Mark answers two questions in this episode:

What is the one behaviour or trait that you have seen derail more leadership careers?

And what's Mark's take on the new 'Right To Disconnect' laws?

In this Q&A episode, Mark LeBusque deals with problematic bosses and building cultural change in the workplace.

Then he covers the role of ego and game playing in leadership.

Micromanagers, Trust, Change Resistance and Molding My Manager all get a run in this weeks episode.

Be provoked and perhaps pleasantly surprised by the 'Purposeful Provocateurs' take on these topics. 

I'm joined by Founder & CEO of The People Spot Colin Beattie, who is on a mission to give every human a 'coach in their pocket' that will help normalise day-to-day people management issues. Colin shares his insights on why we favor avoidance over action when it comes to people issues, and how the pandemic got him thinking more about 'moments' than 'events'. This is two boys from the bush having an open and at times raw conversation about why emotions and dreaming big matter, and how better conversations and better connections lead to better business. 

Colin has also provided podcast listeners with a discount code for access to The People Spot App, which you can get at https://www.thepeoplespot.com

Just enter the all-caps code BEHUMAN12 at checkout to get  12% off the order. Thanks Colin!

Are you open to experimenting? There are considerable benefits in doing so both personally and in business. Mark delves into the benefits of an experimental mindset, and why some humans do and do not embrace an experimental mindset. He also shares some of his current and future experiments and the data he has captured to date.

It's Father's Day this coming Sunday 4th September in Australia and what a gift founder of Cyclewell Camps and men's Health and Wellbeing Coach Ash Bennallack gives us in this week's Podcast. From a competitive and 'successful' corporate twenty-something high flyer to bankruptcy and everything in between, Ash shares his own story of struggle and why it drove him to create Cyclewell Camps, and why men's health is now a cause that he lives for and not just works for. His simple and practical tips are a gift to you to share with the men in your life. To find out more about his upcoming events for Men, Women and Mixed Groups click here: https://cyclewell.com.au/ what a great Father's Day present.

Mark explores why it is that every week he's asked by his clients how they are different from other sectors, industries, professions, etc. His answer disappoints most times. He shares his thoughts on this and how it can his response can shift from being a disappointment to an opportunity for those who ask the question (spoiler alert - it's everybody).

Founder of Possibility Arena Alex Bakowski shares her story from high school dropout to now creating her values based leadership consultancy. Well worth a listen if you're considering moving from employee to business owner.

From - How do I let go?, What tool will help me to better understand group dynamics?, Why do I have to have all the answers as a manager?, dealing with generational issues and I'm frustrated by my relationship with management. This week's solo Podcast was a Q&A and I gave it my best shot. Have a listen and I am sure you will get something out of this for yourself and others. 

Personal branding coach Carlii Lyon opens up on her top tips to build your personal brand and shares some incredible stories on how she was drawn into being conditionally rather than unconditionally liked. A real, raw and revealing conversation.

Last week I had the privilege of discussing human leadership and spending time with a unique group in an amazing part of Australia and learned that perceptions aren't real and that we should never underestimate the power of deep connection and a strong sense of belonging. I share both my reinforced and new learnings in this episode.

In what's best described as two blokes having a conversation, Craig Harper and I share some recent personal goings on as well as our insights and perspectives on self-management, overwhelm, uniqueness and acknowledging your part in the mess of life.

Professor of Psychology and Author of "The Art of Insubordination - How To Dissent And Defy Effectively", Todd Kashdan unpacks why we need to embrace our virtuous rebel in order to bring more justice, creativity, and innovation into the world. He explains the benefits of selfishness, the importance of being curious, how embracing our dark side is useful, and why we need dissent to slow things down in a fast-paced world.

Mark was flooded with questions after his last "Ask Mark Anything' Poddy so he's had another 'off the cuff' crack at answering questions about workplaces as 'families', first impressions and the importance of gut feel, how to be bold and keep your boss onside when you want to make a career move, dealing with 'idea stealers' and those who 'want to always be in the photo' and taking control of your life design (aka work-life balance). You may agree or disagree with Mark's perspectives here and you'd both be right!!

Sometimes things happen for a reason and Paddy Pimlett's post fight speech, a very vulnerable in-room Human Manager Experience, and the birthday of his late father Bob, has Mark reflecting on why it's not weak to speak and why we need to break the stigma attached to it (warning Mark talks about his personal experience with a family members suicide).

Author of Transforming Norm - Leading the Change to Mentally Healthy Workplaces', Tanya Heaney-Voogt shares her thoughts on why the fear-based management approach must end and be replaced with listening and addressing, learning before box-ticking and stemming the flow of overwhelm across all levels in an organisation. It is only then that humans will feel that they are indeed included and belong.

This week Mark continues with the reflective approach and poses some questions about changing beliefs and behaviors, accepting that words matter, playing a role as actors on the stage, and removing the mythical creatures of 'them' and 'they' in your life. He leaves you with more questions than answers as is the nature of the work of 'self'.

President and Founder of Frame of Mind Coaching, and co-founder of The Journal That talks Back, Kim Ades joins me to explore how thoughts proceed all actions, why we must examine our own thinking and stop getting involved in the game of rightness. Kim shares some personal examples as well as her tools on how to both assign and assume positive intent. This is also worth a listen to understand how Kim combines strength and cheekiness to get her message across. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF-tgCSSYHM

In Part 1 of this Podcast on leading self, Mark shares some of his thoughts on why trusting you, requesting and accepting feedback, investing in you, and stepping into comfortably uncomfortable work are so incredibly important. Oh....and there's some questions he poses for you to reflect upon.

Workplace Wellbeing Advisor and Founder of Nap Now Thea O'Connor is passionate about helping humans become body intelligent and practice Body Intelligence (BQ). In this reshared episode, Thea outlines why Body Intelligence (BQ) is so important in the fast-paced world we live in, and shares some simple and practical ways to embrace it and reduce the likelihood of burnout.

Tiff and Mark get together again and dive deep into some great topics using real-life experiences over the past 2-3 months, including a decision on a new pet, why we compare everything, meeting humans face to face for the first time, phobias and how to really disconnect in order to be in the moment.

Allison and I recently spent two weeks in the NT, and I share some lessons and learnings, both reinforced and new, about comfort and discomfort, culture, connections and conversations, being tech free, hiring great humans and the fragility of life on what was an incredibly unforgettable adventure.

I'm resharing one of my favorite episodes where I chatted with Prof. Marty Linsky about all things leadership and why we must look at leadership as an activity not a title.

Mark and Tiff bust a few myths about what networking is and isn't about. Oh....and remembering that you're human is the key.

I love questions with very little notice, and in this weeks episode I share my 'truth' on questions relating to workplace bullying, teaching leadership, leading when there's a personality and values clash, changing a deeply ingrained shitty culture and the mandate to return to the office (good or bad).

Oh and there's even a cheeky question about age appropriateness to wear a 'man-bun'. Have a listen, get triggered or nod your head (or both) as I give it my best shot. 

CEO Coach David Deane-Spread and I explore many elements of leadership in this week's podcast including what he learned about courage and vulnerability in the military, balancing transactional and transformational work, shiny object syndrome, situational and self awareness and why leadership is lonely, involves giving credit and taking blame.

Mark is off on two weeks holiday this week and reflects on why we seem to be so affected by the FOMO of work. He shares some real life examples of this, the pitfalls of 'Work FOMO' and why turning a mindset to 'Work JOMO' will be better for all the humans in your life.

CEO Coach David Deane-Spread and I explore many elements of leadership in this week's podcast including what he learned about courage and vulnerability in the military, balancing transactional and transformational work, shiny object syndrome, situational and self awareness and why leadership is lonely, involves giving credit and taking blame.

Karen Brown knew at 14 that she wanted to be a pharmacist and now is at the forefront of challenging perceptions and the status quo of what it is to be a pharmacist. We talk about the importance of upbringing, community, leadership, belonging, fun, trust, and why pharmacists are more than a place for me to buy my bag of jellybeans. There are so many leadership and life lessons for everyone here in this conversation.

Mark's Podcast editor Andy Maher gave him the gift of feedback last week and it forms the basis of this week's solo podcast on why feedback is a gift, and why you should both ask for and give feedback regularly. Mark shares his thoughts on building feedback fitness, using this in real-life situations (performance reviews anyone), and what to avoid when giving feedback. Oh, and he leaves you with a BIG question to answer.

Author and Prof. of Psychology at NYU Tessa West has both practiced and witnessed 'jerkery' in the workplace and shares the 7 Types of Workplace Jerks, why jerks might not know they're being jerks (and how to help them see it) and how to see the signs that you may be practice a type of work 'jerkery'. You can take Tessa's quiz on either 'jerk or ally' or buy the book 'Jerks At Work' here https://www.tessawestauthor.com/

Mark has a real issue with the term soft skills and after this episode and you will too. He suggests that the terms 'soft' and 'hard' are yesterday's descriptors, and shares some descriptions of both that will have you shaking your head. He concludes that there is power in creating new terms for these important skills and that there is much to be gained by combining them as a manager.

Nat Phillips-Mason is a change practitioner who has a passion for using change methodology to make real progress on embracing neurodiversity at both work and in the world. She shares her thoughts on why humans with lived experience and not observed experience should drive the change program, why current language like 'normal', 'deficits', and 'fixing' is not useful, and how listening to understand will change the game on both the employee and customer values propositions.

Mark explores why it's 'we, us, and I' when things are going well and 'they and them' when they're going not so well. He ponders where these mythical workplace creatures 'them and they' come from, and why humans do this. Crystal balls, accepting one's part in the mess, and pity parties all get a mention in this episode, and some ways to combat taking the easy way out by absolving yourself of accountability.

Darius Boyd shares his lived experience with mental health and why it is important to seek support instead of remaining silent. Darius shares his three practical tips on how to create space for a conversation.

Author and Leadership Coach Julie Hyde's cancer diagnosis sent her into a dark place and she knew she had to make a choice there and then.

In this episode Julie shares her inspirational story of choosing victim or victor, the difference between a choice and a decision, why busyness is a 'jailor for choice', and how one can create their own hope.

Check out Julie's new book 'You Always Have A Choice' by clicking here https://youalwayshaveachoice.com.au/

Mark shares some personal examples of what makes him 'comfortably comfortable', 'comfortably uncomfortable' and 'uncomfortably uncomfortable', and an approach he takes to challenge himself to find more time in the learning zone of 'comfortably uncomfortable' whilst still understanding the value of both chilling out and feeling distressed at times in order to make personal progress

I met Jeff at a Wellness retreat and was so fascinated by the life lessons he shared that I wanted to bring his wisdom to the world. From the wise words his father shared with him 'don't ever lose your good name' to Jeff's mantras you're not measured by what you do but by how you bounce back, never give up as you're close to a breakthrough, and stay true to who you are. Jeff is a master storyteller and shares everything from his early corporate career at Goldman Sachs, how he's using his passion for cycling to raise money for a great cause, and why being objective about ourselves is critical in order to help others.

Mark regularly talks to humans who feel they have no choice as they contemplate their next career move. He shares his six ideas on taking back control of your choices and not jumping straight from the frying pan into the fire.

Author and Founder of Ian Cartwright Sales Coaching joins me and shares his decades of wisdom on why sales is so intrinsically tied to who we are as human beings. Problem-solving, listening, being yourself and even our survival instinct is all part of being human and selling. Check out Ian's book The 6 Fundamentals of Sales Know How www.iancartwright.co.nz

Mark and Tiff start in a surprising way and it just gets crazier from there - using words to protect ourselves, being busy fools and delving into our bad news filing cabinets all get a run. Enjoy.

Dr. Yvonne Sum has a unique ability to provoke conversations about self because she is a master of doing the hard work of self. We cover mirror-neurons, and how slowly we humans have evolved. Oh....and what it means to live intentionally.

Mark shares the emotional response he tried to hide during his favorite band Weddings, Parties Anything set at the Byron Bay Bluesfest, and how to allow permission for yourself and others to display emotion as you start coming back together in the world and the workplace.

Dr. Yvonne Sum has a unique ability to provoke conversations about self because she is a master of doing the hard work of self. We cover everything from playfulness, fear, connection, and what we yearn for. Oh....and what it means to live intentionally.

Mark shares his thoughts on why humans are more into a 'what's next' than a 'stop and reflect' mindset and the five questions he uses with himself and in his Human Manager Experience to encourage others to spend a little time each day stopping and reflecting.

Julie Tickle is one of my favorite humans who continues to work by the mantra of 'Just Be You' as her career has taken her from teaching to the executive team at TAFE NSW over 22 years. From 'thinking in the shower', doing the washing up to having someone call her bullshit, Julie is a human who doesn't hide behind a title and speaks the same way, and refuses to be overwhelmed by anyone regardless of titles.

Tiff Cook is back again and we reflect on the helpfulness and/or harmfulness of data around a range of related topics in this chat, along with how and why we judge people (motorbike riders for me), what makes us like (or dislike) them, and how understanding our strengths and personality styles (more data, incidentally) can help us work, grow, connect and conquer.

Again this is 'Podcast freestyling' at its very best. Take a listen - I dare you (and will judge you if you don't). 

STANDOUT ASSESSMENT

Take The Test: standout.tmbc.com

Mark talks about his concept of 'Humannovation' and shares some simple and practical tips on how to embrace 'being before doing' to create better outcomes at work and in the world.

Best selling authors Brian P. Moran and Michael M. Lennington have uncovered the secret sauce to creating high-performing teams and organisations, and they call it Uncommon Accountability. They both share why "hold others capable" rather than "being held accountable" and moving away from the punishment mindset of accountability will unlock discretionary effort and build more purposeful relationships in business and life. Uncommon Accountability (WILEY, December 29, 2021) is available at your favorite bookstore of choice or check out https://uncommonaccountability.com/

Mark reflects on how deeper human connection occurs with some humans, teams etc. and not others. He shares his simple and practical tips for building and sustaining deep human connections.