The best leaders build teams that thrive—even when they're not in the room.

Too many leaders become the bottleneck. They make every decision, solve every problem and unintentionally teach their teams to depend on them. Former SAS Commander James Jensen believes great leadership is the opposite: developing people, creating ownership and building the confidence for others to step up when it matters most.

In this follow-up conversation on the Fireside Leadership Podcast, Chris Turkington and James explore what separates respected leaders from merely obeyed ones. They discuss delegation, trust, accountability, coaching, psychological safety and why leadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about asking better questions and growing future leaders.

Whether you lead a small team or an entire organisation, this episode is packed with practical leadership principles you can apply immediately.

• How to build a team that performs without constant supervision
• Why leaders should be developing their own replacement
• The difference between leaders who are respected and those who are simply obeyed
• How to create ownership without abandoning accountability
• The early warning signs that trust is beginning to erode
• Why vulnerability is one of the most underrated leadership strengths
• How to maintain high standards without creating fear
• Why the pursuit of excellence never truly ends

James Jensen is the founder of K Six Consulting and a former Commander in the Australian Special Air Service Regiment (SASR). Today he works with organisations across Australia and New Zealand to develop leaders, strengthen teams and improve organisational performance through practical, experience-based leadership development.

Website: https://ksixconsulting.com.au

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-jensen/

The Fireside Leadership Podcast brings you conversations with exceptional leaders from business, sport, the military and public service, uncovering the experiences, decisions and lessons that shape outstanding leadership.

Hosted by Chris Turkington. Produced by Aegis Leadership: www.aegisleadership.co.nz

Most leaders don't have a conflict problem. They have a feedback problem.

Conflict is inevitable in every team, but it doesn't have to become destructive. People and culture leader Lisa Oakley believes the biggest mistake leaders make is avoiding difficult conversations until small issues become major problems. Great leaders don't shy away from feedback—they create environments where honest conversations are normal, trust is protected and conflict becomes a catalyst for stronger relationships.

In this episode of the Fireside Leadership Podcast, Chris Turkington sits down with Lisa to unpack the leadership skills behind effective feedback, psychological safety and healthy conflict. They discuss trust, coaching conversations, asking better questions, receiving feedback without defensiveness and building cultures where people feel safe enough to perform at their best.

If you lead people, this episode offers practical tools you can start using immediately.

• Why avoiding conflict creates bigger leadership problems
• How to give feedback that actually changes behaviour
• Why curiosity beats criticism in difficult conversations
• The simple questions that unlock better coaching conversations
• How to receive feedback without becoming defensive
• Why psychological safety is essential for high-performing teams
• The building blocks of trust inside successful organisations
• How healthy conflict drives innovation and stronger relationships

Lisa Oakley is a people and culture leader, workplace investigator, mediator and speaker who specialises in leadership, organisational culture, conflict resolution and psychological safety. She works with organisations across New Zealand to help leaders navigate difficult conversations, build trust and create healthier, higher-performing workplaces through practical, evidence-based approaches to people leadership.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-oakley/

Website: https://peopleassociates.nz

HR Unlocked: https://www.youtube.com/@HRUnlocked

The Fireside Leadership Podcast brings you conversations with exceptional leaders from business, sport, the military and public service, uncovering the experiences, decisions and lessons that shape outstanding leadership.

Hosted by Chris Turkington. Produced by Aegis Leadership: www.aegisleadership.co.nz

What if the hardest moments in your life become your greatest advantage?

Former Australian SAS operator Mark Direen has spent decades operating in some of the world's most demanding environments. From combat deployments and surviving an IED strike to leading teams under extreme pressure, he's learned that hardship isn't something to avoid—it's where character, leadership and wisdom are forged.

In this episode of the Fireside Leadership Podcast, Chris Turkington sits down with Mark to explore the lessons adversity teaches that comfort never can. They discuss resilience, trust, military leadership, building high-performing teams, decision-making under pressure and why experience—not theory—is the greatest teacher.

Whether you're leading a business, a team or simply trying to become a stronger person, this conversation is filled with practical insights on courage, preparation and continuous growth.

• Why hardship is often life's greatest teacher
• How to build resilience through progressive challenge
• Why trust is the foundation of great leadership
• How elite teams prepare for pressure before it arrives
• The value of reflection after every success and setback
• Why leaders must always "walk the talk"
• How positive mindset is developed through experience
• Why action beats theory when it comes to personal growth

Mark Direen is a former Australian Special Air Service (SAS) operator, adventurer, author and photographer. Throughout his military career he served on operational deployments around the world, leading teams in complex and high-risk environments. Since leaving the military, Mark has focused on leadership, adventure, photography and writing, sharing lessons from elite military service that apply equally to business, leadership and everyday life.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-direen/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markdireen/

The Fireside Leadership Podcast brings you conversations with exceptional leaders from business, sport, the military and public service, uncovering the experiences, decisions and lessons that shape outstanding leadership.

Hosted by Chris Turkington. Produced by Aegis Leadership: www.aegisleadership.co.nz

What if pressure isn't something to fear—but something you've earned?

Four-time Olympian and high-performance coach Shea McAleese believes pressure isn't the enemy. In fact, if you've prepared properly, pressure becomes proof that you're doing something meaningful. Across a 17-year international hockey career, Shea learned that sustained performance isn't built on confidence alone—it's built on preparation, conviction and the ability to recover from setbacks without losing sight of what matters most.

In this episode of the Fireside Leadership Podcast, Chris Turkington sits down with Shea to explore what elite sport teaches us about leadership, coaching and performing under pressure. They discuss resilience, self-leadership, coaching without micromanaging, building trust, creating high-performing teams and why great leaders develop people instead of rescuing them.

Whether you're leading a business, coaching a team or striving to perform at your best, this conversation is packed with practical lessons from one of New Zealand's most experienced high-performance athletes.

• Why pressure is a product of preparation
• The difference between conviction and confidence
• How elite performers recover quickly from mistakes
• Why great coaches don't become their people's saviour
• How to develop resilient, self-sufficient teams
• The importance of celebrating small wins on the path to big goals
• How trust and transparency create high-performing cultures
• Why leadership is about developing ownership, not dependence

Shea McAleese is a four-time Olympian, former Black Sticks hockey international and high-performance coach. Across more than 17 years at the highest level of international sport, he has represented New Zealand at four Olympic Games while developing a reputation for leadership, resilience and sustained elite performance. Today, he coaches high-performance athletes and teams, helping them perform under pressure while building strong cultures based on trust, accountability and continuous improvement.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shea-mcaleese/

The Fireside Leadership Podcast brings you conversations with exceptional leaders from business, sport, the military and public service, uncovering the experiences, decisions and lessons that shape outstanding leadership.

Hosted by Chris Turkington. Produced by Aegis Leadership: aegisleadership.co.nz

Negotiation isn't just for salespeople. It's one of the most important leadership skills you'll ever develop.

Whether you're leading a team, negotiating a salary, managing conflict or influencing stakeholders, every conversation is a negotiation. According to negotiation strategist Noa Sheer, the biggest mistake people make isn't being too soft—it's approaching negotiation without a clear methodology.

In this episode of the Fireside Leadership Podcast, Chris Turkington sits down with Noa to unpack the psychology and strategy behind successful negotiation. They discuss influence, trust, preparation, compromise, stakeholder management and why understanding what people really need is often more important than what they ask for.

If you want to become a stronger leader, communicator or decision-maker, this episode is packed with practical tools you can apply immediately.

• Why negotiation is a leadership skill, not just a sales skill
• How to uncover what people really want beneath their stated position
• The three psychological needs that influence every negotiation
• Why preparation creates confidence and flexibility
• How to build trust before the negotiation even begins
• The biggest mistakes people make when trying to compromise
• When to walk away from a negotiation
• Practical influence techniques that create better outcomes for everyone

Noa Sheer is a negotiation strategist, author and founder of Sheer Negotiations. She works with organisations across New Zealand, Australia and internationally to help leaders negotiate more effectively through structured methodology, influence and strategic decision-making. Noa also teaches negotiation at MBA level, helping executives develop practical skills for high-stakes conversations.

Website: https://sheernegotiations.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noa-sheer/

The Fireside Leadership Podcast brings you conversations with exceptional leaders from business, sport, the military and public service, uncovering the experiences, decisions and lessons that shape outstanding leadership.

Hosted by Chris Turkington. Produced by Aegis Leadership.

www.aegisleadership.co.nz

What does leadership look like when the pressure never stops?

As CEO of Basketball New Zealand, Belinda Edwards leads one of the country's fastest-growing sporting organisations. From balancing grassroots participation with elite performance to making difficult organisational decisions, she believes great leadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about building trust, staying true to your purpose and creating an environment where people can thrive.

In this episode of the Fireside Leadership Podcast, Chris Turkington sits down with Belinda to explore leading under pressure, building high-performing teams, developing future leaders and making difficult decisions with integrity. They discuss humility, communication, succession planning and why leadership is ultimately about serving people rather than chasing titles.

Whether you're leading a sports team, a business or a growing organisation, this conversation offers practical lessons on building cultures that last.

• How to lead effectively when expectations continue to grow
• Why trust is built through consistent action, not words
• The importance of creating an environment where people can thrive
• How to balance ambition with protecting your team's wellbeing
• Why leadership starts with purpose, not position
• How to make difficult people decisions with integrity
• Why developing leaders is just as important as developing performers
• The role communication plays in high-performing organisations

Belinda Edwards is the Chief Executive Officer of Basketball New Zealand. She leads one of New Zealand's fastest-growing national sporting organisations, overseeing both grassroots participation and high-performance programmes. Passionate about people, leadership and sustainable organisational growth, Belinda is focused on building strong cultures, developing future leaders and creating opportunities for the next generation of New Zealand basketball.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/belinda-edwards/

Basketball New Zealand: https://nz.basketball

The Fireside Leadership Podcast brings you conversations with exceptional leaders from business, sport, the military and public service, uncovering the experiences, decisions and lessons that shape outstanding leadership.

Hosted by Chris Turkington. Produced by Aegis Leadership.

www.aegisleadership.co.nz

Why do so many capable leaders struggle to communicate with impact?

Executive public speaking coach Miriam Chancellor believes the problem usually isn't confidence—it's clarity. The best communicators don't overwhelm people with information. They understand their audience, deliver a simple message and create genuine human connection.

In this episode of the Fireside Leadership Podcast, Chris Turkington sits down with Miriam to unpack the communication skills that separate good leaders from great ones. They explore executive presence, message clarity, overcoming imposter syndrome, managing nerves, and why authentic connection always beats polished perfection.

Whether you're presenting in the boardroom, leading a team or speaking on stage, this episode is packed with practical advice you can apply immediately.

• Why message clarity matters more than charisma
• How to tailor your communication to your audience
• The biggest mistakes leaders make when presenting
• Practical techniques for overcoming nerves and self-doubt
• Why preparation creates confidence
• How to use silence and pauses to become a stronger speaker
• Why authentic connection beats polished perfection
• How to develop executive presence through everyday conversations

Miriam Chancellor is an executive public speaking and presentation coach, founder of Naked Audience, and former President of Auckland Toastmasters. She works with senior leaders, executives and subject matter experts to help them communicate with greater clarity, confidence and influence through presentations, leadership communication and executive coaching.

Website: https://www.nakedaudience.co.nz

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miriamchancellor/

The Fireside Leadership Podcast brings you conversations with exceptional leaders from business, sport, the military and public service, uncovering the experiences, decisions and lessons that shape outstanding leadership.

Hosted by Chris Turkington. Produced by Aegis Leadership.

www.aegisleadership.co.nz

Why do so many high performers struggle once success stops feeling sustainable?

Former military pilot and clinical psychologist Dr. Carsten Grimm believes the answer isn't a lack of discipline. It's that many leaders eventually reach the limits of the strategies that got them there. Perfectionism, relentless drive and control can fuel success early on, but over time they can become the very things holding us back.

In this episode of the Fireside Leadership Podcast, Chris Turkington sits down with Carsten to explore the psychology behind sustainable high performance. They discuss imposter syndrome, perfectionism, burnout, deep work, psychological safety and why learning to recover is just as important as learning to perform.

This is a thoughtful conversation for leaders, entrepreneurs and high achievers who want to perform at a high level without sacrificing their health, relationships or sense of purpose.

• Why imposter syndrome affects even the highest performers
• How perfectionism becomes a hidden barrier to growth
• What the "window of tolerance" means and why it matters under pressure
• Why burnout is often a recovery problem rather than a work problem
• How to train focus in a world full of distractions
• Why psychological safety creates stronger teams and better decisions
• The importance of doing the work beneath your work
• How accepting discomfort leads to greater resilience and sustainable performance

Dr. Carsten Grimm is a clinical psychologist, former military pilot and veteran who specialises in trauma, resilience, leadership and high performance. Drawing on experience in military aviation, first responder communities and clinical psychology, he helps leaders develop healthier, more sustainable ways of performing under pressure while building mental resilience for the long term.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carsten-grimm/

Substack: https://carstengrimm.substack.com

The Fireside Leadership Podcast brings you conversations with exceptional leaders from business, sport, the military and public service, uncovering the experiences, decisions and lessons that shape outstanding leadership.

Hosted by Chris Turkington. Produced by Aegis Leadership.

www.aegisleadership.co.nz

What really separates high performers from everyone else?

After coaching world champions, Olympic athletes, CEOs, political leaders and elite sporting teams, James Laughlin has discovered that sustained success isn't built on talent alone. It's built on habits, self-awareness and the ability to perform consistently without sacrificing the things that matter most.

In this episode of the Fireside Leadership Podcast, Chris Turkington sits down with James to unpack the habits that underpin elite performance. They discuss overcoming self-doubt, why high performers say "no" more often, the dangers of hustle culture, building resilience without burnout, and what the world's best leaders struggle with behind closed doors.

Whether you're leading a team, building a business or striving to perform at your best, this conversation is full of practical insights you can apply immediately.

• Why self-doubt affects even the world's highest performers
• A practical exercise to overcome imposter syndrome
• Why the best leaders become more selective with their time
• How to stay ambitious without burning yourself out
• The difference between hustle and sustainable high performance
• What elite leaders privately struggle with behind closed doors
• Why your environment has a huge influence on your success
• How small daily habits compound into extraordinary results

James Laughlin is a high-performance leadership coach, bestselling author and multiple-time world champion drummer. He has coached Olympic athletes, Fortune 500 executives, political leaders and elite sporting organisations, helping them develop the habits, mindset and leadership skills required to perform consistently at the highest level. He is also the author of The Habits of High Performers.

Website: https://jameslaughlin.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-laughlin/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameslaughlin/

The Fireside Leadership Podcast brings you conversations with exceptional leaders from business, sport, the military and public service, uncovering the experiences, decisions and lessons that shape outstanding leadership.

Hosted by Chris Turkington. Produced by Aegis Leadership.

www.aegisleadership.co.nz

Why do so many capable people stay stuck, even when they desperately want to change?

After losing both of her parents by the age of 26, Sarah Robb found herself battling overwhelming grief, depression and suicidal thoughts. Rather than allowing those experiences to define her, she rebuilt her life from the inside out and now helps others break free from self-doubt, overthinking and limiting beliefs as a transformational coach and founder of Spring with Sarah.

In this episode of the Fireside Leadership Podcast, Chris Turkington sits down with Sarah to explore the psychology behind lasting personal change. They discuss why awareness is the first step to growth, how victim mentality quietly holds people back, and why the quality of your life is determined by the quality of the questions you ask yourself.

This is a practical conversation about mindset, resilience, ownership and creating meaningful change—whether you're leading others or simply trying to become a better version of yourself.

• Why overthinking and self-doubt keep so many people stuck
• How to observe your thoughts instead of believing every one of them
• The power of asking better questions to create lasting change
• Why victim mentality often shows up in subtle ways
• How personal responsibility creates freedom and growth
• What resilience really looks like after profound adversity
• The three ingredients required for lasting personal transformation
• Why consistency matters more than motivation when building a meaningful life

Sarah Robb is the founder of Spring with Sarah, a transformational coach, keynote speaker and mindset specialist. Drawing on her own journey through grief, trauma and personal transformation, she now helps individuals overcome limiting beliefs, develop resilience and create lasting positive change through greater self-awareness and intentional action.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/springwithsarah/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-robb/

Website: https://www.springwithsarah.com

The Fireside Leadership Podcast brings you conversations with exceptional leaders from business, sport, the military and public service, uncovering the experiences, decisions and lessons that shape outstanding leadership.

Hosted by Chris Turkington. Produced by Aegis Leadership.

www.aegisleadership.co.nz