In this episode Shelley and Patti speak rather casually about the serious topic of improvisation - a skill that every leader would benefit from learning.

When Patti first entered the improvisation scene back in the 80’s at the world renowned Loose Moose Theatre she experienced an environment where “all ideas were valued, there was authentic conversation, integrity in the work, and a clear focus. It was also relaxed and fun and enjoyable and human.”

Improvisation is all about being effective despite the reactivity and chaos by appreciating the limitless amount of ways we respond to information presented to us.

This is a fabulously thought-provoking conversation that will get you considering how to adjust your approach to shift the outcome.

Learn more about Patti: https://www.pattistiles.com

Connect with Shelley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/

Work with Shelley: https://shelleyflett.com

In this episode Shelley and Amalia talk about low global unemployment rates, the big resignation, dealing with employee burnout and supporting staff to transition throughout their career. She shares the importance of continuing to build capability and equip staff with the resources they need to continue to thrive in their roles.

Amalia shares how she was part of an impressive team that saw almost 90% of 3000 GM Holden workers in gainful employment after their closing and what was needed to get employees into the right head space to make a successful transition.

Working holistically involves using your strengths and capabilities to do more of the things you enjoy so the things that drain your energy don’t become all consuming. It’s a really practical conversation that gets you thinking about how you approach your role and life in general.

Buy a copy of Work-a-holistic: https://amaliachilianis.com/books

Connect with Amalia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amalia-chilianis/

Connect with Shelley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/

Work with Shelley: https://shelleyflett.com

In this episode Shelley speaks with Bold HR’s talent and leadership coach and facilitator, Rebecca Houghton, on the value of middle level leaders in an organisation.

She shares that a middle levels success depends on “their ability to transform strategy into performance”. These leaders are critical for engaging staff and driving transformation but are often neglected which leads to them becoming invisible and therefore dispensable.

For any mid-level leader your focus should always be on remaining visible and demonstrating that you’re continually adding value.

Buy a copy of IMPACT: https://boldhr.com.au/impact/

Connect with Rebecca: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-houghton/

Connect with Shelley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/

Work with Shelley: https://shelleyflett.com

In this episode Shelley speaks with banking professional, Mali Amarasekera, who has been in both leadership roles as well as individual contributor roles through his career. He is this super optimistic, always open to trying new things and doesn’t appear to take things too seriously.

This conversation is about how perceptions of such individuals can lead to outcomes that are sub-optimal to their growth and success in their career. Mali shares his own story and how he was able to work through his developmental challenges with and around his leaders.

Connect with Mali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malithamarasekera/

Connect with Shelley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/

Work with Shelley: https://shelleyflett.com

In this conversation Shelley speaks with the Director of Cut Through Coaching & Consulting, Dan Haesler, about the leadership synergies that exist across industries.

He talks about broadening perspectives, outside of the environment we’ve been conditioned to work in, for the purpose of challenging biases and learning to do things differently.

They talk about the transition to leadership and the skills that need to be developed to effectively shift how they approach their role.

Buy a copy of The Act of Leadership: https://www.actofleadership.com/buy/

Connect with Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danhaesler/

Connect with Shelley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/

Work with Shelley: https://shelleyflett.com

In this episode Shelley speaks with Alistair Gordon, CEO at Expertunity and HFL Leadership, about leading and developing technical specialists. It is through building enterprise skills (which includes interpersonal and business related knowledge and skills) that experts can increase their ability to influence outcomes across different contexts.

He talks about emotional intelligence and shares that partnership and relationships are a critical piece of being a master expert. Helping them to understand the ‘why’ behind developing these skills is critical for their development and for the overall success of a team.

For any leaders who are stuck with how to develop their specialists, this podcast gives some great insights.

Buy a copy of Master Expert: https://www.amazon.com.au/Master-Expert-Expertship-performance-seniority/dp/0645046639

Connect with Alistair: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alistair-gordon-5a69349/

Connect with Shelley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/

Work with Shelley: https://shelleyflett.com

In this episode Shelley speaks with organisational psychologist and founder of Inventium, Amantha Imber. For over three years, she successfully empowered employees to take unlimited annual leave. She believes that “given we spend around 30% of our time at work, leaders have a responsibility to help to make the environment enjoyable”.

She is an open, collaborative leader who is open to exploring new ways of working. Inventium is now part of the four-day work week movement where staff are paid 100% of their full time wage for 80% of their time if they meet 100% of their productivity targets. And the results are impressive!

If you’re considering the four-day work week, this conversation offers some fabulous insights.

Connect with Amantha: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber/

Connect with Shelley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/

Work with Shelley: https://shelleyflett.com

In this episode Shelley speaks with Lynne Cazaly about her recently published book, Argh, and discovers some practical tips for getting out of overwhelm. It includes simple and effective strategies like pausing for 60-90 seconds between tasks or meetings to give yourself a little time to breathe and space to empty your cognitive load and prepare for the next thing.

She says “overwhelm isn’t just one thing, once. It’s a complex mix of loads and emotions that while vital for human functioning, can get out of control or start running our life. Understanding what overwhelm is and what it’s made of will give us the power to redefine it, to not fall victim to its powerful vortex, and to instead be the master of our work thoughts and emotions”

To transition out of overwhelm we must pause to consider what is the main things that are contributing to it, and then, what are some alternative ways to respond and work through it so we can continue to make ‘free progress’.

Grab your copy of Argh: www.lynnecazaly.com

Connect with Lynne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnecazaly/

Connect with Shelley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/

Work with Shelley: https://shelleyflett.com

In this episode Shelley shares some of the many benefits of adopting a curious mindset. Her top five include:

For leaders, curiosity must come from a genuine place of interest. If you want your people to feel like you care, then actually care.

Grab a copy of The Dynamic Leader: https://shelleyflett.com/product/the-dynamic-leader/ 

Connect with Shelley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/

Work with Shelley: https://shelleyflett.com

In this conversation Shelley speaks with New Zealand’s straight-talking strategist, Alicia Mckay, about being strategic and about the power of asking questions.

Today, more than ever, it is harder and more important to create the space to be more strategic as a leader. She says “finding time to do this doesn’t happen by accident”, we must schedule, prioritise and be intentional about how we use our time and find the right space to enable ourselves to get a different perspective.

Alicia shares her views on the power of questions saying “asking questions is the single most useful leadership behaviour”. If you only decided to work on one thing as a leader it would be to create a default to questions…“just ask another question…” It is through questions that we are better able to maintain perspective, seek to understand and teach people to solve their own problems. It is through questions that we can teach the rule rather than solve the problem and truly build capability within our team.

Grab a copy of You Don’t Need and MBA: https://www.booktopia.com.au/you-don-t-need-an-mba-alicia-mckay/book/9780648980346.html?source=pla&gclid=CjwKCAjwmeiIBhA6EiwA-uaeFbce7o6JgP3hbM0sz798jKIy4QoU__-W2j0A5kro81Zo1V4rGyNfYBoC-koQAvD_BwE

Connect with Alicia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciamckaynz/

Connect with Shelley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyflett/

Work with Shelley: https://shelleyflett.com