Team Guru Podcast

The statistics around employee engagement are startling. A huge percentage of us are not satisfied with the work we do or the environment in which we do it. And given the amount of time we actually spend at work, it’s a hugely concerning issue.

Caron Rounds is an expert in workplace wellness.

In this episode of the Team Guru Podcast we talk through the issues that are affecting employee engagement and we outline some practical steps that we can take as individuals and leaders to contribute to a more fulfilling professional environment.

This is Part 2 of the Ben Ikin story. If you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, I suggest you head back there and have a listen before you dive into this one. It's not as though this part won't make sense without it - it's that Ben Ikin's is a fabulous story. You won't want to miss a second.

In this episode: marrying the coach's daughter; career end; transition to the media; leadership and the corporate world; Paul Kent and Paul Vautin

Measured, insightful and colourful.

Ben Ikin is the youngest person to ever play State of Origin. He played rugby league for Australia and won a premiership with the Brisbane Broncos. And these days he hosts Foxtel’s NRL 360.

As impressive as all of those achievements are, it’s his thoughtful, reflective nature and his ability to extract lessons about life and leadership from his experiences that is most valuable.

Ben is a deep thinker about the game, about leadership and his life-long pursuit of excellence.

This is the first instalment of a 2-part episode. It’s filled with stories about the biggest names in sport, the characters Ben played with and worked with. You don’t want to miss it.

We all have difficult people in our lives. It’s a real skill to be able to manage our own emotions in the face of aggressive or spiteful behaviour - and to know how to respond rationally and constructively.

Eleanor Shakiba is an expert in dealing with difficult people. In her book, Difficult People Made Easy, Eleanor helps us to understand the different modes and patterns of toxic behaviour.

She outlines a suggested response to each of them - and as luck would have it, she joined me on the podcast to tell us all about it.

If you have difficult people in your life and you are often stuck for how to respond, this is the episode for you.

Enjoy!

Entrepreneurs, wantrepreneurs and siderepreneurs – this episode is for you.

Jim Palmer is an ultra-successful entrepreneur. He has created huge revenue that flows through multiple streams.

But it wasn’t always that way - he began his business with enormous credit-card debt and a ‘revenue-free’ 12 months.

Jim shares with us the lessons he has learned through the tough times and the good times. He opens up about the things that are holding most entrepreneurs back – the self-inflicted wounds - and gives some powerful advice about avoiding those traps and generating momentum in your business.

If you are building your own little empire, or you have an itch to do so, don’t miss a second of this free coaching clinic from one of the best in the game.

Enjoy!

We live in the age of content marketing. ‘Publish or Perish’ is its mantra. But who should publish? What should they be publishing. How?

My guest this episode of the podcast is Jeff Herman. It’s his mission to help people and organisations adjust and thrive in this brave new world. Whether you run a small business, think of yourself as an entrepreneur or work in a large organisation, Jeff will convince you of the importance of becoming a creator of useful, authentic content.

He tells us who – individuals, businesses, industries - should be creating content and what they should be producing.

And he gives us some key insight into the difference between someone who publishes to create value…and someone who is a desperate product pusher.

Enjoy!

The world of professional sport has changed at lightening speed over the past few decades. From an era in which players at the highest level were expected to crack open a beer straight after the match - through to the scientifically crafted players of today.

From the joy of winning premierships with the Brisbane Broncos and a World Cup with the Wallabies to the heart thumping pressure of avoiding relegation with Fulham in the EPL - Steve Nance has been a major player in the incredible evolution of athletic performance.

He’s been a performance director in the NRL, International & Super rugby, the English Premier League and a host of other professional sporting outfits.

He’s worked with some of the most legendary coaches and players across multiple sports.

He’s been part of teams that have performed well beyond expectations and he’s seen teams rip themselves apart with poor attitude and inept leadership.

If you’re a fan of any sport or if you’re interested in revolutionary changes in thinking and the art of enhancing performance, you’re going to love this episode of the Team Guru Podcast.

Enjoy!

Craig Ballantyne is a man who simply wants you to have the perfect life. In his book, The Perfect Day Formula, Craig outlines a set of simple, practical steps to help you imagine, design and live the life that is perfect for you.

In this episode of the Team Guru Podcast he talks us through those steps, the principles they are based on and his philosophical approach. And he addresses the thing that he sees as the paradoxical truth about life:

Freedom = Structure.

Craig is a lively, genuine, passionate communicator. His advice is practical and his philosophies are benevolent.

If there is any part of your life that you long to improve, this is the episode for you.

Enjoy.

Trent Grimsey is the fastest person to ever swim across the English Channel.

In this episode Trent tells us, in his incredibly humble and unassuming way, about his path to swimming immortality. His development as a young swimmer, his incredible training regime, the terrible misfortune that prevented him from ever becoming an Olympian - the tough times that only made him more determined.

He tells us about the time in his life where, as the number one marathon swimmer on the planet, he dominated the world circuit.

You’ll hear the fascinating story of the mind games played by the former English Channel record holder – how his efforts to ‘get inside’ Trent’s head backfired spectacularly.

He explains why in 2012, at the age of 24, at the very peak of his powers, he chose to hang up his goggles and retire from the sport.

And how these days he’s using his experience to help people from all walks of life realise their dream of conquering the toughest swim on earth.

Steve Rodgers barely graduated from high school and didn’t go to college – but at the height of his corporate career he was the CEO of one of Warren Buffett’s most profitable real estate companies, turning over annual revenue of $25 billion. He then built his own billion-dollar real estate empire.

Then, he gave it all up to peruse what he describes as his higher calling.

Steve’s is a story of ambition, aggressive corporate ladder climbing, financial largesse, alcoholism and the search for personal clarity.

In this episode of the Team Guru Podcast he will tell you about it all – with incredible honesty, candour and wisdom.

Enjoy!