THE COURAGE TO LEAD INTERVIEW SERIES

In this episode of The Courage to Lead, Belinda Sinclair, National Sales Director at Domain Australia, shares her journey of values-based leadership in a high-performance, highly competitive industry. From being promoted two weeks before maternity leave to leading with gratefulness, Belinda explores the power of trust, feedback, and building diverse teams. She opens up about setbacks, strategic growth, and how accountability and care can—and must—coexist. A masterclass in modern leadership, this episode is for anyone striving to lead with integrity, courage, and humility.

🔊 Listen now to learn how leadership can be created through the concept of gratitude.  This is truly a different way of approaching leadership and creating a team of leaders around you.

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In this episode of The Courage to Lead, Deputy Commissioner Ben Millington shares his inspiring leadership journey from surf lifesaving as a teenager to leading operational coordination for NSW Rural Fire Service. Ben reflects on key lessons from policing in tough communities, coordinating crisis responses during the Black Summer fires and COVID, and driving reform in Queensland. With honesty and humility, he highlights the power of persistence, team trust, and listening deeply. A must-listen for leaders navigating high-stakes environments and complex change.

🔊 Listen now to learn how leadership in high stakes environments and more importantly how to prepare yourself to be the best leader you can be.

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🎙 Navigating Leadership in Crisis Situations: Jamie Caldwell’s Leadership Journey

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Jamie Caldwell, Director of Energy Operations in New South Wales, to explore what it means to lead through complexity, uncertainty, and crisis. Jamie shares his insights on why leadership is less about technical know-how and more about human connection, trust, and adaptability.

He reflects on the challenges of operating in a rapidly evolving energy sector, the impact of shifting political landscapes, and the importance of continuous learning. From working alongside local politicians to managing diverse energy sources and ensuring equitable access, Jamie highlights the critical role of collaboration and communication in effective leadership.

We dive into the importance of fostering strong team dynamics—through open dialogue, recognition, and one-on-one connection—and how these values shape a resilient and motivated workforce.

The episode culminates with Jamie’s account of the Broken Hill electricity outage, a real-world crisis response that put leadership principles to the test. He walks us through the challenges of coordinating a statewide response, the importance of community resilience, and the need for strategic, calm decision-making under pressure.

Whether you’re leading a team, navigating change, or preparing for the unexpected, this episode is packed with wisdom for leaders at every level.

🔊 Listen now to learn how leadership in crisis is built on connection, clarity, and courage.

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This interview by Allan Sicard on The Courage to Lead Interview Series with Professor Pauline Boss, author of Loving Someone with Dementia, looks at what our futures will be like.  1 in 2 women, and 1 in 3 men over 85, in the western world will experience dementia.  

The scary part is that the carers of dementia are currently dying quicker than the people with dementia.  

This interview and her book provides insights and valuable tips on how to navigate this challenging journey for both ourselves and our loved ones.

The interview should also act as a level of awareness for leaders in any workplace, as the role of caregiver, amongst our employees will become more and more prevalent, and how do workplaces deal with this new challenge.

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This interview by Allan Sicard on The Courage to Lead Interview Series explores what is really meant by Gender Equality with a true expert in the field Professor Cordelia Fine. 

This is the 2nd time Cordelia has been on our podcast(see Episode 36). She is described as a 'living legend' researcher in this field with her books on the subject having the following descriptions :

‘Ten books about women that will change your life’ (Sunday Times), '22 books women think men should read’ (Huffington Post), ‘Top 10 books on women in the past 30 years’ (The Australian) and the New York Public Library’s Essential Reads on Feminism, 100 Years After the 19th Amendment, among others. 

Her latest book titled "Patriarchy Inc" seeks to shift the dial from something we need to do in a business sense to the concept of well-being for everyone. 

As our responsibilities grow we have periods in our lives that we step in and out of paid work for care giving responsibilities as parent and as a carer, for partners, parents and relatives. 

It is unfathomable that women should be the only care givers.  As the baby boomers age, 1 in 2 women over 80 and 1 in 3 men over 80 will suffer from dementia.  A lot of people will be parents to their children and carers to their parents.  Care giving will potentially be a greater activity than paid work. 

Gender equality is getting lost in economic framing.  Equality and inclusion is about a fairer and more just society for everybody.  It really is that simple and something we should all embrace  and consider what our workplaces will need to be like to accomodate our care giving responsibilities.

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This interview by Allan Sicard on The Courage to Lead Interview Series delivers a story with a twist on leadership.  As we hit the golden age of 40 + we bring with us a level of wisdom and capabilities that we didn't possess when we were younger.  

This is the story of leadership from Aneace Haddad, A C-Suite Coach who unlocks the potential of C-suite teams.

Aneace introduces "joyful rejuvenation" as a proactive embrace of change and transformation. As individuals age, their resilience increases, allowing them to approach challenges with joy and curiosity rather than fear.

He observes that leaders often default to a directive style, akin to parenting, which can infantilise team members. He advocates for empowering others, where leaders act as supportive guides rather than authoritative figures.

The conversation concludes with the importance of joy in the workplace. Aneace highlights that when leaders embody fun and positivity, it sets the tone for the organisation, inspiring creativity and collaboration.

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This interview by Allan Sicard on The Courage to Lead Interview Series delivers a story that we do not see that often.  A CEO and a Company that genuinely puts their people first and from that building an amazing culture and a profitable business.

This is the story of leadership from Michelle O'Keeffe, CEO of Engaging.io a technology business in North Sydney that recently placed in the top 10 workplaces for the Great Place to Work Australia in small businesses for 2024-5 and ranked in the top 3 for Technology business.

Michelle O'Keeffe emphasised the importance of helping employees achieve their career goals, even if it means they move on to other opportunities. This open and supportive approach to employee development is a cornerstone of their culture. Imagine working for a company that supported you in this way. 

Another great focus that Michelle and her team have is if clients put pressure on staff to work 24/7, after hours and on weekends Michelle will push back on the client and advise them that's not they do business.  We will work hard for you Monday to Friday in business hours and provide you with an excellent outcome - that's why you chose us.  How many bosses will do that for their staff.

Is it any wonder their is a waiting list for Engaging.IO to work there.  There are always prospective staff knocking on the door wanting to work for Michelle and her team.  

This is truly a story about leaders putting people first and what comes from that.  We need more stories and more leaders like Michelle O'Keeffe and Engaging.IO.  A special thank you for Great Place to Work Australia for highlighting that these type of workplaces exist and are more than possible.

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This interview by Allan Sicard on The Courage to Lead Interview Series delves into the captivating journey of renowned Australian journalist Peter Overton, exploring his path from school leadership to pivotal career moments like the Thredbo disaster, while emphasising the values of authenticity, mentorship, and teamwork that have shaped his distinguished career.

By embracing early leadership opportunities, seeking mentorship, recognising and appreciating others, staying true to oneself, and building strong connections, aspiring leaders can navigate their own paths to success.

Peter's insights serve as a testament to the power of values, resilience, and the impact of supportive relationships in achieving personal and professional growth.

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Wayne Larden is the Event Director of TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS - The 7th Abbott World Marathon Major.  This interview by host Allan Sicard is the second interview with Wayne Larden on The Courage to Lead Interview Series, with the first interview over 3 years ago, before the Sydney Marathon entered the qualifying process for it to become an Abbott World Marathon Major, next to the cities of Tokoyo, London, New York, Chicago, Boston and Berlin.  This is the story of how Wayne Larden and his team at Pont 3 turned a passion for marathon running and major events into Sydney becoming a World Major Marathon, putting Sydney and Australia on the world stage.  

The link to the first interview with Wayne Larden is here.

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