Why confident early childhood directors still second-guess themselves Show Notes One of the most common things I hear from directors; even very capable, experienced ones, is this: “Why do I still doubt myself?” Not loudly. Quietly. Often at the end of a long day. In this episode, we unpack why self-doubt shows up so often in leadership, and why it isn’t a sign that something is wrong with you. Many directors assume confidence should come with experience. That once you’ve been in the role long enough, the second-guessing will stop. But leadership doesn’t work like that. As responsibility grows, uncertainty grows too especially when you’re holding it alone. In this conversation, I explore: why capable leaders often doubt themselves the most the difference between confidence and certainty how people-pleasing and emotional labour quietly erode self-trust why replaying decisions is often a sign of fatigue, not failure This episode isn’t about fixing self-doubt or giving you confidence tips. It’s about naming what’s really happening so you can stop turning normal leadership strain into personal self-criticism. If you’ve been questioning yourself more than usual lately, this episode is for you. You’re not failing. You’re not behind. And you’re not alone. https://www.platinumed.com.au/directorsacademy

There’s a part of early childhood leadership that rarely gets named. It’s not the paperwork. It’s not the compliance. And it’s not even the long days. It’s the invisible load. The mental tracking. The emotional holding. The constant decision-making. The responsibility that follows you home, into the shower, and into the quiet moments no one else sees. In this episode, I’m naming something I’ve seen again and again across early childhood services and something I carried myself for years before I realised it wasn’t a personal failure and learnt the techniques and systems to manage it. It was the role. This episode isn’t about fixing you. It’s about helping you understand why the load feels so heavy and why so many capable, committed directors quietly feel exhausted even when “nothing is technically wrong.” In this episode, we explore: What the invisible load actually is (and why it’s different to being busy) Why directors often feel mentally full before the day even begins The responsibility no one trains you for when you step into leadership Why this weight is carried silently and rarely spoken about How understanding the load is the first step to leading with clarity instead of constant overwhelm This conversation is here to say one simple thing: You’re not weak. You’re not failing. And you’re not alone. If you’ve ever wondered why leadership feels heavier than you expected this episode is for you. In the coming episodes, we’ll start unpacking what actually helps lighten this load not through motivation or hustle, but through training, systems, and support that directors were never given in the first place. Leeza Browne - Platinum Education Group - www.platinumed.com.au

Episode 0: Why I’ve been quiet and Why 2026 already feels heavy Welcome back to the Everything Early Childhood podcast. This episode is a little different. After a longer pause than planned, I wanted to return gently not with pressure, polish, or pretending everything is fine but with honesty. In this Episode 0, I share: Why I’ve been quiet over the past couple of months What’s been happening personally behind the scenes Why so many directors and leaders are already feeling exhausted and it’s only January The collective heaviness we’re noticing across the early childhood profession right now And why you don’t have to hold all of this on your own This episode isn’t about fixing anything. It’s about naming what’s real. If you’re a director, leader, or owner who feels like: you’re carrying more than ever, the responsibility feels heavier this year, or you’re doing your best but quietly wondering how sustainable this pace is… You are not alone. This episode marks the beginning of a new season of the podcast one that’s slower, deeper, and more intentional. A season focused on regulated leadership, the invisible load leaders carry, and what it really means to lead well without burning out. Thank you for being here. Thank you for continuing to show up for children, families, and teams, even when it’s heavy. More to come. Learn more If you’d like to explore how we support early childhood directors and leaders through mentoring, community, and practical leadership tools, you can visit us at: 👉 https://www.platinumeducationgroup.com.au Stay connected Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss the next episode, where we’ll dive into the invisible load directors carry and why it’s so exhausting.

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!