Manage Self, Lead Others: Human Leadership in the AI Age

By Nina SundayBusiness Management

Manage Self, Lead Others: Human Leadership in the AI Age episodes

January 13 178 Candor Takes Courage — John Baldoni
John Baldoni brings calm, clarity, and uncommon wisdom to leadership in a world defined by volatility.
In this conversation, you will hear why innovation stalls when fear is left
unchecked, how leaders create real psychological safety, and what grace under pressure actually looks like when decisions matter most.

Experience our episodes in a whole new way—watch every video version on our YouTube Channel. Subscribe now to be the first to catch our next release.
https://www.youtube.com/@manageselfleadotherspodcast?sub_confirmation=1

Sound Bites
[2:16]
How leaders embed innovation into culture and why innovation starts with removing fear, not adding tools.
[3:04]
What leaders must stop doing before asking for change.
[4:05]
Fear of judgment, silence in meetings, and how unsafe cultures shut down
innovation.
[5:01]
Innovation as applied creativity. Small process changes that unlock
productivity and fresh thinking.
[8:27]
Grace under pressure. How leaders maintain composure and connection during volatility and crisis.
[8:53]
The leadership pillars of connection, candor, commitment, courage, and
community.
[10:11]
Why culture must be shared and lived, not worshipped, to truly scale
leadership.
[11:32]
Grace as forgiveness. Letting go of mistakes in yourself and others to move forward.
[11:56]
Candor versus artificial harmony. Why truth telling strengthens teams.
[13:52]
Conversational equality. Drawing out quiet voices and balancing dominant
speakers.
[15:23]
Language of influence. Disagreeing without blame through curiosity and
respectful challenge.
[17:23]
Gemba leadership. Going to where the work happens to gain real insight.
[17:59]
Leading in volatility. The reflection practice of asking what is happening and what is not happening.
[18:49]
Using real time reflection as a team exercise to influence action.
[20:04]
Reading the white space. Why noticing what is not said builds strategic
awareness.
[20:30]
Political savvy and influence. Understanding where real power and momentum live in organizations.

JOHN BALDONI
https://www.johnbaldoni.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbaldoni/

ABOUT PODCAST HOST, NINA SUNDAY
Nina Sunday’s latest book, ‘’Manage Self, Lead Others: Constructive Conversations, True Self-Leadership, and Culture You Can’t Fake’’ now on Amazon - paperback or kindle.
Amazon USA ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://a.co/d/3WaplI9⁠⁠⁠⁠
Amazon Australia ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.asia/d/0KwghaM⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can read any Kindle eBook on your PC, laptop or phone; you don’t need a Kindle device.

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To learn more about face-to-face training programs with Nina Sunday or one of her experienced Facilitators from Brainpower Training Pty Ltd in Australia Pacific, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au...⁠
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To visit Nina Sunday's speaker site for global in-person speaking bookings visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ninasunday.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
===
Connect with Nina Sunday on LinkedIn ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninasunday/
⁠⁠⁠⁠===
To subscribe to Nina Sunday's blog go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and scroll to bottom of the page to register.

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24 min
January 06 REPUBLISHED Ep 147 Performance Conversations — Bruce Sullivan

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22 min
December 30, 2025 177 More Sales, Less Marketing — Frances Pratt

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25 min
December 23, 2025 REPUBLISHED 124 Unmasking Leadership — Dan Silberberg

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28 min
December 16, 2025 176 Mystery Shopping: CX Secrets — Michelle Pascoe
In this episode with Michelle Pascoe, we lift the lid on mystery shopping and what it really reveals about leadership, service, and customer experience.

From why traditional surveys fail, to how insight-based mystery shopping exposes what leaders never see when they are not present, this conversation explores how organisations can turn observation into improvement.

We also look at generational expectations, the role of robotics, and why human connection still matters more than ever.

SOUNDBITES

Mystery shopping explained beyond the myths.
Why surveys fail when feedback goes nowhere.
What leaders miss when they are not on site.
How insight-based reports outperform tick-box scores.
The role of human connection alongside robotics.
What Gen Z expects from seamless service.
Why Net Promoter Score needs context to matter.
Turning customer data into real improvement.

ABOUT MICHELLE PASCOE

Contact: https://www.michellepascoe.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellepascoe/

Renowned for her expertise in the hospitality industry and backed by over three decades of experience, Michelle Pascoe is a Mystery Shopping expert, a Certified Speaking Professional delivering conference keynotes on the Customer Experience as well as workshops on Customer Service Excellence to frontline teams.

ABOUT PODCAST HOST, NINA SUNDAY

Nina Sunday’s latest book, ‘’Manage Self, Lead Others: Constructive Conversations, True Self-Leadership, and Culture You Can’t Fake’’ now on Amazon - paperback, Kindle or audiobook.

Amazon USA ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://a.co/d/3WaplI9⁠⁠⁠⁠
Amazon Australia ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.asia/d/0KwghaM⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you would be willing to leave a review so others know it’s a good read, Nina would appreciate it.
===
Brainpower Training Australia

To learn more about face-to-face training programs with
Nina Sunday or one of her experienced Facilitators from Brainpower Training Pty Ltd in Australia Pacific, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/signature-programs/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
===
Speaking site: NinaSunday.com
To visit Nina Sunday's speaker site for global
in-person speaking bookings visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ninasunday.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
===
LinkedIn: Connect with Nina Sunday on LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
===
Blog
To subscribe to Nina Sunday's blog go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and scroll to bottom of page to register.

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26 min
December 09, 2025 REPUBLISHED Ep 137 Constructive Conversations — Andrew Bryant

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32 min
December 02, 2025175 AI ROI: Cutting Edge in AI Today — Mahesh M Thakur
Mahesh M. Thakur is a former executive with Microsoft, Amazon, Intuit, and GoDaddy, and brings battle-tested experience from Silicon Valley.
In this episode, Mahesh M. Thakur explains:
how companies are getting AI adoption wrong

why boiling the ocean fails

why every organization needs a Chief AI Officer (CAIO) to align data, models, and leadership vision into one cohesive strategy.
Youtube video link:
https://youtu.be/m3S1KxBQmgk
TALKING POINTS
[1:55] Why every organisation now needs a Chief AI Officer (CAIO).
[1:55] Why companies fail at AI adoption (“boiling the ocean”).
[5:25] How to get AI ROI fast using a test-and-learn method.
[8:46] Why alignment and culture matter more than technology.
[15:02] Why internal data + internal models = long-term competitive advantage.
[4:41] How AI exposes leaders with fixed mindsets
[14:46] How Silicon Valley thinking influences AI leadership.
[9:55] Why RPE (revenue per employee) is the new metric.
[5:25] Why AI is a “force multiplier” for leaders.
ABOUT MAHESH M. THAKUR
https://maheshmthakur.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maheshmthakur/

MORE ABOUT
Mahesh M. Thakur is a globally recognised Master Certified Coach and former tech leader with Microsoft AI, Amazon, Intuit, and GoDaddy.

With over 10,000 hours of executive coaching for the C-Suite, Mahesh M. Thakur is named in the Top 100 Executive Coaches worldwide.

Before dedicating his career to coaching, Mahesh managed and grew a $600M+ P&L and helped shape cultures of innovation, having worked alongside industry icons, including Bill Gates and Satya Nadella.

His insights and thought leadership have been featured in Forbes, Yahoo Finance, and Business Newswire.

ABOUT PODCAST HOST, NINA SUNDAY
Nina Sunday’s latest book, ‘’Manage Self, Lead Others: Constructive Conversations, True Self-Leadership, and Culture You Can’t Fake’’ now on Amazon - paperback, Kindle or audiobook.

Amazon USA ⁠⁠⁠https://a.co/d/3WaplI9⁠⁠⁠
Amazon Australia ⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.asia/d/0KwghaM⁠⁠⁠

If you would be willing to leave a review so others know it’s a good read, Nina would appreciate it.
===
Brainpower Training Australia
To learn more about face-to-face training programs with
Nina Sunday or one of her experienced Facilitators from Brainpower Training Pty Ltd in Australia Pacific, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/signature-programs/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
===
Speaking site: NinaSunday.com
To visit Nina Sunday's speaker site for global
in-person speaking bookings visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ninasunday.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
===
LinkedIn: Connect with Nina Sunday on LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
===
Blog
To subscribe to Nina Sunday's blog go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and scroll to bottom of page to register.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
26 min
November 18, 2025 174 Innovation is a Game of Inches — Nigel Collin
Want to know how small, consistent steps can drive big results? How bottom-up ideas with top-down strategy create lasting innovation? This episode features Nigel Collin, an innovation and adaptability expert helping leaders build teams that make improvement a daily habit.
Experience our episodes in a whole new way and watch every video version on our YouTube channel HERE
Subscribe to catch each episode release.

Soundbites
[00:00] Adaptive mindset through curiosity and continuous learning.
[00:44] Innovation, creativity, AI, and workplace culture.
[01:08] Adaptive teams that make innovation a daily habit.
[02:00] Motorbike journey launched grassroots innovation research.
[05:00] Indigenous Australians transforming dialysis care.
[07:00] Innovation as iterative improvement.
[08:20] Operational and relational innovation.
[09:00] Communication and inclusion.
[10:15] Unlearn creativity – insights from George Land’s NASA test.
[12:30] Small wins create confidence and momentum for innovation.
[13:45] Psychological safety and permission as drivers of innovation.
[14:30] One small improvement saving six figures.
[15:10] Grassroots ideas with organisational purpose and vision.
[18:45] Three actions – give permission, clarify goals, make people feel heard.
[19:20] Growth mindset opens curiosity and adaptability.
[20:00] Replace “yes but” with “yes and” to keep ideas alive.

CONTACT NIGE|L COLLIN
Website: https://www.nigelcollin.com.au/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigelcollin/

ABOUT PODCAST HOST, NINA SUNDAY
Nina Sunday’s latest book, ‘’Manage Self, Lead Others: Constructive Conversations, True Self-Leadership, and Culture You Can’t Fake’’ now on Amazon - paperback or kindle.

Amazon USA ⁠⁠https://a.co/d/3WaplI9⁠⁠
Amazon Australia ⁠⁠https://amzn.asia/d/0KwghaM⁠⁠

You can read the Kindle version on your PC, laptop or phone; you don’t need a Kindle device. Feel free to leave a review so others know it’s a good read.
===
Brainpower Training
To learn more about face-to-face training programs with
Nina Sunday or one of her experienced Facilitators from Brainpower Training Pty
Ltd in Australia Pacific, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/signature-programs/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
===
NinaSunday.com
To visit Nina Sunday's speaker site for global
in-person speaking bookings visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ninasunday.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
===
LinkedIn: Connect with Nina Sunday on LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠
===
Blog
To subscribe to Nina Sunday's blog go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and scroll to bottom of page to register.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
26 min
November 04, 2025 173 Reinventing Innovation — Nils Vesk
Want to know the secret to leading with creativity, driving innovation, and making AI your competitive edge?
Nils Vesk, founder of Ideas with Legs and author of The Reinvention Spirit and Innovation Archetypes, shares how leaders can turn ideas into impact.
Experience our episodes in a whole new way and watch every video version on our YouTube channel HERE Subscribe to catch each episode release.

Soundbites
[01:44] How AI shifts the role of human imagination
[03:08] Moving past fear and resistance to AI adoption
[03:27] Three essentials of behavior change
[06:49] The four phases of innovation
[08:37] Behavioural science, data, and futurist thinking
[09:31] Innovation behaviors across organizations
[12:44] Continuous improvement vs. Innovation
[14:40] Why leaders should ask big-picture questions
[15:07] Making innovation a habit – why five minutes is enough
[16:35] Psychological safety vs. stopping ideas
[17:04] The “20 ideas” muscle technique

[19:33] Overcoming a mental blank and strengthening creative neuroplasticity
CONTACT NILS VESK
Website: https://nilsvesk.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nilsvesk/overlay/contact-info/

ABOUT PODCAST HOST, NINA
SUNDAY
Nina Sunday’s latest book, ‘’Manage Self, Lead Others: Constructive Conversations, True Self-Leadership, and Culture You Can’t Fake’’ now on Amazon.
Amazon USA ⁠⁠https://a.co/d/3WaplI9⁠⁠
Amazon Australia ⁠⁠https://amzn.asia/d/0KwghaM⁠⁠
===
Brainpower Training
To learn more about face-to-face training programs with Nina Sunday or one of her experienced Facilitators from Brainpower Training Pty Ltd in Australia Pacific, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/signature-programs/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
===
To visit Nina Sunday's speaker site for global in-person speaking bookings visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ninasunday.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
===
LinkedIn: Connect with Nina Sunday on LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠
===
Blog
To subscribe to Nina Sunday's blog go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and scroll to the bottom of the page to register.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
26 min
October 28, 2025 REPUBLISHED 136 Difficult Conversations — Lisa McInnes-Smith
Lisa McInnes-Smith is in the top echelon of corporate speakers, having presented live to more than 2½ million people across 30 countries. This episode we explore:
How do we deal with conflict?
How do we build trust?
How do we get rid of dysfunctional behaviors in a team?
How do we build a sense of unity and community when the company works in silos?

Here's the link to the video version on YouTube:
⁠https://youtu.be/uRfmpAd8cW8 ⁠

Ask yourselves, "Is it them, or is it how we're feeding them the information? Do they feel like they're not trusted? Are our expectations not clear?"

You can say to them, "These are the expectations that we had of you when you came into this position. This is what we're observing. Can you explain to me why you agreed to these behaviors but now are not demonstrating them in this environment?"

TALKING POINTS

[5:31] You can't trust people you don't know and if you don't know them and know the way they work, the way they think, then you can't work well together. Teaching people how to build trust is an initial thing.

[7:05] It's not the person, it's just something they've got into the habit of doing and maybe they need to get out of that habit.

[9.30] We all have bad habits, but there's one right now that's driving us crazy and we need to talk about it.

[15:42] You can have a third person in the conversation, an observer who doesn't participate. And when we're going to talk about something that's really tough, hen it might be good to have somebody there witnessing it.

[18:19] I'm trying to build better people, I'm trying to build better teams and I'm trying to teach leaders how to build those teams by having the conversations that need to be had without people feeling like they're being demeaned or disrespected.

[19:00] It's really good to turn up at a meeting where there's a chance of conflict with your notepad and things that you need to say. And when they say, “These are some of my reasons”, then you write them down. Say, “So let me just capture that.”

[20:00] What sort of biases should someone self-reflect to check if they’re operating under a false bias?

[22:44] Finding team players versus kingdom builders.

[23:00} Find colleagues who can coach each other. The wisdom we need is usually already in the organization. We just don't know each other well enough to be able to trust each other with our problems.

ABOUT LISA McINNES-SMITH

Lisa McInnes-Smith is in the top echelon of corporate speakers, having presented live to more than 2½ million people across 30 countries.

The first Australian inducted into the International Speaker Hall of Fame, Lisa is a TEDx Melbourne speaker. Her presentation is called “Winning Words: the phrases that pay”.

CONTACT:
Website: https://www.lisaspeaks.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaspeaks/

ABOUT PODCAST HOST, NINA SUNDAY

To learn more about training programs in your workplace with Nina Sunday (or one of her experienced Facilitators from Brainpower Training Pty Ltd) in Australia Pacific, visit: https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/signature-programs/

Nina Sunday's speaker site for global in-person speaking bookings: https://www.ninasunday.com/

Connect with Nina Sunday on LinkedIn HERE: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninasunday/

To subscribe to Nina Sunday's personal blog go to https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/ and scroll to bottom of page to register.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
30 min