In this episode of Watermark’s Agile Leadership Lessons Podcast, host Chris Grant, Partner Executive Search at Watermark Search, sits down with special guest Brad Lloyd, Director at Apogee Sports, former General Manager of Football at Carlton Football Club, former General Manager List Management at Fremantle Dockers, and former AFL Player Agent at Elite Sports Properties. They have a powerful conversation exploring the crossover between elite sport and modern business leadership.

With an extraordinary year ahead for Australian sport, the pair unpack what executives can learn from the way high‑performing athletes, coaches and teams operate under pressure. Brad shares how leaders can stay agile when the landscape can shift overnight, how to build and sustain a high‑performance strategy, and what it really takes to foster resilience and mental toughness within teams.

Chris and Brad discuss the importance of maintaining clarity and energy during stressful periods and how to keep teams engaged and hungry for success, especially when the pace is relentless. The conversation also delves into spotting potential in emerging talent, succession planning with intent and tailoring leadership approaches to individuals while still keeping everyone aligned to a shared purpose. They explore the leadership nuances between AFL and AFLW, the art of giving meaningful feedback and how to lead calmly and confidently when things go wrong. The episode wraps with the universal traits that define effective leaders and the core habits that consistently show up in top performers.

This is a rich, insightful conversation for anyone looking to elevate their leadership game, whether you're in the boardroom, leadership team or on the field.

In Australia, 22% of people aged 16–85 experience a mental health disorder, whether anxiety, depression, or substance-related, within a single year (ABS & AIHW). In this special Movember episode, we explore what that means for leaders and workplaces today.

Host Chris Grant, Partner at Watermark Search, is joined by Hayden Fricke, Managing Director at Steople, psychologist, executive coach, and author of Compassion. Hayden shares what inspired his book and why now is the time to shape a more compassionate society.

We dive into:

• How to think about mental health 
• Practical tips for improving mental wellbeing
• Why leadership skills like listening and empathy matter in mental health conversations
• The link between wellbeing and leadership effectiveness
• Advice for new CEOs on psychological safety and vulnerability
• Everyday actions leaders can take to create a culture that truly supports mental health

Hayden also reveals a personal mindset shift that changed his life and shares his hope for the future of mental health in society.

If you’re a leader, or aspire to be one, this episode offers insights and tools to help you lead with compassion and make a real difference.

In this episode of the Watermark Search International Agile Leadership Lessons Podcast, host Robert Atkinson, Partner in our Executive Search Professional Services practice, welcomes guests Rory Channer, founding partner of DCM Insights and Pat Spenner, APAC Managing Director for DCM Insights. Together, they delve into the evolving landscape of client loyalty in professional services.

The discussion centres around the emerging challenges faced by professional services leaders, in particular the decline in client loyalty, what underpins this decline and how to adjust to stem the rising tide of procurement and consensus decision making. 

Rory and Pat share the research insights (off the back of 2,941 interviews across Professional Services - Law, Consulting, Accounting, Executive Search, Public Relations and Investment Banking), which combined formed the basis of their new book, The Activator Advantage. They also introduce the "Activator" profile, a key driver of higher performance in business development.

Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on the five types of professionals in the industry: the Expert, the Confidant, the Activator, the Realist, and the Debater. The episode explores how Activators, with their proactive and collaborative approach, can significantly enhance client engagement and drive growth.

Tune in to learn about the impact of consensus decision-making, the importance of consistent value creation, and the role of technology in supporting business development. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the field, this episode offers actionable strategies to adapt to the changing dynamics of client relationships in professional services.

In this episode of the Watermark Search International Agile Leadership Lessons podcast, host Donna Burr dives into the world of career coaching for executives.

Joined by Renata Bernarde, Career Coach and host of The Job Hunting Podcast, and Peta Granger, Commercial Director at QBD Books and Non-Executive Director at the Women’s Circus, this episode demystifies career coaching and its pivotal role in executive job searches and leadership transitions.

Renata and Peta share their insights on why leaders often struggle with job searches and transitions, the unique value of career coaching, and how it differs from other forms of professional development. Through real-life experiences and practical advice, listeners will learn how career coaching can help them navigate their career paths, overcome stagnation, and develop leadership agility.

Whether you're in a career rut or considering professional development options, this episode offers valuable takeaways to help you move forward with confidence.

In our first episode for 2025, we delve into the essential

The episode starts with Peter’s top three takeaways to stay

The conversation then moves to the role of mateship and

To wrap up, Peter shares his motivational mottos and

If you are a leader looking to build resilience and foster a

Renee Burkinshaw, Founder and Director of Originate Coaching and Consulting unlocks the hidden treasures that lie beyond the payslip and speaks about:

Prosperity: The essential ingredients for organisational prosperity. She delves into the fascinating intersection of culture, wellbeing, inclusion, productivity, and sustainability.

Belonging and Meaning: Is it enough to clock in and collect a payslip? We think not! Renee explores the profound difference between merely being and true belonging at work. In today’s competitive landscape, attracting and retaining top talent hinges on understanding this distinction.

Purpose: Ever wondered about your life’s purpose? We’ve got you covered! Renee introduces her research on purpose-led inclusion. Learn how to be intentional in realising your purpose, both personally and professionally.

Actionable Tips: Ready to infuse your work with purpose? Renee gives practical strategies to kickstart your journey toward a more meaningful professional life.

Join Watermark for the first episode in our Masterclass Series, where we turn our highly regarded interim webinars into podcast episodes.

This episode features futurist and author, Diana Wu David, and she unveils the exciting landscape of tomorrow. 

Diana guides us through envisioning what lies ahead and offers insights on how these changes will impact each of us as individuals and as leaders within our organisations. With captivating real-world examples, she sheds light on the personal and professional applications.

An opportunity to expand your horizons and rethink your approach to the future.

In this episode, Dr. Lisa O'Brien, an accomplished Non-Executive Director, Board Chair, Medical Practitioner, and former Chief Executive, joins host Jocelyn Santosa to share insights from her multifaceted career. Dr. O'Brien's journey spans diverse sectors including public health, government, not-for-profit, and venture capital-funded startups. Listeners will gain firsthand knowledge of navigating leadership challenges across various sectors, drawing from Dr. O'Brien's rich experiences.

 From her early career working in public hospitals and the prison services to her ventures in the private sector and founding a drop-in centre for homeless women, Dr. O'Brien demonstrates resilience and adaptability. She discusses the importance of self-awareness, empathy, and continuous learning in leadership development. Dr. O'Brien talks about the different leadership settings, highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities in government, not-for-profit, and commercial roles. She emphasises the significance of organisational culture, shared vision, and effective decision-making in high-performing teams. With a focus on evidence-based practice, Dr. O'Brien shares her passion for leveraging research to drive positive change, particularly in education.

 Aspiring non-executive directors will benefit from Dr. O'Brien's advice on transitioning into board roles, including the importance of formal training and gaining practical experience. She offers valuable insights into board governance and the distinction between executive and non-executive roles. Finally, Dr. O'Brien reflects on her commitment to continuous improvement, highlighting her engagement with relevant literature and ongoing coaching endeavours.

 Listen now to gain actionable insights and inspiration from Dr. Lisa O'Brien's distinguished career and her dedication to agile leadership across diverse sectors.

In the highly anticipated Part 2 of "Mastering Leadership Agility: Lessons from a CEO and Board Director in Hospital, Health and Aged Care" your host, Jocelyn Santosa, Partner at Watermark Search International, is joined once again by the remarkable CEO, Chair, and Board Director in the healthcare, hospital, and aged

This episode dives deep into different aspects of leadership in these critical fields. Together, they tackle essential questions such as:  

Join Jocelyn Santosa and Toby Hall for a conversation for those navigating the ever-evolving healthcare landscape and the importance of leadership agility.

In this podcast episode, Jocelyn Santosa, Partner at Watermark Search specialising in health, human services and life sciences interviews Toby Hall. Toby is the former CEO of St. Vincent's Health Australia and Mission Australia as well as having a wide portfolio of Chair and Board roles including For Purpose Aged Care, Sana Health, UNICEF, Sterihealth, Working Links and Goodstart Early Learning.

Jocelyn and Toby have an engaging conversation covering topics including:

Listen to the full podcast below to gain insights and advice for current and future leaders.