Work in Progress

When people talk about accountability at work, it usually gets lumped into performance reviews, awkward conversations, or chasing people for deadlines. But the truth is, real accountability isn’t about chasing — it’s about building a culture where people own their work, even when no one’s watching.

A lot of leaders are walking a tightrope right now: trying to set expectations and keep people on track, without feeling like they’re micromanaging or constantly chasing.

At the same time, under-performance is climbing, skill gaps are growing, and the pressure hasn’t let up.

In this episode, we’re digging into what’s behind that — and how to make accountability a normal, healthy part of how your team works, without being the ‘bad guy.’ We’re joined by  Leeat Bosco - a leadership and performance coach who’s spent years helping leaders get this right without losing trust, culture, or momentum.

About our guest - Leeat Bosco is a leadership and performance coach with a background in psychology, behavior change, and facilitation. She’s known for helping leaders lead with clarity, courage, and coaching skills - turning tough conversations into trust-building moments. With nearly two decades of experience across research, strategy, and coaching, Leeat brings sharp insight and practical tools to every conversation.

The move from team member to team leader can be one of the toughest shifts at work - especially if you’re managing people you used to sit next to. In this episode, we’re joined by Hayley Curcio, Head of Learning at Mecca, to talk about what really helps first-time managers. From unlearning old habits to practising new ones (without feeling fake), Hayley shares practical ways to build confidence and lead well - even when you're still learning the ropes yourself.

About our guest - Hayley Curcio is the Head of Learning at Mecca, where she leads with one big belief: that learning at work should be practical, human, and actually useful. With years of experience across people, culture, and leadership development, Hayley’s helped hundreds of managers figure out how to lead well — without losing who they are in the process. She’s known for making learning something people want to do, not have to do.

Whether it’s helping a first-time manager have a tricky conversation or designing learning experiences that stick, Hayley brings a really thoughtful approach that’s shaped by real experience.

Change is constant—but not everything needs to be thrown out to move forward.

In this episode of Work in Progress, we’re joined by Felicity Davis, Director of People Operations at Linktree, to talk about the smart way to lead through change. From deciding what’s worth keeping to managing change fatigue and creating adaptable teams, Felicity shares some practical strategies for evolving without losing what makes your culture strong.

If you’re navigating growth, transformation, or just trying to avoid change chaos—this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen in to discover:

✔ How to decide what to change (and what to protect)

✔ How to keep teams energised when everything’s shifting

✔ Why clarity, consistency, and curiosity are essential in times of change

About Our Guest – 

Felicity Davis is the Director of People Operations at Linktree, where she leads the charge on building inclusive, future-ready teams in one of Australia’s fastest-growing tech companies. With over a decade of experience across people, culture, and operations—including time at global law firm DLA Piper—Felicity brings a thoughtful, practical lens to leadership and change. Passionate about designing better ways of working, she’s all about creating environments where people can thrive, not just survive.

A lot of people want to grow in their careers, but they’re stuck waiting—waiting for their manager to notice their potential, waiting for a promotion, waiting for someone to tell them what their next step should be. But what if waiting isn’t the best strategy? What if you could take control of your own career path instead?Anton Roe from Emmbr joins us today to talk about exactly that—how to stop waiting and start owning your career growth.

About our guest - Anton Roe is a talent strategist and the CEO of Emmbr, dedicated to helping businesses attract, hire, and retain top technology talent. With over 20 years of experience in recruitment and a background in organisational psychology, Anton specialises in solving complex hiring challenges and building future-ready teams. As the host of Tales from Tech Titans, he shares insights from industry leaders, championing diversity, equality, and inclusion along the way. His mission? To help companies navigate transformation, build exceptional teams, and create workplaces where people thrive.

We’ve all done it -jumped to conclusions before we had all the facts. But what if curiosity was the real secret to better decisions, stronger relationships, and more open conversations?In this episode of Work in Progress, we chat with Gemma Saunders, founder of Workplace Edit, about how curiosity can transform the way we work and lead. From asking better questions to challenging our own assumptions, Gemma shares practical tips on how to stay open-minded—even when we think we already know the answer.Listen in to discover why curiosity is the key to better workplaces, stronger teams, and a more inclusive culture.

About our guest - Gemma Saunders is the Founder of Workplace Edit, a consultancy dedicated to building more inclusive and equitable workplaces. She has been a finalist at the LGBTI Awards and been on the board of Wear It Purple and Minus18 - charities that do pivotal work in diverse gender and sexuality inclusion. Gemma is proudly queer, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has been listed in HRD's hotlist. You can also find her content on Learna, covering topics like ‘Be curious, not judgmental’ and more.

Asking for what you want at work—can feel daunting. In this episode of Work in Progress, Matt McFarlane joins Lisa and LJ to help you navigate these tough conversations with confidence and ease. You’ll discover how to read the room, frame your request to get a positive response, and learn how to turn a “no” into an open door for future success. If you’re tired of hesitating or overthinking every request at work, Matt’s tips will leave you speaking up clearly and confidently.Listen in to find out why timing matters, how to ask without feeling pushy, and what to do next—even if you get a "no".

About our guest - Matt McFarlane is a startup compensation strategist and the founder of FNDN, dedicated to helping high-growth companies get pay right. With years of experience in People Operations, Matt has built compensation frameworks that scale, creating clarity and fairness in the way startups approach salaries, job levels, and pay transparency. He’s led comp strategies at companies growing from startup to scale up. At FNDN, Matt’s mission is simple: to take the guesswork out of compensation so startups can attract, retain, and reward top talent—without the growing pains.

When everything feels messy, thinking clearly can seem impossible. In this episode of Work in Progress, Steph Clarke shares some great ways to cut through overwhelm, reset your thinking, and move forward with confidence — even when certainty feels out of reach. Whether you’re stuck in overthinking, struggling to prioritise, or facing big decisions, Steph will give you some tips to clear the mental clutter and reclaim your clarity. Listen in to discover how to navigate complexity, trust your gut, and take intentional action, no matter how messy things get.

About our guest - Meet Steph Clarke – your guide to the future (and the tough questions that get you there).

Steph doesn’t just think about the future—she helps teams imagine it, prepare for it, and make smarter decisions about what’s next. A futurist, facilitator, friendship enthusiast and strategic foresight specialist, she’s all about nudging people beyond ‘business as usual’ and into bold, exciting possibilities.

Expect thought-provoking questions, fresh perspectives, and maybe even a little disruption — because the best ideas come when we step outside our comfort zones.

Change is inevitable—but why does it feel so hard to embrace?In this episode of Work in Progress, we sit down with Dr. Ben Hamer, a leading expert in the future of work, to break down why we resist change and, more importantly, how to work with it instead of against it.From navigating uncertainty to getting others on board without dragging them along, Dr. Ben shares practical strategies for making change feel less like something to survive and more like an opportunity to grow.Whether you’re leading a team through a transition, trying to shake up outdated ways of working, or just wondering why change feels so uncomfortable, this episode will give you the tools to adapt, influence, and thrive in a fast-moving world.Listen in to discover why we resist change, how to help your team break free from ‘that’s how we’ve always done it’ mode, and how to make change feel worthwhile for everyone.

About our guest -  Dr. Ben Hamer is a futurist, keynote speaker, and LinkedIn Top Voice, recognised as the number one thought leader for the Future of Work in the Asia-Pacific. As a former Head of Future of Work at PwC Australia, Ben has led research and global projects, including time at the World Economic Forum and as a Visiting Scholar at Yale University.

Currently, he is an Adjunct Professor at Edith Cowan University and a Board Member for the Australian HR Institute (AHRI) and Netball NSW. A sought-after media commentator, Ben is also the host of The ThinkerTank Podcast, where he explores big ideas and challenges conventional thinking about the world of work. Through his work, he helps organisations and leaders prepare for the future today, making change more understandable, actionable, and human.

Great results don’t come from doing the same old thing—they come from thinking differently. In this episode of Work in Progress, we’re joined by Wade Kingsley, founder of The Ideas Business and champion of creative potential, to explore how fresh thinking leads to real innovation. Wade shares his insights on breaking free from the “that’s how we’ve always done it” mindset, harnessing the power of Dreamers, Doers, and Doubters, and taking small, meaningful steps toward big results.

Listen in to discover some practical ways you can challenge the status quo, fostering collaboration, and unlocking the creative spark that drives progress.

About our guest - ⁠Wade Kingsley⁠ is a creative powerhouse and founder of The Ideas Business, dedicated to making the world a more creative place. With over 20 years of experience spanning keynote speaking, facilitation, and consultancy, Wade specialises in helping individuals and teams unlock their creative potential. Through ventures like Morning Musely and Story Straight, Wade champions innovative thinking, storytelling, and bold ideas that inspire action and drive results. His mission? To empower people and organisations to think differently, connect deeply, and create meaningfully.

Leadership isn’t just about hitting goals—it’s about how you get there. In this episode of Work in Progress, we sit down with Jessica Trumble, founder of We Are Charlotte, to unpack the art of leading with empathy while still getting results. Jess shares practical strategies for balancing compassion with accountability, building trust in high-pressure environments, and navigating tough conversations with authenticity and grace.

Listen in for some insights on how to grow as an empathetic leader, even if it doesn’t come naturally, and why leading with heart doesn’t mean letting go of results.

About our guest - Jessica Trumble is a dynamic leader and founder of We Are Charlotte, where she’s on a mission to put people at the heart of workplace transformation. With a knack for building high-performing teams and a career steeped in executive coaching and organisational strategy, Jess blends insight, ambition, and heart to help businesses unlock the potential of their people. She’s all about creating spaces where individuals thrive, and businesses grow—because, for Jess, good work starts with good people.