Future Fit Leadership

What if positive thinking isn’t always the answer? In this episode of Future Fit Leadership , Sadhana Smiles sits down with speaker and author Chris Helder for a wide-ranging conversation about the beliefs we carry, the stories we tell ourselves and how both shape the way we live and lead. Chris shares his concept of Useful Belief , a practical alternative to forced positivity. When circumstances are difficult or outside our control, the question becomes: what is the most useful belief I can choose right now? They explore Chris’s GOGI philosophy - guilt out, gratitude in , controlling the controllables, authenticity, influence and why leaders need to become more comfortable saying, “I don’t know.” They also discuss designing a life for excellence across work, family, health, friendships and self, rather than allowing success in one area to come at the expense of everything else. Chris also opens up about how his understanding of resilience has changed, his own struggle with feeling “enough”, and why reaching the top of one ladder led him to choose a new one centred on helping people. A thoughtful, funny and deeply human conversation about mindset, uncertainty, resilience and one deceptively simple idea: we may not control what happens next, but we can be intentional about the story we tell ourselves about it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the biggest leadership problem isn’t your people, but the system they’re working within? In this episode of Future Fit Leadership , Sadhana Smiles speaks with engineer, entrepreneur, author and founder of five businesses Felicity Furey about what it means to design leadership for impact. Felicity shares how being one of the few women in engineering shaped her early career, why she once hesitated to put her hand up despite managing $45 million worth of projects at just 23, and how one decision to step forward ultimately changed the direction of her career. They explore why culture is revealed through everyday behaviours, how workplace systems can unintentionally create barriers to performance and belonging, and why leaders need to understand people's individual strengths rather than make assumptions about what motivates them. The conversation also turns to AI, our growing obsession with speed and the human capabilities Felicity believes we cannot afford to lose: judgement, curiosity, imagination, relationships and genuine care. And ultimately, Felicity poses a bigger challenge for leaders: what if we moved beyond measuring productivity and started measuring impact? Impact on the business. Impact on people. Impact on communities. And impact on what we leave behind. A thoughtful conversation about systems, belonging, AI, legacy and designing a more human future of leadership. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Domestic violence is not a fringe issue. It is not a private matter. And it is not someone else’s problem. In this episode, I sit down with family lawyer Cassandra Kalpaxis for a direct and deeply confronting conversation about domestic and family violence in Australia. Cassandra shares that in her practice, around 95 percent of her cases now involve domestic violence. Not always physical. Often invisible. Coercive control. Financial abuse. Psychological harm that slowly strips away identity and autonomy. We discuss the warning signs many people miss, what meaningful support actually looks like, and why pressure can push survivors further into danger rather than towards safety. We explore where our systems are falling short, from policing to prevention, and the accountability that sits not just with government, but with workplaces, leaders, communities and men. As International Women’s Day calls us to Balance the Scale, this episode asks a harder question. Where are we still failing? And what responsibility do we each carry to change it? If you need support, confidential help is available through 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leadership is often measured by what we build: the business, the team, the results and the growth. But Kenny Lange believes there is a more important question leaders need to ask: Who are you becoming while you build it? Kenny is a leadership and scaling coach, entrepreneur and host of How Leaders Think . His path to coaching came through experience rather than theory. After being let go twice in four months, he started a digital agency almost by accident, grew it into a successful business and eventually sold it. He then helped the acquiring company nearly double its revenue while expanding its workforce across six US states and four countries. In this episode of Future Fit Leadership , we talk about what happens when founders become the "chief everything officer", why scaling requires leaders to surrender some of the things that made them successful in the first place, and why self-awareness needs to come before strategy, systems and accountability. Kenny also shares the deeply personal story behind his commitment to fostering and adoption. Together with his wife, he has fostered 18 children and adopted two, alongside their three biological children. That experience has shaped his understanding of vulnerability, responsibility and what it means to use leadership in service of something bigger than yourself. This is a conversation about business growth, identity and the inner work of leadership. Because sometimes the biggest challenge in scaling an organisation isn't what needs to change in the business. It's what needs to change in the leader. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when highly capable people can solve complex problems but struggle with tasks the workplace considers simple? In this episode of Future Fit Leadership , I speak with executive coach Frankie Berkoben about neurodiversity, executive functioning and what leaders misunderstand about people who think differently. Frankie’s own career has crossed geology, engineering, product and program management, endurance cycling and executive coaching. Following her experience of burnout and a later ADHD diagnosis, she began to recognise that many talented people spend years believing they are inconsistent, unfocused or somehow broken, when the real issue may be the fit between the individual and the system around them. Frankie explains why systems thinking, pattern recognition and intuition can be significant leadership strengths, even when traditional workplace structures fail to recognise them. She also explores the shame created when people are repeatedly told they are too much or not enough, and the impact this can have on identity, confidence and belonging. The conversation moves beyond diagnosis. Stress, uncertainty, overload and constant context switching can affect executive functioning in any of us. Frankie and Sadhana discuss what neuro-inclusion looks like in practice, why psychological safety requires more than a policy, and how small changes to meetings, communication and work design can help different minds perform at their best. This is a conversation about building workplaces around humans, rather than expecting every human to fit the same system. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to build a career that spans some of the world's biggest technology companies before launching your own AI start-up? For Anya Cheng, it wasn't a perfectly mapped career plan. It was curiosity, resilience and an unwillingness to accept the first "no." Born and raised in Taiwan, Anya arrived in the United States with little more than a marketing degree, limited English, and no professional network. Finding work after graduating during the Global Financial Crisis meant knocking on countless doors, creating opportunities where none existed, and refusing to let rejection define her future. That determination led to leadership roles at Target, Facebook, eBay and McDonald's, where she helped shape global digital products, launch Facebook and Instagram Shopping, expand e-commerce, and rethink customer experiences at scale. Today, she's the founder and CEO of Taelor, an AI-powered platform transforming how men discover, rent and buy clothing while helping fashion brands reduce waste through real-time customer insights. In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, Anya shares why curiosity has been the greatest driver of her career, why the best leaders stop thinking about their job title and start solving problems, and how every setback became an opportunity to think differently. Whether you're leading a team, building a business or navigating your own career, this conversation is a reminder that extraordinary opportunities rarely begin with certainty. They begin with asking better questions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Technology is changing faster than leadership. As AI reshapes the way we work, many organisations are focused on becoming more efficient. But what if they're asking the wrong question? In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I sit down with executive coach and former Google Ventures leader Maximos Lih for a thoughtful conversation about what leadership looks like when AI does more of the thinking, and why the future belongs to leaders who become more human, not less. Maximos shares the remarkable story of his grandfather, an orphan who taught himself to read before rising to become a four-star general, and the leadership lesson that has shaped his entire career: great leaders are remembered not for the positions they hold, but for the lives they change. Drawing on years of coaching founders and high-growth companies, Maximos explains why leaders become the bottleneck in their own organisations, why start-ups should think more like Olympic teams than championship teams, and why copying companies like Google often leads businesses down the wrong path. Together, we explore why trust, storytelling, imagination and clarity will become the defining leadership capabilities of the next decade, why AI should free people to do more meaningful work rather than simply make them more productive, and why the most important question every leader should ask is not "What can AI do?" but "What can only humans do?" If you're leading people through growth, change or uncertainty, this conversation will challenge the way you think about leadership and leave you with a simple but powerful reminder: the future may be powered by AI, but it will still belong to leaders who know how to bring out the very best in people. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For years, the debate around working from home has centred on one question: where should people work? But perhaps we've been asking the wrong question all along. As Victoria moves to legislate new work-from-home rights, the conversation has shifted beyond organisational policy and into public policy. Supporters say the changes protect flexibility and improve work-life balance. Critics argue they risk removing the very flexibility they are designed to create. In this episode of Future Fit Leadership , I sit down with leadership and organisational change expert Karen Ferris to explore what these changes really mean for leaders, businesses and employees. Together we unpack whether flexibility can or should be legislated, the unintended consequences of a one-size-fits-all approach, and why the future of work is ultimately a leadership conversation rather than a workplace policy debate. They also explore what the best organisations have learned since the pandemic, why trust has become one of the most valuable currencies in leadership, how hybrid work has exposed both great and poor leadership, and what leaders need to do to build culture, connection and accountability when work no longer happens in one place. Whether you lead a team, run a business or are simply trying to navigate the changing world of work, this conversation offers practical insights into leading with trust, creating genuine flexibility and building workplaces where both people and performance can thrive. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leadership today isn't just about managing people. It's about understanding people. In this episode of Future Fit Leadership , I am joined by global leadership and intercultural expert Monika Guzek, who has worked with leaders across more than 60 countries helping organisations navigate the complexity of diverse teams, cultural intelligence and human behaviour. Growing up in Poland during a period of extraordinary social and economic transformation shaped Monika's view of change, resilience and ambition. Since then, her career has taken her across Europe and Asia, giving her a rare perspective on what great leadership looks like across cultures and, perhaps more importantly, what it doesn't. We explore why relationships matter more than hierarchy, how curiosity has become one of the most valuable leadership skills, and why leaders often underestimate the impact their own behaviour has on those around them. Monika also shares her personal experience with burnout, the lessons she learned about slowing down, and why finding joy, both inside and outside work, is essential for sustainable leadership. This conversation is a reminder that while cultures, languages and workplaces may differ around the world, people share many of the same needs: to be heard, understood and trusted. For leaders navigating an increasingly global, fast-moving and diverse world, these insights have never been more relevant. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are we measuring success in a way that's actually holding innovation back? For decades, organisations have relied on goals, KPIs and OKRs to drive performance. But what if those very frameworks are encouraging short-term thinking at the expense of long-term innovation? In this episode of Future Fit Leadership , I sit down with MIT-trained engineer, entrepreneur and Radical Product Thinking author Radhika Dutt , whose work is challenging the way leaders think about product management, leadership strategy, innovation and organisational culture. Radhika introduces a powerful alternative to traditional OKRs through her Objectives, Hypotheses and Learnings (OHL) framework, explaining why great organisations create environments where experimentation, curiosity and learning matter just as much as results. We explore her concept of "vision debt," why many businesses lose sight of their purpose while chasing metrics, and how leaders can build strategies that stand the test of time. Our conversation also tackles one of today's biggest leadership questions: how AI is changing decision making. Radhika explains why artificial intelligence should enhance human judgement, not replace it, and why leaders who become overly dependent on data and optimisation risk creating products that perform well on paper but fail the people they're designed to serve. Whether you're leading a business, building products, managing teams or navigating the future of work, this episode offers practical insights into creating high-performing organisations that balance commercial success with curiosity, adaptability and meaningful impact. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is AI making us more productive... or quietly making us worse leaders? As artificial intelligence transforms the way we work, most of the conversation has focused on efficiency. But what if we're asking the wrong question? In this episode of Future Fit Leadership , I sit down with behavioural scientist, leadership researcher and author Penny Locaso to explore one of the biggest leadership challenges of our time: how do we remain deeply human in a world that's becoming increasingly automated? Drawing on her latest research, The Compassion Advantage , Penny shares why leadership capability is becoming the greatest constraint on organisational performance, why trust is replacing authority as the new source of influence, and how relentless pace is quietly eroding our ability to think clearly, make sound decisions and lead with care. Together, we unpack the concept of the "thinking recession", the hidden risks of outsourcing judgement to AI, and why leaders must be careful not to trade wisdom for speed. The conversation also explores why compassion is not a soft skill but a strategic capability, how purpose helps leaders navigate complexity, and what organisations need to change if they want leadership to thrive in an AI-shaped future. This is a conversation about more than technology. It's about the choices we make every day, the behaviours we reward, and the kind of leaders we're becoming. If you've ever wondered whether we're moving too fast to think, too busy to connect, or too quick to let technology make decisions that require human judgement, this episode is for you. Please enjoy this conversation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've all experienced times in our careers when we've felt stuck. From the outside everything appears to be going well. The results are there, the goals are being achieved, but internally something has changed. The energy has faded, the excitement has disappeared, and you begin to wonder if you've lost the spark that once drove you. In this episode of Future Fit Leadership , I'm joined by executive coach, keynote speaker and author Ritu G. Mehrish to explore a challenge that affects far more leaders than we openly acknowledge - Leader's Block . After more than 20 years leading global teams across five continents, Ritu found herself in exactly that position. Her performance metrics were strong, but she knew she wasn't leading at her best. What she discovered was that when a leader loses their spark, the impact doesn't stop with them. It ripples through their team, their culture and ultimately their organisation. Together we explore what Leader's Block really is, why so many high-performing leaders struggle in silence, and why asking for help may be one of the strongest leadership skills we can develop. We also discuss navigating the critical first 90 days in a new leadership role, building self-awareness, leading through constant disruption, and the unique experiences of women leaders across Asia. I hope this conversation reminds you that leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about having the courage to recognise when something isn't working, to reflect honestly, and to keep growing. Because the future won't be led by perfect leaders. It will be led by leaders who are willing to be human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does resilience really look like in a world that never seems to slow down? In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I sit down with resilience coach, speaker and facilitator Russell Harvey to explore one of the most important leadership capabilities of the decade. As workplaces face rapid technological change, shifting expectations and growing levels of uncertainty, resilience has moved well beyond being a personal wellbeing concept. It is becoming a critical leadership skill. But according to Russell, resilience is not about pushing harder, bouncing back, or pretending everything is fine. It is about learning how to adapt, grow and move forward through challenge. Drawing on more than two decades of experience in leadership development and organisational change, Russell shares the lessons that shaped his own journey and the insights he has gained from working with leaders across a wide range of industries. Together, they discuss why resilience matters more than ever, the common misconceptions leaders have about it, and the practical habits that help individuals and teams thrive under pressure. The conversation explores the cost of constant change, the importance of self-awareness, the relationship between resilience and leadership, and why the future will belong to those who can remain adaptable, curious and grounded in uncertain times. Whether you are leading a team, navigating change, or simply trying to stay ahead of an increasingly complex world, this episode offers a thoughtful and practical perspective on what it takes to build resilience that lasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At 21 years of age, Hugo Toovey discovered a small lump. Like many young men, he ignored it. What followed was a life-changing cancer diagnosis, months of chemotherapy, major surgery, and a lesson that would ultimately shape the rest of his life: never ignore the signs when something doesn't feel right. In this powerful Men's Health Week conversation, Hugo shares his journey through not one but two cancer diagnoses before the age of 30, the physical and emotional toll of treatment, and the challenges of rebuilding his life after years of surgeries and recovery. But this episode is about far more than cancer. Hugo speaks openly about the impact serious illness had on his mental health, the pressure many men feel to appear strong when they are struggling, and the turning point that taught him the importance of asking for help. Today, Hugo is the founder of 25 Stay Alive, a charity dedicated to changing the way young Australians think about their health. His mission is simple: encourage people to take ownership of their wellbeing earlier in life, advocate for themselves when something doesn't feel right, and understand that the choices we make today shape our health decades into the future. In this episode we discuss: • Why early detection saves lives • Learning to trust your instincts and advocate for your own health • The hidden mental health impact of serious illness • Resilience, recovery and finding purpose through adversity • The mission behind 25 Stay Alive and why "25 is the new 50" This is an honest, courageous and deeply human conversation about health, resilience, and making the most of the life we're given. Link to 25 Stay Alive - https://www.25stayalive.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when the workplace that is meant to support you becomes the very thing that breaks you? In this episode of Future Fit Leadership , I sit down with Jane Phipps, author of The Heart-Centered Leader , to explore a topic that affects more people than we often realise: toxic workplace cultures and the lasting impact they can have on our wellbeing, confidence, and sense of self. Drawing on her own experiences of workplace bullying, narcissistic leadership, and growing up in an environment shaped by control and fear, Jane shares how those experiences influenced her leadership philosophy and ultimately led her to a very different way of leading. Together, we discuss psychological safety, emotional intelligence, accountability without fear, and why trust remains one of the most important foundations of leadership. Jane also shares the moment her body told her something was wrong before her mind was ready to acknowledge it, and how that experience changed the way she views work, leadership, and personal responsibility. We explore why many people stay in unhealthy workplaces longer than they should, the hidden cost this can have on women, carers, and those who cannot simply walk away, and what leaders can do to create environments where people feel safe to contribute, challenge ideas, and bring their whole selves to work. This is an honest conversation about courage, recovery, self-awareness, and the kind of leadership the future requires. One built not on control, but on trust, kindness, and humanity. Guest: Jane Phipps Book: The Heart-Centered Leader: Transformation and Healing from Narcissistic Abuse to Self-Empowerment See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leaders as Creators, Not Controllers In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I sit down with Matt Hart, founder of Better Ideas Faster, innovation strategist, and creative thinker who has worked with some of the world's most recognised brands across media, technology, education, and entertainment. At the heart of this conversation is a challenge to the way many of us think about leadership. For years, leadership has been built around expertise, experience, and control. But as AI takes over more of the knowledge-based work, Matt argues that the leaders who thrive will be those who can create, not just direct. We explore why creativity is no longer a skill reserved for artists, designers, or marketers. It is a human capability that exists in all of us. The challenge is that many of us have stopped trusting it, using it, or even recognising it in ourselves. Matt shares why curiosity, empathy, collaboration, and resilience are becoming the defining capabilities of future-fit leaders, how organisations unintentionally suppress creative thinking, and what leaders can do to create environments where people feel confident contributing ideas and solving problems together. We also discuss the opportunities and risks of AI, the importance of maintaining critical thinking in an age of cognitive offloading, what younger generations are teaching us about identity and work, and why leadership today requires far more range than it did a decade ago. This is a conversation about human potential, the future of work, and why reconnecting with our creativity may be one of the most important leadership skills of the next decade. If you've ever wondered how to unlock better thinking, stronger cultures, and more innovative teams, this conversation is for you. Bought to you with Saxton Speakers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I sit down with Kirsten Taylor Martin from Grant Thornton to unpack one of the biggest leadership and economic shifts facing Australian business today. Over the next 20 years, more than $3.5 trillion is expected to transition from one generation to the next in family businesses. But as Kirsten explains, succession is not just a financial process. It’s emotional, deeply personal, and far more complex than many families expect. We discuss why succession planning has become the number one challenge facing family businesses, the growing tension between incumbent leaders and the rising generation, and why many experienced successors are still waiting well into their 40s, 50s, and beyond to take over leadership. Kirsten shares insights from Grant Thornton’s 2025 Family Business Survey, including the clash in priorities between generations. While founders are focused on business performance, economic pressure, and protecting what they’ve built, the next generation is increasingly focused on family relationships, communication, and creating a future that works for everyone involved. We also explore why retirement feels so confronting for many founders, the emotional weight of stepping away from a business that has shaped their identity, and the risks that emerge when families avoid difficult conversations for too long. This is a practical and human conversation about leadership transition, legacy, governance, and the future of family business in Australia. If you lead a family business, work in one, or expect to inherit one someday, this conversation will give you a clearer understanding of what’s at stake, and why starting early matters more than ever. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Jones shares the moment his life changed in Aisle 10 at Bunnings. What started as a routine weekend errand quickly became a frightening wake-up call. A panic attack brought on by years of pressure, stress, exhaustion, and a belief that he simply had to keep going. But this conversation is about much more than burnout. Mark opens up about the signs he ignored, the internal pressure so many leaders carry, and the dangerous stories we tell ourselves when we are under stress. Stories like “I can’t stop,” “I have to hold it together,” and “people are relying on me.” Together, we explore why high-performing leaders often miss the warning signs until their body forces them to pay attention. We also unpack the practical side of recovery and resilience. From sleep, exercise, and discipline through to the power of self-talk, identity, and rewriting the inner narrative that shapes how we lead and live. Mark also shares insights from his book The Story Code for Leaders , including his “mirror moment” exercise and the four-step framework he developed after his own breakdown. This is an honest and deeply human conversation about leadership, mental health, pressure, self-awareness, and what it really takes to sustain yourself in demanding roles. If you have ever felt overwhelmed, stretched too thin, or trapped in the cycle of “just keep going,” this conversation will resonate. https://www.markjones.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to lead with impact when the world won’t stop changing? Holly Ransom (author of The Leading Edge) shares how to lead with courage and mattering while navigating constant change. Learn practical habits and decision steps for leading from the edge, building influence, and creating future-ready teams. Key takeaways: 1) How to make courageous choices that signal organizational values; 2) Small actions that increase mattering and staff buy-in; 3) Tactical approaches to lead through uncertainty. Ideal for emerging and experienced leaders seeking actionable leadership tools. A sharp, energising conversation with insights from Holly’s own journey and her conversations with leaders like Barack Obama and Richard Branson. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Sadhana Smiles talks with Robyn Djelassi about fractional leadership and what it means for businesses navigating growth, change or reset. Learn how fractional people leadership balances human-centred and commercial priorities, why fundamentals like clarity and accountability still matter, and who can benefit from fractional executives. Ideal for leaders updating people strategies during change. Show notes: Guest: Robyn Djelassi Topic: Fractional leadership, organisational capability, leadership fundamentals Listen and subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/future-fit-leadership/id1665791866 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.