology industry executive, diversity and inclusion champion, wife of 33 years, mother of a 22 year old son and recent Stage 4 Breast cancer thriver. Infectious and Inspiring and full of JOY is how I describe Liz. Liz is facing the potential of 1,000 days left to live and she is intentional, passionate and deliberate about her purpose in that time. None of us know how long we have to live. An advanced Breast Cancer diagnosis in Liz’s own words has given her the gift of an accelerated business plan and she is not wasting a day. We discuss extraordinary periods of prolonged stress, why we don’t look after ourselves the way we should, fear of failing and her reflections on leadership. Liz has 30 years experience working for tier one companies including 10 years with Infosys Technology and prior sales/marketing leadership roles with IBM, Oracle, LogicaCMG and Optus. Don't miss this inspiring chat. Liz’s passion and joy is riveting.
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Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!
Ready to take immediate action to manage your energy?
Grab my new Activity eBook: 5 Simple Yet Powerful Techniques You Can Use to Elevate Your Energy & Performance - Even If You Don’t Know Where To Start. Get access instantly here.
Friday Aug 11, 2023
#114 Janine Hall - Mic Drop Moment
Friday Aug 11, 2023
Friday Aug 11, 2023
Are you happy? It was a simple question from an executive coach that was the final mic drop moment for Janine Hall. It was the sinking feeling, after two years on a high-performance development program of knowing that the ladder she was climbing was on the wrong wall. Janine is proud of herself, proud of her growth mindset and of having the guts and courage to pursue a different dream. A dream that began with a solitary trip to Bali to recover from burnout. Together we discuss the unique perspective she has on professional women, the gritty sand in your underpants feeling of wanting to be a nicer version of yourself, of chasing balance and of needing to “shut up and boot up” to avoid being overlooked at work. Full of practical tips to set yourself up every day to show us as the best version of yourself. Practical, grounded and wise, Janine continues to innovate and remove barriers for women everywhere. Janine is the Founder at escapehaven.com
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Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here.
Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!
Ready to take immediate action to manage your energy?
Grab my new Activity eBook: 5 Simple Yet Powerful Techniques You Can Use to Elevate Your Energy & Performance - Even If You Don’t Know Where To Start. Get access instantly here.
Friday Aug 04, 2023
Friday Aug 04, 2023
This conversation left me with a deep understanding as another piece of the jigsaw puzzle clicked into place. That feeling when something finally makes sense and you can start to feel the solution. The research is clear. Women are doing more of the “non-promotable” work in organisations, leading to burnout and being overlooked for promotions. Professor Laurie Weingart, Carnegie Mellon,is co-author of the recently released book “The No Club. Putting an end to Women’s Dead end work” Together with 4 academic colleagues they formed The No Club. Initially in response to their own challenges navigating their careers. Then they realised something much bigger was going on. Together we discuss how do we help women reach and retain senior roles if we can’t get off this merry go round of carrying an additional burden of work in the office. Work that doesn’t lead to promotion. This conversation should be compulsory viewing for leaders, for anyone focused on organisational design and anyone passionate about accelerating women’s careers. If you are ambitious to make a bigger impact, but can’t shake the exhaustion, this conversation is for you.
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Loving the podcast?
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Ready to take immediate action to manage your energy?
Grab my new Activity eBook: 5 Simple Yet Powerful Techniques You Can Use to Elevate Your Energy & Performance - Even If You Don’t Know Where To Start. Get access instantly here.
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Friday Jul 28, 2023
Friday Jul 28, 2023
Right from the response to my first question, when Mel Silva shared her favourite Karaoke tune to belt out, I knew we were in for a great conversation. Melanie Silva is Managing Director and VP, Google Australia and New Zealand and in our conversation, shares with generous transparency some of the key moments in her career. We talk about her early days as a “meerkat", popping her head up when she heard about the internet. How that deep curiosity has led to an exhilarating career at the forefront of digital. I ask what would create that meerkat moment for her today?
I love the open and vulnerable sharing of what growing and learning feels like and how sometimes we mistake that for failure. Together we discuss the branding image for imposter syndrome, how her coach helps her manage any self-doubt and how she shifts seamlessly from structured strategic thinker to crazy swan paddling the feet underneath the water. Mel shares a wonderful perspective around parental leave and the opportunity it presents for tremendous organisational growth. I loved my time with Mel. I am sure you will take so much away from this conversation.
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Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here.
Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!
Ready to take immediate action to manage your energy?
Grab my new Activity eBook: 5 Simple Yet Powerful Techniques You Can Use to Elevate Your Energy & Performance - Even If You Don’t Know Where To Start. Get access instantly here.
Friday Jul 21, 2023
#111 Jane Caro - Witty, Fearless & Intelligent: Chatgpt told me so.
Friday Jul 21, 2023
Friday Jul 21, 2023
You can be mediocre, you can be plain, you can be fat, you can be flatulent and you are still a decent person. Jane Caro is a straight talker. Her superpower is a brilliant brain that turns situations around and views problems from all angles. Together we discuss laundry. Well we don’t, but it does feature heavily. With a career spanning over 35 years as an acclaimed copywriter, Jane's creative genius shines through. From crafting captivating laundry advertisements to delivering her first public speaking gig with a laundry basket by her side, her unconventional approach has left an indelible mark.
Jane's brilliance extends far beyond advertising. As a Walkley Award winner, she has published thirteen books, including the best-selling novel "The Mother" and the insightful "Accidental Feminists," exploring the stories of women over 50. Her appearances on prominent platforms like The Drum and Today Extra have solidified her status as a sought-after social commentator.
Jane is everything ChatGPT describes her as - Witty, Fearless & Intelligent. Together we discuss the bravest thing any of us can ever do..be ourselves. The final part of our conversation about how love is an action and not a feeling will stay with me for a long time.
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Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here.
Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!
Ready to take immediate action to manage your energy?
Grab my new Activity eBook: 5 Simple Yet Powerful Techniques You Can Use to Elevate Your Energy & Performance - Even If You Don’t Know Where To Start. Get access instantly here.
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