Leading You

Do you find it hard to speak up in the workplace, as well as in your personal life? If so, it’s clear that you are not alone.

 

Studies show that the rate of women experiencing burnout at work has grown to 42%, with men at 30%. Why is this happening? I believe that a huge part of the problem is that people are too tired or lack the confidence to speak up for themselves when too much is being expected of them. 

 

Today, I’m talking about the incredibly important idea of digging deep and using your voice. I share with you how I did that in one of my darkest moments, and encourage you to use your own voice to lead you through life’s challenges and towards opportunity.  

 

In my previous roles as a leader, I noticed that if I didn’t raise some of the issues I was observing, I'm not sure that the people impacted by them would have spoken up. It made me wonder: Did I not have the level of trust with them? Or is speaking up just something that they're just not used to?

 

If you’re struggling to use your voice to address an issue in your life, I encourage you to look inside and ask yourself why. Whether it’s societal, cultural or a confidence issue, there will be something deep down for you that is preventing you from taking a stand. I also talk about the practical side of sharing your message, such as giving it at an unemotional time and with a healthy amount of detachment. 

 

I take you through three tips to help you effectively position yourself in using your voice authentically and building trust:

 

1. Know what you do and don’t stand for
2. Connect to your values
3. Take action using practical strategies

 

Speaking up for yourself isn’t easy at first, but remember: practice is progress. If you just start doing it, whether it’s at home, work or out in society, you’ll soon feel empowered to use your voice where and when it really matters. 

 

LINKS

 

Resources mentioned: Daring Greatly by Brené Brown

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here 

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, I’m bringing you what is potentially one of my favourite podcast episodes, which is all about being the CEO of you. I’m deeply passionate about this topic and even wrote a whole chapter around it in my book, You Always Have a Choice. In this episode, we explore the decisions we can make and questions to ask ourselves in order to become the best leaders - of ourselves and others - we can be. 

 

Embracing the CEO Mindset

Being the CEO of you is a mindset, and one of courage that requires you to step up and make strategic decisions to lead a life that you love. And to lead a life that is in complete alignment to your vision, values and the experience you want to have, you need to get really clear on your vision. Ask yourself: Where am I going in my career, my business and my relationships? How do I want to feel? How can I energise myself to live the best life I possibly can? Remember, knowledge is power. And when you choose to do something with that knowledge, that’s when your power comes into play. 

 

Making Courageous Choices

While many people believe they can't be leaders, it really comes down to making a choice. Will you make the choices necessary to effectively lead your own life? Leadership is all about taking courageous action, and as Maya Angelou beautifully put it, “stand up straight and realise who you are, that you tower over your circumstances”. I discuss the power of making strategic and brave decisions in all areas of your life, from relationships to work dynamics.

 

Self-Awareness is Key

Effectively, you need self-awareness around how you lead your life, how you experience it and how you impact others before you can be a great leader of anyone else. I take you through the technique I use with my own clients, which involves asking yourself three questions at the end of each day to really evaluate how you performed as a leader. This isn’t an opportunity to beat yourself up; it’s a powerful exercise in giving you critical insights into yourself and improving - as the leader, the partner, the parent or friend. 

 

So join me today and learn some powerful tactics that will fuel and enable you to be the most effective CEO of you. 

LINKS

 

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here 

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of people have been asking me recently about my motivation for writing my latest book, You Always Have a Choice. Anyone who has written a book will know that every piece of work is incredibly personal so today I’m sharing my reasons behind writing this book and the impact I hope it will have on those who read it. 

 

My Epiphany in the Mirror

During my battle with cancer, I experienced a transformative moment that changed everything. I had been misdiagnosed twice, which led to my final diagnosis being stage three cancer, meaning that the cancer had spread. I was so angry and I wanted revenge for this incredible pain and trauma I was going through.

 

One day I looked in the mirror and I didn't necessarily like the person staring back at me. I questioned who I was and who I wanted to be and I said to myself, “you always have a choice”. I could go down the victim path and sink into a deep hole of anger and blame. Or, I could choose to lead myself through the darkness in the best way I possibly could. Thankfully, I chose the latter and that’s when my mindset completely changed. 

 

Choosing to Lead

I decided to take control of my life story. Instead of giving in to despair, I chose to guide myself through the challenges ahead. I had so many tools and techniques available to me, things that I had used in my coaching and workshops, and when I started applying them to myself, I really started noticing the difference. My mindset completely changed and I was determined to beat cancer and live a life of empowerment. 

 

Advocating for Myself

One of the biggest lessons I learned throughout my cancer journey, and am still learning now, is to advocate for myself. When you feel out of control, it’s vital that you speak up and begin to use your voice. This is something I write about in my book, to help you position yourself in an authentic way so that you can be seen and heard. We’re not necessarily born with resilience and confidence. These are things that need to be cultivated. 

 

Tools and Techniques to Empower Others

I speak with so many people who are overwhelmed, angry and heading towards burnout but I want to empower them with practical tools to help them navigate whatever it is they are facing in the best possible way. Everyone is faced with challenges in life, in our careers and in business, but what matters is how we respond. We always have a choice to lead our lives on purpose. Life is too short to do it any other way. 

 

LINKS

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here 

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today I’m joined by the incredible Kate Save, the founder & CEO of BeFit Food. Among it’s many accolades BeFit Foods was named Telstra Victorian Business of the Year in 2018, number 29 in the AFR Fast Starters in 2019, and the Telstra Victorian Business of the Year again in 2022 for championing health.

As if that wasn’t enough, she’s also a clinical dietitian, exercise physiologist, and diabetes educator. From a young age, Kate faced severe health issues that went undiagnosed for years. Many doctors suggested something Kate was eating was to blame. While this was later proven not to be the case it fuelled an interest in food that she’s carried through her life.

Kate’s journey to become an award-winning entrepreneur is a story of resilience and passion. So, listen in, enjoy, and get inspired!

 

The Birth of BeFit Food
Kate’s first foray into business was running Peninsula Physical Health and Nutrition. This started as personal training and dietitian services that grew into a large gym with 16 health professionals on staff. It was during this work that Kate discovered a common problem for her clients. She could give them all the information about the food that would improve their health, but it was difficult for them to access the food consistently. When they were busy they’d reach for meal replacement shakes, which Kate believes set them up for long-term failure.

Recognising a gap in the market for convenient, healthy meal options, Kate launched BeFit Food. It became her mission to provide customers with healthy whole-food meals right to their doors. She spent years creating recipes that reached the medical gold standard and would be effective in improving health outcomes.

 

 

Swimming in the Shark Tank
Once the product was perfected, Kate knew she needed backing and guidance. So, she appeared on Shark Tank to pitch BeFit Food to a panel of investors in front of millions of viewers. Far above skydiving or bungee jumping, she recalls this experience as the most terrifying thing she’s ever done. However, thanks to diligent preparation and a genuine confidence in her company Kate impressed the audience and the investors.

 

Running a Business in a Pandemic.
One of the biggest challenges Kate has faced with BeFit Food was the impact of Covid-19. Most people were struggling financially and those who had money were spending it on at-home indulgences. With no weddings, holidays, or other celebrations weight loss took a back seat and BeFit Food suffered greatly. There were discussions on pivoting BeFit and targeting different markets but Kate wouldn’t do it. She started BeFit to help people improve their health and didn’t want to lose that. It was a difficult choice but one that paid off in the long run as people are now investing in their health again. 

 

Kate is such a positive force in this world, and I hope you love listening to this conversation as much as I enjoyed recording it. Her story has a lot of wisdom that can be useful to entrepreneurs, but her biggest message is useful for all of us.

Remember our bodies are our homes for life, so let's treat 'em right. After all, investing in our health is the ultimate key to living our best lives.

 

LINKS

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here 

Connect with Kate:

Be Fit Food: https://befitfood.com.au/

Peninsula Physical Health and Nutrition
https://healthandnutrition.com.au/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katesavebefitfood/
Instagram: @Befitfoodaustralia, @katesave

 

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’ve had so many conversations lately about people who are fed up with their job or their teams. They’re trapped on the treadmill of life and don’t pause to reflect on who they are becoming. It’s increasingly common in our fast-paced lives, and the question arises - When was the last time you looked in the mirror and genuinely liked the person staring back at you?

I’m not talking about what you’re wearing or how your hair looks, I want you to look deeper than that. Are you truly happy with the life you are living? It’s a simple exercise but incredibly powerful. It prompts us to evaluate our behaviors, decisions, and impacts on others, so we can make choices that better resonate with our true selves.

I’ve used this exercise many times in my life, during periods of struggle. Most recently, during my cancer diagnosis, I wasn’t happy with how I was living. I was so angry at the people who misdiagnosed me and at the situation as a whole. I was going down a dark hole but through introspection, I was able to confront this anger and find a path to positive healing energy. 

It’s also an incredibly helpful exercise for leaders. It’s easy to make small compromises to suit our teams or organisations, but this adds up over time and we can lose track of ourselves. Thankfully, with consistent self-awareness, we can keep our values, priorities, and choices aligned with the person we aspire to be. 

So, the next time you gaze into the mirror, pause and ask yourself - Are you happy with who is staring back at you? Embrace the discomfort that comes with self-reflection, for it is in those moments of vulnerability that true growth occurs. 

Remember, change is a gradual process, but every step towards aligning with your authentic self brings you closer to a life of fulfillment.

 

LINKS

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here 

 

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I have spoken to many successful people who, despite having achieved amazing things in their careers, find themselves feeling miserable, making bad choices and living with a sense of disconnection. 

 

From what I’ve observed, so much of this misalignment comes down to people not living in line with their values. So today I’m sharing three key indicators that reveal if you're not living true to your values, how this affects you, and how reconnecting with your values can transform your life for the better.

 

One common reason for not living true to your values is simply not knowing what they are. This is not an uncommon scenario, but when you’re unclear about what your values are, you can’t align your actions with them. And this is when you might find yourself falling into the comparison trap or people-pleasing.

 

Another common reason for not living true to your values is when you make decisions to please others or to align with their expectations of you. Concerns about what others might say or think can lead you to make decisions that aren't authentic to your true self. This outward focus on pleasing others disconnects you from your values, leading to frustration and confusion. It’s critical to reconnect with your values and make choices that align with your true desires and beliefs. In this episode, I talk about being aware of your top three values and how this will provide you with guidance to make empowered decisions aligned with who you are.

 

Connecting to your values is crucial for living an authentic and fulfilling life. Your values act as a compass, guiding your thoughts, beliefs, and actions. They define who you are and what you stand for. This is why you might feel out of alignment and struggle to make empowered decisions when you are unclear about what your values are. This lack of clarity impacts your personal life and your career, so it’s essential to invest time in understanding your values to ensure you are true to yourself and lead a purposeful life.

 

After listening to this episode, I encourage you to carve out some dedicated time to reflect on what is truly important to you. Ask yourself empowering questions and dig deep to uncover your core values. What frustrates you the most, and why? What does your gut tell you when faced with important decisions? Rediscovering your values is a journey, and they may evolve over time. This is why we need to regularly reassess and realign our actions with our current values.

 

Living true to your values is key to making better choices and leading an authentic and fulfilled life. By understanding your values, you can align your thoughts, beliefs, and actions with what truly matters to you. Remember, you always have a choice to live in alignment with your values and create a life that is true to who you are.

LINKS

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here 

 

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all have setbacks in life - but it’s what you do with them that really matters. Today, I sit down with Anita Jacoby, one of Australia's most distinguished television producers, as she shares her insights on resilience, her mindset on setbacks and how she forged a successful career in a male-dominated industry. We hear about how she first started channelling courage from a young age and her advice on taking action to create the life you want. 

During her career, Anita has worked on some of the nation's most credible and cutting edge programs, spanning all commercial networks, as well as the ABC, SBS and Foxtel. She has received four AFI Actor Awards, a Logie Award, a Human Rights Award and the Asia Broadcasting Union Award. She is also an author, having recently published her book Secrets Beyond the Screen, and is a notable advocate for women in leadership.

Growing up professionally in the 80s and 90s, Anita faced many challenges in the early days of commercial television, including bullying and harassment. And while misogynistic treatment was normalised, Anita was determined to demonstrate that gender shouldn't define one's capabilities. She talks about the importance of mentors like her father and Kevin Weldon, who empowered her and instilled the belief that anything is possible. It goes to show how crucial role models are in guiding us towards the ambitious goals we set out to achieve. 

Anita speaks fondly of her father, a World War II refugee and founder of Sony in Australia, who was her greatest influence in achieving greatness. She talks about the emotional process of researching and writing about her father's life for her memoir, and the challenges of reconciling conflicting aspects of his legacy. Anita reminds us to connect with loved ones and learn about their experiences while we’re still able. 

Having experienced significant setbacks in life, Anita explains how she chooses to see the good takeaways that come from them, rather than dwell on the bad. It’s this mindset that has empowered her to muster the courage and resilience to keep going. I know you’ll be as inspired as I was to channel your own courage, develop resilience and pave a path towards the fulfilling career and life you want.

 

LINKS

Anita’s book: Secrets Beyond the Screen: The award-winning TV producer's compelling search for truth

Connect with Anita:

Instagram: @anitajacobyofficial

 

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here 

Download the ‘Control Your Juggle’ Worksheet here

 

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In life we all have to juggle multiple responsibilities, constantly trying to keep all the balls in the air without dropping any. The daily demands of work, family, health, friends, and spirit can become overwhelming. But it is possible to manage this juggle more effectively, and it starts with understanding the nature of the balls we have in the air and why we juggle them. Today I want to share with you an exercise that can help you mindfully manage this juggle and find a better balance in your life.

 

 The Metaphorical Juggle:

I share this exercise in my book, "You Always Have a Choice." The idea comes from Brian Dyson, former CEO of Coca Cola, who described life as a game of five balls: work, family, health, friends, and spirit. Each of these balls represents a different aspect of our lives that we constantly juggle. He emphasised the fragility of certain aspects of our life, comparing work to a rubber ball that bounces back when dropped, and our relationships, health, and spirit to glass balls that could shatter when dropped. To expand on Dyson's concept, I added two more types of balls – crystal balls (instead of glass) and concrete balls. 

 

The Different Balls We Juggle: 

Crystal balls represent your non-negotiables, the aspects of your life that are precious and fragile, such as health and key relationships. These balls cannot be compromised, and dropping them can have significant consequences.

Then, of course, there are the rubber balls—important tasks and responsibilities that are resilient and can be dropped without severe consequences. Work often falls into this category for me. While it is important, it is not as fragile as my health or relationships.

Lastly, there are the concrete balls—tasks, obligations, or relationships that feel heavy and drain our energy. You might juggle these balls out of a misguided sense of obligation, guilt, or the desire to please others. The key is to recognise these concrete balls and understand that they can be dropped without harming your well-being.

 

Self-Awareness and Empowerment:

The exercise I recommend involves sitting down and naming the balls you're currently juggling in your life. By visualising all the balls in the air, you gain clarity on which ones are your crystal balls, rubber balls, and concrete balls. Once you have identified and labeled your balls, you can decide which ones truly deserve your attention, energy, and time. 

It's okay to start small if you find it overwhelming to drop multiple balls at once. You can gradually reprioritise or reassess your balls over time. This exercise is about dynamic prioritisation, navigating your life with intention, and focusing on what truly matters to you.

 

Life is too short to tolerate an unbalanced juggle. By understanding the nature of the balls you're juggling and making mindful choices, you can take control of your juggle and lead a life that aligns with your values.

LINKS

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here 
Download the ‘Control Your Juggle’ Worksheet here

 

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I have a question for you today: What are you tolerating in life that you shouldn’t be? Whether it's relationships, your career, or your business, many people simply put up with subpar situations rather than taking action to change them. It’s easy to become comfortable tolerating things as they are, but I believe that life is too short to settle for mediocrity. We only get one chance at life. We should make the most of it rather than just endure situations that make us unhappy.

 

By tolerating things, we unwittingly establish boundaries for what is acceptable. We allow others to treat us poorly, take advantage of us, and ignore our needs. Then, because we feel disrespected and mistreated, we feel frustrated and angry and it paves the way for stress and anxiety to set in. Tolerating negative circumstances and behaviour has a profound impact on your well-being, which is why you need to use your voice and address these issues early on. 

 

In this episode, I share an example of a CEO I was working with who was incredibly frustrated and upset with the behaviour of her team. It was clear that this situation was taking a toll on her mental well-being, even to the point of contemplating closing down her business.

 

Together, we peeled back the layers to address why she tolerated this behaviour. Once she understood the importance of setting boundaries and communicating her expectations, everything changed. 

 

One of the reasons why many of us tolerate negative situations or behaviours is that we don’t want to have hard conversations. We want people to like us, we don’t want to be confrontational for fear of what might happen. But difficult conversations don’t have to be confrontations. Today I talk about your intent and how this can make all the difference in creating opportunities for growth and positive change. 

 

I have made a promise to myself that I will not tolerate poor treatment, poor performance, or a career that doesn't fulfil me. I wholeheartedly believe that life is too precious to settle for anything less than what truly excites me. Because the truth is, that tolerating things that make us unhappy is a conscious choice. We have the power to create more empowered, fulfilled, and joyous lives by engaging in courageous conversations, setting boundaries, and pursuing opportunities aligned with our true desires. Life is too short to tolerate. Choose to lead a life you love.

LINKS

Pre-order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here 

 

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to not have access to basic sanitary items during your period? Unfortunately for many women in Australia facing homelessness, this is an awful reality, and one that is often overlooked by the wider society. 

In this episode, I sit down with Rochelle Courtenay, AKA ‘Pad Lady’, who is on a mission to give all Australian women dignity. Throughout our conversation, Rochelle shares what inspired the noble cause of providing homeless women with sanitary items. She talks about the force of the campaign she led to remove GST from all period products in Australia, and encourages us to use our own voices to make a positive change in our world. 

Rochelle is the founder and managing director of Share the Dignity, a national charity founded in 2015 with the mission to ensure that everyone is afforded the dignity in life that so many of us take for granted. She has received numerous accolades for her work, including Finalist of Australian of the Year, Cosmopolitan Humanitarian of the Year and Pride of Australia. With her charity drive It’s In The Bag, Rochelle and her network of volunteers have now collected 4.4 million packets of period products for disadvantaged women. 

We hear about Rochelle’s own childhood being plagued with domestic violence, and how this has given her the empathy and insight into the struggles of the women she aims to support. We discuss the importance of breaking down the stigma surrounding menstruation and creating a supportive environment for all women.

While Rochelle’s drive and ability to make a difference in women’s lives is awe-inspiring, she attributes the success of her efforts to the power of teamwork. This made itself abundantly clear when on 1 January 2019, with over 100,000 signatures on a federal petition led by Rochelle, the government removed GST from all period products in Australia.

Rochelle’s story is incredibly moving, and I know you’ll find her an inspiration as you endeavour to make your world a better place. So join me today and hear how you can take action, raise your voice and be a part of ending period poverty. 

 

LINKS

Pre-order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here 

 

Connect with Rochelle:

Instagram: @sharethedignityaustralia

Facebook: @sharethedignity

Website: https://www.sharethedignity.org.au/ 

 

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.