The Future of Leadership – Details, episodes & analysis

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 systems thinking and strategic foresight with futurist Donna Dupont, as we challenge assumptions about leadership, innovation, and our collective future. Zoë shares an exciting update on her new book Power Games launching on Kickstarter, and we dive into the emerging vision of a moon-based data centre and what it means for the future of digital infrastructure.

In this episode, Donna brings clarity to the often-misunderstood world of foresight work. She breaks down how mapping complexity, anticipatory thinking, and systems framing can shift the way leaders respond to crises, craft policy, and design for change. From Arctic policy to leadership development, this conversation unpacks how to lead with deeper awareness in an increasingly unpredictable world.

SHOWNOTES are here:
https://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/regenerating-teams-from-inside-out 

Planet Human:
LoneStar’s moonshot: Data centres on the lunar surface by 2025
https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/lonestars-moonshot-firm-aims-place-data-center-lunar-surface-2025-01-21/

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

Key Quotes:
"Strategic foresight isn’t about predicting the future. It’s about preparing to act in it with intelligence and compassion." – Donna Dupont
"When we slow down to map the system, we see possibilities we couldn’t before." – Zoë Routh
"Every assumption is a doorframe some keep us safe, some keep us stuck." – Donna Dupont

Questions Asked:

1. What is strategic foresight, and why is it critical for future-ready leadership?

2. How can leaders build the capacity to map complex systems in times of uncertainty?

3. What role does anticipatory thinking play in solving today’s wicked problems?

4. How do we challenge deeply held assumptions that limit innovation and inclusive decision-making?

Take Action:

• Identify one system you’re part of (team, community, organisation) and begin mapping its inputs, outputs, and actors.

• Use Donna’s approach: define the system’s boundaries, identify the stakeholders, and uncover any blind spots.

• Bring this framework into your next strategic conversation and notice what shifts.
  
  

Tip of the Week:
Host a “Future Now” workshop: Gather your team and spend 60 minutes exploring trends, weak signals, and strategic responses using foresight tools. Even one hour can unlock radically different insights.

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

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]