Episode 6: “I Don’t Want Them to Hate Me – Leading With Care and Accountability” Have you ever put off a tough conversation because you didn’t want to hurt someone’s feelings—or worse, have them stop liking you? You’re not alone. In this episode, Leeza Browne unpacks one of the most confronting tensions every leader faces: how to lead with heart without losing accountability. Drawing from her upcoming book The Resilient Leader, Leeza shares: The personal story that taught her why comfort isn’t kindness. The psychology behind why we avoid accountability—and how empathy can become our biggest trap. The hidden costs of avoidance that quietly corrode culture and trust. The Three C’s of Accountable Leadership—Clarity, Consistency & Care. A real client transformation that proves accountability builds respect, not resentment. A short “Try This Tomorrow” challenge to help you put it into action immediately. You’ll also hear a quick science spotlight from Harvard research showing that regular accountability check-ins raise psychological safety by 28 percent—and a simple breathing moment to pause, reflect, and reset your leadership tone. Whether you’re an owner balancing multiple services or a director leading your first team, this conversation will help you trade “nice-boss” habits for the calm confidence of a leader who is both kind and clear.

Lesson 5: Letting Go of the Dream — and Becoming Who You’re Meant to Be After a big week attending the ECE Connect event, Leeza reflects on the emotions running through the early childhood profession right now — from funding divides and partial A&R processes to the growing feeling that we all need a more unified voice across preschool, long day care, OOSH, and family day care. In this heartfelt episode of Everything Early Childhood, Leeza gets personal — sharing how her lifelong dream of owning five early childhood centres transformed into something bigger than she ever imagined. This episode is for every owner, director, and leader who’s ever looked around and thought, “This isn’t how I pictured it.” It’s about the moment we realise that letting go isn’t giving up — it’s growing up. You’ll hear: - Real reflections from the recent ECE Connect event and the sector’s shifting landscape - The story behind Leeza’s five-centre dream and the moment she realised she’d outgrown it - A client transformation story about redefining success after achieving the “dream” - The psychology of identity, comparison, and imposter syndrome in leadership - A light-hearted gym analogy about showing up — even when you feel like you don’t belong - Reflection questions to help you reconnect with your own purpose and evolution Because sometimes, the dream changes. The system shifts. The plans don’t go to plan. And that’s not failure — that’s evolution. Reflection prompts from this episode: What dream or plan no longer fits the person you’re becoming? Where are you comparing your path to someone else’s? What lessons has the journey so far taught you about who you are? Key Quote: “You’re not behind. You’re becoming.” Connect with Leeza: Website: www.platinumed.com.au Instagram: @leezabrowne contact: [email protected] Podcast: Everything Early Childhood

Ever wonder why it feels so hard to ask for help — even when you know you need it? In this raw and real episode, Leeza gets honest about control, ego, and why so many early-childhood directors resist accepting support. She shares the psychology behind our need to “do it all,” the illusion of control that keeps us stuck, and her own stories, including the social-media post that took hours to make (and got zero likes 🙃). You’ll learn: ✨ Why letting go feels scary — and what’s really happening in your brain when you try. ✨ The three levels of letting go and how to move through them. ✨ How saying yes to help multiplies your capacity and builds true leadership resilience. This is your permission slip to park the ego, accept support, and finally lead with more ease, trust, and impact.

When everything falls apart — that’s when the real leadership begins. I’ll never forget the day I sat in my car outside the centre, completely numb, thinking: “If I stop, everything stops.” That moment changed everything. It taught me that my business wasn’t a reflection of me — it was a reflection of the strength of my systems. This week on the Everything Early Childhood podcast, I’m sharing: 🧱 the hardest season of my career, ⚙️ what it really means when systems fail, and 🔥 how to rebuild stronger than ever. 🎧 Listen to Episode: When Everything Fell Apart — Building Systems That Help You Rise Stronger 🌿 Join me in person this November at Platinum Ed HQ for our Reflection & Planning Experiences — the space I wish I had when I was rebuilding. #EverythingEarlyChildhood #LeezaBrowne #ResilientLeader #PlatinumEdHQ #ECELeadership #SystemsBreedFreedom #ECECommunity #ChildcareLeaders #WomenInLeadership

Leadership isn’t a marathon you have to crawl through — but too often, we wait until the health scare, the burnout, or the breakdown before we pause. This week on the Everything Early Childhood podcast, I’m sharing Lesson #2 from my upcoming book The Resilient Leader — the brutal truth about why so many leaders wait until it hurts to take care of themselves, and how we can shift that story. Inside this episode: 💛 The psychology of why we push ourselves past breaking point. 💛 My personal story of “waiting too long” before I listened to my own body. 💛 A client’s turning-point moment that changed how she led her service. 💛 Practical anchors to move, eat, sleep, and lead with intention — before the warning signs arrive. 👉 Tune in, reflect, and ask yourself: Am I leading like I want to last?

10 Leadership Tips from 10 Years: Tip 1 The Leadership Shift That Changes Everything As Platinum Education turns 10, I’m reflecting on the lessons learnt along the way. And the first one is a biggie: letting go of control. Because here’s the truth — 👉 When you do everything, your staff do nothing. 👉 Control feels safe, but it’s actually the most dangerous trap. 👉 You’re not a real leader until you’ve created other leaders. In this episode, I share the personal story of running my first service, a client story of transformation, and practical accountability measures that will help you let go without lowering standards. 🎧 Tune in for the leadership shift that changes everything.

Why We Rebranded – The Honest Story Behind the Shift and how to know if its time for you too! Show Notes: After nine years, countless services transformed, and a business that’s evolved far beyond where it started, Platinum Education Group has stepped into a whole new chapter. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the real story behind our rebrand the moments that led to it, the challenges along the way, and the meaning behind every detail of our new look. This isn’t just about colours and logos. It’s about alignment, evolution, and stepping boldly into a brand that finally reflects who we are now not who we were when we started. I’m sharing: 💬 The truth bomb from a friend that made me realise I’d outgrown my old brand 🧶 The 6-month branding journey (including concepts that didn’t make the cut) 🎨 The meaning behind the blush pink, navy blue, handwriting, hand, and ball of yarn ✅ 5 signs it might be time for you to rebrand your child care business 🏡 Why this episode is the last one I’ll ever record from my home office — and what’s next for our new HQ and event space Whether you’re a child care business owner, director, or leader, this episode will inspire you to reflect on your own brand, your own growth, and what it might look like to step into your next season. Links & Resources: Follow me on Instagram: @leezabrowne Learn more about Platinum Education Group: [Website Link] Share this episode and tag me — I’d love to hear which part resonated most!

In this deeply personal and unfiltered episode, Leeza invites you behind the curtain of leadership and business—into a raw season of emotional overwhelm, physical exhaustion, and personal growth. Instead of waiting until she’s “through it,” she speaks from the middle of the mess, sharing what it’s like to lead while navigating pain, trauma, and deep internal shifts. This episode is a vulnerable reminder that: You’re not alone when things feel heavy. You don’t need to have it all together to be worthy of support. And real leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. 🔍 In this episode, Leeza explores: The invisible weight leaders carry that no one sees How emotional burnout shows up in the body and heart The default pattern of holding space for others while abandoning ourselves Why it’s so hard to let people in—and what shifts when we do A reframing of strength, humanity, and leadership in the thick of hard seasons 🧠 Reflection Prompts: Where are you carrying invisible weight that no one sees? What would it feel like to stop holding it all on your own? Who could you let in, even just a little, today? 💌 Connect with Leeza: Instagram: @platinumeducationgroup Website: www.platinumed.com.au Podcast: Everything Early Childhood (available on all podcast platforms) If this episode resonated... Please share it with a fellow leader who needs a reminder that they’re not alone. And if you feel called, leave a review, it helps others find this space and feel seen too.

What’s Your Wobbly Chair? — The Small Discomforts We Learn to Live With (Until They Break Us) Host: Leeza Browne | Platinum Education Group Podcast: Everything Early Childhood 🎧 Episode Summary: In this reflective solo episode, Leeza shares a simple but powerful story about a wobbly chair — a metaphor for the things we tolerate in leadership and life until they finally fall apart. You’ll explore why early childhood leaders often live with daily discomforts, how those "wobbly chairs" show up in your service, and why it’s time to stop surviving and start steadying your foundations. This episode includes guided reflection prompts throughout, so you can identify what’s draining your energy, where you’ve been “just managing,” and what small step you can take to shift from tolerating to thriving. 📝 In This Episode, You’ll Reflect On: Why we often tolerate discomfort and avoid change How to spot your personal “wobbly chairs” in leadership What it’s costing you to leave small issues unresolved The danger of waiting until things break before we act How small tweaks can lead to big shifts in your energy and service quality One thing you can fix this week to feel more steady and supported 💬 Journal Prompts from the Episode: What’s one thing you’ve been tolerating in your leadership or service? What’s the cost — to you, your team, or your families — of leaving it unresolved? If nothing changed, what would the worst-case scenario be? 👉 Download it here (insert actual download link) 🎯 Want Support? If you’re ready to stop wobbling through leadership and build strong systems, steady teams, and calm days — let’s work together. 💻 Learn more at platinumedgroup.com or DM Leeza on Instagram @platinumeducationgroup 💖 Connect with Leeza: Website: www.platinumed.com.au Instagram: leezabrowne_plaitnumed LinkedIn: Leeza Browne

Child Protection Can’t Wait: What Every Educator Must Know

Now with Holly-ann Martin, Founder of Safe4Kids For over 30 years, Holly-ann Martin has been a fearless voice for child protection in Australia. Starting her work back in the 1980s when all she had were magazines and honesty. Holly has witnessed firsthand how the risks to children have evolved. What was once simpler has now become more complex, with the rise of technology, access to pornography, and online predators creating new threats we can’t afford to ignore. In this powerful and timely episode, Holly shares surprising data, real stories, and the practical tools educators need to confidently support the children in their care. This isn’t about fear it’s about being prepared. From language to look-fors, Holly shows us how to embed protective education into daily life in a way that empowers both children and educators. Whether you're a leader, owner, or educator on the floor, this episode will leave you informed, equipped, and called to action because child protection can’t wait.