Hear how Geotechnical Engineer Barry Land went from start up to successful business owner with his Co-Founders Ian Thompson and David Carson. Hear what it really takes to go from specialization to scaled business ready for acquisition by RSK Group.

What’s it like to close a deal which shapes a nation?

In this episode Michael sits down with Ted O'Brien MP to understand what it take to lead, negotiate and pen the deal on the Olympic Games for your home state.

Ted is the current Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the former Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party. He famously contested Clive Palmer for the seat of Fairfax narrowly losing out by just 53 votes.

The conversation dives into what it’s like when your failures become front page news, and how you stay calm when the media are out to get you.

Petrina Fraccaro's journey exemplifies a transformative leadership paradigm in the realm of charity, particularly through her role at Cystic Fibrosis Queensland, where she has successfully navigated the complexities of financial instability and operational inefficiency.

This episode is testament to the power of innovative thinking and strategic leadership in the non-profit sector and shows what you can do when you bring creativity, determined leadership and commercial acumen together.

Takeaways:

• Petrina Fraccaro emphasizes the necessity of a strong focus and direction in leadership roles, highlighting her unique path in the charitable sector.
• The role of personality traits and key attributes is crucial in defining what constitutes an excellent executive
• Fraccaro advocates for a proactive approach to daily tasks, aiming to make tomorrow easier through effective planning and execution.
• She stresses the importance of mentorship and developing the next generation of leaders within organizations to ensure sustainability and growth.
• Petrina discusses the significance of adapting to change in the non-profit sector, particularly by embracing technology and innovative strategies to improve service delivery.
• Through her experience, Fraccaro illustrates the challenges of navigating emotional connections to legacy services while making necessary business decisions for organizational health.

In this episode, Kirsty Cheshire-Brown, CEO of UDIA Queensland, shares a grounded view of what senior leadership actually demands.

She speaks to the weight of decision-making, the need to balance competing stakeholder interests, and the shift from technical expertise to broader strategic responsibility. Her journey from sustainability coordinator to CEO highlights the role of mentorship, exposure, and consistent performance over time.

Kirsty is direct about the trade-offs. Leadership involves difficult calls, managing relationships under pressure, and accepting that you will not satisfy everyone. The role requires judgement, resilience, and a clear sense of priorities.

This conversation offers a practical look at executive leadership, beyond theory, and into the realities of running an organisation and challenging the status quo on a day to day basis.

Key Takeaways

• Senior leadership is defined by decision quality, not activity
• Moving into executive roles requires letting go of technical identity
• Stakeholder balance is constant and often uncomfortable
• You cannot lead effectively and be liked by everyone
• Resilience and clarity matter more than perfection

Organisations referenced

• UDIA Queensland
• Stanwell Corporation
• NavAir

If you want, I can tighten this even further into a one-paragraph Spotify-style version.

Natalie Cook OAM, a distinguished Olympic athlete and business leader, encapsulates a life characterized by excellence. Through her extensive experience, having represented Australia in five Olympic Games, she underscores the importance of relentless dedication and the pursuit of mastery in one's endeavors.

In our discussion, she elucidates how the principles of sport, particularly the significance of repetition and commitment, seamlessly translate into the corporate world. Cook's insights reveal that achieving excellence is not merely about reaching the pinnacle of success but rather about the unwavering process of striving toward one's goals. Join us as we delve into her remarkable journey and explore how to cultivate a culture of excellence in both personal and professional realms.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Navair Jet Services
• Aussie Athlete Fund
• Sandstorm

Executive leaders must develop exceptional communication, and be able to respond rather than react. This interviews dives into how to do it, and what it requires.

Book referenced in the episode is Rapport: The Four Ways To Read People available here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1785042068/?mr_donotredirect