In last week’s episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Carolyn Creswell, CEO of Carman’s. We delved into the fascinating world of purposeful leadership and self-awareness, exploring the concept of bringing the whole self to work. Today I’m breaking it down with you and talking about some of the evidence and the research behind the ideas we spoke on. I also share some practical tips to help you implement some of these ideas and enhance your own purposeful leadership.

To start with, I discuss my thoughts around really understanding behaviour change themes. Carolyn spoke a fair bit about her self-awareness and how she's built that level of awareness through deep reflective practices about herself. She emphasised the importance of knowing oneself and how self-awareness and purpose-led leadership go hand in hand. 

Carolyn spoke about the need to be mindful of how we show up every day and be deliberate about that. It's essential to create space in our busy lives to reflect on ourselves and how we want to show up. Rather than operating on autopilot, slowing down and creating that space for reflection allows us to make deliberate choices aligned with our values. So, let's make a conscious effort to pause, reflect and be intentional in our actions.

One remarkable quality Carolyn embodies is courage. She has made tough choices throughout her career journey, and she attributes her courage to not being worried about others' judgement and practising self-compassion. Carolyn shared the concept of the art of the graceful "no," which Adam Grant explores in his work on disagreeable givers. By setting boundaries and being clear on what we will and won't commit to, we can prioritise the things that truly matter and avoid burnout.

One aspect that stood out in our conversation was Carolyn's emphasis on using data to drive positive behaviour change. She shared examples of leveraging technology, such as Oura rings and DNA testing, to gather valuable insights about her own well-being. Collecting data allows us to make informed decisions and track progress over time. By combining data with regular measurement and feedback, we can make small, focused behaviour changes that enhance our overall wellbeing.

By understanding our values, setting boundaries and being mindful of how we show up in the world, we’re able to be authentic and courageous in the many choices we must make as leaders. So join me as I dive deeper into the wonderful insights uncovered through my conversation with the inimitable Carolyn Creswell. 

LINKS:

Connect with Hayden:

Websites: -  https://haydenfricke.com/ 

-  https://www.steople.com.au/

-  APS College of Organisational Psychologists

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-fricke/

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Carolyn Creswell, owner and CEO of Carman’s, one of Australia’s most successful food companies that specialises in breakfast foods and nutritional snacks. In this episode, we discuss the importance of using data to drive wellbeing and tracking our behaviour to help us make more informed choices. Carolyn emphasises the value of personalised medicine and the significance of taking care of ourselves, as it directly impacts our work, relationships and overall quality of life.

At the age of only 18, Carolyn paid  $1,000 for a small, handmade muesli business called Carman's. Today, the business is estimated to be worth over $170 million, being stocked in major supermarkets and distributed in more than 35 countries around the world. Whilst it may look like an overnight success, it has taken 30 years of passion, energy and grit to get Carman’s to where it is today. 

As an ambassador of the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre and patron of St Kilda Gatehouse, Carolyn is committed to being and doing good with this one short life. She speaks about bringing her values into her work and home and how this drives her to create purposeful leadership. Self-awareness is key for Carolyn, and she shares how reflecting deeply on how she shows up every day impacts her decisions as a leader, mother, wife and friend. 

For many leaders, prioritising their health and creating positive boundaries often falls by the wayside. We’re busy, and the demands of high performance leadership can pull us in many different directions. However, Carolyn believes that the incredible technology available to us can provide the data we need to track our health and establish a baseline for wellness. She encourages practical habits such as regular GP check ups and tracking our sleep patterns. 

Whether it's work, relationships or pursuing our passions, being in good health is essential. Carolyn reminds us of the significance of taking care of ourselves to maintain a balance and effectively manage the different responsibilities and commitments in our lives.

LINKS:

Connect with Hayden:

Websites: -  https://haydenfricke.com/ 

-  https://www.steople.com.au/

-  APS College of Organisational Psychologists

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-fricke/

When I sat down for an interview with Lieutenant General John Frewen, I had no idea the profound impact his story would have on me and my listeners. His willingness to share his personal experiences and the lessons he learned from them was truly humbling. In this episode, I want to go deeper into some of the key insights he shared and explore the research and evidence behind them. I also seek to provide practical tips for implementing these lessons and building new habits to support our well-being.

John spoke about the importance of taking care of ourselves, even in high-pressure and demanding situations. This raises an important question about social norms and the concept of effort recovery. As leaders, it is essential to be aware of the existing norms and reflect on whether we want to follow them or make a different decision that prioritises our well-being and the well-being of our teams.

To better understand the concept of effort recovery, I explored the effort recovery model described by Meijman & Mulder in 1998. This model suggests that after intense periods of effort, we need to build in recovery time. This recovery can occur on a daily, weekly, and yearly basis. Taking short breaks throughout the day, week, and year can help maintain performance and prevent a significant decline in productivity. It's not about working hard for a long time and then having a longer break; it's about regular, shorter breaks for better recovery.

John also shared a compelling story from his time in the Solomon Islands, where he recognised the importance of taking action to prevent burnout. Taking care of your well-being before reaching the point of burnout is crucial. Establishing a strong baseline of physical, mental, and emotional fitness can help you bounce back more effectively during challenging times. Leaders, in particular, need to prioritise self-care and surround themselves with a supportive network that fosters both personal and professional well-being.

Self-awareness emerged as a central theme throughout my conversation with John. It is the foundation for taking care of ourselves and making positive changes. The concept of self-awareness can be traced back to ancient philosopher Socrates, who famously said, "Know thyself." Increasing self-awareness requires us to pause, reflect, and understand our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Seeking feedback and being open to receiving it is another way to enhance our self-awareness. Truly listening and understanding feedback, even when it's not easy to hear, can lead to personal growth and self-improvement.

Lieutenant General John Frewen's insights on recovering from burnout and prioritising well-being resonate deeply. By challenging social norms, implementing the effort recovery model, seeking support, dealing with trauma, and cultivating self-awareness, we can foster personal and professional growth. Let us take inspiration from John's story and make a conscious effort to prioritise our well-being and the well-being of those around us.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Thanks for the Feedback - Book

Recovery Method - Meijman & Mulder

Atlas of The Heart

Connect with Hayden:

Websites: -  https://haydenfricke.com/ 

-  https://www.steople.com.au/

-  APS College of Organisational Psychologists

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-fricke/

Today, I'm very excited to be interviewing a wonderful human being, Lieutenant General John Frewen. With more than four decades in the Australian Defence Force, John has an incredible story and a long history in key leadership roles. In this episode, John shares his thoughts around maintaining physical and mental wellbeing in high stress environments, and why knowing yourself is crucial to sustain great leadership. 

After graduating from the Royal Military College at Duntroon in 1986, John went on to command operations in Rwanda, the Solomon Islands and Afghanistan amongst others. He led troops from different countries Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Tonga. Appointed Member of the Order of Australia in 2004 for exceptional performance during operations as the Commander of the Combined Joint Task Force in 2003, John is now also Chief of Joint Capabilities of the Australian Defence Force as of 2021.

In discussing wellbeing within teams, John recounts a touching story from a time of working 18 hour days while stationed in the Solomon Islands. On recognising his extreme fatigue, his subordinates intervened and made arrangements for him to take a break and recover. This taught him a valuable lesson in prioritising wellbeing, and John discusses how he now views it as a necessity, rather than a nice-to-have. 

John's experiences highlight the significance of addressing trauma in the workplace. He advocates for psychological support, sharing how ADF's mandatory sessions with psychologists provide a platform for reconciliation and early intervention. We discuss the need to destigmatise such services, likening psychological help to having a personal trainer for the mind.

Perhaps the most poignant part of the conversation was John's description of his time in Rwanda. Encountering the aftermath of genocide, he learned the effectiveness of group discussions in expressing emotions and shared experiences, fostering healing. He has employed this strategy in various leadership roles since.

John was incredibly open about his learnings through extremely trying times, and his story serves as a powerful testament to the interconnection between leadership and wellbeing—two elements that must be mindfully balanced for true success in any field.

LINKS:

Connect with Hayden:

Websites: -  https://haydenfricke.com/ 

-  https://www.steople.com.au/

-  APS College of Organisational Psychologists

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-fricke/

I really enjoyed last week’s episode with Paul Lacy, and appreciated how incredibly raw he was in sharing his insights and learnings from his leadership journey thus far. In this episode, I break down the key takeaways and practical tips from the conversation with Paul, shedding light on the importance of self-awareness, building high-performance teams and nurturing your wellbeing.

Paul emphasised the significance of habits and the role of awareness in transforming them. We discussed the concept of catastrophizing, where many of us tend to blow issues out of proportion, leading to unnecessary stress. Paul's journey into cognitive psychology and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) taught him that thoughts and emotions aren't set in stone. You can choose to change them, and small, deliberate habits can make a big difference.

Paul shared how managing his diary strategically transformed his daily life. By dedicating time to reflection and minimising back-to-back meetings, he created space for focus and well-being. This practice aligns with Stephen Covey's important versus urgent work and Cyril Peupion's insights from "Work Smarter, Live Better." I talk about the importance of creating blank space in your calendar in order to enhance your leadership and wellbeing. 

Paul spoke about doing a 360 degree assessment to increase his self-awareness. While there was some feedback that was quite confronting and provoked emotion in him, he took it as an opportunity to get curious and develop further as a leader. This is key in having the capacity to build a high-performing team, something that Paul values as crucial in achieving success. His openness to feedback and his curious mindset have been instrumental in his growth as a leader and has aided his personal development.

As I dive deeper into the poignant moments of my conversation with Paul, I hope you are inspired to take the lessons he’s learnt and apply them to your own journey of growth in leadership. 

LINKS:

Connect with Hayden:

Websites: -  https://haydenfricke.com/ 

-  https://www.steople.com.au/

-  APS College of Organisational Psychologists

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-fricke/

Today I'm very excited to be interviewing Paul Lacy, CEO and co-founder of Dream Life. Paul is most well known for his role as the co-founder and former managing director of retail giant Kikki K, a company he created with his life and business partner Kristina Karlsson. In this episode, Paul shares his journey through the incredibly challenging time of losing the business, and the work he did to bounce back and become a resilient leader for his team. 

In 1998, Paul and Kristina built up Kikki K from scratch to a global business with hundreds of stores across the planet. At one stage, they had a team of one and a half thousand staff and a turnover of $650million. Sadly, shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world, Kikki K went into voluntary administration - not once, but twice. Incredibly though, they’ve both been able to bounce back and have established a wonderful new business called Dream Life.

Paul shares how, with Dream Life, they continue to inspire people to chase their dreams, offering beautiful products such as wellbeing journals and stationery. With a coaching and mentoring arm, Dream Life is Paul and Kristina’s way of not only leading purposeful lives, but adding value to the lives of others. 

Paul is incredibly vulnerable as he shares about the leadership and wellbeing challenges he faced while stepping in and out of the role as Kikki K’s CEO, attempting to be more present with his family and the devastating loss of the business. While he has done the internal work on his journey to recovery,  he admits he's still very much in the process of bouncing back. 

We talk about the different models around leadership that I supported Paul in implementing, and he shares how the work we did together helped reshape his thinking in many different areas. Particularly, how leaders must learn to let go and build a level of trust within their business. We discuss the importance of creating psychological safety in the workplace, and Paul gives an example of the strategies he employed to achieve this. 

When it comes to high performance leadership, physical and mental wellbeing is crucial. Paul shares the practical ways he maintains his own health to ensure he can operate at his best. While he still feels he has a long way to go, his self-awareness and willingness to change are refreshing to see.

This is a very real, very human conversation and I hope that any leaders listening today will be inspired by Paul’s resilience in times of uncertainty, and his commitment to growth as a leader. 

LINKS:

Connect with Hayden:

Websites: -  https://haydenfricke.com/ 

-  https://www.steople.com.au/

-  APS College of Organisational Psychologists

 LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-fricke/

In last week’s episode, I had the honour of sitting down with Nick McDonald, CEO of Prestige Inhome Care. I so appreciated his authenticity as he opened up about the challenges he has faced in his career journey. Today I’m delving deeper into some of the concepts we discussed and highlight the power of cognitive psychology to improve our self belief as leaders.

Nick's successful battle with imposter syndrome demonstrates the practical connection between changing our thought patterns and managing emotions. I dive into cognitive psychology's ABC model (Activating Event, Belief, Consequence), a practical tool for improving relationships and emotional well-being. I discuss how this impacted Nick’s wellbeing and mindset in our work together.

Jonathan Haidt's metaphor of the "Elephant and the Rider" provides insights into how our emotional and rational minds interact. Often, our emotional elephant leads us, and the rational rider seeks facts to support emotional decisions. To engage the rider more often, we must pause, think, and consciously activate rational thinking. I talk about this concept and its ability to navigate challenging decisions and habits more effectively.

In the realm of leadership, Nick utilised the Steople High Performance Teams model. This framework includes elements like direction, role clarity, interdependency, balance, communication and trust. Building trust and psychological safety is crucial for cohesive, high-performing teams. Nick's experience showcases how applying these principles can lead to better team dynamics and outcomes.

Nick's leadership journey also involved becoming a coach for his team members. The GROW model (Goals, Reality, Options, Will) provided a simple yet effective framework for coaching. It starts with setting clear goals, assessing the current reality, brainstorming options, and committing to actionable steps. Nick's use of this model demonstrates how leaders can empower and develop their teams.

I hope today’s episode gives you helpful insight into these valuable concepts and inspires you to utilise the frameworks to improve your wellbeing as a leader.

LINKS:

Connect with Hayden:

Websites: -  https://haydenfricke.com/ 

-  https://www.steople.com.au/

-  APS College of Organisational Psychologists

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-fricke/

Today I sit down with Nick McDonald, the CEO of Prestige Inhome Care, to discuss the power of using cognitive psychology to understand yourself better as a leader. In our conversation, Nick shares his personal journey of growth and transformation, highlighting the challenges he faced in growing his business and the strategies he employed to overcome them. From battling imposter syndrome to finding balance in his personal and professional life, Nick's story serves as an inspiration for leaders seeking to enhance their own wellbeing and lead with purpose.

One of the key themes that emerges from Nick's story is the courage to confront and overcome imposter syndrome. Despite his success as a CEO and the growth of his business, Nick initially struggled with self-doubt and a lack of confidence in his abilities. He shares how his previous career as a nurse made him feel like he wasn’t worthy of his title, despite the company turning over millions.

As a client of mine engaging in coaching strategies, Nick was able to challenge these limiting beliefs and recognise his own value as a leader. We discuss his transformation from feeling deeply inadequate to being confident in the value has to offer.

One crucial element that supported Nick's journey towards self-belief and confidence were the principles of positive and cognitive psychology. By understanding the connection between thoughts and emotions, we’re able to reframe our mindset, rewire our brains and cultivate a more positive outlook. Nick shares how this thinking helped him challenge negative thoughts and move through the anxiety he suffered.

Coming to a point in his life where he struggled to be mentally or emotionally present with his children, Nick recognised the need to balance his professional responsibilities with his personal wellbeing and family life. He shares the strategies he implemented, including setting boundaries with work, turning off his phone during family time, and engaging in activities that brought him joy and relaxation.

Nick’s thoughts on self-awareness, building a strong team and focusing on the big picture are truly inspiring for those wanting to find balance and wellbeing in their life and work. His success as a high performing leader is testament to his courage in facing the various and inevitable roadblocks of life.

LINKS:

Connect with Hayden:

Websites: -  https://haydenfricke.com/ 

-  https://www.steople.com.au/

-  APS College of Organisational Psychologists

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-fricke/

How do you go from being an elite, world champion cyclist to leading a normal, balanced life once your career comes to an end? In our previous episode, I sat down with Cadel Evans to discuss life after professional cycling, and how using small habits can drive big change when moving forward. Today, I reflect on the insights Cadel shared and dive deeper into some of the models and frameworks around those key concepts. 

One of the essential themes that emerged during our discussion was the power of small habits. Cadel shared a story about how he immediately got back on his bike the day after retiring from professional racing, highlighting the importance of maintaining habits. This concept aligns with experts like BJ Fogg and James Clear, who emphasise starting with tiny habits and gradually building on them. By making your habits laughably small, you can create lasting changes in your life.

Cadel emphasised the connection between physical fitness and mental well-being.  Research shows that regular physical activity not only improves your physical health but also has a profound impact on your mental and emotional well-being. It's a reminder to prioritise exercise as a fundamental aspect of your daily routine.

Transitioning from a high-performance career to a new phase in life can be challenging. Cadel shared how his sense of purpose evolved from being a professional cyclist to becoming a role model for his children and others. This shift in purpose is essential for anyone going through a major life change. Discovering your "why" and redefining your sense of purpose is crucial for personal growth and well-being.

We explored different types of motivation, including Cadel's experience with a fear of failure during his cycling career. While fear of failure can drive excellence, sustained fear can lead to chronic anxiety and exhaustion. We discussed the inmportance of being kind to yourself, recognising common humanity and increasing mindfulness in self-talk are crucial elements of self-compassion.

I hope you find the lessons in this episode useful and are inspired to implement them into your own life to enhance your wellbeing. 

LINKS:

Connect with Hayden:

Websites: -  https://haydenfricke.com/ 

-  https://www.steople.com.au/

-  APS College of Organisational Psychologists

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-fricke/

I had the pleasure of speaking with Cadel Evans, former professional cyclist and winner of the prestigious Tour de France. While Cadel's incredible athletic achievements are well-known, I was interested in exploring his journey after retiring from professional cycling. In particular, I wanted to understand how he has been able to build a new purpose for his life while adopting a more sustainable approach to health and wellbeing. 

Cadel Evans is most well known for his 2001 Tour de France win as only one of three non-Europeans to have officially won the race. He's a four time Olympian and prior to road bicycle racing, he was a champion mountain bike rider. Cadel won the 1998 and 1999 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup. In 2007, he won the overall Pro Tour classification and was named Australian Cyclist of the Year.

In our conversation, Cadel shares valuable insights into his post-retirement life, his strategies for maintaining balance and the importance of reflection in personal growth. He talks about the nature of a career as an elite athlete as all-consuming, with a relentless focus on training and performance. However, as he approached the end of his career, he made a conscious decision to transition into a more balanced lifestyle, where his focus was less on an elite standard of performance and more on being a healthy human being. 

While retirement came with its own challenges around identity and purpose, Cadel also found himself navigating significant changes in his personal life. However, he approached these challenges with resilience and a determination to keep moving forward. By staying busy and maintaining his fitness, Cadel found solace and a sense of control amidst the chaos. He talks about the importance of taking responsibility for what he could when it felt like so much was outside of his control. 

We talk about the pursuit of perfectionism as a driving force behind success as an elite athlete. However, in the context of everyday life, this mindset can prove to be unhelpful. Cadel shares how he learnt to adapt and find a balance between striving for excellence and being kind to himself. He emphasises how taking time to reflect on life and pause allows for growth in productivity and overall wellbeing. 

As we navigate our own paths, Cadel's insight and experiences are a reminder that finding balance and stopping to appreciate the small joys in life are crucial to leading healthy lives. By doing so, we can cultivate a more fulfilling future for ourselves and those around us.

LINKS:

Connect with Hayden:

Websites: -  https://haydenfricke.com/ 

-  https://www.steople.com.au/

-  APS College of Organisational Psychologists

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-fricke/