Thriving in Complexity Podcast

In today's world, it's more important than ever to be able to deal with uncertainty and ambiguity. With the pace of change accelerating, and the amount of information we're bombarded with increasing exponentially, it's becoming increasingly difficult to know what's true and what's not.

The ability to deal with uncertainty and ambiguity is therefore a critical skill for anyone who wants to stay ahead of the curve.

In this episode of the Thriving in Complexity podcast, Susanne talks with Kerryn Fewster, the founder and director of consultancy Change2020. In the past 25 years, Kerryn has dedicated her time  working with Australian business leaders to help them manage workplace disruption.

Kerryn shares her insights on the importance of embracing uncertainty and ambiguity, and how to develop the skill set to thrive in a complex world. According to her,  the key is to have a "growth mindset" and to be comfortable with not knowing the answer.

Uncertainty and ambiguity can be difficult to deal with, but remember that they're also a part of life. By staying flexible, present-focused, and accepting of the situation, you can make it through anything that comes your way.

So if you're looking for ways to deal with uncertainty and ambiguity in your own life, or want to learn more about how to thrive in a complex world, this episode is for you!


WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• Leadership blind spots that damage organisations (04:00)
• Psychological safety in the workplace (05:36)
• Using the IRM tool to understand a workplace situation (09:36)
• How to bounce forward (17:10)
• Leadership approaches for complex situations (21:39)
• Things a leader should avoid at all costs (26:56)
• Thriving in complexity, according to Kerryn (29:04)
• Complex situation Kerryn wished she handled differently (34:56)
• Why is adaptability an evergreen leadership skill? (38:29)
• Kerryn’s advice to her 25-year-old self (43:49)

WHERE TO FIND KERRYN FEWSTER

• Website: www.change2020.com and www.adaptiqminds.com 
• Email: [email protected] and [email protected]
• LinkedIn: Kerryn Fewster

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I'm sure we've all heard the saying, "You have to risk it to get the biscuit." It's a popular quote for a reason—it rings true. To be successful in life, you can't be afraid to take risks. You have to be willing to put yourself out there and aspire to fail. 

Sounds counterintuitive, right? But it's not. When you're constantly pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone, you're opening yourself up to new opportunities and learning experiences. And that's what leads to success.

In this episode of the Thriving in Complexity podcast, Susanne talks with Stan Gallo, who is a partner with the Forensic Services team at BDO in Brisbane and has over 30 years of experience in law enforcement and professional services.

Stan shares his insights on how to create an environment that supports taking risks, and how this can lead to individual and organisational success. He also discusses the importance of being open-minded and curious, and how these qualities have helped him in his career.

So if you're looking for some inspiration to take more risks in your life, or you're simply curious about how to create a culture of risk-taking in your organisation, this episode is for you!


WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• All about forensic investigations (02:53)
• Stan’s time management technique (05:40)
• Engaging with organized crimes vs engaging with paying clients (12:50)
• Cybersecurity basics everyone should be aware of (17:28)
• How to deal with unexpected situations (21:20)
• Thriving in complexity, according to Stan (25:52)
• Preparing an environment ready for failure (27:02)
• Keeping up with the changes (29:44)
• One situation Stan wished he managed differently (33:35)
• Stan’s advice to his 25-year-old self (40:50)

CONNECT WITH SUSANNE
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WHERE TO FIND STAN GALLO

• Email: [email protected] 
• LinkedIn: Stan Gallo

No one said life would be easy, but sometimes it feels like we are faced with insurmountable challenges. How do we deal with complex situations that seem to have no clear solution?  
Whether it's a tricky work situation, a confusing relationship, or just a tough decision to make, complex scenarios can be overwhelming and frustrating. Besides, when we're feeling stuck, it's hard to see the wood for the trees. 
In this episode of the Thriving in Complexity podcast, Susanne talks with Graeme Thom, who has served as a fire officer for more than 40 years and has been awarded the highest level of recognition granted to a fire officer and received the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM). He is currently the founder and Executive Director of the International Emergency Services Speakers Agency (IESSA). 
Graeme shares his insights on how to deal with complex challenges, both professionally and personally. According to him, dealing with complex situations starts with understanding that there is no single right or wrong answer, but multiple possible solutions. What's more, it's important to be aware of our own biases and assumptions, as well as the impact of our words and actions on others. So if you're feeling stuck in a challenging situation, this episode is for you.  WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:  

• Why did Graeme decide to become a firefighter? (04:20) 
• One thing about firefighting everyone should know (06:22) 
• The foundations of wisdom (09:44) 
• One thing Graeme could have done differently (12:19) 
• How to be successful in every role you have (19:18) 
• Graeme’s greatest learning as a firefighter and leader (24:24) 
• Choosing what to prioritize during unexpected situations (28:14) 
• Why is Graeme sharing his experiences with many people? (34:19) 
• Common myths about being a firefighter (41:46) 
• What would Graeme tell his 25-year-old self? (47:34) 

 RESOURCES MENTIONED 

• The Covey Time Management Matrix 
• The Peter Principle 
• If by Rudyard Kipling 

 WHERE TO FIND GRAEME THOM 

• Bureau: International Emergency Services Speakers Bureau 
• Email: [email protected] 
• LinkedIn: Graeme Thom 

 
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We hope that life will take a certain pathway because we assume that is where we’re meant to be. But life gives us unexpected twists and turns that we end up in an unfamiliar journey.
But as we go along with the uncertainty, we discover more about ourselves. We unravel our skills and potentials and this helps us decide whether we want to pursue a specific path or not.
On the first episode of the Thriving in Complexity podcast, I would like to share a glimpse of who I am and the reason why I started this podcast. I’ve learned early on that life doesn’t always work out according to our expectations; however, there’s still beauty when things don’t go in our favour.
I’ll share some of the complexities I’ve experienced in the workplace and how these made me realise what I want and don’t want to do in regard to my career path, so let’s dive in.