In this episode of The Authentic Ewe Podcast, I sit down with Debbie Nicol — one of the world’s most recognised experts in The Leadership Challenge.

Deb shares a powerful truth most leaders forget:

We explore:

• What separates “doing leadership” from being a leader

• Why credibility and consistency matter more than tactics

• How the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership work in real life

• The link between DISC behaviour and leadership effectiveness

• Why executive presence is misunderstood — and how Deb reframes it through Presence Pro

• How disconnection shows up in workplaces, and what real leaders do differently

• The behavioural shifts that turn managers into trusted, influential leaders

This conversation is grounded, practical and deeply human — a must-listen for leaders who want their influence to actually land.

Presence Pro – Executive Presence Self-Assessment (Free)

https://presencepro.ai/

The Leadership Challenge – Kouzes & Posner

https://www.leadershipchallenge.com

Debie Nicol on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbienicol/

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When high-performing women lose themselves inside emotionally unsafe environments, the body often speaks long before the mind catches up. In this raw and deeply human conversation, Pettina Shangdon shares the untold truth about nervous system breakdown, identity collapse, and the long road back to coherence, clarity, and self-trust.

This episode will resonate with anyone who has ever felt “not themselves” at work or in relationship dynamics that slowly erode safety. Pettina’s story blends lived experience with a grounded, trauma-informed perspective that echoes the teachings of Dr Jill Bolte Taylor and Viktor Frankl — reminding us that healing is not about perfection, but about reconnecting to the self we abandoned along the way.

Together, we explore:

– What nervous system overwhelm actually feels like

– How high achievers ignore early warning signs

– The moment Pettina realised she no longer recognised herself

– Emotional manipulation, dissociation & “freezing” under pressure

– The slow, compassionate process of rebuilding identity

– Why coherence and authenticity matter more than resilience

– How leaders can create emotionally safe environments for humans to thrive

– Choosing truth, connection and meaning — even in complexity

This is a powerful story of rupture, repair and returning home to yoursel

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pettinashangdon/

Feature Articles by Pettina:

• The Cost of Losing Yourself

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cost-losing-yourself-pettina-shangdon/

• When Your Nervous System Takes the Wheel

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-your-nervous-system-takes-wheel-pettina-shangdon/

Dr Jill Bolte Taylor – Whole Brain Living (WBL)

Official Website: https://www.drjillboltetaylor.com/

TED Talk – My Stroke of Insight: https://www.ted.com/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_my_stroke_of_insight

Whole Brain Living Framework: https://www.drjillboltetaylor.com/whole-brain-living

Viktor Frankl

Man’s Search for Meaning (Book):

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4069.Man_s_Search_for_Meaning

Logotherapy Overview:

https://www.viktorfrankl.org/

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Dr. Mark Scullard joins Penelope to reveal how insecurities and core needs drive all our workplace behaviors—and why true empowerment is personal, not one-size-fits-all.

Discover:

• How misguided “empowerment” can cause real damage (and how to do it right)
• The secret ways core insecurities shape feedback, leadership, and team culture
• Why the DISC model isn’t perfect, but is THE practical map for understanding workplace differences
• Real stories and actionable advice using the leading-edge Catalyst platform and Work Smart modules

Whether you’re a leader, HR pro, or just ready to work smarter, this remastered episode delivers the tools and mindset you need for genuine impact—today.

Key Takeaways:

• Empowerment looks different for everyone. Without understanding personal needs, even well-meant leadership can backfire.
• Our insecurities and core drives are always at play. Leadership is about understanding and channeling them positively.
• DISC is an actionable model—use it as a map, not a box—to decode what makes each teammate unique.
• Features Wiley’s Catalyst platform & Work Smart modules—making these insights truly usable in the flow of work.

Useful Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-scullard-25314b8/

https://www.everythingdisc.com/learning-that-lasts/

Enjoying the remastered edition?

🎧 Hit subscribe, share this version, and leave a review!

Keep listening for more leadership breakthroughs—visit the links above for resources and support.

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What if leadership was less about control and more about connection?

In this heartfelt conversation, Andy Johnson joins Penelope to share what decades in the fire brigade, sport, and corporate life have taught him about leading through trust, courage, and genuine human connection.

Connect with Andy Johnson on LinkedIn 

Explore Agile EQ®: https://www.authenticewe.com/agile-eq

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In this episode of The Authentic Ewe Podcast, Penelope sits down with Pettina Stanghon, Clinical Director at Noosa Confidential, for a powerful and deeply human conversation about radical responsibility — and what it truly means to lead yourself through change. Together they explore menopause in the workplace, the power of a growth mindset, and how to show up authentically, even when you’re running at 20%. Drawing on Dr Jill Bolte Taylor’s insights into the brain and emotional regulation, this episode invites reflection, compassion, and courage in leadership and life.

🌐 Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Pettina Stanghon – Clinical Director, Noosa Confidential:
• https://noosaconfidential.com.au/team/pettina
• Pettina Stanghon’s Website:
• https://www.pettinastanghon.com.au
• Pettina’s Article – What a Real Growth Mindset Looks Like:
• https://www.pettinastanghon.com.au/bulletin/growth-mindset
• Dr Jill Bolte Taylor – Whole Brain Living Official Site:
• https://www.learn-wholebrainliving.com
• Dr Jill Bolte Taylor TED Talk – How to Tap Into Your Whole Brain:
• https://www.ted.com/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_how_to_tap_into_your_whole_brain
• Book – Whole Brain Living: The Anatomy of Choice and the Four Characters That Drive Our Life:
• https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Brain-Living-Anatomy-Characters/dp/1401961985

✨ Connect with Authentic Ewe:

• Website: https://www.authenticewe.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authentic.ewe
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/authentic-ewe

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In this episode of the Authentic Ewe Podcast, I sit down with Dave Snowden, founder of The Cynefin Company. Dave challenges the mainstream view of psychological safety, framing it not as comfort but as a signal system that reveals risks, patterns, and trust gaps in complex organisations.

We explore how leaders can use Cynefin, SenseMaker®, safe-to-fail experiments, and trios to navigate uncertainty and create authentic workplaces where people can thrive.

Links: Cynefin resources | Cynefin framework | SenseMaker® subscription | Premium Membership | Dave Snowden on LinkedIn

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About Dr. Mark Scullard

Dr. Mark Scullard is the Senior Director of Product Innovation at Wiley and a leading voice behind the global success of Everything DiSC®. With a PhD in Clinical Psychology and over 20 years of experience in psychometrics and leadership development, he has authored multiple white papers and research studies that explore the hidden drivers of behaviour, leadership effectiveness, and organisational trust.

What really drives behaviour at work? In this episode, Dr. Mark Scullard — psychologist, researcher, and co-creator of Everything DiSC® — joins me to unpack how insecurities and triggers show up in the workplace and what leaders can do about it.

We explore:

• The insecurities that drive behaviour (often beneath the surface).
• The Top 5 skills every manager needs to learn to lead effectively.
• How DiSC insights can help leaders build trust and psychological safety.
• Practical ways to create workplaces where people feel free to be authentic, vulnerable, and safe.

Mark’s decades of research with Wiley shine a light on how leaders can make the shift from managing tasks to building trust and resilience in their teams.

📺 Watch more of Mark’s work on his YouTube channel.

🌐 To access the Everything DiSC® programs and resources Mark and I discuss, visit https://www.authenticewe.com/

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What happens when leaders shift from telling to coaching? In this episode of the Authentic Ewe Podcast, Penelope Aiken sits down with leadership coach Slaven Drinovac to explore how coaching unlocks potential, builds trust, and transforms workplace culture. From vulnerability to clarity, this conversation will inspire you to rethink what it means to lead.

✨ Subscribe to the Authentic Ewe Podcast for more conversations on leadership, culture, and creating workplaces where people love to come to work.

Resources & Links from this Episode:

• Learn more about the Personal Responsibility Model: Personal Responsibility.pdf
• Learn more about creating a language of leadership for your organization:https://www.authenticewe.com/self-empowered
• Learn more about developing your people's EQ: https://www.authenticewe.com/agile-eq
• Connect with Slaven Drinovac on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/slavend/

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Guest Bio – Deb Nicol

Deb Nicol is a global leadership mentor, consultant, and innovator in executive development. As a Certified Master Mentor of The Leadership Challenge®, she has guided leaders worldwide in adopting the 5 Practices of Exemplary Leadership as a way of life—helping them inspire vision, build trust, and lead with courage.

Deb is also the creator of Presence Pro, a contemporary framework and self-assessment tool that demystifies executive presence and equips leaders to show up authentically, especially in times of change. In addition, she recently launched the Future Proof Your Leadership program, blending human, digital, and AI approaches to prepare leaders for the evolving world of work.

Passionate about reconnecting leaders to themselves, their teams, and their organizations, Deb’s work bridges timeless leadership principles with modern tools for growth, resilience, and transformation.

 Guest Links

https://www.businessenmotion.com

https://www.businessenmotion.com/leadership-challenge-workshop

https://www.presencepro.ai

https://www.presencepro.ai/#blueprint

https://www.presencepro.ai/navigator

Host Links

https://www.authenticewe.com

#leadership #leadershipchallenge #executivepresence #PresencePro #PresenceProBlueprint #PenelopeAiken #AuthenticEwe

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Penelope Aiken is a recognised leader in organisational development, with more than 20 years of experience in leadership development and culture transformation. She is the founder of Authentic Ewe, where she helps organisations embed evidence-based frameworks such as Everything DiSC®, The Five Behaviors®, and The Leadership Challenge®.

Penelope is also an ICF Accredited Coach and High-Performance Facilitator, bringing a unique blend of coaching expertise and facilitation to her work with leaders and teams.

Her passion is simple but powerful: helping organisations create places people love to work — where people feel safe, deeply connected, and able to show up as their authentic selves so they can truly thrive.

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