Frontline To Boardroom

What does it mean to make way in leadership? For former Royal Australian Navy Captain Will Martin, progress as a leader has demanded humility, communication savvy, and above all - a commitment to mission. 

In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I speak with Will Martin, a veteran of over 30 years of service in the Royal Australian Navy and a third-generation Naval Officer.  With Command of two ships and operational service in the Middle East and on our borders, he also served as the senior Navy representative in the Australian High Commission in London. In his final full-time posting in the Navy, Will was responsible for all aspects of warfare training across the Navy. Along with his wife Helen, he now runs Waterline Leadership - a leadership development practice focussed on senior teams and emerging leaders. 

What I loved about our conversation was Will’s humility and willingness to get down and dirty to discuss some of the leadership challenges of today. His extensive real-world experience isn’t merely retrospective; he’s focused on paying forward hard-won insights through emerging leader development, irrespective of industry. 

Join Will to hear how lessons from the command of two Navy ships have charted his course as a leadership consultant. Gain insights on unifying teams, focusing through crisis, and developing the self-awareness required of those called to command and lead others. 


WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• Will’s origin story and joining the Royal Australian Navy (01:08)
• Leaders that shaped Will's leadership philosophy (02:18)
• The life of a Navy Warfare Officer and Navigator on the seas (03:50)
• Why the mission and protecting his sailors always came first (05:26)
• Strategies for building resilience and preparing for critical moments (15:52)
• The catalyst for transition and moving on from the Navy (20:34)
• Valuable skills developed after military service (26:27)
• Top 3 focus areas for Emerging Leaders (27:51)
• Rapid fire questions with Will Martin (39:42)

Quotes

"Leadership is about inspiring others to action." - Will Martin

"The leader shouldn’t be in the hub of the wheel, they should put the mission in the hub and just be another one of the team members around the outside of the spokes." - Will Martin

"If you think about leadership as a spoken hub model, you can have the leader in the middle and all the team members around the outside of the wheel." - Will Martin

“It's not the leader of the organisation that should be at the top, it's actually the mission. - Martin Brooker

"There's a leadership responsibility to prepare your team, whatever the circumstance - whether military, corporate, or community. You must get people ready for that big scenario. So when it happens, there is an automatic response, and people aren't looking around for the next leadership command. Instead, they swiftly move into action because they were prepared. Resilience is key." - Martin Brooker


RESOURCES

Waterline Leadership Blogs

What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith

Around Leadership: Bridging the Scientist-Practitioner Gap by Patrick Vermeren


WHERE TO FIND WILL MARTIN

• Connect with Will on his website and LinkedIn.

Losing a job you worked so hard to get into and has defined a significant portion of your life can lead to a pervasive sense of loss and confusion. While the struggle to reconcile the person who you once were with the uncertain realities of the present exists, this also serves as an opportunity to discover truths to lead yourself and begin a new journey.

In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I speak with Elizabeth McCormick, a decorated US Army Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot who flew air assault, command and control, top-secret, intelligence, and VIP transport missions. She served in the 10th Mountain Division, including service in support of the humanitarian mission in Kosovo.

Elizabeth’s journey into and out of the military is proof that life is indeed filled with opportunities and having the right mindset and courage to go after these will always be rewarded. 

From the moment she decided to join the army, to the crucial decision to join corporate America and eventually ventured out to keynote speaking, these instances showcased that although things may take an unexpected turn, it may just be the transition needed to embark on a new chapter.

Elizabeth’s captivating story from soaring military success to achieving remarkable professional achievements tells about her commitment to resilient leadership that inspires others to seize the reins of their destiny and carve their own paths to success.  


WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• How Elizabeth join the US Army (02:07)
• Leadership influences and their impact on her values (04:45)
• The journey to becoming a US Army Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot (07:05)
• What it's like commanding an aircraft and the challenges that come with it (14:08)
• The catalyst for her transition out of the military (20:22)
• Dealing with losing identity after her service in the army (24:40)
• The passage from military to corporate career to keynote speaking (29:03)
• What shaped Elizabeth's leadership mindset (37:22)
• How she inspires people to get their spark and motivation back (40:30)
• Rapid fire questions with Elizabeth McCormick (45:10)

Quotes

"We don't talk enough in society about how much our job creates our identity versus understanding and knowing who we are as a person that creates our identity." -Elizabeth McCormick

"The hardest part of transitioning from the military to civilian, in addition to the loss of personal identity, was the fact that everyone I met already had friends and they weren't looking to make new friends. It was really hard to not have any kind of support system coming out." -Elizabeth McCormick 

"Since businesses are changing at such a rapid pace your vision has to have flexibility." -Elizabeth McCormick

"The reality of military services is there is a lot of identity that comes from that unit. You need to be aware of the role you have and the missions that test you personally because they are part of who you are." -Martin Brooker 

"There's so much value in being able to engage in a conversation and connect with people."  -Martin Brooker

“Leadership is influence - nothing more, nothing less." -John Maxwell

"The art of communication is the language of leadership." -John Maxwell

Our guest at the Frontline to Boardroom, Elizabeth McCormick, Former US Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot, has offered a F R E E gift!  She has an online course, "Master Your Motivation" which includes a module on confidence boosting, 30 ways to be motivated in 30 minutes without spending money, and has upcoming modules on Focus as well as Work-Life harmony. This course is normally $99, and is now complimentary for you with this link:  www.SoarYourLife.com This course can be shared with your employees, team, or families as well. We could all use more motivation now. We recommend you sign up with your personal email so you can more easily access this course from home with your families.
FREE OFFER - Master Your Motivation


RESOURCES

• The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth: Live Them and Reach Your Potential
  
  

WHERE TO FIND ELIZABETH MCCORMICK

• Connect with Elizabeth on her website and LinkedIn.

Acting and leadership seem like entirely separate domains at first glance. Still, upon closer examination, it becomes evident that the skills and qualities of a talented actor can significantly overlap with those of an effective leader.

In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I talk with Claire Baldwin, a former member of the Royal Australian Navy whose career highlights include deployment in the Middle East, roles in Navy Culture, and key staff positions before she pursued an acting career. 

Throughout the conversation, Claire emphasises that the skills she developed as an actor have served her well in leadership roles. The ability to communicate effectively, inspire and motivate others, and adapt to change has been instrumental in her success.

This episode of Frontline to Boardroom serves as an inspiring testament to the transformative power of diverse experiences and the valuable lessons they bring to leadership. Let's dive in!

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• What made Claire join the Navy (02:13)
• Leadership influences in Claire’s life (07:22)
• The importance of connections in leadership (11:08)
• The most important lessons Claire learned in the Navy (12:10)
• Being a leader - what’s the toughest thing about it? (14:48)
• The role of self-awareness in leadership (19:37)
• Why did Claire leave the Navy to pursue acting (24:22)
• Vulnerability in acting vs. Vulnerability in the military (32:58)
• How to communicate without saying a word (38:15)
• The importance of being deliberate as leaders (41:11)
• Claire’s ultimate advice to those who want to take leadership roles (42:49)
• Resources Claire has used to her advantage as a leader (44:41)
• Transitioning from the Navy to the corporate world (46:53)
• Rapid-fire questions with Claire Baldwin (57:15)

Quotes

“Names, titles and ranks don't equate to experience, to subject matter expertise, to having the best idea at the time, to be in the person with the right answer.” -Claire Baldwin

“People can see through, they can see through fake and they can smell fear. So when you walk in with an armor on and not feeling very confident, and you try and hide it, people generally see it.” -Claire Baldwin

“The answer is not in your email inbox, and it's not on your to do list. It's in the conversations you have with people and the connections that you make with people.” -Claire Baldwin

“One of the things that I've learned from acting is that presence is understanding the messages we communicate and how we can communicate, whether that be through body language, or even micro expression. And how we can use that as leaders to our advantage in the moment with other human beings.” -Claire Baldwin


“In the busy world that leaders live in right now, we so often rush from one thing to the next. We're not actually thinking about how we're turning up.” -Martin Brooker

“There are real opportunities just to sometimes to slow down, stop, and take notice of how you're turning up.” -Martin Brooker

“It's challenging to look in the mirror when you realised that your own self-leadership is not attractive to you or to other people.” -Martin Brooker


RESOURCES

• Essentialism by Jeff McKeown
  
  

WHERE TO FIND CLAIRE BALDWIN

• Connect with Claire on LinkedIn.

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW THE FRONTLINE TO BOARDROOM PODCAST 

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Frontline To Boardroom podcast. If the information in any of our conversations and interviews has helped you in your business journey, please head over to Apple Podcasts, click the 3 dots in the top right corner of your smartphone screen, follow the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver valuable content but will also help us reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

Guest Bio & headshot

Claire joined the Royal Australian Navy in 2005 and had a diverse career in full-time and part-time roles. She studied at the Australian Defence Force Academy and served on various ships. 

Highlights include deployment in the Middle East, roles in Navy Culture, and key staff positions. In 2015, she transferred to the reserves and became a Navy Leadership Coach while pursuing acting. She trained at several institutions and appeared in theater and screen productions. 

Claire also owned businesses, worked in different fields, and completed a Master's degree. In 2022, she worked as a Manager at Deloitte and is currently with the Navy, aiming to direct film and television in the future.

Leadership is an ever-evolving concept that shapes the world we live in. It is a force that drives progress, inspires change, and empowers individuals and communities to achieve extraordinary feats. In leadership, there is a crucial element that often goes unnoticed but holds tremendous power—the power of collective collaboration.

In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Tom Larter, a former Captain in the Australian Army. Tom had a distinguished 13-year military career before he transitioned to the private sector and became one of the early leaders at WithYouWithMe, one of Asia Pacific’s fastest-growing tech companies.

Tom shares his insights on the importance of collective collaboration in leadership and how it has shaped his experiences both in the military and the private sector. He also shares the importance of data in making informed decisions and driving organisational success.

What truly resonated with me during our conversation was the valuable insight into our daily leadership challenges. It reminded me of the importance of pausing and reflecting briefly before leaping into action. This seemingly simple yet powerful habit can give us a fresh perspective and enhance our decision-making process.

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• Joining the Australian Army - what made Tom do it? (01:48)
• Tom’s dad - his leadership hero? (02:50)
• Is military training as effective as it should be? (04:30)
• Tom’s Leadership lessons deployed in Afghanistan (06:43)
• How to help others step up and to find their courage (08:18)
• Knowing your people and their capabilities (10:42)
• The importance of lived experience in the workplace (14:09)
• The transition from full-time service to full-time work (17:35)
• Networking - its role in finding a new or real purpose (20:38)
• One thing the military did not teach Tom (22:32)
• How the COVID-19 pandemic has changed business leaders (24:40)
• How to increase retention rate as a business owner (26:30)
• Data-led employment - what is it and how it can help you (28:58)
• Tom’s advice to people planning to take leadership roles (31:40)
• Top three keys to Tom’s personal success (34:48)
• Rapid-fire questions with Tom Larter (36:32)

Quotes

“You need to trust the people to get on with the job knowing that they've got the training, the ability, and the capability.” - Martin Brooker

“Keep your eye on things, but don’t make them feel like you're controlling every move.” -Tom Larter

“The power isn't in thinking critically and making the right decision. It's in constantly making decisions and moving forward.” -Tom Larter

“The real value in networking is not finding out what people do. It's asking them why they do it.” -Tom Larter

“Retention is about empowering people to reach their potential in the workforce.” -Tom Larter

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Leadership and Self Deception by The Arbinger Institute
  
  

WHERE TO FIND TOM LARTER

• Check out Tom’s company website. 
• Connect with Tom on LinkedIn.

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW THE FRONTLINE TO BOARDROOM PODCAST 

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Frontline To Boardroom podcast. If the information in any of our conversations and interviews has helped you in your business journey, please head over to Apple Podcasts, click the 3 dots in the top right corner of your smartphone screen, follow the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver valuable content but will also help us reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

Guest Bio & headshot

Tom Larter is a seasoned business leader with a passion for driving technological innovation and social impact across global markets. 

A former Captain in the Australian Army, Tom had a distinguished 13-year military career, including serving in Afghanistan. In 2017, he transitioned to the private sector and became one of the early leaders at WithYouWithMe, one of the Asia Pacific’s fastest-growing tech companies.

In today's ever-changing world, leaders need to become more innovative in their leadership. It is not enough to rely on traditional methods of leadership that may have worked in the past because the challenges of the modern day are very different. Therefore, what better way to apply science and scientific approaches when leading a team? 

In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Dennis Franklin who served in the Royal Australian Navy for 10 years as a logistic officer before being transferred to the Reserves to continue service in Naval Intelligence, IT Systems, and Business relationships. 

Dennis shares his experience utilizing science-based leadership to successfully resolve key challenges in the Navy. He talks about how science-based leadership can assist in developing a team’s culture of collaboration and interdependence.

Dennis's insights apply to all types of leaders, from frontline troops to boardroom executives. Listen to this episode now to learn how to lead with a scientific approach and optimize your team’s potential.

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• Leadership influences Dennis’ life (04:28)
• The duties of a Maritime Logistics Officer (08:58)
• Leadership in the Navy (11:16)
• How culture affects the Navy (14:22)
• What made Dennis leave the military? (21:29)
• The career fields Dennis went into (26:06)
• Leadership lessons Dennis learned in the military (29:34)
• The moral and ethical part of leadership (33:53)
• What is strategic leadership? (40:21)
• Dennis’ ultimate advice to emerging leaders (45:32)
• Rapid-fire questions with Dennis (54:22)

Quotes

“No organization is perfect. It is about correcting leadership.” -Martin Brooker

“You can't just say, to be a good leader, you need to be a good person.” -Dennis Franklin

“Unless I understand myself, I can't help anybody else.” -Dennis Franklin

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
  
  

WHERE TO FIND DENNIS FRANKLIN

• Connect with Dennis on LinkedIn.

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW THE FRONTLINE TO BOARDROOM PODCAST 

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Frontline To Boardroom podcast. If the information in any of our conversations and interviews has helped you in your business journey, please head over to Apple Podcasts, click the 3 dots in the top right corner of your smartphone screen, follow the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver valuable content but will also help us reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

Guest Bio & headshot

Dennis Franklin is a highly accomplished individual with a diverse educational background. He earned a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours in Geology from the Australian National University in 1991, followed by a Doctor of Philosophy in Geology from the University of Tasmania in 1998.

Later in his career, Dennis obtained a Master of Business Administration from the University of Queensland's Mt Eliza Business School in 2006, and a Certificate in Executive Leadership from Cornell University in 2007. 

In addition, he completed the Royal Australian Navy Reserve Staff Course at the Australian Defence Force Command and Staff College in 2004, where he was awarded the Lonsdale Medallion for achieving the highest academic performance in the course.

Dennis' extensive education and training have undoubtedly helped him achieve great success in his career, and his diverse background likely gives him a unique perspective on problem-solving and leadership.

Failure often comes with a negative connotation in our society, but the truth is that it plays an important role in success. In fact, failure is not only necessary for growth; it actually paves the way for achieving greater levels of success and fulfillment both personally and professionally. 

In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Ben Seesink who served in the Royal Australian Engineers, Australian Army. After a post military career in consulting and project management, Ben founded his own business, BOUW, a company that helps businesses win defence contracts and provides bespoke solutioins for the design and operations of shooting ranges and training facilitiesfor the Australian Defence Force and other security agencies.

Ben shares the leadership lessons from his lived experiences in the military and how they can be applied to business. He talks about how failure is essential for growth and how it can provide insight into the direction you should take to reach your goals. 

Ben's story is an inspiring reminder that failure can often be a learning opportunity, and using those experiences to propel you forward is important. He also speaks about how leaders need to cultivate an environment of trust and understanding for their team members to feel secure enough to take risks and learn from their mistakes. 

If you want to learn how to turn failure into success, this episode of Frontline to Boardroom is a must-listen. Tune in to hear Ben's story and discover failure's vital role in achieving success.

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• The leadership influences in Ben’s life (02:52)
• The most challenging part of Ben’s military career (04:16)
• Creating an environment where people want to stay (08:54)
• The importance of professionalism (12:19)
• What made Ben leave the military (18:21)
• One thing Ben didn’t learn in the military (22:05)
• How to find your niche (24:13)
• Ben’s ultimate advice to those taking leadership roles (26:57)
• The top three keys to success, according to Ben (31:33)
• Rapid-fire questions with Ben (34:14)

Quotes

“Do it right the first time.” -Ben Seesink

“Always do a 360-degree self-assessment on your strengths and weaknesses because it will help you in later life.” -Ben Seesink

“Try and mentor people and share your failures with them.” -Ben Seesink

“Leadership is communication through words, actions, and experience.” -Ben Seesink

“It doesn't matter how long the career is; the bottom line is people are choosing to serve their country.” -Martin Brooker

“It's not just a job. It's a vocation.” -Martin Brooker

“Learning is a continual journey of recognizing what you need to learn to be better in the space you're in.” -Martin Brooker

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• What It Takes By Mark Burris
  
  

WHERE TO FIND BEN SEESINK

• Connect with Ben on LinkedIn.
• Visit Ben’s website here. 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW THE FRONTLINE TO BOARDROOM PODCAST 

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Frontline To Boardroom podcast. If the information in any of our conversations and interviews has helped you in your business journey, please head over to Apple Podcasts, click the 3 dots in the top right corner of your smartphone screen, follow the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver valuable content but will also help us reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

Guest Bio & headshot

Ben Seesink is an accomplished professional with a diverse engineering, project management, and military service background. Born in Kempsey, New South Wales, in 1974, Ben grew up in Port Macquarie and Wollongong.

After enlisting as a Ready Reservist in 1992, Ben was accepted into the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1994, graduating in 1996. In 1997, he graduated from the Royal Military College of Australia as an Officer in the Royal Australian Engineers.

Ben went on to work for several top engineering and project management companies in Australia, including SKM, Turner and Townsend, Davis Langdon/AECOM, and Laing O’Rourke, where he led the company to its first managing contractor contract worth $800m. From 2013 to April 2016, Ben worked for Decmil Australia, winning two managing contracts in PNG and multiple Defence contracts in Australia as a pre-contracts manager.

In 2016, Ben served as a program director for the UAE Defence Force, managing the delivery of 60 complex Special Forces Training Facilities and Shooting Ranges worth $1.5b. He later worked as a project controls manager for the Cross River Rail Program Office in 2019, focusing on the European Train Control System.

Currently, Ben is the owner and Managing Director of BOUW, a company that helps businesses win Defence contracts rapidly while also designing shooting ranges for the ADF and other security agencies. He is a qualified Master of Engineering Science from UNSW and holds a Diploma in Human Resource Management, and a BA in Management from the same institution.

Ben's military service includes acting as a Royal Australian Engineer Officer during Interfet as a 3 CER Troop Commander, conducting civil, bridging, and water purification operations. He was also part of the first Australian Army Training Team Iraq in 2004, where he mentored an Iraqi Company Commander outside Mosul.

Ben lives in Brisbane with his wife Jenny and their three children Mia, Jake, and Lexi.

Have you ever wondered what living and working deep under the ocean’s surface would be like? To serve your country uniquely, utilising advanced technology few will ever experience? For Australia's submariners, this is reality. 

In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Peter Scott who served in the Royal Australian Navy and rose to be the professional head of the Navy’s elite: the Submarine Arm. After over three decades in the military, Peter entered the corporate world and became an executive coach.

Peter shares his lived experiences and how he learned to lead in the most challenging moments from emergencies at depth and leading people. He reflects on how his Navy experience helped him succeed in business, with valuable lessons that apply to any career path. 

His approach to leadership is both relatable and inspiring. As Peter puts it, “Leadership is values in action." Peter's story is an incredible testament to the power of resilience and determination. He proves that a career path doesn't have to be linear; it can involve twists and turns leading back to your true passion.

If you are looking for inspiration and motivation, you will want to catch this episode. Tune into Frontline to Boardroom as Peter Scott shares his remarkable journey and the valuable lessons he has learned.  

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• Leadership influences in Peter’s life (04:10)
• The leadership challenges of being a submariner (07:15)
• Peter’s hardest day in the boat (09:01)
• How leaders best respond to paradox and complexity (17:52)
• Why did Peter leave the military? (24:00)
• Leadership lessons Peter learned from the military (27:54)
• How to deal with challenging times (30:19)
• Peter’s ultimate advice when taking more responsibility (35:33)
• The importance of taking care of your mental health (39:34)
• Rapid-fire questions with Peter (40:28)

Quotes“Self care is not selfish. It's a responsibility of a leader to make sure that their mental, physical and spiritual health are being cared for.” - Peter Scott

“Understanding how, and where, what you are doing, or the organization that you're working with, is relevant and valuable to the world around you.” - Peter Scott

“As a leader, you've also got to know enough be able to articulate why it's important in any wider sense.”  -Peter Scott

“This will get worse before it gets worse.” -Peter Scott

“Leadership is values in action.” -Peter Scott

“The real lesson is about integrity - to speak the truth because people remember that.” -Martin Brooker

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Running Deep: An Australian Submarine Life
  
  

WHERE TO FIND PETER SCOTT

• Connect with Peter on LinkedIn.
• Visit Peter’s website here. 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW THE FRONTLINE TO BOARDROOM PODCAST 

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Frontline To Boardroom podcast. If the information in any of our conversations and interviews has helped you in your business journey, please head over to Apple Podcasts, click the 3 dots in the top right corner of your smartphone screen, follow the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver valuable content but will also help us reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

Guest Bio & headshot

Peter Scott began his career in the Royal Australian Navy as a Midshipman at seventeen, with a mix of hope and uncertainty. Over the course of three decades, he climbed the ranks to become the head of the Navy's elite Submarine Arm, after serving with dedicated crews in the challenging and complex environment of undersea battles.

Throughout his journey, Peter navigated and led others through various at-sea challenges, such as fires, floods, and explosions. He also completed the highly demanding Perisher military command course. He commanded the longest deployment conducted by an Australian submarine while steering the Submarine Arm through unprecedented expansion.

Over his 34-year tenure, Peter served on ten submarines and held twenty different command and leadership positions. He is a veteran of numerous Special Operations with the Submarine Arm and has also seen active duty in Iraq, the Persian Gulf, and Afghanistan during 2006 and 2007. For his outstanding achievements in command of HMAS Collins, he was decorated with the Conspicuous Service Cross. He was later awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service in the Australia Day Honours List of 2008.

Peter's academic pursuits include a Master's degree in Coaching Psychology from the University of Sydney. He now works as an executive coach, helping leaders develop, perform, and achieve their goals. Recently, he authored a memoir titled "Running Deep. An Australian Submarine Life," published by Fremantle Press.

When not coaching or writing, Peter enjoys running ultra-marathons on the trails or spending quality time with his family at home.

You can give someone all the information they need to be successful, but you can't make them take action. So, how do you inspire someone to take the lead and achieve their goals? 

In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Mark Cooper who served in the Royal Australian Navy as a Seaman Officer and Cryptologic Intelligence Officer for over 20 years before working across a variety of roles, including significant business owner/partnerships in four highly successful Australian "start-up" companies.

Mark shares some amazing insights into leadership and how to inspire others to achieve their goals.  He also shares his experience in making the transition from the military to the civilian workforce and what advice he would give to others thinking about making a similar move.

Mark’s approach to business that’s less about academic theory and more about practical, pragmatic experience developed through successful "outcome-focused" delivery. This shows through in everything he does, whether it be as an entrepreneur, a business consultant, or a leadership coach.

If you are looking for some practical advice on how to inspire others and lead them to success, then this is the episode for you!

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• Leadership influences in Mark’s life (03:16)
• Lessons Mark learned from the navy (06:03)
• The highlights of Mark’s career in the military (11:27)
• Why self-awareness is critical (14:41)
• One thing in Mark’s service career that didn’t go well (19:06)
• Why did Mark leave the military? (22:07)
• Applying military lessons to the corporate world (26:40)
• Staying true to your values (28:55)
• How start-ups should be managed(30:04)
• Keeping things simple as a leader (36:39)
• Rapid-fire questions with Mark (43:24)

Quotes“The school of hard knocks, is what accelerates you.”  -Mark Cooper

“There is no greater privilege in life than to lead.” -Mark Cooper

“Being calm brings confidence to the people around you” -Martin Brooker

“We need to take stock of what we've learnt and where we've come from, and the lessons we learnt along the way. -Martin Brooker

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• You Can Lead by Mark Cooper and Daryl Bates 
  
  

WHERE TO FIND MARK COOPER

• Connect with Mark on LinkedIn.
• Visit Mark’s website here. 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW THE FRONTLINE TO BOARDROOM PODCAST 

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Frontline To Boardroom podcast. If the information in any of our conversations and interviews has helped you in your business journey, please head over to Apple Podcasts, click the 3 dots in the top right corner of your smartphone screen, follow the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver valuable content but will also help us reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

ABOUT MARK COOPER

Mark Cooper served in the Royal Australian Navy as a Seaman Officer and Cryptologic Intelligence Officer for over 20 years. That included service with the US Navy and operational service in Bougainville. 

On leaving full time service, Mark has worked across a variety of roles from Executive Leadership all the way through to Business Owner/Partnerships in four highly successful Australian "Start-Up" Companies delivering software development and project management services through to Management and Leadership consulting.

Many people view coaching as a critical leadership skill. Coaching is often seen as a way to help employees develop and grow, which can lead to better performance and higher morale in the workplace.  

In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Clifford Morgan, a former member of the Royal Australian Air Force and now the Director and Principal of Lumian Consulting, a firm helping leaders and organisations unlock their potential and performance. 

In our conversation, Clifford shares his insights on what it takes to be a good leader and a coaching style of leadership. According to him, leadership is not just about serving but also about developing others for the future. A good leader, Clifford says, is someone who can help their employees or team members learn and grow. 

What I love about our conversation was Clifford's humility and the great satisfaction he gets in helping others achieve success and making a difference. You don’t need to be in a leadership position to make a difference and help others.

If you’re looking to improve your leadership skills or simply want to learn more about what it takes to be a good leader, this episode is for you.

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• Leadership influences in Clifford’s life (03:39)
• Clifford’s operational service experience in Baghdad (07:09)
• The biggest lesson Clifford learned from the military (12:55)
• Clifford’s journey to becoming a psychologist (16:42)
• The role of a psychologist in the Air Force (21:02)
• The importance of sustained commitment (24:43)
• Clifford’s mission to help leaders be at their peak (28:58)
• Creating an environment where people can come back (32:43)
• Equipping people to learn and grow (34:52)
• Clifford’s advice to wanna-be leaders (41:08)
• Rapid-fire questions with Clifford (46:20)

Quotes

“When we know better, we do better.” -Martin Brooker

“When we're creating that culture that we want, you need to calibrate poor behaviour in a demonstrative way.” -Martin Brooker

“Consistency builds stability, and you need a stable platform in order to build peak performance.”  -Clifford Morgan

“Look at what you can do consistently and provide consistency to your people. That's going to help you navigate all the uncertainty. -Clifford Morgan

“You can't fix people, but you can create an environment that is conducive to people doing what they need to do or making the change that they need to make.” -Clifford Morgan

RESOURCES

• Turn the Ship Around by David Marquet
  
  

WHERE TO FIND CLIFFORD MORGAN

• Connect with Clifford on LinkedIn.
• Pre-order Clifford’s new book ‘The Coaching Leader’ here.
• Visit Clifford’s website here.
  
  
  

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW THE FRONTLINE TO BOARDROOM PODCAST 

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Frontline To Boardroom podcast. If the information in any of our conversations and interviews has helped you in your business journey, please head over to Apple Podcasts, click the 3 dots in the top right corner of your smartphone screen, follow the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver valuable content but will also help us reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

ABOUT CLIFFORD MORGAN

Cliff Morgan served in the Royal Australian Air Force for almost 6 years as an Airfield Defence Guard, the Air Force’s Infantry. His service included an operational deployment to Baghdad Iraq in 2008.   

On leaving full-time service, Cliff, by his own admission on the suggestion from his father, decided to give psychology a crack. That turned into not only an Honours degree in Psychology but also a Master’s degree in organisational psychology. A bit more than a crack by any measure. 

Now the Director and Principal of Lumian Consulting, Cliff and his team are highly sought-after for their expertise in the areas of organisational development, equipping leaders to develop their people and delivering solutions that challenge mindsets and influence culture.

Cliff has also returned to the Royal Australian Air Force, as a Personnel Psychologist undertaking part-time service delivering team and leadership coaching, resilience training, and mindset coaching for pilots and aircrew. 

What are the attributes of a passionate leader? And, more importantly, how can you become one? While there is no single answer to this question, there are certainly certain things that passionate leaders do differently than those who are not. 

In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Dr Ellen Joan Nelson, a veteran of 10 year’s service in the Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers, who after a short career inr logistics management and consultancy, found her passion for improving the well-being of women in the workplace.  A PhD later Ellen is a sought after expert in the experiences of working parents in the corporate sector, identifying significant flaws with the current, archaic, construct of work.

Ellen shares her experiences in the military and the ground breaking work she is doing to improve social outcomes for families and for organisations.  

What I love about this conversation is the energy and passion that Ellen brings to everything she does. From being on the frontline  in Afghanistan to leading a volunteer organisation in  New Zealand, Ellen shares stories about making a difference, being a passionate leader and inspiring others to do the same.


WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• Leadership influences in Ellen’s life (03:47)
• Ellen’s experience of being a woman in the military (05:30)
• Leadership in an operational environment (07:03)
• One thing Ellen wished she had done differently (10:17)
• Ellen’s transition from the military to the corporate world (12:44)
• Ellen’s Ph.D. journey (15:02)
• The role of emotion in the decision-making process (18:49)
• Ellen’s attempt to change the world (22:48)
• Balancing personal and professional life (28:04)
• What it’s like to be a volunteer in Afghanistan (30:06)
• The power of inclusion and diversity (34:00)
• Rapid-fire questions with Ellen (41:20)

Quotes

“We actually need to lead with inclusion to make sure that people know that they're included rather than feeling like they're excluded.” -Martin Brooker

“At the end of the day, it just comes down to treating other people like human.” -Martin Brooker

“When we're dealing with people, we need to have an emotional lens around it rather than just making it transactional.” -Martin Brooker

“People are far more willing and committed to making a positive change when they feel something.  It’s quite different to just being given statistics and numbers.” -Dr Ellen Joan Nelson

“If you're going to do something that's right for your people, you need to care.” -Dr Ellen Joan Nelson

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Theodore Roosevelt 
  
  

WHERE TO FIND DR ELLEN JOAN NELSON

• Connect with Ellen on Facebook and LinkedIn.
• Visit Scott Ellen’s website here. 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW THE FRONTLINE TO BOARDROOM PODCAST 

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Frontline To Boardroom podcast. If the information in any of our conversations and interviews has helped you in your business journey, please head over to Apple Podcasts, click the 3 dots in the top right corner of your smartphone screen, follow the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver valuable content but will also help us reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!


ABOUT DR ELLEN JOAN NELSON

Dr Ellen Joan Nelson is a veteran of 10 year’s service in Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers, NZ Army. Ellen’s operational service included Afghanistan, Antarctica, and the Pacific. 

On leaving the Army, Ellen embarked on a career in logistics management and consultancy. It was studying for an MBA that saw Ellen’s passion for improving the well-being of women in the workplace come to the fore and a PhD that focused on the experiences of working parents in the corporate sector, identifying significant flaws with the current, archaic, construct of work.

That research has been used to make improvements in the NZ Army, and other organisations around the world. She is passionate about improving social outcomes (with a focus on women and parents), while simultaneously improving organisational outcomes such as: wellbeing, retention, leadership, productivity, and business performance.