I'm back! After a crazy half year of transition, adventure, and being in the murky mess of a 'chrysalis' experience, I've surfaced for some insights for you to wrap up 2025. 

Here's what's up for you:

A process for reflection that uses visual representation of your last twelve months

A reflective practice that will surface insights for next year

How to make use of these insights in a practical way.

My own updates:

Travel, adventure, heartbreak, moving house: it's the bitter sweetnes of not yet and not anymore.

Enjoy!

Zoë 

 

 

We explore the future of inclusive leadership with Kelli Lester, co-founder of Onyx Rising. Zoë opens with reflections on ageing, robotics in aged care, and the value of connection. And introduces Kelli, who shares insight on navigating today's polarised workplace and equipping leaders for diverse, resilient teams.

Kelli unpacks the backlash against DEI programs, reframing them as essential business strategies rather than politically charged mandates. She explores how organisations can move beyond performative initiatives by anchoring their diversity efforts in clear objectives—be it talent, innovation, or community alignment.

This conversation covers emotional and cultural intelligence, generational divides, psychological safety, and the systemic barriers to inclusion. Practical frameworks like Kelli's seven inclusive leadership traits provide a tangible pathway to fostering a thriving, human-centred workplace.

SHOWNOTES are here:
https://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leading-through-difference

Planet Human:
Robots in aged care boost retention by reducing carer injuries and burnout.
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1069918

Kickstarter link:
Support Power Games: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zoerouth/power-games-stop-toxic-power-in-the-workplace

Key Quotes:
"Maps are helpful, but they are not the territory." – Zoë Routh
"Inclusive leadership is not just nice to have. It's the future of leadership." – Kelli Lester
"Any time you don't share your thoughts, you're hurting the company." – Kelli Lester
"Just because someone's pro-Black doesn't mean they're anti-white." – Kelli Lester

Questions Asked:

1. Why is there so much resistance to DEI in today's climate?

2. How can leaders reframe diversity as a business enabler?

3. What are the seven traits of inclusive leadership?

4. How do we build psychological safety and trust across generations?

5. What does it take to dismantle systemic bias in hiring and promotion?

Take Action:

• Self-Audit: Reflect on your own lens—what influences how you see the world, and how does that shape your leadership?

• Amplify Voices: In your next meeting, actively include perspectives from quieter or less-represented team members.

• Define It Clearly: Have a leadership-level conversation about what diversity, equity, and inclusion means in your context and why it matters.

Tip of the Week
Facilitate a "Bias Interrupt" session: Identify where decisions are being made based on assumptions—hiring, promotions, even meeting invitations—and ask, "Who's missing and why?"

Key Moments

00:00 Introduction and Weekly Question

00:15 Robots in Nursing Care Homes

02:07 Kickstarter Campaign for Power Games

03:48 Understanding Human Behavior and Categorization

07:27 Inclusive Leadership with Kelly Lester

08:26 Challenges and Misconceptions of DEI

28:48 America's Mythmaking and Cultural Conflicts

30:23 Polarization and Political Correctness

34:27 The Importance of Self-Awareness and Valuing Differences

37:49 Promoting Psychological Safety and Amplifying Voices

40:25 Emotional and Cultural Intelligence in Leadership

41:49 Managing Inclusively and Effective Mentoring

45:49 Fast Three Questions with Kelly

50:01 Book Recommendation: Why Are We Yelling?

51:05 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Changes

 

We explore the power of challenging assumptions and building regenerative societies with innovative software called Regen. I also share updates on my upcoming Australian Alpine walking track adventure and my latest novels. Then, I welcome Scott Marshall, President and CEO of the Semester at Sea.

Scott shares insights into the program's impact on students' understanding of global cultures and how it fosters curiosity and personal growth. He also provides practical advice for fostering intercultural sensitivity in the workplace. This episode dives deep into experiential education, leadership, and creating inclusive environments

SHOWNOTES are here:
https://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/legal-challenges-workplace-dynamics

Key Quotes:
"When we expose ourselves to diverse perspectives, we expand our understanding of the world and ourselves." – Zoë Routh
"Curiosity pushes us into spaces of discomfort, and that's where we grow." – Scott Marshall
"We can't just assume that a one-day workshop on diversity will transform a workplace. It's about a long-term commitment to embracing different perspectives." – Scott Marshall

Questions Asked:
1. How does Semester at Sea create a transformative learning experience?
2. What are the key leadership lessons from immersing in global cultures?
3. How can organisations foster curiosity and intercultural awareness in the workplace?
4. What are practical ways to develop a culture of inclusivity beyond traditional DEI programs?

Take Action:
Reflect on your own leadership assumptions and challenge them with new perspectives.
Explore ways to bring diverse perspectives into your workplace—whether through book clubs, travel experiences, or deeper engagement with different cultural narratives.
Start small: Have your team research governance models in different countries or visit a restaurant from a culture they're unfamiliar with and engage in meaningful conversations.

Tip of the Week
Engage in a "curiosity challenge"—for one week, actively seek to learn something new about a culture, history, or perspective that is outside your usual sphere.

Join the community here:
https://www.zoerouth.com/podcast-news

You'll get 40 book summaries and recommendations on Leading Strategy and Performance, along with a special secret audio from my award-winning book, People Stuff.

Key Moments
00:00 Introduction and Challenging Assumptions
00:15 Exploring Regenerative Societies with Regen Software
00:50 Personal Connection to Regenerative Ecosystems and Mars
01:35 Upcoming Adventure on the Australian Alpine Walking Track
02:12 Power Games and Olympus Dawn Writing Updates
03:17 Bringing the World to the Workplace
05:17 Introducing Scott Marshall and Semester at Sea
06:25 Semester at Sea: Program Overview and Logistics
13:19 Impact and Benefits of Semester at Sea
22:54 Developing Intercultural Competence in the Workplace
26:41 Workplace Sensitivity and Global Awareness
28:30 The Importance of Experiential Education
28:57 Critique of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs
29:20 Leadership and Mental Models
30:24 Commitment to DEI Work
32:26 Personal Leadership Journey
33:58 Navigating Cultural Biases
42:19 Leadership Tips and Insights
48:47 Opportunities with Semester at Sea
50:48 Book Recommendation and Conclusion

#leadership #experientiallearning #curiosity #inclusivity #semesteratsea #futureofleadership

 

We are a third of the way through the year! How does that make you feel? In this solsode I'm confronting the lingering sense of malaise that I'm noticing this year. It's being sustained by ongoing uncertainty and as leaders we need to have strategies to navigate through difficult times by assessing both the known and the unknown. In this episode I explore three leadership truisms that will help you balance risk and opportunity with a sense of possibility - because even when times are tough, it's important to expand our leadership perspective and remember we are all part of the bigger, beautiful picture!

Shownotes

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

 

Key moments

1:00 Personal update: connection, comedy and writing progress

3:30 The leadership pendulum swings with uncertainty

4:20 Self-aware leadership principles

5:00 AI reality check

5:50 Establishing values to protect humanity and the planet

6:55 Looking for opportunities - previous guests help show the way

8:55 Three things to remember as a leader

10:40 How we got through uncertainty - and will do again

13:30 Three leadership truisms that come into play

14:00 Map your systems

16:40 Worldview shapes our responses

18:50 Pause to appreciate the wonder of life

20:45 Coming up on the Zoe Routh Leadership Podcast - what does no hierarchy look like?

21:15 Last call for May's Fit For The Future events

22:00 Rate, review and thank you for listening!

 

Former Navy SEAL and a previous guest on the podcast, Marty Strong, is back with more insightful leadership thinking and a new book: Be Visionary: Strategic Leadership in the Age of Optimization. Marty continues to challenge received wisdom and shines a light on what he describes as the forgotten leadership skill of creativity. With habits that will open our minds and broaden our horizons, Marty's approach envisages a leadership future full of humility, creative exploration, collaboration and innovation that solidifies into successful strategy and execution. It is a delight to have Marty's unique perspective back on the podcast!

Shownotes

See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/visionary-leadership-marty-strong

 

Key moments

3:00 The forgotten creative brain

8:20 Flicking the creative switch

12:00 The difference between visionary and strategic leadership

16:16 Qualities, values and mindset

18:45 Join us in Amplifiers Academy

19:20 Spotting trends as a leader

25:15 Sourcing diverse inputs - stay curious!

28:00 Habits for developing strategic thinking

32:50 Strategic thinking in the age of optimisation

36:50 Exciting trends - divergent thinking

42:00 The brain beyond 'flow'

46:00 Zoe's takeaways

 

Josh Tyson works at the intersection of AI and UX (user design), specialising in high-level content design and storytelling. He's also an author and podcaster (broadcasting 'from the future'!) with extensive experience in the practical application of artificial intelligence, in particular chat-based interfaces. Josh sees possibilities everywhere he looks, but is highly pragmatic about the capacity of organisations and leaders to break through the fear of the unknown and embrace emerging technologies to improve their businesses. Passionate about liberating creativity through technology, he holds the hands of those willing to experiment and, in Josh's words, first fall on their faces. It's both a lightning fast and long leadership journey and in this episode Josh shares how we can navigate it with optimism.

Shownotes

See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-skills-josh-tyson

Key moments

3:00  The biggest leadership insight: being open and flexible

4:50  First, fall on your face

6:00  The investment (and trauma) of AI

8:15  Any industry can use AI to its advantage

12:00  What AI is - and isn't

16:20  The broader tech ecosystem 

18:30  Be fit for the future with Amplifiers Academy

19:00 Getting started with AI

25:00 DAOs explained

30:00 AI as an ally

34:00 Rethinking everything about work

37:00 Increasing accessibility and future potential

40:10 The leadership implications of AI 

If you're ready for a refreshing burst of optimism and excitement amid all the doom scrolling, look no further than Justin Bean. Justin is the author of a call to arms for possibilities over problems. His book What Could Go Right? is the culmination of his research and work at the intersection of sustainability, tech, and innovation for impact. Justin believes we can envision our ideal world and empower ourselves with practical approaches to build it. In this episode Justin shares the six key trends for the future that will impact how we work, what we value and why we do what we do. He reminds us that change is incremental, we're capable of more than we realise and that there is a way for the future to meet all of our needs - from profit to purpose and everything in between.

 

Shownotes

See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-thinking-justin-bean

 

Key moments

Reframing fear of the future  [4:00]

Developing a values mindset  [8:10]

A perspective on the past  [10:15]

Disrupting cultural norms  [12:10]

Bonding over solving problems  [15:00]

Join us in the Amplifers Academy  [15:45]

Six trends for the future  [16:10]

Seeing through social media  [18:50]

Sustainability ethics  [21:05]

Reclaiming woke!  [23:00]

The distributed economy  [26:20]

Leadership of the future  [30:00]

The future of democracy  [35:30]

Strategies for disinformation  [39:50]

Envision the future  [44:00] 

 

In this week's solosode I'm reflecting on how lovely it is when loose or lost connections come back into our lives - so let's put ourselves out there! Then it's a deep dive into meta modern leadership, the three hallmarks of a meta modern leader and three practical exercises that will help develop these characteristics. Plus two book recommendations and a reminder of balance in all things - we can be both sensible and sensitive, wise and compassionate. There's always more than one pathway to choose.  

Shownotes

See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/meta-modern-leadership

 

Key moments

 

The three characteristics of meta modern leadership  [4:00]

Three practical exercises to develop them  [8:40]

Book recommendation: Derek Sivers -  How To Live [14:20]

Book recommendation: Tim Urban - What's Our Problem?  [18:00]

A leadership blind spot  [20:00]

Register for the Fit for the Future webinar  [25:10]

Join us in the Amplifiers Academy  [26:00]

We need to move beyond our binary thinking of purpose or profit because together they are so much more powerful. That's the message 'Chief Purpose Activist' Carolyn Butler-Madden is on a mission to spread with her work in supporting social impact and purpose-led businesses. With a background in marketing, Carolyn is perfectly positioned to move past the fluff and focus on meaningful actions that drive profit with purpose. In this episode she shares inspiring examples of businesses who walk the talk and reap the benefits while reminding us that change starts with one small step - and if it's taken with others that's even better! 

Shownotes

Read more at: 

http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/corporate-culture-carolyn-butler-madden

 

Key moments

What is a purpose consultant?  [2:30]

An accidental marketing career  [3:20]

The social conscience disconnect  [5:20]

Cause marketing  [7:10]

We don't have to choose between purpose and profit  [9:00]

Discovering purpose  [10:00]

Don't stop with 'why'  [12:00]

Join us in the Amplifiers Academy  [15:00]

The Unilever example  [16:00]

SMEs with social impact  [22:00]

The 6 pillars of purpose  [24:00]

Purpose starts at home  [29:00]

How can businesses afford it?  [32:23]

Building a movement for change  [33:15]

Start with what matters to you  [37:10]

What's easy and what are you already doing?  [40:00]

 

US Fighter Pilot Dominic 'Slice' Teich knows a thing or two about peak performance and, as a recovering workaholic, has had to intentionally reframe what success means in order to step off the 'hamster wheel of achievement'. As well as being a full-time fighter pilot, Dom is an entrepreneur and publisher of the Single Seat Mindset series of books that shares leadership stories from the cockpits of 40 fellow pilots. These are combat proven strategies that can be leveraged by any peak performer and in this conversation, Dom shares his journey to Single Seat Wisdom and leadership lessons from the third dimension! 

Shownotes

See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-perspective-dom-teich

 

Key Moments

Fighter pilot origin story  [2:00]

Flying an F16  [6:30]

On learned behaviours  [8:20]

Deployment experiences  [10:50]

The (mental) crash  [13:20]

Developing empathy  [16:00]

Defining success  [18:30]

Join us in Amplifiers Academy  [21:30]

The 'Slice' story [22:00]

Single Seat Mindset  [25:10]

How a fight pilot debriefs  [29:00]

Meaningful goals  [35:00]

Advice for leaders  [41:50]

 

Anne Dranitsaris, Ph.D and Heather Dranitsaris-Hilliard are a mother-daughter team with an incredible backstory and a refreshing approach to leadership that blends psychology with systems to advance the potential of individuals, teams and organisations. Together they have co-authored three books, most recently So, You Think You Can Lead?

Anne and Heather's relationship is unique (you'll have to listen to find out why!) and makes their professional collaboration even more remarkable. The synergy of Anne's developmental psychology background and Heather's systems thinking and transformation expertise enables them to help executives - and especially emerging and entrepreneurial leaders - do and be better. In this episode they share the bad habits even good leaders can fall into, shine a light on  a fundamental leadership principle for the hybrid world, remind us that leaders cannot, and should not, be all things to all people and, perhaps most importantly, that there's no leadership without followership. 

 

Shownotes

See more at https://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-development-dranitsaris

 

Key moments

An incredible story of connection  [2:50]

Personal resilience in a time of chaos [7:00]

So, You Think You Can Lead (book) [12:00]

The leadership non-negotiables  [23:00]

Systems design and skill development  [25:00]

Bad leadership habits  [30:00]

Intentional check-ins post COVID  [36:00]

All things to all people is not a leadership strategy  [45:00]

Inspired by our Future of Leadership event we're looking at the megatrends that will shape the future of leadership and considering the skills and perspectives we need for successful meta-modern leadership. In short, what are our buoyancy aids that will help us swim in the soup of uncertainty?

From A.I. tools that will facilitate our creativity and curiosity to mastering and managing energy these are the leadership skills we need to maximise the opportunities we are being offered. 

Shownotes

See more at: http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/future-leadership-megatrends

Key moments

New habits update [1:30]
Emails, push-ups and more

Writing update [3:10]
Prequels and sequels

A.I experimentation [4:00]
Saving time on 'stuff'

Ethical considerations [9:00]
Credit where it's due

Exploring megatrends [13:00]
An abundant, equitable, and regenerative world for all

Blockchain 101 [16:15]
What is it and how does it work?

DAOs [19:00]
Distributed Autonomous Organisations

A.I Megatrend [23:50]
Radically release creativity

What does this mean for leaders? [25:00]

Explore, Map, Adapt [29:00]
3 Meta skills for leaders

Book recommendations [30:50]
And future guests

Future of Leadership Wrap Up Webinar [35:00]

Anthony Coppedge is a business transformation specialist with a background in sales and marketing who had a major 'ah-ha' moment while working at IBM and witnessing the software team's agile approach to work. Now Anthony helps people leverage marketing agility with a focus on outcomes, not outputs. His pragmatic and people-centric approach is built around leaders who create safe environments for experiments, delegate in service of outcomes, and genuinely care about their teams. He wants the future of leadership to involve better questions and better listening, less stupid work and a lot more impact! In this episode he shares his insights into how that is achievable for all leaders. 

Shownotes

See more at www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-principles-anthony-coppedge

We dive into the evolving landscape of workplace expectations, legal challenges, and leadership dynamics with HR legal specialist David Dilger. 

We explore the rise of corporate paternalism, the increasing recognition of psychosocial hazards, and the importance of transparency in decision-making.

The conversation covers the changing nature of workplace disputes, the growing demand for psychological safety, and the role of leaders in balancing empathy and directness. We also examine the future of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives, the push for workplace flexibility post-COVID, and the impact of AI on leadership and communication.

 

SHOWNOTES are here:

http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/navigating-workplace-dynamics-legal-challenges

 

Planet Human:

​Avride's autonomous robots now deliver Uber Eats orders.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/02/13/avride-launches-sidewalk-delivery-bots-on-uber-eats-in-jersey-city/

 

Key Quotes:

"When decision-making is transparent, assumptions die in a dirty ditch." – Zoë Routh

"We don't have a productivity problem; we have a visibility problem." – David Dilger

"Psychosocial hazards are not a legal tick box – they directly impact performance and retention." – David Dilger

"Avoiding conflict doesn't make it disappear – it just turns into something worse." – Zoë Routh

 

Questions Asked:

1. Have we gone too far with corporate paternalism?

2. How has workplace conflict evolved, and what can leaders do to manage it effectively?

3. What are psychosocial hazards, and why should leaders take them seriously?

4. Is there a growing backlash against DEI initiatives?

5. How do we balance workplace flexibility with organisational needs?

6. Can we achieve conflict-free communication in leadership?

 

Take Action:

1. Reflect on your leadership approach – Are you fostering transparency in decision-making?

2. Assess psychosocial risks in your workplace – Understand the hazards that impact mental well-being.

3. Re-evaluate workplace flexibility – Consider whether in-office mandates are about productivity or visibility.

4. Enhance communication skills – Be direct on the issue, but empathetic towards the person.

 

Tip of the Week:

Check out the Workplace Conflict Resolution Guide – available for subscribers only.

 

Join the community here:

https://www.zoerouth.com/podcast-news

 

You'll gain access to 40 book summaries on Leading Strategy and Performance, plus an exclusive audio from People Stuff.

 

Join the Power Games advance notice here:

https://www.zoerouth.com/power-games

 

Key Moments:

00:00 – Introduction: Have we gone too far with corporate paternalism?

00:20 – Robots in Jersey City: The Future of Food Delivery

00:58 – Preparing for the Australian Alpine Walking Track

01:39 – Writing Olympus Dawn and Power Games

02:53 – Transparent Decision-Making in the Workplace

03:43 – Interview with HR Legal Specialist David Dilger

05:56 – The Rise of Workplace Mental Health Issues

17:43 – The Debate on DEI and Remote Work

26:43 – Conflict-Free Communication: Myth or Reality?

31:46 – Fast Three with David Dilger

37:49 – Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

Buckle up for a wide-ranging conversation with author and business coach Daryl Urbanski! With an unconventional voice that cuts through the noise, Daryl has helped businesses to be more successful, published five books and studied the science of business success - and then studied the studies. (Very meta!) Acutely aware of the realities of business today and what the future of leadership might look like, he embraces technology from a foundation of people and connection and advocates for self-awareness above all else! Daryl shares where he thinks leadership of the future is heading and the work we will need to do to get there.

 

Shownotes

See more at  http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-future-daryl-urbanski

 

Rachel Audige is a bias buster! Working with organisations and teams, Rachel makes the invisible, visible by scanning for conscious and unconscious biases that create resistance to innovation and new ideas. With a background in branding, marketing and communication across a multitude of sectors both here in Australia and in France, Rachel connected the dots early in her career and realised that most organisations were stuck or stunted in their innovation efforts due to fixed thinking and a lack of experimentation. Through her writing, speaking and facilitation, Rachel helps businesses take off their blinkers so they can imagine the future, plan for it and confidently lead the way towards it. 

Read the full shownotes here

Welcome to the first episode of 2023! In this solosode I'm contemplating some big themes - from what does it mean to be Australian (or any nationality!) to the challenges we are facing down this year and the leadership priorities that will help us navigate them. 

I also reflect on my recent travels, the new perspectives gained, the trends identified and potential solutions. Plus, the books I've loved - and hated! 

Shownotes

See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-priorities

We're kicking off the year with something a little different - I'm on the other side of the microphone being interviewed by Better World Leaders host Tim Collings. Plus you'll notice a fresh new intro, outro and music to usher in the new year. 

Tim and I discuss the leadership frameworks within my novel The Olympus Project and how we can use fictional scenarios, characters and stories in leadership development.    

See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-the-olympus-project

In this week's solosode and final episode of 2022 we are reflecting on the year, across leadership books, podcasts, work and personal journeys along with the events that made the news and will continue to impact us in 2023. Let's leverage what we have learned this year to create a roadmap for a better future. 

 

Read the full shownotes here: http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/end-of-year-reflection-and-planning-2022

Nick Dyner and his company, Moleaer, are on a mission to unlock the power of water and help organisations and industries do more with less through pioneering nano bubble technology that has applications across food, energy and healthcare. In fact, identifying the opportunities for this technology and the humble H2O is one of Nick's major leadership priorities as he seeks to build a wider understanding of how everything we use in our lives is either grown or mined - with water being the vital connector. Solving the problem of finite resources is front of mind for Nick as he scales the business, learning leadership lessons along the way, and drawing on his own deep belief that this is one bubble that is not going to burst. 

 

See more at: http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-perspective-nick-dyner

Wendy Nash has confronted many beliefs about herself in her leadership journey from corporate life to meditation coach. From considering herself an effective and empathetic communicator to convincing herself that a job was just about paying the bills, no stone has gone unturned in Wendy's pursuit of balance and self-awareness. Having done the emotional work required to change entrenched habits, Wendy now helps others to do the same in life and leadership. In this episode she shares her mindfulness insights, provides examples of behaviours and biases to watch out for and reminds us that while it's great to press play it's also important to press pause and savour the kindness in our lives.

See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-journey-wendy-nash

There's no going back to the old ways or days for leadership coach Phillip Ralph - in fact he's impatient for the changes we need to see that will spearhead the future of leadership. For Phillip that progress includes embedding emotional intelligence early and broadly in organisations - no more waiting until someone is in a leadership position before they are developed. It means leadership from anyone, anywhere - empowering people to take action where they are, to nudge the system instead of trying to dismantle it overnight. Phillip shares his leadership perspective on where we are going wrong, how not every problem needs a solution, the simple power of human connection and his ultimate vision for the future - organisations that are as smart as the people in them!  

 

See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-strategies-phillip-ralph

In this week's solosode, we look at workforce trends that are shaping opportunities and threats for us as humans. The new workforce is networked creators! We will need these new leadership skills and perspectives to engage in this environment.

Read the full shownotes here.

In this week's solosode, we consider the shifts we need to make for leadership of the future. Changes are happening rapidly in the workforce, the workplace, and the world. These trends are causing us to reconsider fundamental values. These trends are causing us to EXPAND. Opportunities abound!

 

See the full shownotes here: http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-perspective-shifts

We explore the power of self-managing teams, innovation ecosystems, and the art of consensus-building with John Taylor McIntyre, the Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of Mutual Prosperity.

We discuss his unique upbringing in a multicultural home, his journey through theatre, and his experiences in Japan that shaped his leadership philosophy.

The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including the challenge of breaking the 'Curse of Babel' in organisations, the importance of Nemawashi for effective decision-making, and how businesses can scale leadership while fostering autonomy.

SHOWNOTES are here:

http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-wisdom

Planet Human:

China creates world's first two-way brain-computer interface. https://interestingengineering.com/science/worlds-first-2-way-bci-china

Join the Power Games advance notice here:

https://www.zoerouth.com/power-games

Key Quotes:

"When we align our language, we unlock collaboration." – John Taylor McIntyre

"Leadership is not about control; it's about empowering others to make great decisions." – Zoë Routh

"True innovation happens when we create space for new ideas to take root." – John Taylor McIntyre

 

Questions Asked:

1. What does it take to build truly self-managing teams?

2. How can organisations break through communication barriers and align their language?

3. What is the Nemawashi principle, and how does it help organisations scale leadership?

4. How do we foster a culture of innovation while maintaining strong leadership?

5. What role does personal connection play in shaping high-performing teams?

 

Take Action:

1. Review your decision-making processes—are they inclusive and effective?

2. Reflect on the concept of Nemawashi: How can you better prepare your team for change?

3. Start a leadership journal to document key decisions and assess their long-term impact.

4. Encourage more open conversations about power, influence, and collaboration within your team.

 

Tip of the Week:

Align your team's language to enhance collaboration. Conduct a 'Language Audit' in your organisation to identify jargon, miscommunications, and gaps in understanding.

 

Join the community here:

https://www.zoerouth.com/podcast-news

 

You'll receive 40 book summaries and recommendations on Leading Strategy and Performance, plus a special secret audio from my award-winning book, People Stuff.

 

Key Moments

00:00 – Introduction and Weekly Question

00:20 – Breakthrough in Brain-Computer Interfaces

01:34 – Training for the Australian Alpine Walking Track

02:09 – Upcoming Book: Power Games

03:21 – Exploring the Concept of Power

06:44 – Interview with John Taylor McIntyre

23:40 – Servant Leadership and Innovation Ecosystems

24:16 – Understanding Technology Transfer

28:06 – Breaking the Curse of Babel

30:11 – The Nemawashi Principle

36:11 – Scaling Leadership and Autonomous Teams

41:23 – The Fast Three: Future Tech, Leadership Tips, and Current Reads

47:36 – The Importance of Personal Relationships in Business

49:52 – Conclusion and Additional Resources

 

#leadershipskills #leadershipdevelopment #leadershiplessons #leadershiptraining #innovation #selfmanagingteams #futureofleadership

Alex Budak believes we are all capable of leading positive change - no matter sector, seniority or stage of life. With an infectiously positive yet pragmatic outlook, Alex lectures, teaches, speaks and writes about the concept of 'Changemakers' - the people who not only identify pressing challenges but are willing to step up and take action. Recognising that we all have the potential for positive impact but face barriers along the way, Alex co-founded StartSomeGood.com - a platform to help people start projects that matter with partnerships, programs and early stage funding.

With his new book, Becoming a Changemaker, and his work with executives and organisations to embed 21st Century leadership principles, Alex shares his vision of what modern, inspiring leadership looks like and how we can all be part of a movement to make changes for the better.

Listen to the full shownotes here: www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-principles-alex-budak

What is universally human? What changes and what never changes? How does technology meet our human needs and what are the implications for businesses? These are the huge questions that occupy the mind and keyboard of David Mattin - founder of the New World, Same Humans newsletter that is a must-read for anyone who cares about the future of our planet, ways of living and working. 

Reluctant to call himself a futurist, David writes, speaks and consults on the trends that are reshaping the human experience. He does this by balancing perspectives of the past, the present and possible futures to plot a way forward that is sustainable and equitable. David shares his thinking on the future of leadership, the decisions organisations need to be making and suggests a radical solution for reinvigorating democracies.

Read the full shownotes here: www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-questions-david-mattin

Alice Hanna is the People and Culture Manager at Melbourne based Kapitol Group, recent winner of a 2022 Best Place to Work award - the first time a construction company has ever topped the list. Kapitol's award winning culture is no accident and Alice has leveraged her people, culture and psychology background to evolve a feedback rich workplace that is challenging industry norms.

Driven to leave places better than she found them, throughout her career Alice has gravitated towards traditionally male-dominated industries where she has championed diversity, normalised the conversation around mental health and leveled-up leadership skills around self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Alice shares how she approaches the challenges of male dominated industries with optimism, making small changes that have a big impact.

Read the full shownotes: www.zoerouth.com/podcast/corporate-culture-alice-hanna

Manley Hopkinson sailed into a hurricane and not only lived to tell the tale but emerged with his team of amateur sailors stronger, more confident and more determined than ever. A born adventurer, Manley has served in the British Navy and the Hong Kong Police, skippered a crew in the world's toughest yacht race and won the first skiing race to the Magnetic North Pole. But he is not drawn to these experiences for the accolades.

Manley is compelled to create teams capable of achieving great things - turning those first time sailors into fearsome mariners for example - and does this through first understanding each individual and their motivations. Manley is the author of Compassionate Leadership: How to Create and Maintain Engaged, Committed and High-Performing Teams and in this episode, shares why leadership starts with self-compassion, gaining commitment and aligning interests.

Read the full shownotes: www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-journey-manley-hopkinson

 

In this week's solosode, we explore three insights about the nature of change - specifically what is NOT changing. What is not changing? Wanting. How our worldview shapes our actions. Cycles. Listen in to see how this can apply to your leadership strategies when it comes to leading change.

See full shownotes here: www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-strategies-for-change

Tony Hunter is a Food Futurist and Strategic Foresight consultant grappling with one of humanity's most pressing problems: how to sustainably and equitably feed our growing global population (projected to reach 9.8 billion in 2050). This is also a major theme in my new novel The Olympus Project so I was especially excited to hear Tony's worldview.

Through his work Tony has become convinced about the potential of agrifood tech to be part of the solution - leveraging both technology and changing food habits to reduce the reliance on land and water in food production and to support widespread food self-sufficiency. Tony has seen firsthand what the technology is capable of achieving and believes the future of food lies in dissolving the divide between traditional and technological food production, opening minds, hearts (and mouths!) to a reimagining of where our food comes from and why. This points to some fascinating leadership challenges from rethinking relationships with traditional competitors to truly tapping into next generation customer desires.

See full shownotes here: www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-challenge-tony-hunter

 

In this week's solosode, we address three big questions: What stops us from bringing our full selves to life and being more creative? How much is enough? And what kind of world are we facing? There are social conditions and leadership mindsets that hamper us that we can address. I share big ideas for everyday leadership.

See full shownotes here: www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-mindset-for-creativity

 

Olanike Ayomide-Mensah is the founder of Mosaic Consulting which works with organisations to achieve greater workplace equity through diversity and inclusion strategies that nurture a true mosaic of talent. Having grown up between Nigeria and America, and now living in Ghana, West Africa, Olanike has lived and worked at the intersection of difference herself  and experienced first hand how power drives the human impulse to fear what is different or unknown. Her heightened awareness of unfairness means she was often the first person to start the conversation around equity and formulated an approach to DEI that starts by looking at how workplace systems are contributing to inequity. In this episode she shares what organisations and leaders can do to create more equity - from recruitment to belonging and career development.

See full shownotes here: www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-responsibilities-olanike-ayomide-mensah

 

What do you care about most deeply? That's a question Nina Simons has asked and answered of herself and the leaders and organisations she works with. A passionate believer in the interconnectedness of life, Nina's background spans art, nature and science with a whole of system approach to leadership thinking. Motivated by protecting the future of the planet, Nina is an advocate for self-responsibility and respecting the experiences and perspectives of others to forge greater understanding. She explains how we can do this on an individual, team, organisation and societal level and it starts with being willing to listen and learn, while taking a not-too-critical look in the mirror. If we are the system, then we can change the system.

See full shownotes here: www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-models-nina-simons

 

Mykel Dixon is a creative catalyst - bringing his energy and insights to people and organisations who are trying to escape the quagmire of the quotidien! His award-winning book Everyday Creative is a call to arms for anyone who wants to bring creativity back to how they live and work. If this sounds like a tall order, it is. Mykel is on a mission to get leaders to recognise the rules and constraints that no longer serve them and to move beyond them, one barefoot step on the grass at a time. If this all sounds a bit too woo-woo, Mykel succinctly connects the dots between nature, science and leadership practices to remind us that the wisdom we are seeking to make the next move is all around us.

See full shownotes here: www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-journey-mykel-dixon

Zoë Routh welcomes Candice DeVille, co-founder and CEO of AI CoPilot, to discuss the impact and practical applications of AI tools in personal and professional settings. They explore how AI can enhance efficiency, improve decision-making, and create opportunities for business leaders. Candice shares insights into AI's geopolitical landscape, the importance of diverse perspectives in AI development, and how leaders can implement AI to streamline business operations.

The conversation also covers the ethical considerations of AI, its evolving capabilities, and how businesses can develop a strategic AI roadmap. Additionally, Zoë recommends Tough Broad by Caroline Paul, an inspiring read on outdoor adventure for women.

SHOWNOTES are here. 

https://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/ai-power-practical-strategies-for-leaders

Key Quotes

"The challenge for leaders isn't just keeping up with AI—it's making smart, strategic choices about where to use it." – Zoë Routh

"The best use of AI is not to replace people, but to augment what they're already doing." – Candice DeVille

"We have the opportunity to shape AI by how we use it, what we teach it, and how we engage with it." – Candice DeVille

"When using AI, start small. Automate the tasks that are repetitive, prone to human error, and the ones that people complain about the most." – Candice DeVille

Questions Asked

1. How can AI be used to expand our perspectives?

2. What is the role of AI in creating meaningful connections rather than just generating content?

3. How can leaders implement AI in a structured way without overwhelming their teams?

4. What are the key geopolitical considerations shaping AI development?

5. How do open-source AI models like DeepSeek compare to proprietary models?

6. What are the most effective ways for SMEs to start leveraging AI?

7. How can business leaders ensure AI adoption is ethical and effective?

Take Action

1. Identify repetitive tasks in your business – Make a list of time-consuming, error-prone processes that could be automated.

2. Ask AI how it can help – Use tools like ChatGPT to explore automation options tailored to your needs.

3. Develop an AI roadmap – Start with a small, low-risk AI project to test the benefits before scaling up.

4. Encourage AI education in your team – Provide training so employees can leverage AI effectively.

5. Set clear AI guardrails – Ensure AI tools align with ethical considerations and business values.

6. Explore free AI learning resources – Check out Candice DeVille's AI CoPilot courses for business leaders.

Tip of the Week

Review the collaboration self-checklist - available for subscribers only. 

Join the community here: https://www.zoerouth.com/podcast-news

You'll get 40 book summaries and recommendations on Leading Strategy and Performance, along with a special secret audio from my award-winning book, People Stuff.

Key Moments

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:18 Exploring AI Tools: Bordi on LinkedIn

01:59 Power Games and Upcoming Book Launch

02:54 Using AI to Expand Perspectives

04:53 Interview with Candice DeVille: AI CoPilot

06:00 Candice DeVille's Journey in Tech

08:04 AI's Impact and Future Directions

19:44 Practical AI Applications for Businesses

28:48 Candice DeVille's Free AI Program for Leaders

33:39 Book Recommendation: Tough Broad

35:15 Conclusion and Call to Action

 

Power Games Kickstarter Campaign, sign up here: 

https://www.zoerouth.com/power-games

 

MagicMind Nootropic:

They have a limited offer you can use now, that gets you up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code TFLPOD20 at checkout.

You can claim it at: https://www.magicmind.com/TFLPOD

 

How much autonomy is enough? How can we encourage teams to be independent without losing control of quality and outcomes? These are the tensions leaders need to manage. As we wrap up our season on holacracy and reducing hierarchy, what are some leadership tips to build more autonomous teams without losing control of the ship?

See full shownotes here: www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-insights-teams

 

How much power is too much? How do we share power? How do we ensure power is not seized? These are the leadership questions that came up when news broke about the former Prime Minister's secret ministries. There are important tips for all leaders about how we wield power. Beware!

See full shownotes here: www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-insight-power

 

Mick Spiers is the founder of The Leadership Project and the author of You're a Leader: Now What? where Mick brings to fruition his passion for modern leadership that is a match for our fast-paced world. From a first career in aerospace defence where he learnt the good, the bad and the ugly of leadership and culture, Mick moved into urban mobility and had a life changing epiphany: it didn't matter how stress free the commute was if most people were spending most of their time in jobs they didn't love for leaders they didn't believe in. How had we got it so wrong and how could we do it better? These were questions Mick sought to answer with his research, writing, coaching and training in human-centred leadership. In this episode Mick shares the experiences that have contributed to his leadership philosophy and offers strategies for flipping our traditional notions of organisational design on its head.

See full shownotes here: www.zoerouth.com/podcast/company-culture-mick-spiers

 

Empathy is the master leadership skill. Throughout her career, Sophie Wade has been confronted with cultural norms, beliefs and behaviours that have literally caused her to stop and think. From rigid European workdays to Asian social habits and the American can-do spirit, she became an expert assimilator and realised that empathy was the key to unlocking understanding of all these different ways of working and living. Sophie now uses that empathy-based  approach to help organisations evolve their leadership and workforces to be fit and flexible for the future. In this episode Sophie shares why empathy is vital in multi-generational teams and how curiosity can help with navigating complexity. 

See full shownotes here: www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-empathy-sophie-wade

 

Great leadership and great lives come down to habits. Tapping out at the top of his profession aged just 31 should have seen Luke Mathers sitting back and enjoying his success. Instead he quickly realised that without the structures of work he was questioning his self-worth and coming up wanting. Identifying self-destructive habits and a negative internal narrator (we've all got one!) led Luke down a new path exploring how and why humans approach change from a place of negativity and self-criticism, backed up with habits that simply do not serve us. He works with leaders and teams to help them get curious about their habits and make lasting changes with reframing, self-compassion and small but effective steps. In this episode Luke explains why we are all a work in progress - and that's OK.

See full shownotes here: www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-habits-luke-mathers

 

I went to the desert for a pilgrimage. My intention was to reflect, and to evaluate who I am at this point in time as a leader, and as a human. I got more than I bargained for!  More hills, rocks, and amazing views than I anticipated. And sore feet. What surprised me most were the leadership insights: on fear, conflict, status, and purpose.

See full shownotes here: www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-insight-larapinta-trail

John Davis is a prolific author and speaker, an entrepreneur and founder with global experience. One thing he is not is jaded, instead he's passionate and positive about the ability of organisations and teams to have positive impacts on their communities, customers and employees. He helps organisations play a bigger game while also making a bigger contribution. In this episode he shares his leadership principles and priorities for doing this sustainably. John believes in good companies that support good citizens and this is how we can address some of society's most pressing challenges.

See full shownotes here: www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-principles-john-davis

Coach, facilitator, author and, as we discover in this episode, Quaker, Eudora Pascall is all about bringing the heart back to business. 'Back' because she believes we used to have it, especially in Quaker-led businesses that thrive on equality, with no hierarchy in their organisational structures. Eudora shares fascinating insights into the Quaker decision-making process and talks about the importance of structure to create space, how safety influences performance, perfection is not the goal and why it's OK to bring love into the business conversation.

See full shownotes here: www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-principles-eudora-pascall

 

Entrepreneur, author and former CMO Roy Osing dares to be different - in fact, he insists on it and helps his clients to do the same! Roy is a one of a kind leadership thinker with little patience for those who practice performative creativity instead of getting their hands dirty with the real thing. He has grown a start-up to billion dollar sales and authored seven books in his 'Be Different or Be Dead' series. Roy shares his contrary leadership philosophies from falling in love with micromanaging to his human-centric hiring process. 

See full shownotes here: www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-success-roy-osing

 

From Brisbane to Nepal via London, Vietnam and Cambodia, Jade Lee approached her mid-career disillusionment from a very adventurous angle! With a career in HR under her belt, Jade was finely attuned to team building and engagement but what she experienced on her trek to Everest Base Camp gave her a fresh perspective. From the Sherpa's servant leadership to building trust and connection at speed, it was a life-changing endeavor in many ways. Jade now draws on these experiences to help organisations improve team connection and engagement - it's less perilous than Everest but the people stuff delivers plenty of challenges for this intrepid explorer.

See full shownotes: www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-strategies-jade-lee

 

This episode explores the power of mental toughness, high-performance leadership, and resilience with Adam Smith, a retired Special Forces Commando and former Special Operations Group officer. Hosted by Zoë Routh, the conversation delves into what it takes to maintain focus under pressure, lead in extreme conditions, and push beyond personal limits.

The discussion covers a range of topics, including the influence of military and police training on decision-making, strategies for performing under high stress, and the mindset shifts necessary to overcome adversity—whether in combat, business, or personal challenges.

SHOWNOTES are here.

Join the Power Games advance notice here.

MagicMind Nootropic: They have a limited offer you can use now, that gets you up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one-time purchases with code TFLPOD20 at checkout. You can claim it at: https://www.magicmind.com/TFLPOD

Key Quotes

• "The way you respond under pressure is a direct reflection of the preparation you've put in." — Zoë Routh

• "Leadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about building the capacity to handle uncertainty and make decisions under stress." — Zoë Routh

• "Leadership in high-pressure environments isn't about individual heroics—it's about trust, discipline, and teamwork." — Adam Smith

• "Resilience isn't about avoiding hardship—it's about how you train yourself to respond when it inevitably comes." — Adam Smith

Questions Asked

1. What does it take to stay calm and effective in high-pressure situations?
2. What are the key factors that make high-performance teams work under stress?
3. What leadership lessons did you learn from your time in Special Forces and the Special Operations Group?
4. How do you develop mental resilience to push through physical and psychological barriers?
5. How do you build and maintain trust in high-pressure teams?

Take Action

1. Develop a resilience framework by implementing structured training for stress management.
2. Strengthen team trust through clear communication and shared challenges.
3. Adopt self-reflection practices to improve decision-making under pressure.
4. Invest in mental wealth initiatives that foster creativity, focus, and performance.

Tip of the Week

Review the collaboration self-checklist - available for subscribers only. Join the community here. You'll get 40 book summaries and recommendations on Leading Strategy and Performance, along with a special secret audio from my award-winning book, People Stuff.

Key Moments

00:00 Introduction and Weekly Question 00:17 Deep Seek: The AI Revolution 01:12 AI Magic and Energy 01:49 Business Takeaways from AI 02:28 Updates on Power Games Book 03:45 Magic Mind: Boosting Mental Clarity 05:48 Exploring Mental Wealth in the Workplace 09:17 Interview with Adam Smith: Resilience and Mindset 23:28 Finding Purpose and Mindset for Ultra Marathons 24:03 Starting the Journey: From Zero to 100 Kilometers 26:49 Training and Preparation for the Big Run 29:04 Lessons from Military Experiences 34:43 Building Trust and Team Dynamics 39:08 The Hardest Challenge: Self-Reflection 41:11 Fast Three: Future Tech, Leadership Tips, and Current Reads 44:31 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Resources 47:43 Read to Lead: A City on Mars 50:48 Conclusion and Reflections

The more you tell Laura Cunningham she won't be able to do something, the more determined she is to prove you wrong! Working her way up the leadership ladder in industries that traditionally haven't been seen as a viable option for working mums, Laura is now GM and one-third of the ownership team of Canberra-based CentreRED IT. She leads from the heart, with a passion for people that is evident in her relationships with colleagues, customers and communities. A true Amplifier, Laura gets her kicks from seeing those around her succeed at work and in life and in this episode she shares her career journey and what she's learned along the way. 

See full shownotes here: www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-success-laura-cunningham

 

Author, cultural historian, leadership professor and educator Dr Rick Chromey has a fresh take on the impact of technology on society and culture. Eschewing traditional generational cohorts, Rick applies a behavioural lens to understand how shifts in technology play out in the people stuff. He connects our history with our potential future to predict where technology can take us and why. At the heart of Rick's work is connection and he shares his GROWLS acronym for the deep human needs he believes every leader should be aware of. 

See full shownotes here: https://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-perspective-chris-chromey

 

As a conservatory trained bassist and widely certified productivity and culture consultant, Gerald Leonard leverages the synergies of music and business to help teams deliver outstanding performances. Replicating the flow and connection of a jazz ensemble in a sprawling project team doesn't faze Gerald, who thrives on organising chaos. Whether it's getting the band together or satisfying the boardroom, it's all a beautiful process that results in sweet music!

See full shownotes here: www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-framework-gerald-leonard