Welcome to Brain Snacks: bite sized learning moments from We Are Human Leaders.

In today’s brain snack, Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith shares with us the seven key types of rest we all need, and how rest is distinctly different from sleep.

For more, check out the full conversation with Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith here https://www.wearehumanleaders.com/podcast/resttosuccess

For now, enjoy!

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So how do we do it? Enter Ally Leadership. A step away from performative and outdated leadership, and a stem into truly understanding, and getting the most from the brilliant human you lead.

In today’s conversation we speak to Stephanie Chung, a pioneering woman of color in the aviation sector. As an aviation trailblazer, Stephanie has 35 years of aviation experience, from a baggage handler to being the first African-American private aviation company president. And she’s now a #1 International Best Selling author with her new book, and the topic of our conversion today: Ally Leadership, How To Lead People Who Are Not Like You.

This conversation is practical, insightful and jam-packed with Stephanie’s personal career wisdom–from highlights to trials and tribulations.

Now more than ever the world needs leaders who’re ready to listen-up and learn, leaders like you.

Learn more about Stephanie Chung, including where to get her book at our shownotes page: www.wearehumanleaders.com/podcast/allied-lead-people-different-from-you-stephanie-chung

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Welcome to Brain Snacks: bite sized learning moments from We Are Human Leaders.

In today’s brain snack, Heather Younger shares with us her definition of active listening and the 5 aspects of how to be an amazing active listener.

For more, check out the full conversation with Heather right here https://www.wearehumanleaders.com/podcast/activelistening

For now, enjoy!

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In this episode, Alexis Zahner and Sally Clarke discuss the pressing challenges leaders face in today's volatile environment, focusing on technological disruption, geopolitical tensions and navigating the complexities of modern work environments, and the six critical skills leaders need to adopt to handle these uncertain times. Right now leaders have their work cut out for them, but we're here to help.

In this episode Alexis and Sally emphasize the necessity for leaders to cultivate a culture of continuous learning and adaptability while addressing the evolving expectations of the workforce. They emphasize the importance of transparent communication, strategic visioning, EQ, empathy and purpose-driven leadership, and fostering innovation and collaboration. The conversation highlights how these skills can enhance team outcomes, build trust, and create a psychologically safe workplace. They offer specific and practical advice on how to integrate the skills in a practical everyday way so leaders understand how and where they can make change.

To learn more, or to get support from Human Leaders to upskill your leadership visit us at our show notes: www.wearehumanleaders.com/podcast/leadership-challenges-2025-alexis-zahner-sally-clarke

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Welcome to Brain Snacks: bite sized learning moments from We Are Human Leaders.

In today’s brain snack, Sarah Langslow shares with us how powerful our micro-interactions can be to building positive and connected relationships in the workplace, and beyond.

For more, check out the full conversation with Sarah Langslow right here https://www.wearehumanleaders.com/podcast/do-sweat-small-stuff-sarah-langslow

For now, enjoy!

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In this transformative episode of We Are Human Leaders, we sat down in Sydney with Wendy Smith—renowned expert on paradox and co-author of Both/And Thinking—to explore how shifting from either/or decision-making to both/and thinking can unlock deeper clarity, resilience, and creativity in leadership and life.

Wendy walks us through the concept of paradox: the ongoing, often uncomfortable tensions between seemingly opposing forces (such as stability and change, profit and purpose, or control and flexibility). She shares how these tensions aren't problems to be solved, but dynamics to be navigated, and how ancient wisdom, modern psychology, and business innovation all point to the transformative power of holding space for complexity.

In this conversation, hosts Alexis Zahner and Sally Clarke asked Wendy to unpack:

• The difference between tensions, dilemmas, and paradoxes
• Why binary thinking is limiting—and often harmful
• How leaders and teams can cultivate a paradox mindset
• Practical strategies like the ABCD framework for both/and navigation
• Real-world case studies from IBM, Unilever, and Patagonia
• The link between paradox thinking and ancient Eastern and Indigenous philosophies

This is a conversation that challenges your assumptions and offers tools to lead with greater compassion, nuance, and confidence, especially in times of uncertainty.

Ready to reframe your next challenge not as a dilemma—but as an opportunity? Tune in now, and access the show notes at: www.wearehumanleaders.com/podcast/paradox-thinking-wendy-smith

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Welcome to Brain Snacks: bite sized learning moments from We Are Human Leaders.

In today’s brain snack, Morra Aarons Mele shares with us How to Turn Your Anxiety into a Superpower.

For more, check out the full conversation with Morra right here https://www.wearehumanleaders.com/podcast/rethinkinganxiety

For now, enjoy!

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In this incredible episode we’re discussing The Power of Mattering with Zach Mercurio. We admire Zach’s work, so much so he’s officially our first repeat guest on We Are Human Leaders! His poignant new book The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance is arguably one of the most needed in the world right now!

In this conversation Zach shares with us the damning data on the state of work–despite the billions of dollars of investment made in employee engagement, retention, wellbeing, belonging, you name it–we’re more disengaged and unhappy than ever before. Why? Well because despite it all, we still don’t feel like we truly matter. And this is an innate human need that can’t be overlooked.

Zach shares that “honing the skills to create a culture of significance is at the heart of revitalizing the health of our workplaces and workers.” We couldn’t agree more. Mattering is much more than a means to create productivity and engagement at work. It’s a way of making sure everyone knows that they are innately needed, unique and what they do matters to others. Mattering is a fundamental human needs for all of us, and for that reason alone should be motivation to prioritise it.

Find Zach Mercurio on LinkedIn.

Get your copy of The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance from Harvard Business Review Press here.

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Welcome to Brain Snacks: bite sized learning moments from We Are Human Leaders.

In today’s brain snack, Todd Kashdan shares with us the difference between productive and destructive disagreement, and how the labels we place on ourselves can stop us from truly understanding the perspectives of others.

For more, check out the full conversation with Todd Kashdan right here https://www.wearehumanleaders.com/podcast/dissent-and-defy-todd-kashdan

For now, enjoy!

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The State of Workplace Burnout Report 2025 shows that 35% of us globally are experiencing burnout. In this episode my usual co-host Sally Clarke dons her researcher’s hat alongside Dr. John Chan as Co-Authors of the State of Workplace Burnout Report 2025. We discuss their very important research from the report. Now in its fifth year, it shines a very bright light on how outdated productivity metrics and expectations are keeping us stuck in burnout with lower productivity.

In this conversation, I've asked Sally and John the hard questions:

Despite the billions of dollars invested globally in wellbeing and burnout, these still such pervasive issues. Sally and John offer a comprehensive evidence backed set of answers to these questions, and they offer critical advice for leaders listening to fundamentally shift how we work to overcome them.

SPOILER ALERT: Solving burnout is well within your control as a leader. This conversation is insightful and practical and exactly what all leaders need to hear right now.

Learn more, and find links to the report at www.wearehumanleaders.com/podcast/burnout-productivity-john-chan-sally-clarke

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