In this episode of Influence In Action, host Anton Guinea and co-host Melissa Dunbar sit down with the legendary "Voice of Cycling," Phil Liggett.Before Phil became the defining voice of the Tour de France and international sports broadcasting, his journey started with a quiet, unglamourous moment.

Phil reflects on the moment David Saunders offered him a way into television coverage—not as a commentator, but simply as a driver.

Phil’s story is a masterclass in humility, passion, and recognizing opportunity when it knocks.

Real influence isn't about demanding the spotlight; it’s about having the courage to say "yes" to the humble beginnings that lead to extraordinary destinations.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

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#InfluenceInAction #PhilLiggett #TourDeFrance #Leadership #CareerGrowth #Broadcasting #SayYes #Opportunity #Cycling

CQ Capras CEO Peter White joins host Anton Guinea to share his journey from country rugby league to leading Central Queensland’s semi-professional club, balancing high-performance football with deep community impact. He explains how the Capras have grown into a six-team high-performance program with academies and regional development, supported by Capras Community Care, federal funding, and partnerships with groups like Queensland Police. Peter breaks down his influence and leadership philosophy, leading by example, not micromanaging, setting clear standards, and being willing to let even star players go when they don’t fit the culture. He also reflects on the role of family, his sister Tina, his wife Fiona, and grassroots volunteers in shaping his values, and why creating belonging, opportunity, and good humans in rugby league matters more than how far any individual player’s career goes.

Culture over talent: Even with limited resources, Peter and coach Lionel are willing to let high-profile, on-field assets go when their behavior “isn’t us,” proving that standards, integrity, and culture sit above short-term performance.

Community and belonging first: From Capras Community Care to regional academies and junior programs, Peter prioritizes giving every boy and girl in Central Queensland a chance to move, belong to a team, and grow as good humans, whether they stop at under 16s or go on to represent Australia.

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Anton Guinea sits down with Australian renewable energy entrepreneur Huon Hoogesteger to explore what real influence looks like in practice: from making podcasts and presentations more valuable and concise for time-poor listeners, to speaking in the “language” your audience actually hears (DISC, data vs emotion, alignment, detail), to building a values-driven, radically transparent business in what Huon calls a “grubby” solar industry. Along the way, they unpack integrity under pressure, long-game client relationships (“we don’t sell systems; we sell energy over time”), the impact of family and faith, and how the “soil” you grow in, the people and culture around you, shapes both your leadership and your legacy.

"There are competitors out there who sell systems, but we sell energy over time... No one actually wants to buy solar and a battery. What they want to do is buy protection from the grid, protection from high prices, a saving, a return on investment."

"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul? We got a lot of things to do in this life. Let's make sure that they matter, and let's help build other people up, and have a good time doing it."

What does it truly mean to lead with influence rather than authority?

In this episode of Leaders of Influence, Anton Guinea sits down with Jennifer (Jen) McGuire—Central Queensland Regional Manager for AusIndustry, director, author, and seasoned speaker with over 30 years of management and leadership experience.

Jen shares her fascinating journey starting out in the male-dominated shipping industry in her 20s, where she quickly realized that authority on paper doesn't equal influence on the ground. She breaks down why the most powerful leaders are often the "informal leaders" within a team, how Gen X leaders can adapt to and learn from Gen Z, and why putting people first must always take priority over technology.

📌 Key Timestamps & Topics Covered:

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📖 Grab Anton Guinea's best-selling book Leaders of Influence or enquire about bringing these principles into your business via the links in our channel bio!

#LeadersOfInfluence #JenniferMcGuire #AntonGuinea #PeopleFirstLeadership #IntegrityAndRespect #GenZInTheWorkplace #AusIndustry #CentralQueensland #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #Podcast

Mayor Matt Burnett of Gladstone, Queensland, shares how he went from teenage journalist and small business owner to long-serving mayor and national local government leader. Matt explains how he uses influence and advocacy to secure funding for community projects like pools, sports facilities, and research centers, while always putting Gladstone first. He breaks down his inclusive leadership style, making sure every voice is heard in the council chamber, then presenting a united front for the community. Matt also reflects on mentors, musical influences like Kurt Cobain, and why his core leadership rule is simple: treat people how you want to be treated. Listeners walk away with practical leadership and advocacy insights that apply whether you’re in local government, business, or community roles.

Influence as Advocacy: Matt sees influence and advocacy as inseparable your real power as a leader comes from how effectively you can advocate for your community with ministers, agencies, and partners.

“If you don’t have influence, your ability to advocate is not very good.” 

[00:00:00] – Introducing Mayor Matt Burnett and the Find Your Influence Podcast

Matt Burnett’s journey from teenage journalist and small business owner to long-serving mayor and national local government leader shows how influence is earned through years of consistent service, not quick wins. His story highlights how advocacy plus data-clear community needs, solid planning, and real numbers can unlock major investments in pools, sports facilities, and research centers for a regional city like Gladstone. Matt’s leadership standard of inclusion, where every voice is heard before decisions are made, offers a powerful model for any leader who wants a team that debates hard but stands united in public. Along the way, he proves that growing other leaders like deputies, councilors, and emerging community figures is a core part of leaving a real legacy. Above all, his simple rule, “always treat people how you want to be treated,” becomes the thread that ties together his approach to politics, advocacy, and everyday leadership.

Connect with Matt Burnett:

Drawing on decades in policing, road safety, and high‑performance motorcycling, Peter explains why driver behavior is the core problem and how simply slowing down by 5 km/h and giving yourself more time and distance can dramatically reduce crashes and road trauma. He shares human stories behind the statistics, the impact of trauma and split‑second decisions on police and first responders, and how his father’s example shaped his values. Peter also unpacks practical leadership mantras “Know the name of their dog,” “Value the meat and thank the cleaner,” “Supervision equals protection,” and “Not deciding is still a decision,” offering concrete guidance for anyone leading teams or families, on the road and at work.

Connect with Peter Flanders APM:

Sydney-based business finance specialist and finance consultancy founder Chris Slack unpacks what influence really means when your work ranges from sole traders to ASX-listed companies. He explains why influence is inseparable from impact, how getting out of the way can sometimes be the strongest move, and why listening deeply often beats talking in both sales and leadership. Chris shares stories from decades in business lending, banking, and broker support, including lessons on managing lenders, referrers, and clients while keeping ego out of the room. He and Anton explore how to build genuine influence through networking, “throwing out seeds” without entitlement, and connecting good people with good people so opportunity can compound over time. The conversation also dives into parenting teenagers, dealing with uncertainty in 2026, being proud of your own journey, and how consistently showing up for clients with cash flow, equipment, and growth finance support creates long-term relationships and business resilience.

Takeaways:

Quotes:

Timestamps:

0:00 – How much can you really learn from reading?

Conclusion:

Chris Slack’s conversation with Anton Guinea is a powerful reminder that real influence isn’t theory, it’s the lived ability to impact outcomes, decisions, and people over time. From banking and finance to founding his own consultancy, Chris shows how listening, presence, and getting your ego out of the way can create better lending decisions and deeper client relationships. His “throw out the seeds” approach to networking proves that generosity, consistency, and connecting good people with good people eventually compound into opportunities you could never script. Chris also models what it looks like to be genuinely proud of your own journey, drawing strength from the businesses he has helped through growth, cash flow crunches, and uncertainty. Ultimately, his story challenges listeners to practice influence daily by engaging diverse personalities, embracing discomfort, and focusing on meaningful impact rather than entitlement or quick wins.

Connect with Chris Slack

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-slack-77811a62/ 

Website: https://www.thefinanceconsultancy.com.au/ 

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thefinanceconsultancy9601?si=FlB5_OJe139yysQ6 

What does it really mean to be influential if you don’t have a title, a team, or decades of experience behind you? Adelia D’Andrea suggests that true influence comes from ideas, behavior, and example, whether you’re a corporate professional, a family member, or a friend, and she keeps returning to the theme of authenticity as the core requirement. How does Gen Z fit into this? Having grown up with YouTube, Facebook, and now a flood of social platforms, Adelia argues that her generation has become highly skilled at detecting what is fake versus what is real, no longer easily “buying” what influencers sell unless there is a genuine, aligned message behind it. She traces her own path from a creative, poetry-loving child who dreamed of human-rights journalism (deeply inspired by Anthony Bourdain’s ego-free storytelling) to a corporate communications role where she still treats everything as storytelling, just in a different arena. When she talks about corporate and crisis comms, she repeatedly comes back to being clear, concise, and human—stripping away jargon, honoring people’s emotions during change, and always explaining the “why” behind organizational decisions. And what about leadership? For Adelia, leadership is less about having a big team and more about character, integrity, and giving younger voices a platform, especially for Gen Z employees who may stay silent out of imposter syndrome even while holding powerful insights shaped by technology, social issues, and a strong sense of justice.

Takeaways:

Influence without authority is real and powerful

Gen Z demands authenticity

Good corporate storytelling is concise, human, and honest

Quotes: : 

"Everyone can be influential, right? You can be an influencer in so many different kinds of ways, and it doesn’t necessarily need to be a CEO or someone who’s been in the industry for a long time."

"The gig is up. We know now. There’s no fooling, because it’s so oversaturated. So how are you going to get your voice to cut through with authenticity in a sea full of people who just want to get their voices out there?"

"You’re allowed to have a job that doesn’t necessarily make all these changes all the time, but even just speaking about it and standing for something and having those morals and foundations that you practice every day—I think that means something."

Timestamp:

00:00 Gen Z, Social Media, and Early Influences

Conclusions:

Adelia D’Andrea leaves a clear, lasting message: real influence is rooted in authenticity, clarity, and human connection, not job titles or years on a résumé. Gen Z’s ability to spot inauthenticity forces brands and leaders to communicate with more honesty, empathy, and respect for their audience’s intelligence. Her journey from aspiring human-rights journalist to corporate communications professional shows that storytelling can still be a force for good inside organizations, especially in times of change or crisis. She challenges leaders to listen to and amplify young voices, recognizing that innovation and fresh perspective often come from those with “only” a few years in the workforce. Ultimately, her perspective on leadership—as a matter of character, integrity, and giving others space to be heard—offers a hopeful blueprint for workplaces that want to be both high-performing and deeply human.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adelia-d%E2%80%99andrea-84644319a/

https://www.omc.com/

Dr. Geoff Augutis shares how he built Queensland Computers from a scrappy regional startup at age 18 into a $50M managed services business, combining unapologetic capitalism with strong philanthropy and community impact. He emphasizes "Radical Candor," showing people you genuinely care before delivering tough, direct feedback, and frames true leadership as a selfless act where the leader takes blame and gives credit. Geoff highlights the importance of resilience earned through lived hardship, the power of mentors who tell you the uncomfortable truth, and the need to focus only on what you can control, especially when you lack formal authority. He describes running a high-accountability, high-performance culture where values alignment matters more than clock-watching, underperformance is not tolerated, and people feel safe enough to be honest, even about wanting to leave, sometimes returning later as “boomerang” staff. Interwoven through the conversation is Geoff’s experience living with low-grade brain cancer, which deepens his sense of urgency, gratitude, and legacy, and fuels his passion for better leadership education for young people.

Radical Candor: Care Fiercely, Speak Directly

"I'm a purebred capitalist. If you ask me what I'm about, we're not a not-for-profit. We're here to make money, and the more money I make, it is a scorecard when you're running a business."

"Once you start realizing that, you go, leadership should be a selfless task."

"The more you focus on factors that are outside your control, the less you're focusing on the factors that are inside your control."

00:00 – Radical candor, capitalism, and giving back

Dr. Geoff’s story is a powerful reminder that real leadership is about courage, candor, and caring enough to tell people the truth while still having their back. His journey from an 18‑year‑old regional startup founder to a $50M tech leader shows what’s possible when you pair relentless execution with deep values and community impact. The way he handles brain cancer with gratitude, perspective, and a focus on legacy raises the bar on what resilience and responsibility look like. His approach to culture, where high standards, psychological safety, and “boomerang” employees all coexist, offers a blueprint for any leader who wants both performance and humanity. Most of all, Geoff’s commitment to mentoring others and eventually redefining how young people learn leadership challenges each of us to use our own influence more intentionally.

What happens when you stop accepting other people’s limits and start writing your own story? In this episode, Paralympian, leadership coach, and organizational psychologist Kate Naess shares how she turned a childhood of “you won’t be able to…” into a life built on curiosity, courage, and high performance. Born with a hand difference and surrounded early on by doctors’ low expectations, Kate was raised by parents who chose a different narrative: “Kate will learn how Kate can.” From tying shoelaces and riding bikes to playing violin, horse riding, and eventually reaching the World Equestrian Games, everything became an experiment in finding another way. Along the way, a primary school teacher who believed she could do anything and an unforgettable moment with Keith Richards telling her not to stop doing what she was doing helped cement her sense of possibility. When her horse almost died after international travel and she later lost her mum to breast cancer, Kate didn’t step back she reinvented herself in a completely new sport, going from local tri club sessions to the Rio Paralympic Games in under two years. 

Takeaways: 

Influence starts with curiosity – Real influence isn’t about force or “because I said so”; it’s about asking better questions so people can see new possibilities and their own potential. 

Your story isn’t fixed – Being born with a hand difference and given limiting predictions didn’t stop Kate. With support and experimentation (“Kate will learn how Kate can”), she found her own ways to do almost everything. 

Community and coaching are performance multipliers – Local tri clubs, supportive teammates, and coaches like Corey Bacon and Danielle Stefano helped Kate see what she was capable of long before she saw it herself.

Quotes: 

“Kate will learn how Kate can. If she can’t do it the ‘normal’ way, she’ll find another way of doing it.” 

“It’s not about forcing someone to change; it’s about bringing enough curiosity to the conversation that they start to see their own potential.” 

“You don’t get to the Paralympic starting line by accident. You’re not a fluke – you’re there for a reason, even if your mind is trying to convince you otherwise.” 

Timestamps: 

00:00:01 – Meet Kate Ness: Family, Dogs, and Life Outside Sport

00:02:21 – Born Different, Raised Without Limits

00:04:52 – Teachers, Awards, and Keith Richards’ Unforgettable Encouragement

00:07:43 – From Local Tri Club to Racing with Heroes 

00:10:03 – Coaches Who See What You Can’t See Yet

00:12:06 – The Emotional Weight of the Rio Paralympics Start Line

00:16:14 – High Performance, High Pressure: Sport and Corporate Parallels

00:18:36 – Why She Chose Organizational Psychology

00:22:04 – Human-First Leadership and the Power of Curiosity

Conclusion: 

Paralympian, leadership coach, and organizational psychologist Kate Naess shares how a life that began with a hand difference and low external expectations became a powerful example of curiosity, courage, and high performance. She credits her parents for refusing limiting narratives, early mentors and even Keith Richards for reinforcing her potential, and coaches like Corey Bacon and Danielle Stefano for pushing her beyond what she thought she could do. From the local tri club to the Rio Paralympic Games, Kate’s story highlights the role of community, environment, and self-awareness in navigating pressure and change. Drawing on her transition into organizational psychology, she underscores the need for human-first leadership, genuine connection, and curiosity-driven conversations in modern workplaces. She closes with a message that real influence isn’t about force or titles, but about helping people reinterpret their own stories, see their potential more clearly, and show up fully on the start line, in the boardroom, and in everyday life.