I’ve known my guest, Bernard Desmidt, for several years and it has been wonderful to see his success and impact in the world of work. A corporate coach, facilitator and author obsessed with the importance of team dynamics and the factors that contribute to high-performing teams, Bernard emphasises the significance of moods, language, and the body in team dynamics and introduces the concept of the five disciplines of flourishing teams. He is fascinated by the paradox of teams - where great things can be achieved but where we’re also stuck in the day-to-day tactical work. Many teams are just ‘fine’, but Bernard wants to make them flourish and that means less leadership focus on results and more on relationships.

Shownotes

See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/flourishing-teams-bernard-desmidt

Key Moments 

Planet human - Co-working spaces are struggling as the future of work is still unclear. Creative ideas are needed for the real estate left empty.

Planet Zoë - I’m off to Canada for a big family celebration as my dad turns 80 and my brother marks his half-century.

The importance of moods in team dynamics (00:11:57) Explains how moods influence our actions and behaviors, and how different moods affect our space of possibilities.

The role of moods in securing cooperation and commitment (00:13:17) Discusses how moods act as signposts, indicating the need for cooperation and commitment, and how frustration and anger are related to feeling unheard or taken advantage of.

The significance of collaboration in teams (00:20:50) Differentiates between cooperation and collaboration, highlighting that collaboration, which involves aligning on goals and problem-solving together, is necessary before cooperation can occur. Also discusses the distinction between cohesive teams and collaborative teams.

The discipline of discovery (00:27:42) Teams discuss the mandate they have been commissioned with by stakeholders and what stakeholders value and find difficult about them.

The discipline to declare (00:29:01) Teams declare their purpose and the cause they serve that is greater than themselves.

The discipline of design (00:30:22) Teams design their culture and ways of working, focusing on effective working relationships, trust, and respect.

Teams rise and fall on the quality of their working relationships (00:38:09) Bernard Desmet discusses the importance of team dynamics and how relationships impact team performance.

I’m searching for better ways forward in this solosode. In the current context it’s easy to feel hopeless but that won’t help us to progress and change so I’m asking the big leadership question of: What human systems can we design that allow for all human flourishing? There’s a nuanced difference to this question rather than simply, ‘what problems can we solve’? 

I also talk about the deep roots needed for leadership and how we can grow them plus the three things that I believe are essential for the future of leadership. I also explore the Spiral Dynamics model of leadership development and the role of emotional intelligence in leadership. So let’s explore common ground together because we really do have more uniting us than separating us. 

Shownotes

See more at: http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-systems-zoe-routh

Key Moments 

Planet Human [00:01:16] : The need for human systems that allow for all human flourishing, in light of the referendum and the Israel-Gaza war.

Planet Zoë [00:02:31] : Travelling, conducting strategy work, leadership development programs, and workshops. It's been a joy to serve leaders and help them navigate their challenges.

Essential Skills for Future Leadership [00:04:48] Exploration of the three essential skills for future leadership: creativity, collaboration, and compassion.

The Roots and Branches of Leadership [00:07:00] Explanation of the deep roots (purpose, values, character, virtues) and visible branches (behaviours, skills, patterns) of leadership, and the importance of growing the roots.

The developmental stages of leadership [00:11:48] Explanation of the different stages of leadership development, from tribal conflicts to power struggles and the need for checks and balances.

The need to update rules and regulations [00:13:06] Discussion on the importance of adapting rules and regulations to current circumstances, using the example of the difficulty in changing the constitution in Australia.

The dangers of polarised perspectives [00:15:35] Exploration of the dangers of polarized viewpoints and the lack of deep listening and understanding, with a focus on the Australian referendum and the need for reconciliation.

Far from her childhood on a farm in Bavaria, Regina Huber has lived and worked in Argentina, Brazil, US and Africa. She brings this richness of understanding of the human experience to her work of helping people connect more deeply with one another. Regina is the author of Speak up, Stand out and Shine and is CEO of Transform Your Performance and her journey to where she is now is a fascinating one, full of life lessons, incredible leadership experiences and tenacity. 

Regina introduces us to the four components of the new paradigm leadership framework: mind, message, trust, and heart. We delve into the importance of trust in teams, the role of conversational intelligence in building said trust, and the concept of "heart" in leadership. We even take a precious minute to work on our ‘inner power energy bubble’ for that leadership confidence and presence when under pressure! 

Shownotes

See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-paradigm-regina-huber

Key Moments 

Planet Human: Could you be the next Chief Heat Officer? Plus self-cooling concrete walls for the win

Planet Zoë: Back in WA with my mates at Outback Initiatives to deliver a leadership experience in the wild. 

Introducing Regina Huber and New Paradigm Leadership [00:03:58] 

Zoë introduces guest Regina Huber and discusses her background living and working in different countries, leading to the development of the concept of new paradigm leadership.

Transforming Performance [00:12:48] How sharing experiences and expertise can help others.

Interest in African Culture [00:14:03] Regina’s love for dancing and how it led to an interest in African culture, particularly in New York City.

The importance of posture [00:24:33] Posture affects confidence and presence in meetings and presentations.

Building trust in teams [00:25:17] Trust as the glue that holds teams together, and how it can be built through communication and creating a safe environment.

Heart as the core of connection [00:30:23] The heart's electromagnetic field and its role in connecting with others.

Trusting the Heart [00:37:47] The importance of cultivating a connection with the heart and trusting it in decision-making and intuition.

Collaboration of Facts and Intuition [00:38:52] The need to balance facts and intuition in decision-making.

Eliminating Political Indoctrination Narratives [00:40:25] The desire to eliminate political indoctrination narratives in the workplace to promote treating each other as human beings.

My guest Doug Thorpe is a leadership consultant, prolific writer, and fellow podcaster. Doug describes leadership as a lifelong passion, from his studies at college, to his military commission and career in banking, and now coaching and supporting others in their leadership journeys.

Together we delve into the topic of trust at work and how to build it within a team. We also touch on imposter syndrome, a common concern among leaders. Doug offers insightful advice on how to use it as a checkpoint for self-reflection and personal growth. We also explore Doug’s book, Trust at Work, which offers a model for building trust in teams. Doug highlights six fundamental areas that leaders can focus on to build trust: the people, purpose, plan, performance, progress, and process. So, keeping with the P theme, simply press play and get all of Doug’s fascinating insights into leadership, teams and trust. 

Shownotes

See more at: http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-trust-doug-thorpe

Key Moments 

Planet Human [00:00:29]: Universal Translators and the Importance of Language Learning - find out more

Planet Zoe [00:01:15]: Leadership in the Great Outdoors

Trust at work and the imposter syndrome [00:04:19]

Guest Doug Thorpe is an expert on trust in the workplace

Imposter syndrome as a checkpoint [00:11:42]

Discussion on how imposter syndrome can be used as a checkpoint for self-doubt and the importance of humility and curiosity in leadership.

Building trust in the workplace [00:12:42]

Exploration of the topic of trust at work, including the challenges leaders face in building trust and the impact of trust on team performance.

The six factors of leadership trust [00:17:36]

Introduction to the six fundamental Ps that leaders can focus on to build trust

Purpose, Plan, and Execution [00:21:56]

The importance of understanding the purpose, planning the execution, and overcoming roadblocks in achieving goals.

Practice and Resources [00:23:09]

The significance of having the right tools, resources, and processes in place to effectively carry out work tasks.

Payoff and Success [00:25:27]

The satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that comes from contributing to the greater good and achieving success in work endeavours.

The advent of AI and its impact on leadership [00:33:25]

Discussion on the potential revolutionary impact of AI on the business world and the challenges leaders will face in leveraging it effectively.

The importance of not sweating the small stuff in leadership [00:34:16]

Advice on not getting bogged down in noise and details, and focusing on the critical path and big goals.

The generational difference in the workplace and the need for leaders to adapt [00:35:14]

Challenging the idea that older leaders can't deal with younger generations and emphasising the need for collaboration and understanding between generations.

Oksana Kukurudza is a Ukrainian American author, speaker and management consultant who joins me from upstate New York to share her remarkable family history and her perspective on what’s happening today in Ukraine. We time-jump almost 100 years and yet many things remain or resonate for people who have already lived through unimaginable conflict, displacement and hardship. 

We navigate through Oksana’s parents' journey from being slaves in Nazi Germany to finding a home in the USA. It's remarkable how their enduring spirit enabled them to overcome the challenges of poverty and insecurity. It serves as a reminder of the power of resilience and determination.This is a powerful interview, very deeply emotional, and it's one that we all need to be aware of. What happens in Ukraine affects all of us, our humanity, identity and autonomy. 

Shownotes

See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-resilience-oksana-kukurudza 

Key Moments 

Planet human: [00:00:29] A very cool innovation in the Middle East where it is very hot are urban forests designed to grow rapidly and increase shade. Read about it here.

Planet Zoe: [00:01:23] Travel, team engagements and outdoorsy, fun stuff! 

The Immigrant Experience and the Russo-Ukrainian War [00:02:46] Guest Oksana Kukurudza discusses her parents' immigrant experience from Ukraine to the US and the current Russo-Ukrainian war.

The forced labour camps and liberation [00:11:29] Discussion of the experiences of people who were forced to work in slave camps during World War II and their liberation by the Soviet and Western Allies.

The fear of Soviet occupation [00:15:23] Explanation of the fear and apprehension towards Soviet occupation in Ukraine due to past experiences.

The Refugee Crisis in Ukraine [00:25:55] Oksana's personal reaction to the Russo-Ukrainian war and the refugee crisis happening in Ukraine.

Putin's Objectives [00:29:50] Exploration of Putin's objectives in the conflict, including the desire to reconstitute the Russian empire and maintain a buffer nation between Russia and NATO.

The history and resilience of Ukraine [00:35:12] Discussion about Ukraine's history of being occupied by foreign powers and its fight for self-determination and independence.

The importance of telling Ukraine's story [00:37:11] Why Oksana feels compelled to write a book about Ukraine's current war and its historical significance, hoping to educate and raise awareness among global citizens.

The need for global support and action [00:38:12] The importance of global society's response to the war in Ukraine, the parallelism with past conflicts, and the need to push back against territorial imperialism and support Ukraine's path to self-determination.

The importance of care, curiosity, and commitment [00:48:30] Zoe reflects on her conversation with Oksana Kukaracha and emphasises the importance of caring, being curious, and showing commitment in understanding and supporting global issues.

This is a really special solosode, so thank you for being here - thank you for connecting with me. That’s one of the big themes of this episode - how are we intentionally creating and sustaining connections, especially in our fragmented working lives? So I’m sharing some key reflections on that in a leadership context. I also talk about how important goodwill is in creating solid cultures. Goodwill is all about your relationship currency and as leaders and as employees, we need to constantly deposit into that goodwill bank. 

I also reflect on my business evolution and my writing and, as a special treat, included in this episode is the audio narration for Chapter one of Terra Blanca: Insurrection - my novella prequel to The Olympus Project. I hope you enjoy it and are excited to explore this expanding universe with me! 

If you’d like to be in the loop for all things books, consider subscribing to my eJournal for avid readers, Bookish. 

Shownotes

See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-connection-zoe-routh

Key Moments 

Planet Human: Bio Solar Roofs [00:00:29]

Discussion about the combination of solar panels on roofs with green plants for cooling effect and insulation, and other climate cooling initiatives

Planet Zoë: Travel, work, writing and inspiration  [00:02:43]

Terra Blanca: Insurrection is out now! [00:03:55]

It’s available as an e-book and audiobook, with the first chapter included in this episode.

Habits that don't serve you [00:11:53]

Discussion on identifying and eliminating habits that are draining energy and not beneficial.

Connection and service in leadership [00:13:01]

Importance of building strong relationships, reaching out to others, and creating shared experiences in leadership.

Reflection on the passage of time [00:14:06]

Contemplation on the fleeting nature of life and the concept of time within the vastness of the universe.

My guest this week is team performance expert and author Adrian Baillargeon who shares his fascinating journey from corporate work in Saskatoon, Canada, to becoming an independent consultant in Australia via Major League Baseball in Africa! 

We delve into the importance of creating a sense of belonging within a team, the impact of poor leadership decisions, and how to turn around a sinking team.  Exploring the concept of teams that ‘swear by each other, not about each other’, and Adrian's book of the same name, we discuss how teams can create a sense of trust and authenticity, allowing for honest conversations. Despite his competitive sports background, Adrian’s not just about the homeruns, he believes in the power of collective achievement: we can get more runs on the board together than we can alone. 

Shownotes

See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/team-development-adrian-baillargeon 

Key Moments 

Planet Human: The defunding of the national space mission [00:00:04] 

Planet Zoë:  Working with the New South Wales DPI and young farmers on the topic of risk and resilience. [00:02:31] 

Adrian's background and journey from Saskatoon to Melbourne [00:04:41]

Leadership and creating a sense of belonging [00:11:04]

Discussion on the role of leaders in creating a sense of belonging and the impact it has on individuals.

The impact of poor relationships on sinking teams [00:13:59]

Exploration of the indicators and consequences of being in a sinking team, including mental health issues and lack of progress.

The groundwork for effective teamwork [00:20:07]

Creating agreed behaviours, promises, and psychological safety in teams.

Teams that swear [00:22:38]

Exploring the positive and negative aspects of swearing in teams and its impact on trust and team performance.

The power of feedback [00:29:51]

The importance of receiving feedback in a safe environment and how it can be used for personal growth and development.

Creating a sense of belonging [00:31:24]

The value of feedback that may initially be painful to receive and how it can lead to personal improvement and skill development.

The concept of the infinite game [00:37:12]

Exploring the difference between finite games and infinite games in business and leadership, and the importance of thinking about the bigger picture and long-term goals.

Recognising and understanding team roles [00:42:24]

The conversation focuses on the importance of recognising and understanding the roles of different teams within an organisation, specifically the leadership team and the team being led.

The regular cadence of engagement [00:48:39]

Discussion on the importance of regular engagement and a sample agenda for daily or weekly stand-up meetings.

From joining the Navy at just 17 and now reflecting on a 30-plus year military career,  retired Commodore Peter Scott returns to the podcast to talk about his memoir Running Deep which offers insights into the life of a submariner. 

Peter has written an open hearted, courageous, honest and compelling account of his naval life and the many personal and leadership challenges he has faced and overcome. We navigate the sometimes choppy waters of being in service to your country, facing down personal demons, digging deep to get results and ultimately, finding balance and self-acceptance in a life - and beautiful world - that’s worth defending. 

Shownotes

See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-perspective-peter-scott

Key Moments 

Planet Human: Nano Cellulose Technology [00:00:04]

Planet Zoë: Working with Kimberley Health Unit [00:01:22]

Guest Peter Scott's Memoir [00:02:29]

Discussion about Peter’s memoir, "Running Deep," and the reasons behind writing it, including showcasing the submarine life and the value of submarines as a deterrent.

The challenges of writing an honest memoir [00:11:21]

Peter discusses the process of selecting meaningful stories for the reader and the importance of accepting one's past.

The difference in style of military memoirs [00:13:06]

How this memoir stands out from traditional military memoirs by offering a more open-hearted and balanced perspective on leadership.

The author's relationship with alcohol [00:15:16]

Peter reflects on their reliance on alcohol and the difficulties of writing about the negative consequences it had on their life.

Dealing with isolation at sea [00:22:43]

The challenges of being isolated at sea and maintaining relationships without direct connection.

A turning point moment [00:24:00]

A moment of immense grief and frustration, leading to a turning point.

Dealing with trauma and seeking help [00:42:50]

Peter Scott's personal journey of seeking help for anxiety, depression, and trauma after leaving the military.

The Crucible of Leadership [00:47:01]

Discussion on the concept of crucibles and how they can transform individuals and leaders.

The entirely frank and fearless Retired Lieutenant Colonel Oakland McCulloch shares his decades of leadership wisdom in this episode as we grapple with the big question: What makes a good leader? 

Oakland shares his experience as a combat arms officer in the US Army and his views on leadership, emphasising the need for accountability and servant leadership. We discuss decision-making, micromanagement, and the importance of honesty and realistic expectations, as well as the limitations of the education system and the need for more leadership role models. 

Oakland recalls a dramatic change in leadership style from micromanagement to servant leadership that proved to be a lightbulb moment that was to shape his own leadership journey. This conversation, much like Oakland’s new book, Your Leadership Legacy: Becoming the Leader You Were Meant to Be, is really practical, insightful and useful. 

Shownotes

See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-legacy-oakland-mcculloch

Key Moments 

Planet Human: The importance of access to information [00:00:04]

Planet Zoë:  A new program around Wisdom and Power is emerging into the light [00:01:00]

Introduction to Retired Lieutenant Colonel Oakland McCulloch [00:03:51]

Zoë introduces her guest, Retired Lieutenant Colonel Oakland McCulloch, and discusses his background and experience in leadership.

The first time realising leadership was about service [00:11:09]

Zoë asks about the first time Oakland realised leadership was about serving others.

The impact of a new major on leadership perspective [00:12:45]

Oakland shares a story about a new major in the army who had a different leadership style and emphasised the importance of people.

Fear of Consequences and Big Picture Thinking [00:21:34]

The conversation explores the fear of consequences that holds leaders back from making decisions and the reluctance to engage in big picture thinking due to a heavy workload.

Micromanagement and Brutal Honesty [00:23:27]

Oakland talks about the negative effects of micromanagement and the importance of delegating responsibilities. 

The importance of ACT scores [00:29:26]

Discussion on the significance of ACT scores for aspiring doctors and the impact of a significant point difference.

Leadership potential and development [00:31:09]

Is leadership innate or learned? With examples of natural leaders and individuals who developed their leadership skills.

Taking responsibility as a leader [00:37:36]

And the importance of not delegating responsibility.

Poor Decision-Making by Senior Leaders [00:39:16]

Exploration of senior leaders in government, military, and corporations making poor decisions and the negative impact on organisations.

Creating the Next Generation of Leaders [00:44:45]

Explanation of the concept of legacy in leadership, focusing on accomplishments and leaving behind a new generation of leaders.

Join me for this solosode where I reflect on conversations with recent podcast guests, plus what has been inspiring me - from books to amazing developments in technology. Then I respond to a question about executive presence and its role in effective, influential leadership. Strength of character really comes to mind here - and that includes knowing your values, recognising your biases and challenging the systems you are a part of. The theme through all of this is: Be a good human. Show up, stand for something and share it with the world! 

Shownotes

See more at: http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-presence-zoe-routh

Key Moments 

Planet human [00:01:50]

Experiments in EEG - mind reading, dream recording and other amazing potential applications of this new technology!

Planet Zoë [00:04:54]

Updates on the progress of Zoë's books, including Terra Blanca and Olympus Bound.

Abuse of Power [00:09:33]

Exploration of the abuse of power in various contexts, including politics and war, and the need for leaders to have a healthy relationship with power.

The importance of cultural norms in executive presence [00:12:06]

Playing to existing cultural norms can enhance influence, such as standing up straight, dressing professionally, and using a lower voice.

Challenging biases in executive presence [00:13:23]

Authenticity and quiet power can be just as influential as conforming to conventional norms, and leaders should make room for those who don't fit the traditional image.

Being mindful of biases and challenging our thinking [00:14:25]

We need to be aware of our subconscious biases and challenge them to think more deeply, as quick assessments can lead to incorrect judgments.