Explore every episode of the podcast The Leaders of Influence Podcast with Anton Guinea

Elena Chirich reflects on the leaders who shaped her journey, from astronaut Valentina Tereshkova to Margaret Thatcher and Jacinda Ardern. She explains how embracing authentic leadership led her from corporate transformation work to supporting children’s growth. Her approach centers on helping people feel capable through safe challenges, trust, and room to learn from mistakes. Elena also discusses psychological safety and why leaders and parents should praise effort and decision-making rather than results alone. She closes with a call for servant leadership that helps others grow and go further.

1. Help people feel capable, not merely comfortable. Offer safe challenges that stretch team members and children just beyond their comfort zones, supporting growth without overwhelming them.
2. Make mistakes safe to learn from. Responding to mistakes with curiosity rather than punishment encourages people to take initiative, try new things, and improve.
3. Praise effort and decisions, not just outcomes. Recognizing the choices and work behind a result helps people build confidence without tying their self-worth solely to achievement.

• Don’t make them feel comfortable, but make them capable
• Struggle makes us stronger
• When you see them making good decisions. Praise that, not the results

00:00 The Power of Influence 00:46 The Leaders Who Shaped Elena 03:46 Discovering Authentic Leadership 06:28 Finding Purpose Beyond Corporate Life 09:13 Rethinking Leadership 13:53 Creating Safe Challenges 15:00 Psychological Safety and Learning from Mistakes 18:42 Praising Effort and Decisions 25:23 Servant Leadership

Elena Chirich’s experiences show how leadership can evolve from rigid expectations toward authenticity, empathy, and purpose. Her approach helps people grow through safe challenges rather than keeping them comfortable. When mistakes are treated as opportunities to learn, people are more willing to take initiative and grow. Praising effort and thoughtful decisions builds confidence beyond results alone. Ultimately, servant leadership means helping others go further and achieve more than they could on their own.

Ready to help children and teams grow into their full potential? Connect with Elena Chirich to explore authentic, supportive leadership and ways to help others thrive. 📧 Email: elena@miniboss-school.com.au  💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-chirich/ 🌐 Visit: https://au.miniboss-school.com/founders-welcome/

Dr. Kaushik Sridhar, founder of Orka Advisory, shares how his experiences in sport, sustainability, and education shaped his understanding of influence. He explains why influence comes from impact, trust, credibility, and consistency, not job titles or authority. Drawing on his personal journey, he reflects on resilience and the lessons that helped him grow. You’ll also hear practical ways to navigate resistance to change, influence senior leaders, and build support without formal authority. His closing message is simple: true influence is measured by how much better people are because you were part of their journey.

Takeaways:

1. Influence is about impact, not authority. Build it through trust, credibility, consistency, and a positive effect on others.
2. Meet resistance with curiosity. Listen to understand its source, clarify the purpose, reduce uncertainty, involve people, and lead by example.
3. Influence is built through everyday actions. Listen deeply, communicate clearly, act consistently, and aim to leave people better than you found them.

Quotes:

• For me, influence isn't measured by how many people know your name. For me, influence is measured by how many people are better off because you were a part of their journey.
• Influence is not about control; it's about helping people see the value of moving in a particular direction and making it easier for them to say yes.
• Listen deeply, communicate clearly, and act consistently.

Timestamp:

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Kaushik Sridhar 04:01 Defining Influence 07:17 Personal and Professional Influences 10:17 Kaushik’s Tennis Journey 12:04 Overcoming Childhood Trauma 17:14 The Art of Winging It 19:24 Influencing Without Authority 23:38 Navigating Resistance to Change 26:44 Teaching, Coaching, and Sustainability Advisory 30:51 Managing Up and Challenging with Respect 35:23 Building Everyday Influence 42:50 Storytelling and Public Speaking 44:18 A Life of Positive Influence

Conclusion:

Dr. Kaushik Sridhar’s perspective shows that influence is built through positive impact, not titles or authority. Trust, credibility, and consistency help people move forward together. When change meets resistance, curiosity, clear communication, and genuine involvement can turn uncertainty into ownership. His journey also reminds us that hardship can shape resilience and open new paths for growth. Ultimately, meaningful influence is measured by whether others are better off because you were part of their journey.

Ready to turn sustainability into strategic advantage and create a more positive impact?

Connect with Dr. Kaushik Sridhar, founder and CEO of Orka Advisory, to explore sustainability and ESG advisory, executive coaching, teaching, and speaking, focused on helping people and organizations move forward.

📧 Email: kaushik@orkaadvisory.com 💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaushiksridhar83/ 🌐 Visit: https://www.orkaadvisory.com/

David Neal, veteran and CEO of Eighth Mile Consulting, shares a practical perspective on influence, leadership, and management. He explains why leaders need to adapt their approach to the context, shifting between clear protocols, operational trade-offs, and strategic contradictions. The conversation explores how facilitation can help people learn how to think rather than simply follow fixed rules. Drawing on his work with ex-incarcerated veterans, Neal discusses building rapport, accountability, and lasting behavior change. He closes with a challenge for aspiring leaders: take responsibility and accept risk on behalf of others to grow your influence.

Takeaways:

1. Influence depends on context. Effective leaders adapt their approach to the situation rather than relying on a single leadership style or fixed rule.
2. Leadership and management serve different functions. Leadership focuses on people and change; management creates systems and order. Strong leaders know when to shift between them.
3. Influence grows through responsibility. Neal argues that leaders build trust by accepting risk on others' behalf and taking responsibility when things go wrong.

Quotes:

• People’s influence is directly proportional to the level of personal risk they’re willing to accept on others' behalf.
• If you want more influence, accept more risk and when it goes wrong, take the hit.
• It’s a very dangerous game to teach people what to think in leadership. It’s a game of how to think.

Timestamp:

00:00:23 Welcome to the Leaders of Influence Podcast 00:03:38 Defining Influence 00:04:58 Leadership and Management 00:11:18 Facilitation Over Presentation 00:13:23 Why Context Matters 00:17:25 Leadership at Different Levels 00:20:48 Navigating Leadership Paradoxes 00:30:48 Learning from Experience 00:33:46 Information Overload and Decision-Making 00:39:24 Building Rapport and Accountability 00:45:50 Growing Eighth Mile Consulting 00:51:47 Responsibility, Risk, and Influence

Conclusion:

David Neal’s insights show that influence is built through understanding context and adapting how you lead. Leadership and management require different approaches, and effective leaders know when to shift between them. Rather than relying on rigid rules, leaders can help people learn how to think through complex situations. Neal also emphasizes that lasting change calls for both meaningful goals and personal accountability. Ultimately, influence grows when leaders take responsibility and accept risk on behalf of others.

Want to build stronger leadership and a culture where people can thrive?

Connect with David Neal at Eighth Mile Consulting to explore practical leadership development, coaching, and culture change designed around your organization’s context and goals.

📧 Email: david.neal@eighthmile.com.au 💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-j-neal/ 🌐 Visit: https://www.eighthmile.com.au/

Tim Hewson joins Anton Guinea to explore how influence can shift from persuading people to inspiring, empowering, and supporting them. He shares how authentic leadership and vulnerability changed the way he connects with colleagues and understands what motivates them. Tim also tells the story of Mongrels Men, which grew from informal golf weekends into a community supporting men’s mental health, with around 60 volunteers. The conversation looks at self-care, psychosocial safety at work, and the shared roles of organizations, leaders, and individuals in supporting wellbeing. Tim’s message is that lasting influence grows through care, connection, practical support, and recognizing what matters to others.

1. Influence is about empowering people. Tim describes moving from a corporate view of influence persuading people to inspiring, supporting, and helping them achieve what matters to them.
2. Connection and vulnerability strengthen leadership. Being authentic, listening to people, and understanding their motivations can build trust and help teams work better together.
3. Wellbeing is a shared responsibility. Organizations shape the conditions and culture, leaders support open conversations, and individuals speak up and care for their wellbeing.

• “Knowing what is best for you allows you to turn up to be the best version of yourself.”
• “If you continue to run at that high energy pace when you're switched on, you will turn yourself in knots, and that's not always a good place to be.”
• “If you can understand what makes people tick, what they value, you know you can lead through influence, through care and support, by helping them achieve what they want to achieve, not necessarily what you want to achieve.”

 00:00 Introduction to Tim Hewson 02:19 Redefining Influence 03:32 Authentic Leadership and Vulnerability 08:29 Leaders Who Make an Impact 11:19 Leading for Impact 14:20 How Mongrels Men Began 16:32 Self-Care and Wellbeing 20:22 Learning to Switch Off 22:09 Workplace Mental Health and Legislation 29:09 Shared Responsibility for Wellbeing 33:20 The Meaning Behind Mongrels Men 34:33 Coaching Others to Influence 38:33 Recognition and Motivation 40:13 Influence Through Care and Support 44:20 Tim’s Closing Reflections

Tim Hewson’s story shows how influence can grow from persuading people to inspiring, empowering, and supporting them. His experience highlights the value of authenticity, vulnerability, and care in building stronger relationships and healthier workplaces. Through Mongrels Men, he has helped create a community where men can connect and support one another. He reminds us that wellbeing is a shared responsibility, shaped by organizations, leaders, and individuals. Ultimately, lasting influence comes from understanding what matters to people and helping them make a meaningful difference.

Ready to support men’s mental health and create stronger, more connected communities?

Tim Hewson, founder of Mongrels Men, works with communities and workplaces to encourage open conversations, reduce isolation, and strengthen wellbeing. Connect with Tim to learn more about his work in men’s mental health, suicide prevention, and psychological safety.

📧 Email: mongrelsmen@gmail.com 💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timhewson1/ 🌐 Visit: https://bettermentco.com.au/

Brisbane Tigers CEO Mitch Cook joins Anton to share how he rose from volunteer sports trainer to leading a major development club in rugby league. He reflects on the high standards and values he absorbed at the Melbourne Storm and Collingwood, and how those environments shaped his own leadership philosophy. Mitch explains why trust-based leadership, consistent behavior, and listening without judgment are central to positively influencing how people feel, think, and grow. He also opens up about his personal wellbeing toolkit family, running, and music and how looking after himself helps him show up as his best self at work and at home. The conversation finishes with a look at the Brisbane Tigers’ long-term vision, their NRL expansion ambitions, and the responsibility clubs have to support players and staff through career transitions.

Takeaways:

1. Positive influence starts with trust and consistency. Mitch shows how leading with trust, role modeling the right behaviors, and showing up consistently can shape how people feel, think, and grow.
2. High-performance cultures are built on clear values and standards. Lessons from clubs like Melbourne Storm and Collingwood highlight that alignment to a common goal, high standards, and strong communication underpin sustained success.
3. Great leaders prioritize wellbeing and development for themselves and others. Mitch uses his own wellbeing toolkit (family, running, music) to be his best self, while focusing on developing future leaders and supporting players and staff through career transitions.

Quotes:

• Be a positive influence on how people feel, think, behave, and grow.
• Lead with trust and give people the confidence to step up.
• Be the best version of yourself so you can help others be the best version of themselves.

Timestamp:

00:00 Welcome and Mitch Cook’s Background 03:20 From Personal Training to Strength and Conditioning 04:58 Lessons from Melbourne Storm and High-Performance Culture 08:03 Defining Positive Influence and Trust-Based Leadership 10:59 Parenting, Presence, and Creating Future Leaders 13:14 People Who Shaped Mitch’s Leadership Journey 18:22 Influence Mitch Is Most Proud Of 21:08 Wellbeing Toolkit: Family, Running, and Music 26:40 Leading Diverse Stakeholders Across a Club 28:48 What It Means to Be a Development Club 30:50 Player Transitions and Life After Professional Sport 33:49 The Brisbane Tigers Story and NRL Expansion Vision 37:12 Anton’s Summary of Key Leadership Insights 40:23 Mitch’s Final Philosophy on Meaningful Leadership

Conclusion:

This conversation with Brisbane Tigers CEO Mitch Cook offers a powerful look at how trust, consistency, and clear values underpin meaningful leadership in both sport and life. Drawing on formative experiences at Melbourne Storm and Collingwood, Mitch shows that high performance is less about slogans and more about daily standards, alignment, and communication. He reframes influence as the ability to positively shape how people feel, think, behave, and grow, focusing on creating future leaders rather than followers. Mitch’s commitment to his own wellbeing through family, running, and music reinforces the idea that leaders must look after themselves to reliably show up for others. Ultimately, his philosophy challenges listeners to be the example, leave people better than they found them, and measure success by the lives they’ve helped lift along the way.

Ready to become a more consistent, values-driven leader and develop future leaders around you? Learn from Brisbane Tigers CEO Mitch Cook on how to lead with trust, build high-performance environments, and put wellbeing at the center of sustainable success.

📧 Email: mitch@thetigers.com.au 💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjc246/ 🌐 Visit: https://thetigers.com.au/about-us/staff-listing/

Former politician and stroke survivor Heidi Victoria joins Anton to share how her fight for her son’s bilingual education unexpectedly led to a 12-year parliamentary career. She explains how real influence starts with a clear end goal and is powered by persistence, empathy, and the courage to stand up for what’s right. Heidi reveals how a life-threatening stroke became a turning point, fueling her advocacy with the Stroke Foundation and deepening her appreciation for mortality, health, and second chances. She and Anton dig into practical leadership lessons around quiet influence, emotional regulation, and adapting your communication style so the listener truly hears you. Heidi also talks about returning to her roots as a photographer, helping women show up authentically in their personal brands while championing equality, kindness, and respect for every person, regardless of title or role.

Takeaways: Influence starts with a clear purpose – Heidi shows that true influence is a means to an end, driven by a clear goal, like fighting to save her son’s bilingual education program and ultimately entering politics to make change.

Quiet leadership is powerful – From whispering in a chaotic parliament to staying calm with angry people, Heidi demonstrates that low, slow, and empathetic communication can be more effective than loud, forceful tactics.

Crisis can become a calling – Her stroke and recovery deepened her “mortality motivation,” leading her to advocate for stroke awareness, prevention, and respectful, human-centered leadership while returning to authentic, purpose-driven work in photography.

Quotes: Treat everybody with kindness. That's not a sign of weakness. That's a sign of strength. We've got to make the most of what we can do. You can only have influence if they get it.

Timestamp:  00:00 Meet Heidi Victoria: From Photography to Politics  03:45 Correcting the Record: Updating Heidi’s Political Bio  06:30 Defining Influence and Fighting for a Bilingual School  12:40 Lessons from Mum: Standing Up and Making a Difference  18:10 Whispering for Power: Quiet Influence in Politics  24:30 Stroke Story: The Day Everything Changed  30:20 FAST and Stroke Awareness: Saving Lives with Knowledge  35:10 Advocacy and the Stroke Foundation: Turning Pain Into Purpose  40:00 Leadership, Kindness, and Equality on International Women’s Day

Conclusion: Heidi Victoria’s story is a powerful reminder that influence begins with a clear purpose and the courage to stand up for what matters. Her journey from photographer to politician, and later stroke survivor and advocate, shows how personal challenges can evolve into a mission to help others. By modeling quiet, compassionate leadership, she demonstrates that calm, respectful communication can be more impactful than aggression or volume. Her advocacy for stroke awareness and equality underscores the importance of valuing every person, regardless of title, status, or role. Ultimately, Heidi invites us to live with mortality motivation, use our voice wisely, and lead with kindness, authenticity, and intent.

Ready to show up as your most confident, authentic self in life, leadership, and your personal brand?

Connect with Heidi Victoria to explore how you can communicate with quiet influence, advocate with purpose, and present your best self on camera and in the world.

📧 Email: strokeline@strokefoundation.org.au  💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hon-heidi-victoria-b-a-36aa8969/  🌐Visit: https://strokefoundation.org.au/media-centre/stroke-stories/living-with-pain-reclaiming-my-strength 

CEO Matt Campiutti from Walz Group joins Anton Guinea to explore how real influence is built through motivation, inspiration, and consistent action. He shares formative lessons from his parents’ long careers in nursing and teaching, and how those values of loyalty and hard work shaped his leadership. The conversation digs into leading teams in high-risk industrial environments, balancing safety, process, and commercial pressures. Matt explains how authenticity, approachability, and visibility help him empower frontline leaders and maintain a genuine family culture across the business. Listeners also hear how titles, ego, and respect intersect, and why actions always speak louder than words for any leader.

Takeaways:  • Actions define leadership more than words – consistent behavior, fairness, and respect do more to build influence than any speech or slogan.  • Authenticity and approachability build trust – staying the same person after gaining a title, keeping doors open, and being visible on site help leaders earn genuine respect.  • Safety and family values drive decisions – prioritizing safety, process, and a family-like culture over pure price competition shapes which clients the Walls Group works with and how they operate.

Quotes:  • I guess influence, in a leadership sense, is really just having the ability to motivate and inspire your colleagues.  • For me, I try to let my actions do the speaking, and I think that way, yeah, the talk is always a short-term thing.  • Actions speak louder than words.

Timestamp:  0:00 – Welcome and Introduction to Matt Campiutti  0:03 – What Influence Means in Leadership  0:04 – Family Roots, Hard Work, and Loyalty  0:06 – Creating Loyalty and a “Family” Culture at Walls Group  0:07 – Mentors, Founders, and Long-Term Influence  0:09 – Who Leaders Influence Most: Teams and Children  0:11 – Leadership Character: Actions Over Words  0:14 – Double Standards, Culture, and Leading by Example  0:15 – Sleepless Nights and Caring About Safety  0:17 – Safety, Quality, and Choosing the Right Clients  0:18 – Critical Role of Frontline Supervisors  0:19 – Coaching New Frontline Leaders and Staying Authentic  0:22 – Titles, Ego, and Not Changing Who You Are  0:23 – Approachability, Open Doors, and Being Visible on Site  0:25 – Respect, Simple Conversations, and Human Connection  0:25 – Walz Group Elevator Pitch and 50-Year Milestone  0:26 – Host Summary of Key Leadership Lessons  0:31 – Final Leadership Message: Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Conclusion: Matt Campiutti highlights that meaningful influence is built on consistent actions, not titles or rhetoric. Drawing from his parents’ example of loyalty and service and his own journey at Walz Group, Matt shows how authenticity, respect, and empowerment create lasting trust in high-risk environments. His commitment to safety, family values, and choosing the right clients shows that commercial success does not have to come at people's expense. By remaining approachable and visible, he bridges the gap between the boardroom and the frontline, strengthening culture and accountability. Listeners are left with a clear reminder that leaders earn influence when their daily behavior matches the standards they set for others.

Ready to partner with a safety‑driven industrial construction team that treats your people like family and brings 50 years of experience to every project? 

Connect with Matt Campiutti and the Walz Group to explore how their focus on safety, quality, and loyal long-term relationships can support your resources, energy, and infrastructure work across Central Queensland and beyond. From fabrication and on-site construction to maintenance and blasting/painting, their teams operate with a “family” culture, strong frontline leadership, and uncompromising standards.

📧 Email: mcampiutti@walzgroup.biz  💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-campiutti-264b05b/  🌐 Visit: https://www.walzgroup.biz/about/people/ 

Adele McAuley shares how she grew from a quiet, unsure student into the managing director of a high-performing international freight forwarding business. She unpacks what freight forwarding looks like day-to-day, from urgent mine-site deliveries to moving massive capital-works cargo across the globe. Adele reveals why she calls herself an “accidental CEO” and how leadership found her long before she had any formal qualifications. The conversation dives into how she builds a strong team culture, develops young talent like Carly and Jared, and keeps morale high in a demanding service-based industry. Listeners also hear Adele’s core belief that hard work, attitude, and consistent follow-through will always attract the right people willing to invest in your success.

Quotes:

• Yeah, making miracles happen daily.
• I feel like sometimes I'm a magnet for those kinds of customers, for the high-needs ones or the ones that get burnt or something, and just need to get some Facebook support in.
• Show up, put in the effort, and the right people will find you; they will help you, guide you, and take you where you need to go.

Key Takeaways

1. Leadership can be “accidental” – Adele didn’t plan to be a freight forwarder or a managing director, but saying yes to opportunities and responsibility gradually led her into senior leadership.
2. Attitude beats formal education – she emphasizes that hard work, effort, and the right mindset matter more for success than completing degrees or having perfect qualifications.
3. Strong culture starts with the leader’s behavior – Adele intentionally sets a positive tone each day, truly knows her people, and invests in their growth, which creates a team that pulls together so no one sinks.

Episode Timeline:

0:00 – Introducing Adele McAuley and Powerhouse International Queensland 3:14 – What Freight Forwarding Really Looks Like Day to Day 6:53 – Making Miracles Happen and the Power of Picking Up the Phone 10:36 – Adele’s Unexpected Career Path into Freight and Leadership 15:22 – Early Influences, Opportunities, and Learning from Global Partners 19:17 – Defining Influence and the Hidden Impact of Small Actions 21:28 – The Grade Five Responsibility Story and Discovering Confidence 25:16 – Pride in the Team: Jared, Carly, and a Culture of “No One Sinks” 32:20 – How Adele Builds and Protects a Strong, Positive Culture 36:43 – Learning Leadership from Experience, Not Textbooks 39:03 – Advice to Aspiring Leaders: Attitude Over Education 46:40 – Final Message: Show Up, Put in the Effort, and the Right People Will Invest in You

Conclusion:

Adele McAuley’s journey shows how saying yes to responsibility, even when it feels accidental, can lead to remarkable leadership and business success. Her story highlights that freight forwarding is far more than moving boxes; it’s about solving complex problems under pressure while keeping human relationships at the center. By investing deeply in her team, setting a consistent positive tone, and refusing to let anyone “sink,” she has built a culture that delivers for clients and supports personal growth. Adele’s path also proves that attitude, effort, and a willingness to learn can outweigh formal qualifications when the right people notice and invest in you. Listeners walk away reminded that real influence often starts with small acts of responsibility, courage, and genuine care for others.

Ready to move mountains with your freight and build a stronger, people-focused business? Connect with Adele McAuley at Powerhouse International Queensland to discover how a proactive, relationship-driven logistics partner can help you solve complex supply chain challenges, support critical projects, and keep your operations moving no matter the urgency.

📧 Email: info@powerhouseqld.com.au 💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/adele-mcauley-4640b4190

🌐 Visit: https: https://powerhouseqld.com.au/

Anton sits down with Dr. Poya “PJ” Sobhanian, a dentist and multi-site executive, to unpack what influence and leadership really look like when you’re responsible for hundreds of people. PJ shares how his parents and Christian faith shaped his ideas of citizenship, service, and servant leadership, and why he believes leadership is fundamentally “influence to change.” The conversation dives into practical examples from his dental practice and public roles, including how he developed teenagers into standout professionals through training and trust. Anton and PJ explore the power of micro-decisions: how you dress, how you show up, what you walk past, and how they silently shape culture more than any speech. They wrap by emphasizing kindness and grace toward yourself and others as the foundation for sustainable change and a workplace people actually want to be part of.

• Influence isn’t about being in charge; it’s about being the reason people choose to change.
• The strongest leaders build teams that can thrive without them, not systems that collapse when they step away.
• Servant leadership isn’t soft; it’s the hardest path because it puts responsibility for everyone’s growth on your shoulders.

1. Leadership = influence to change Leadership is fundamentally about influencing people to change their behavior sustainably, which makes it very different from simply managing processes.
2. Servant leadership starts with intent and citizenship True servant leadership is grounded in service, values, and citizenship, showing up as a reliable, respectful member of your community and team, and setting the tone through your daily actions and standards.
3. Trust, kindness, and consistency create lasting impact Long-term influence comes from being consistent, doing what you say you’ll do, visiting and listening to people on the front lines, and practicing kindness toward yourself and others so that grace and high-performance culture can follow.

0:00 – Introduction to Dr. Poya (PJ) Sobhanian and His Leadership Journey 3:40 – Defining Influence and the Difference Between Leadership and Management 4:44 – Early Influences: Parents, Faith, and the Roots of Service 8:13 – What Servant Leadership Really Looks Like in Practice 13:46 – Developing Young Talent and Shaping First Work Experiences 17:26 – Coaching Senior Leaders to Increase Their Influence 22:16 – Leadership, Decorum, Discipline, and Professional Presence 23:27 – Leadership as Influence to Change and the Role of Values 27:23 – What’s Next for PJ: Machu Picchu, Career Transition, and New Opportunities 31:24 – Reflections on Dentistry, Responsibility, and Service 35:49 – Kindness, Grace, and Creating Positive Work Environments

This conversation with Dr. Poya “PJ” Sobhanian highlights that real leadership is less about titles and more about influencing meaningful, sustainable change in people. Grounded in his experiences as a dentist, executive, and public servant, PJ shows how servant leadership, citizenship, and strong values can shape entire teams and communities. He reminds us that the smallest choices how we dress, how we speak, what we walk past quietly define our culture far more than big speeches ever do. Trust, consistency, and kindness form the backbone of his approach, allowing difficult change to feel possible and shared rather than imposed. Listeners are left with a simple yet powerful charge: lead with service, grace, and kindness, and your influence will naturally extend far beyond your immediate role.

Ready to lead with more influence, kindness, and long-term impact?

Learn from Dr. Poya “PJ” Sobhanian’s approach to servant leadership, where trust, consistency, and citizenship shape teams that thrive and change that actually lasts. PJ’s journey as a clinician, executive, and public servant shows how values-based leadership can transform workplaces, communities, and the people who work in them every day.

To connect with or learn more about PJ:

You can contact him directly or send a message via his verified

Dr PJ Sobhanian Facebook Page 💼 Connect on LinkedIn:

https://au.linkedin.com/in/poya-john-pj-sobhanian-24936749

🌐 Visit: //www.dental.sa.gov.au/

World champion surf lifesaver and data analyst Oliver Signorini shares how a childhood spent in surf lifesaving and years of “average” results eventually led to Australian and world titles. He reflects on the power of influence, from sporting heroes and resilient parents to his partner's quiet, steady support. Oliver opens up about his time as a high school maths teacher, the challenge of engaging restless teenage minds, and the strategies he used to help students learn to love a subject they once disliked. The conversation then explores his transition into finance transformation and data analytics, where he now uses automation, Power BI, and AI upskilling to modernize financial operations. Throughout, Oliver emphasizes resilience, failing forward, and the importance of trying new things at any age.

Quotes:

• Failure is important for growth because it forces you to learn from it.
• Influence is about helping people guide their decisions toward the goals and aspirations that matter to them.
• If AI can do 80–90% of the grunt work, you’re freed up to do the more human, higher‑leverage tasks.

Key Takeaways

1. Resilience beats talent over time – Oliver’s 15+ year journey from “average” competitor to surf lifesaving world champion shows how consistent effort, setbacks, and persistence compound into elite performance.
2. Influence is lived, not just spoken – From his dad and coaches to his partner and students, Oliver shows that real influence comes through actions, accountability, and enabling others to reach their own goals.
3. Data, AI, and teaching all rely on translation – Whether in the classroom or as a finance transformation analyst, Oliver’s strength is turning complex maths and data into clear, practical insights that make people’s work and decisions easier.

Episode Timeline:

00:00 – Introducing Oliver Signorini and his journey 02:30 – From Africa to Australia and falling in love with surf lifesaving 04:30 – The long road from average athlete to world champion 06:40 – Distances, events, and the “crazy” world of endurance swimming 08:15 – Beating champions and defining personal influence 10:30 – What influence really means in Oliver’s life 12:20 – How Oliver’s partner shapes his goals and daily performance 13:10 – Teaching high school maths and influencing teenage minds 14:30 – Engaging different learners and managing diverse classrooms 17:45 – Coaching experiences and thoughts on future coaching 19:15 – Proud teaching moments and changing students’ view of maths 21:00 – From maths teacher to data and finance transformation 22:30 – Using AI and automation to improve decision-making at work 24:40 – Natural strengths in maths, analytics, and endurance 25:20 – Leadership aspirations in sport and business 26:20 – Final reflections on resilience, failure, and trying new things

Conclusion:

Oliver’s story ties together elite sport, classroom teaching, and data-driven transformation to show how influence and resilience shape a meaningful life. From years of grinding in the surf to finally becoming a world champion, he demonstrates that progress often comes after long periods of feeling “average.” His time as a maths teacher highlights how real impact comes from meeting people where they are and helping them see what they’re capable of. In his current role as a finance transformation data analyst, he channels the same mindset into using AI, automation, and analytics to make work more human and effective. Above all, Oliver’s journey reminds us that failure is a teacher, influence is a responsibility, and it’s never too late to try something new.

Ready to explore how resilience, data, and influence can transform both performance and career?

Connect with Oliver Signorini to learn how he went from “average” surf lifesaver to world champion, transitioned into finance transformation and data analytics, and now helps teams use AI and automation to work smarter, not harder.

📧 Email: hello@oliversignorini.com 💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/oliver-signorini

🌐 Visit: https: //www.oliversignorini.com/

Elite speaking performance coach Chris McAuley joins Anton Guinea to unpack why influence runs deeper than networking; it starts with empathy, resonance, and a genuine two-way connection. Drawing on 35 years of corporate and non-profit leadership and 40 to 50 theatrical productions, Chris explains how acting taught him to read a room, hold a moment, and tell a story that lands. He makes the case that no leader can motivate a team without becoming a capable speaker, and that vulnerability being real, warts and all, owning your mistakes out loud is what earns an audience's permission to listen. For anyone who freezes up before presenting, he lays out a practical three-part fix: honor the pause, breathe deeply to drain the nervous energy, and own your material by running it dozens of times until it lives in your heart instead of your head. Chris also shares the spiritual moment watching saxophonist Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis that set him on this path, plus the mindset shift every leader needs to stop telling people what they know and start telling them what they need to know.

Quotes

• "Don't tell them what you know. Tell them what they need to know."
• "That machismo, 'I got everything under control, nothing bad happens to me,' that's not vulnerable. That's a performance. That's an act."
• "When you own your material, it's no longer in your head; it's in your heart."

Key Takeaways

1. Influence is emotional resonance, not exposure. Chris draws the line between a standard connection and real influence: meeting people where they're starting from, being empathetic, and genuinely resonating with what they're feeling. It's a two-way street, which is why treating a team like numbers caps how far a leader can take them.
2. Vulnerability is the credential, not the risk. Being real and "warts and all," saying I failed at that, and that's on me, is what makes an audience willing to be open in return. The leadership machismo of having everything under control is the performance; admitting the mistake is the connection.
3. Confidence is built with BPO: breathe, pause, own your material. Pause and honor the silence; take a three-second breath to drain nervous energy and reset; and run your content a couple dozen times in the car, walking the dog, or in the shower until it's embodied. That's the shift from thinking as you speak to feeling as you speak, and it changes your tone, pace, and presence.

Episode Timeline

00:00 Welcome and Introducing Chris McAuley 02:46 From LinkedIn Buddies to Face to Face 04:58 Defining Influence 07:02 Why Leaders Have to Be Great Speakers 08:52 What Vulnerability Actually Means 10:32 35 Years in Business, 20 Years on Stage 14:16 Jazz, His Father, and a Spiritual Moment 16:12 Dr. Bryce Taylor and the Professors Who Shaped Him 19:39 Diamonds in the Rough 21:48 Tip One: Honor the Pause 23:26 Tip Two: Breathe 24:30 Tip Three: Own Your Material 26:55 From Thinking as You Speak to Feeling as You Speak 28:51 The Responsibility of the Speaker 30:14 Recap and Key Lessons 33:29 Unleash the Power of Your Voice

Conclusion

Chris McAuley's throughline is that speaking well was never about polish it's about connection, and connection is what turns a manager into a leader people actually remember. His own path makes the argument for him: three and a half decades in business running alongside 40 to 50 stage productions, each one teaching him how to read a room, hold a silence, and let the emotion carry the message. The practical part is almost disarmingly simple: pause, breathe, and run your material until it stops living in your head and settles into your heart but it works because it moves you from thinking as you speak to feeling as you speak, and audiences can tell the difference instantly. Underneath the technique sits a quieter challenge: every time you stand up, people are handing you their time and their permission, which means the job is to say what they need to hear, not to prove what you know. Do that with your mistakes on the table and your guard down, and you stop performing leadership and start earning it.

Connect with Chris McAuley:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismcauley2/

Website - https://chrismcauley.co/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/silverandsuave/

Email - chris@chrismcauley.co 

Emma Thompson trained as a solicitor in the UK, figured out fairly quickly that law was never going to set her world on fire, and ended up volunteering overnight shifts at Ronald McDonald House in Christchurch a path that took her from receptionist to CEO after an earthquake left the charity rebuilding its building and its leadership at the same time. Now CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities Southeast Queensland, she talks with Anton Guinea about influence as a two-way street: the impact you knowingly exert on the world, and the impact the world quietly exerts on you when you're not paying attention. She's candid about the hardest part of running a mission steeped in other people's pain: the trauma isn't yours to carry, beautifully empathetic front-line staff are exactly the people most at risk of being depleted by it, and psychological safety deserves more than the legislative bare minimum. There's a sharp thread here on being effective rather than popular, drawn from her work merging and modernizing a 60-year-old membership body into a viable health program, plus her view of leadership as custodianship, leaving the organization stronger for whoever comes next. She closes with a reminder that stuck with us: if you have the ability to create positive change, you have a duty to go and do it.

• I think when you're dealing with a mission where there's, you know, trauma, there's negativity involved, it's really important to remember that that's not your trauma; that is someone else's pain.
• So then there are some really hard decisions that make you quite unpopular that you have to make if you're actually going to follow the mission and the purpose.
• But I think at the end of the day, if you have the opportunity and the ability to create positive change in the world, then you have a duty to get out there and do it.

• Influence is a two-way street - you're shaping the world and being shaped by it, and self-awareness is what makes that intentional rather than accidental.
• Walk alongside the trauma, don't absorb it - the pain isn't yours to carry, and the empathetic people on the front line need protection beyond the legal minimum.
• Mission is the north star - it sometimes means unpopular decisions, because you're only a custodian, there to leave the organization stronger than you found it.

00:00 - Pre-show chat, notebooks and dyslexia 02:22 - Introducing Emma Thompson 04:48 - From Wales to New Zealand to Queensland 06:13 - What Ronald McDonald House Charities does 08:06 - Beyond a bed: the social determinants of health 08:22 - Leaving law and volunteering at the house 09:42 - The Christchurch earthquake and the step up to CEO 11:13 - Defining influence as a two-way street 12:30 - The chairperson who changed her world 13:47 - Good humor and the gift of feedback 14:58 - Bringing every decision back to mission 15:53 - Someone else's trauma is not your trauma 18:24 - Psychological safety for front-facing teams 20:40 - Proudest impact: leading system change 22:12 - Merging a 60-year-old organization 23:50 - Finding the true purpose and making hard calls 26:00 - Leadership style, ethics and listening 27:00 - The Jenga exercise and stepping into the void 29:05 - Vision and mission for Ronald McDonald House 30:00 - Reinventing family-centered care beyond buildings 31:32 - Anton's wrap-up 35:54 - Emma's closing words of wisdom

What lingers from Emma Thompson's conversation with Anton Guinea is how ordinary the turning point was: a chairperson who saw something in a receptionist during the worst week of a city's life and simply gave her a go. Everything she's built since runs on that same logic: influence isn't a title or a platform; it's the quiet, self-aware decision to shape things on purpose rather than drift. She's honest that the work costs something, that the trauma belongs to the families and not to her, and that protecting the empathetic people on the front line matters as much as protecting the people they serve. And when mission and popularity pull in opposite directions, she picks a mission, because a custodian's job is to hand the organization over stronger than they found it. Her parting thought is the one worth carrying out the door: if you can create positive change, you have a duty to go and use it.

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-thompson-a966b93b/

Ronald McDonald House South East Queensland - https://www.linkedin.com/company/ronaldmcdonaldhouseseq/

Website - https://ronaldmcdonaldhouseseq.org.au/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ronaldmcdonaldhouseseq/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ronaldmcdonaldhouseseq

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ronaldmcdonaldhouseseq

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@ronaldmcdonaldhouseseq 

Leadership expert Ben Hughes describes how intentional local content strategies can transform regional economies by aligning major projects with local businesses and workforces. He views local content as the natural result of strong internal collaboration across engineering, procurement, employment, and stakeholder teams, all working to give communities a genuine “fair go.” Hughes shares that real impact comes from early engagement with regions, building capability long before construction starts so local suppliers can win work sustainably rather than suffer boom‑and‑bust cycles. His influence framework—acumen → credibility → negotiate → influence—highlights that you must first understand the system deeply and prove your value before you can shape outcomes. Throughout, he emphasizes quiet, data-driven leadership that redirects more money, jobs, and long-term opportunity into regional areas while helping small businesses avoid contracts and growth paths that could harm them.

Takeaways:

1. Local content = real collaboration + fair go Effective local content comes from engineering, procurement, employment, and stakeholder teams working together so regional businesses and workers get genuine opportunities, not just lip service.

2. Influence is earned, not declared Ben’s model—acumen → credibility → negotiate → influence—shows you must first learn the game deeply, prove you can deliver, then earn a seat at the table before you can truly shape outcomes.

3. Big projects can help or hurt small business The goal isn’t just winning major contracts; it’s sustainable success—helping regional businesses avoid risky deals, survive the ramp-down after projects, and build long-term, diverse revenue instead of boom-and-bust cycles.

Quotes:

"If you can influence the situation to make it better on other people, then you know that's a fantastic outcome, and not one that you ever seek praise for, but one that you just have that intrinsic value."

"If you want to influence, you've got to be allowed to negotiate, and you're not allowed to negotiate until you're credible, and you're not credible until you've got acumen."

"If you've got a massive goal and you’re seeing it on the horizon, and there's all these steps towards influencing people to get there, take the next step. Just do the next step. Build the acumen. Have the conversation. Network and learn."

Timestamps:

00:00 Influencing through small steps 00:11 Host introduction and show positioning 01:10 Introducing Ben Hughes and his background 03:13 Ben’s work across major projects and regions 04:03 Why local content matters to Ben 05:14 Making life easier for small businesses 07:38 Early engagement and building regional capability 09:53 What influence means to Ben 11:42 The power of energy and passion in influence 14:11 Key people who influenced Ben 18:40 The four-step influence model: acumen, credibility, negotiate, influence 20:36 Working with small businesses in regional Queensland 22:27 Helping businesses “dodge bullets” in major projects 25:31 Sustainability after the boom and ramp-down challenges 26:23 Lessons from the CSG boom and local content misunderstandings 28:19 Risks and rewards for regional contractors 29:22 What success looks like for Ben 30:59 Using data and technology to help regions plan 33:31 Humility, self-talk, and valuing your own work 34:22 Influencing yourself and raising your own value 35:46 The story behind “Hughes et al.” and empowering others 38:00 Recap of local content as the “department of a fair go” 41:12 Final message: take the next step, build acumen, influence for good

Conclusion:

Local content, used well, becomes far more than a policy requirement; it’s a way to direct real opportunity, money, and meaningful work into regional communities. Ben Hughes shows that lasting influence doesn’t come from titles or noise, but from quietly building acumen, earning credibility, and using that position to negotiate fair, sustainable outcomes. Major projects then shift from “flying people in and out” to genuinely partnering with local suppliers and workers, helping them grow without being broken by risk or boom-and-bust cycles. Ultimately, influence for good means taking the next small step—learning, listening, and leading with energy and integrity—so that regions share fully in the benefits of large-scale investment.

Connect with Ben Hughes:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-hughes-43a1113/

Hughes et al - https://www.linkedin.com/company/hughes-et-al/home/

ben.hughes@hughesetal.com.au 

Scott Harvey explains that true influence comes from building deep rapport by listening, understanding people’s values, and aligning solutions with what a “win” looks like for them. He contrasts this with many corporate leaders who talk too much, don't listen, and create environments where employees don’t feel safe voicing dissenting ideas. Using his “emotion vs. logic” teeter-totter metaphor, he shows how high emotion shuts down rational thinking, and how calm, validating responses plus allowing people to vent help bring logic back online. Drawing on brain science, he explains that helping people name their emotions deactivates the amygdala and that tone and nonverbal cues matter far more than the exact words used. He concludes that miscommunication is extremely costly for organizations, so leaders must invest time like a “crockpot, not a microwave” in listening, emotional awareness, and relationship-building to create safer, more effective workplaces.

Takeaways:

• Influence comes from rapport and listening, not talking. You gain real influence by asking questions, understanding what people value, and aligning solutions with their definition of a “win.”
• You must manage emotions before logic will work. When emotions are high, people literally can’t process logic; letting them vent, staying calm yourself, and helping them name their emotion brings reasoning back online.
• How you say things matters more than what you say. Tone and nonverbal cues carry most of the message, and miscommunication is extremely costly—leaders who listen, validate feelings, and create safe spaces for dissent dramatically reduce wasted time and disengagement.

Quotes:

1. "I never talked anybody into doing anything. I listened to people doing what I needed them to do."
2. "In everybody's brain is a teeter-totter... When emotions go up, logic and reason go down."
3. "How you say what you say is more important than what you actually say."

Timestamp:

0:00 Influence Is Built on Rapport, Not Authority

5:00 Listening People Into Action (Not Talking Them Into It)

10:00 Reading the Room: Nonverbal Cues and Psychological Safety

15:00 Emotion vs. Logic: The Teeter-Totter in Every Brain

20:00 Naming Emotions to Turn Off Fight-or-Flight

25:00 The Hidden Cost of Miscommunication at Work

30:00 Tone and Body Language Beat the Actual Words

35:00 Law Enforcement Lessons: Prevention Over Cleanup

40:00 Six-Hour Standoff: How Rapport Prevented a Shootout

45:00 Crockpot, Not Microwave: Building Long-Term Trust and Influence 

Conclusion:

Influence that actually works isn’t about clever arguments or positional power; it’s about rapport, listening, and emotional awareness. Scott shows how leaders who slow down, let people vent, and really hear what matters to them can guide decisions far more effectively than those who dominate the room with talk. When emotions run high, logic goes offline, naming and validating feelings brings reason back to the table. Tone, body language, and presence do most of the heavy lifting, and miscommunication quietly drains time, money, and trust. Long-term leaders treat relationships like a crockpot, patiently investing attention, curiosity, and respect until their people are willing to run through walls for them.

Connect with Scott Harvey:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/speakerscottharvey/ 

Email - speakingofharvey@gmail.com

Website - https://speakingofharvey.com/ 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/speakingofharvey/ 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/speakerscottharvey/ 

What does it take to succeed at the highest level of cricket—and life? In this inspiring episode, former Australian Test cricketer Greg Blewett shares powerful lessons on influence, resilience, leadership, and authenticity both on and off the field. From representing Australia alongside legends to transitioning into broadcasting and mentoring, Greg opens up about pressure, anxiety, discipline, and building a lasting legacy beyond the scoreboard.

He reflects on how family shaped his early success, the influence of icons like Don Bradman and Shane Warne, and how mental toughness and positive self-talk became critical in elite sport. Whether you're an athlete, leader, parent, or professional navigating high pressure, this conversation delivers practical wisdom on mindset, performance, and influence that lasts long after the game ends.

Summary: Greg Blewett shares his journey from young cricketer influenced by family values to competing at the highest level for Australia, navigating performance pressure, building resilience, and evolving into a broadcaster, mentor, and leader committed to legacy and impact.

Takeaways: • Early family influence plays a defining role in long-term success. • Discipline, perseverance, and authenticity separate good athletes from great leaders. • Managing pressure and anxiety is a trainable skill. • Influence doesn’t end when your career does—it evolves. • Leadership at home as a parent can be as important as leadership on the field. • Positive self-talk and mindset mastery fuel resilience under pressure. • Legacy is built through contribution, not just achievement.

Best Quotes: “Pressure is a privilege.” “Discipline builds freedom.” “Authenticity earns trust.” “Your influence goes beyond the scoreboard.” “Resilience is built in the quiet moments.”

Timestamps: 00:00 | Early influences & family foundation 04:20 | Learning from Bradman & Warne 08:45 | Handling pressure at the elite level 13:10 | Discipline, perseverance & authenticity 17:35 | Mental resilience & positive self-talk 21:50 | Leadership as a father & mentor 26:30 | Transitioning to broadcasting & coaching 30:15 | Building a brand beyond cricket 34:40 | Community, legacy & giving back

Conclusion: This episode highlights that true greatness isn’t just about performance—it’s about character, influence, and impact. Greg Blewett demonstrates how resilience, humility, and authenticity create leadership that extends far beyond sport.

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#GregBlewett #CricketLeadership #InfluenceInAction #MentalResilience #SportsMindset #LeadershipLessons #CricketLegacy

Aboriginal social worker, AMHSW, and MAICD board director Yaleela Torrens joins Anton Guinea to explore how influence, culture, parenting, and leadership intersect in Gladstone, Queensland. She shares her journey from growing up extremely poor and watching her grandmother attend university as a mature-age student to building a social work practice grounded in Aboriginal identity, responsibility, and respect. Yaleela explains why helping professions face burnout and staffing challenges, how giving birth in the country and naming her daughter Ginaby (black swan) express cultural continuity, and why she believes leadership starts in the home. She unpacks her decision to step down from two boards to prioritize parenting, the role of deep work in making better decisions, the impact of joining the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD) on her governance and network, and her leadership mantra: “The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.”

Takeaways: Parenting is foundational leadership – How you show up at home shapes the kind of leader you become at work and in your community.

Culture, responsibility, and respect drive impact – Anchoring identity in country, language, and values creates more grounded decisions and longer-lasting community influence.

High standards plus strong networks amplify influence – Striving for excellence, refusing to walk past poor standards, and intentionally building social capital all expand your capacity to lead and serve.

Quotes:

“For me, influence is about having an impact, having an effect, making impressions on those that you want to be able to support.” “Leadership starts in your home. Your good leadership in a workplace is a byproduct of your leadership in your house.” “We grew up extremely poor… and seeing people pull themselves out of that taught me that our individual choices have a direct and an indirect impact on the outcomes of our life.”

Timestamp: 0:00:00 – Harbor Fest, Fiji, and Warm-Up Chat 0:02:31 – Introducing Aboriginal Social Worker Yaleela Torrens 0:05:07 – Motherhood, Parenting, and Core Influences 0:06:01 – Names, Country, and Cultural Belonging 0:08:09 – What Influence Means in Social Work 0:09:34 – Burnout and the Reality of Helping Professions 0:12:19 – From Poverty to a Family Legacy of Education 0:16:00 – Working with Kids and Respect for Teachers 0:17:16 – Culture, Responsibility, and Respect as Guiding Values 0:21:50 – Disruption to Culture and Rebuilding Foundations 0:22:07 – Stepping Off Boards to Prioritize Parenting 0:25:06 – Hopes and Legacy for Ginaby 0:27:05 – MAICD, Governance, and Board Leadership 0:30:20 – Leadership Mantra: The Standard You Walk Past 0:32:04 – Excellence, Mentors, and Social Capital

Conclusion: Meaningful influence, as shown through Yaleela Torrens’ story, begins with how you lead at home, stays grounded in culture, responsibility, and respect, and is amplified by the standards you hold yourself to and the people you choose to surround yourself with. From growing up in poverty to building a social work practice, investing in governance education, and consciously stepping back from boards to prioritize her daughter, Yaleela’s path highlights that titles and roles matter far less than the legacy you create through your daily choices, your relationships, and your contribution to community.

Connect with Yaleela Torrens: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaleela-torrens-maicd-9196a776/  Yaleela Torrens Social Worker Pty Ltd. - https://www.linkedin.com/company/yaleelatorrenssocialworker/posts/?feedView=all  Website - https://yaleelatorrenssocialwork.com.au/  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yaleelatorrenssocialworker/ 

In this episode of Influence In Action, host Anton Guinea and co-host Melissa Dunbar sit down with the legendary "Voice of Cycling," Phil Liggett.Before Phil became the defining voice of the Tour de France and international sports broadcasting, his journey started with a quiet, unglamourous moment.

Phil reflects on the moment David Saunders offered him a way into television coverage—not as a commentator, but simply as a driver.

Phil’s story is a masterclass in humility, passion, and recognizing opportunity when it knocks.

Real influence isn't about demanding the spotlight; it’s about having the courage to say "yes" to the humble beginnings that lead to extraordinary destinations.

In this episode, you’ll discover: -The behind-the-scenes story of Phil Liggett's transition into television broadcasting. -Why taking a step backward or sideways can be the exact push your career needs. -How staying grounded and saying "yes" opens doors to unexpected leadership pathways.

Connect with Us & Influence In Action: Subscribe for more leadership insights and inspiring conversations. Visit our website to learn more about psychological safety, leadership coaching, and high-performance teams.

#InfluenceInAction #PhilLiggett #TourDeFrance #Leadership #CareerGrowth #Broadcasting #SayYes #Opportunity #Cycling

CQ Capras CEO Peter White joins host Anton Guinea to share his journey from country rugby league to leading Central Queensland’s semi-professional club, balancing high-performance football with deep community impact. He explains how the Capras have grown into a six-team high-performance program with academies and regional development, supported by Capras Community Care, federal funding, and partnerships with groups like Queensland Police. Peter breaks down his influence and leadership philosophy, leading by example, not micromanaging, setting clear standards, and being willing to let even star players go when they don’t fit the culture. He also reflects on the role of family, his sister Tina, his wife Fiona, and grassroots volunteers in shaping his values, and why creating belonging, opportunity, and good humans in rugby league matters more than how far any individual player’s career goes.

Takeaways: Influence is values in action: Peter defines influence as leading by example, not micromanaging, and genuinely caring for people who are often working “70-hour weeks on football money,” driven by heart, not pay.

Culture over talent: Even with limited resources, Peter and coach Lionel are willing to let high-profile, on-field assets go when their behavior “isn’t us,” proving that standards, integrity, and culture sit above short-term performance.

Community and belonging first: From Capras Community Care to regional academies and junior programs, Peter prioritizes giving every boy and girl in Central Queensland a chance to move, belong to a team, and grow as good humans, whether they stop at under 16s or go on to represent Australia.

Quotes: "The thing I remember most is not the games; it's the mateship, it's the community." "Just because they live in the bush… doesn't mean they should be neglected in pursuing their football dreams." "I've learned what I've learned by trying to lead by example and treating people how I would want to be treated."

Timestamp: [00:00:00] – Intro and guest setup [00:03:04] – Peter’s country roots and early footy journey [00:05:29] – Community, mateship, and evolution of the Capras [00:06:52] – Capras Community Care and funding challenges [00:10:55] – What influence means to Peter White [00:15:41] – Biggest influences: family, Tina, and Fiona [00:19:16] – Learning from Wally Lewis and the BRL era [00:23:01] – Pride in his kids and grandkids [00:26:31] – Leading C‑suite vs players: one standard [00:28:56] – Culture over talent: letting a star go [00:33:20] – Lionel Harbin’s lifelong Capras connection [00:37:42] – Grassroots, kids, and belonging in rugby league

Conclusion: Peter White’s story is a powerful reminder that real influence in leadership comes from values, example, and consistency, not titles or degrees. Across his journey from country footy to CEO of the CQ Capras, he keeps returning to the same core themes: community, mateship, standards, and belonging, whether that means backing volunteers, investing in kids from the bush, or letting a star player go when they don’t fit the culture. His approach shows that when a club truly lives its values on and off the field, it can create not just better teams, but better humans and stronger communities.

Connect with Peter White: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-white-9376201a4/  https://www.linkedin.com/company/cqcapras/ 

Anton Guinea sits down with Australian renewable energy entrepreneur Huon Hoogesteger to explore what real influence looks like in practice: from making podcasts and presentations more valuable and concise for time-poor listeners, to speaking in the “language” your audience actually hears (DISC, data vs emotion, alignment, detail), to building a values-driven, radically transparent business in what Huon calls a “grubby” solar industry. Along the way, they unpack integrity under pressure, long-game client relationships (“we don’t sell systems; we sell energy over time”), the impact of family and faith, and how the “soil” you grow in, the people and culture around you, shapes both your leadership and your legacy.

Quotes: "The problem with communication is the illusion that it's taken place... I think that I've communicated well. I think that I've transferred an idea, but I haven't spoken the language that the listener actually hears."

"There are competitors out there who sell systems, but we sell energy over time... No one actually wants to buy solar and a battery. What they want to do is buy protection from the grid, protection from high prices, a saving, a return on investment."

"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul? We got a lot of things to do in this life. Let's make sure that they matter, and let's help build other people up, and have a good time doing it."

Key Takeaways: - Effective influence starts with speaking the listener’s language. - Values and integrity must be operational, not ornamental. - Who you surround yourself with is your “soil,”  and it shapes your growth.

Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 05:39 The Illusion of Communication 09:05 DISC in Real Life 13:13 The Grubby Side of Solar 19:32 We Sell Energy Over Time 21:12 Values on the Wall and in the Room 22:51 Radical Transparency, Real Careers 25:46 Never Jeopardize Integrity 28:27 Fertile Soil and Good Fruit 32:58 Learning by Stacking Hard 37:50 Saint Anthony and the Lost Things 38:41 Leave Room for Mystery 44:06 Profit, Soul, and What Matters

Conclusion: From Huon’s perspective, this conversation is ultimately a challenge to leaders to communicate with intentionality, anchor their decisions in non-negotiable values, and choose their “soil” wisely so that the growth they pursue doesn’t cost them their soul. Influence, in his view, isn’t about polished performance or short-term wins; it’s about telling honest stories, keeping hard promises, building others up, and playing the long game in business and life so that what you do actually matters over time.

Connect with Huon Hoogesteger: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/huon-hoogesteger/  Smart Commercial Energy: https://www.linkedin.com/company/smartcommercialenergy/  Website: https://www.smartcommercialenergy.com.au/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smartcommercialenergy  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@smartcommercialenergy/featured  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartcommercialenergy 

What does it truly mean to lead with influence rather than authority?

In this episode of Leaders of Influence, Anton Guinea sits down with Jennifer (Jen) McGuire—Central Queensland Regional Manager for AusIndustry, director, author, and seasoned speaker with over 30 years of management and leadership experience.

Jen shares her fascinating journey starting out in the male-dominated shipping industry in her 20s, where she quickly realized that authority on paper doesn't equal influence on the ground. She breaks down why the most powerful leaders are often the "informal leaders" within a team, how Gen X leaders can adapt to and learn from Gen Z, and why putting people first must always take priority over technology.

📌 Key Timestamps & Topics Covered: 00:00 – Intro & Defining Core Values: Integrity & Respect 01:45 – Welcome to Leaders of Influence & Guest Introduction 03:30 – Early Career Lessons: Learning Influence on the Shipping Docks 06:15 – The Power of Informal Leaders & Workplace Dynamics 08:10 – What Gen X Leaders Can Learn from Gen Z (Psychological Safety & Asking "Why?") 11:00 – Rebuilding Australian Manufacturing & Supporting Regional SMEs 13:50 – Central Queensland’s Economic Powerhouse & "Glimmers of Gold" in SMEs 17:15 – Leading the Next Generation: Adaptability vs. Choice 20:00 – The Core of Leadership: Role Modeling, Integrity, and Respect 22:30 – Values Alignment in Relationships and Business 25:10 – People-First Leadership in a Digital & AI-Driven World 28:00 – Introvert vs. Extrovert Energy & Knowing Where to Invest Your Time 31:15 – Episode Wrap-Up & Key Takeaways with Anton Guinea

🎙️ Subscribe & Connect: If this conversation gave you even one actionable insight for your leadership journey, please Follow, Like, and Share this episode with another leader!

YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX8ym1Y1Pn5rspDFosONXn-JQLXvhw-ed Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0nkF2llUclK9KYNLN6d7Mt Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-find-your-influence-podcast-with-anton-guinea/id1851359079

📖 Grab Anton Guinea's best-selling book Leaders of Influence or enquire about bringing these principles into your business via the links in our channel bio!

#LeadersOfInfluence #JenniferMcGuire #AntonGuinea #PeopleFirstLeadership #IntegrityAndRespect #GenZInTheWorkplace #AusIndustry #CentralQueensland #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #Podcast

Mayor Matt Burnett of Gladstone, Queensland, shares how he went from teenage journalist and small business owner to long-serving mayor and national local government leader. Matt explains how he uses influence and advocacy to secure funding for community projects like pools, sports facilities, and research centers, while always putting Gladstone first. He breaks down his inclusive leadership style, making sure every voice is heard in the council chamber, then presenting a united front for the community. Matt also reflects on mentors, musical influences like Kurt Cobain, and why his core leadership rule is simple: treat people how you want to be treated. Listeners walk away with practical leadership and advocacy insights that apply whether you’re in local government, business, or community roles.

Takeaways:

Influence as Advocacy: Matt sees influence and advocacy as inseparable your real power as a leader comes from how effectively you can advocate for your community with ministers, agencies, and partners. Inclusive Leadership Works: His leadership standard is inclusion: everyone gets a say, debate is fully aired, and once a decision is made, the council presents a united, professional front to the community. Data-Backed Impact for Gladstone: Matt consistently secures major wins for Gladstone like funding for pools, sports facilities, and research centers by combining clear community needs, detailed planning, and solid data so proposals are almost impossible to refuse.

Quotes:

“If you don’t have influence, your ability to advocate is not very good.”  “If you can’t accept someone’s opinion that is different to yours and move on for the better good of your community, then ultimately you all lose your position.” “Always treat people how you want to be treated.” 

Timestamp:

[00:00:00] – Introducing Mayor Matt Burnett and the Find Your Influence Podcast [00:02:30] – From Gladstone Mayor to National Local Government Leader [00:04:05] – What “Influence” Really Means: Advocacy in Action [00:06:44] – From 19-Year-Old Journalist to Elected Councilor [00:09:57] – Big Wins: Funding Pools, Sports Facilities, and Research Centers [00:12:40] – The Broken 50m Pool and the Push for Olympic-Standard Facilities [00:14:39] – Mentors, Role Models, and the People Who Shaped His Leadership [00:17:02] – Growing Other Leaders: From Tradesman to Deputy Mayor [00:21:16] – Inclusive Leadership and Running Effective Council Meetings [00:22:40] – Balancing Risk and Innovation: The E-Scooter Debate [00:25:55] – Decisions You See When You Drive Around Town [00:34:52] – Matt’s Core Leadership Rule for Students and Future Leaders

Conclusion:

Matt Burnett’s journey from teenage journalist and small business owner to long-serving mayor and national local government leader shows how influence is earned through years of consistent service, not quick wins. His story highlights how advocacy plus data-clear community needs, solid planning, and real numbers can unlock major investments in pools, sports facilities, and research centers for a regional city like Gladstone. Matt’s leadership standard of inclusion, where every voice is heard before decisions are made, offers a powerful model for any leader who wants a team that debates hard but stands united in public. Along the way, he proves that growing other leaders like deputies, councilors, and emerging community figures is a core part of leaving a real legacy. Above all, his simple rule, “always treat people how you want to be treated,” becomes the thread that ties together his approach to politics, advocacy, and everyday leadership.

Connect with Matt Burnett: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-burnett-1757b1110/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mayormattburnett/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbqld/ 

Drawing on decades in policing, road safety, and high‑performance motorcycling, Peter explains why driver behavior is the core problem and how simply slowing down by 5 km/h and giving yourself more time and distance can dramatically reduce crashes and road trauma. He shares human stories behind the statistics, the impact of trauma and split‑second decisions on police and first responders, and how his father’s example shaped his values. Peter also unpacks practical leadership mantras “Know the name of their dog,” “Value the meat and thank the cleaner,” “Supervision equals protection,” and “Not deciding is still a decision,” offering concrete guidance for anyone leading teams or families, on the road and at work.

Takeaways: A tiny speed change saves lives - Slowing down by just 5 km/h and giving yourself more time and distance can dramatically reduce serious crashes and road trauma. Leadership is protection - Peter’s mantras (“Supervision equals protection,” “Not deciding is still a decision,” “Know the name of their dog”) show that real leadership is about caring for people and actively lifting your team up. Statistics are human stories - Every road death is not a number; it’s a family and community forever changed, which is why values‑driven policing and safer driving behavior matter so much.

Quotes: “Supervision equals protection. If you're leading people, your job is to keep them safe.” “Not making a decision is still a decision, and your team feels it every single day.” “Your shoulders should be sore from lifting your people up, not from weighing them down.”

Timestamps: 00:00 – Meet Road Safety Leader and Police Veteran Peter Flanders APM 07:24 – What Influence Means When Lives Are on the Line 16:37 – Slow Down 5 km/h: Time, Distance, and a 26% Reduction in Road Trauma 20:00 – Behind the Statistics: Families, Grief, and the Human Cost of Crashes 30:00 – Trauma, PTSD, and Staying Human in Policing 35:38 – Motorcycling, Ego, and the Incident That Changed Everything 40:14 – Leadership Mantras: Dogs, Meat, Cleaners, and Strong Supervision 40:57 – Decisions, Shields, and Lifting Your Team Up 47:00 – Anton’s Wrap-Up: Influence, Safety, and Being a Good Human

Conclusion: Peter’s experiences show how small behavior changes like slowing down by just 5 km/h and allowing more time and distance can save lives and spare families unimaginable grief. His leadership mantras, from “Supervision equals protection” to “Know the name of their dog,” remind us that real influence is grounded in care, courage, and consistent decisions. Listeners leave with deeper respect for the unseen burden carried by police and first responders, a renewed commitment to safer driving, and practical leadership lessons they can apply at work, at home, and on the road.

Connect with Peter Flanders APM: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-flanders-apm-3480bb49/   Email: flanders0003@gmail.com 

Sydney-based business finance specialist and finance consultancy founder Chris Slack unpacks what influence really means when your work ranges from sole traders to ASX-listed companies. He explains why influence is inseparable from impact, how getting out of the way can sometimes be the strongest move, and why listening deeply often beats talking in both sales and leadership. Chris shares stories from decades in business lending, banking, and broker support, including lessons on managing lenders, referrers, and clients while keeping ego out of the room. He and Anton explore how to build genuine influence through networking, “throwing out seeds” without entitlement, and connecting good people with good people so opportunity can compound over time. The conversation also dives into parenting teenagers, dealing with uncertainty in 2026, being proud of your own journey, and how consistently showing up for clients with cash flow, equipment, and growth finance support creates long-term relationships and business resilience.

Takeaways:

• Influence - Impact: Chris sees influence as the ability to impact outcomes and decisions; without impact, influence is meaningless in business and leadership.
• Listening Beats Talking: Great conversations and sales outcomes often come from listening more than speaking, really understanding people, and parking your ego.
• Practice Influence with Diverse People: You build influence like any skill—by putting in reps, talking to people outside your usual circle, and getting comfortable in uncomfortable conversations.

Quotes:

1. "Influence, to me, is the ability to impact an outcome or get to a decision." 
2. "How are you going to influence someone you can't even relate to?" 
3. "Throw seeds absolutely everywhere without any discrimination… you don't know where they land, but that's how your network grows." 

Timestamps:

0:00 – How much can you really learn from reading? 0:12 – Strategy is useless without client impact 0:35 – Pivot after COVID: only work that matters 0:57 – Uncertainty, disruption, and the role of influence 1:35 – Influence in negotiation, decisions, and execution 1:58 – Podcast intro: Leaders of Influence 2:37 – Find Your Influence with Anton Guinea 2:58 – Introducing Chris Slack, business finance specialist 3:20 – Partner‑led model for brokers and accountants 3:45 – 20+ years in banking and business finance 4:13 – From compliance auditor to national asset finance manager 4:41 – Building relationships with 550+ firms 5:13 – CVs as “toilet paper” vs real connection 5:29 – It’s all about how you relate in the moment 5:54 – The big question: What is influence to you? 6:21 – Influence and impact: why business owners must care 6:47 – Influencing team, suppliers, and lenders 7:21 – Parking the ego and getting out of the way 7:52 – Influence as impacting outcomes and decisions 8:27 – “Impact” as the core theme across 145 episodes 8:49 – Key influence: Barry Lambert (Count Financial founder) 9:18 – 50 years with CBA and the Count story 9:39 – Learning to speak with everyone, big and small 10:10 – Serving any age, any business stage 10:40 – Self‑esteem, presence, and how you carry yourself 10:58 – Barry’s garage startup to nine‑figure sale and buy‑back 11:38 – Parenting in the social media era 11:53 – Who really influences Gen Z? (Not parents) 12:18 – Generational engagement and comfort zones 12:43 – What does influence mean for the next generation? 13:12 – Origin story of the influence podcast 13:43 – AI as an enabler for better conversations 13:58 – Why you can’t learn people skills just from reading 14:11 – Best strategy means nothing without client buy‑in 14:35 – Post‑COVID decision: only meaningful work with partners 15:04 – Rising uncertainty and why influence matters more 15:35 – Chris on not being a “natural” people person 16:11 – Confidence only comes from doing 16:40 – Bruce Buffer and other standout guests 17:12 – You don’t get confidence from podcasts alone 17:40 – How do you actually develop influence skills? 17:59 – Practicing influence on teenagers vs clients 18:37 – Chris’s influence drill: new coffee shops, new people 18:59 – COVID dog walks and meeting another broker by chance 19:32 – Listening to very different perspectives 20:02 – Learning from people you disagree with 20:21 – Why you must relate before you can influence 20:44 – Being uncomfortable to build your influence muscle 21:22 – Host recap: listening as a superpower 21:54 – 20 years of unconscious preparation for influence 22:32 – Sponsors break (mid‑episode) 23:12 – Who are you proud of influencing? 23:30 – Chris’s answer: “I’m proud of myself” 23:57 – Adversity, tough nights, and growth 24:26 – The “sandwich generation” and hidden pressure 25:00 – Learning from quiet, resilient people 25:34 – Being proud of outcomes you create for others 26:01 – Proud of clients and their business journeys 26:27 – Why helping businesses is the “juice” 26:40 – Long days serving clients who need funding 27:20 – The power of small actions and going above and beyond 27:44 – The shrinking 3 a.m. club as you age 28:06 – Relationships, resilience, and feeling supported 28:36 – When tough times reveal your real network 28:59 – “Good guy credits” and getting back what you give 29:28 – Chris’s seed metaphor for networking 29:57 – Why chasing “big clients” doesn’t work 30:17 – Authenticity, giving, and unseen opportunities 30:48 – Helping strangers in forums and groups 31:07 – How your network really grows over time 31:32 – No “right” way to connect in the digital age 31:58 – Reps, repetition, and meeting lots of people 32:15 – Connecting good people with good people 32:32 – Being part of the solution through your network 32:44 – Influence is not a one‑man band 33:02 – Linking influence and networking 33:32 – Selling, service, and wanting to be influenced 34:02 – Not everyone wants to be influenced 34:24 – Wrapping up: most challenging (in a good way) episode 34:47 – Chris on Riverside and a possible part two 35:17 – Host wrap‑up and praise for Chris 35:35 – Why throwing out “good seeds” really matters 36:03 – The problem with entitlement and “good karma” 36:34 – No one is entitled to results in business 36:47 – Final thanks and call for guest introductions 37:10 – Listen deeper: hidden messages on influence 37:31 – Outro: how to follow, share, and go deeper

Conclusion:

Chris Slack’s conversation with Anton Guinea is a powerful reminder that real influence isn’t theory, it’s the lived ability to impact outcomes, decisions, and people over time. From banking and finance to founding his own consultancy, Chris shows how listening, presence, and getting your ego out of the way can create better lending decisions and deeper client relationships. His “throw out the seeds” approach to networking proves that generosity, consistency, and connecting good people with good people eventually compound into opportunities you could never script. Chris also models what it looks like to be genuinely proud of your own journey, drawing strength from the businesses he has helped through growth, cash flow crunches, and uncertainty. Ultimately, his story challenges listeners to practice influence daily by engaging diverse personalities, embracing discomfort, and focusing on meaningful impact rather than entitlement or quick wins.

Connect with Chris Slack

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-slack-77811a62/ 

Website: https://www.thefinanceconsultancy.com.au/ 

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thefinanceconsultancy9601?si=FlB5_OJe139yysQ6 

What does it really mean to be influential if you don’t have a title, a team, or decades of experience behind you? Adelia D’Andrea suggests that true influence comes from ideas, behavior, and example, whether you’re a corporate professional, a family member, or a friend, and she keeps returning to the theme of authenticity as the core requirement. How does Gen Z fit into this? Having grown up with YouTube, Facebook, and now a flood of social platforms, Adelia argues that her generation has become highly skilled at detecting what is fake versus what is real, no longer easily “buying” what influencers sell unless there is a genuine, aligned message behind it. She traces her own path from a creative, poetry-loving child who dreamed of human-rights journalism (deeply inspired by Anthony Bourdain’s ego-free storytelling) to a corporate communications role where she still treats everything as storytelling, just in a different arena. When she talks about corporate and crisis comms, she repeatedly comes back to being clear, concise, and human—stripping away jargon, honoring people’s emotions during change, and always explaining the “why” behind organizational decisions. And what about leadership? For Adelia, leadership is less about having a big team and more about character, integrity, and giving younger voices a platform, especially for Gen Z employees who may stay silent out of imposter syndrome even while holding powerful insights shaped by technology, social issues, and a strong sense of justice.

Takeaways:

1. Influence without authority is real and powerful You don’t need a title or a team to be influential; ideas, behavior, and example can shape others in families, friend groups, and workplaces just as much as formal leadership roles.

2. Gen Z demands authenticity Growing up with social media has made Gen Z highly skilled at spotting inauthentic messages. They are less interested in being “sold to” and more interested in following people and brands whose values, tone, and behavior genuinely align with what they claim to stand for.

3. Good corporate storytelling is concise, human, and honest Stripping away jargon, clearly explaining the “why,” and acknowledging people’s emotions—especially in times of change or crisis—builds trust. Leaders who listen to and amplify younger voices, rather than dismissing them for having “only” a few years’ experience, unlock fresher ideas and stronger engagement.

Quotes: : 

1. "Everyone can be influential, right? You can be an influencer in so many different kinds of ways, and it doesn’t necessarily need to be a CEO or someone who’s been in the industry for a long time."

2. "The gig is up. We know now. There’s no fooling, because it’s so oversaturated. So how are you going to get your voice to cut through with authenticity in a sea full of people who just want to get their voices out there?"

3. "You’re allowed to have a job that doesn’t necessarily make all these changes all the time, but even just speaking about it and standing for something and having those morals and foundations that you practice every day—I think that means something."

Timestamp:

00:00 Gen Z, Social Media, and Early Influences 01:14 Intro to Leaders of Influence and Adelia D’Andrea 03:23 What Is Influence Beyond Titles and Authority? 05:51 Growing Up Gen Z and the Role of Social Media 07:11 Idolizing Online Personalities and Spotting Authenticity 09:48 “The Gig Is Up” – Gen Z’s Shift to Mindful Media Consumption 10:21 Who Influenced Adelia and Why She Chose Communications 12:32 Human-Rights Journalism, Anthony Bourdain, and Storytelling 15:01 The Secret to Effective Corporate Storytelling 17:31 Communicating Through Crisis, Change, and Acquisitions 20:28 Writing to Influence: Clarity, Brevity, and Jargon-Free Language 22:45 Strategy, Channels, and Tailoring Messages to Audiences 24:57 How Leaders Can Better Support and Lead Gen Z Employees 27:54 Amplifying Young Voices and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 31:53 Challenging the Status Quo and Fixed-Mindset Leadership 32:10 Adelia’s View of Leadership, Integrity, and Example 33:54 Future Dreams: Creative Writing, Books, and Lost Creativity 35:30 Stories Inside Organizations and Culture-Building 36:25 Host’s Recap of Key Insights from Adelia’s Journey 39:20 Adelia’s Closing Reflections and Gratitude 41:30 Podcast Outro and Call to Action

Conclusions:

Adelia D’Andrea leaves a clear, lasting message: real influence is rooted in authenticity, clarity, and human connection, not job titles or years on a résumé. Gen Z’s ability to spot inauthenticity forces brands and leaders to communicate with more honesty, empathy, and respect for their audience’s intelligence. Her journey from aspiring human-rights journalist to corporate communications professional shows that storytelling can still be a force for good inside organizations, especially in times of change or crisis. She challenges leaders to listen to and amplify young voices, recognizing that innovation and fresh perspective often come from those with “only” a few years in the workforce. Ultimately, her perspective on leadership—as a matter of character, integrity, and giving others space to be heard—offers a hopeful blueprint for workplaces that want to be both high-performing and deeply human.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adelia-d%E2%80%99andrea-84644319a/

https://www.omc.com/

Dr. Geoff Augutis shares how he built Queensland Computers from a scrappy regional startup at age 18 into a $50M managed services business, combining unapologetic capitalism with strong philanthropy and community impact. He emphasizes "Radical Candor," showing people you genuinely care before delivering tough, direct feedback, and frames true leadership as a selfless act where the leader takes blame and gives credit. Geoff highlights the importance of resilience earned through lived hardship, the power of mentors who tell you the uncomfortable truth, and the need to focus only on what you can control, especially when you lack formal authority. He describes running a high-accountability, high-performance culture where values alignment matters more than clock-watching, underperformance is not tolerated, and people feel safe enough to be honest, even about wanting to leave, sometimes returning later as “boomerang” staff. Interwoven through the conversation is Geoff’s experience living with low-grade brain cancer, which deepens his sense of urgency, gratitude, and legacy, and fuels his passion for better leadership education for young people.

Takeaways:

Radical Candor: Care Fiercely, Speak Directly Building a High-Performance, No-Excuses Culture Resilience, Mentors, and Focusing on What You Can Control

Quote:

"I'm a purebred capitalist. If you ask me what I'm about, we're not a not-for-profit. We're here to make money, and the more money I make, it is a scorecard when you're running a business."

"Once you start realizing that, you go, leadership should be a selfless task."

"The more you focus on factors that are outside your control, the less you're focusing on the factors that are inside your control."

Timestamp:

00:00 – Radical candor, capitalism, and giving back 01:08 – Podcast intro and Dr. Geoff’s background & bio 03:36 – Why Anton invited Geoff: radical authenticity on stage 04:52 – Confidence vs. being 100% yourself 06:26 – Resilience, “battlefield” experience, and street cred 07:55 – Influence as leading by example, even when unseen 10:31 – Are leaders born? Selfless leadership and giving credit 11:48 – Early influences, side hustles, and starting the IT business 14:25 – Finding mentors and why honest feedback matters 16:48 – Influence without control: focus on what you can control 19:40 – Hiring in the regions and building a high-performance team 21:31 – Culture, accountability, and the team pushing low performers out 22:26 – Geoff’s weak spot: change management and clear vision 24:20 – Psychological safety and helping people exit well (and return) 26:04 – Managing up: influencing boards and senior leaders 28:10 – Disagreement, compromise, and “both got screwed” negotiations 30:07 – Quiet influence and changing people’s lives without knowing 31:59 – Powerful story: helping a staff member escape a bad home life 32:44 – Can influence be taught? EQ vs. IQ and emotional intelligence 35:48 – Family life and how his wife and kids handle his diagnosis 38:06 – Brain cancer, perspective, and gratitude vs. self-pity 40:09 – Everyone’s got something: the human experience at work 41:15 – Crisis is inevitable and humans weren’t built to “be happy” 42:28 – Manufactured hardship, Navy SEALs, and building resilience 42:49 – David Goggins, running, and mental toughness 43:51 – Anton’s recap: key leadership themes from Geoff 48:26 – Why we need more leadership education in schools 49:48 – Geoff’s dream: starting a school focused on leadership 50:06 – Closing remarks and call to action for listeners

Conclusion:

Dr. Geoff’s story is a powerful reminder that real leadership is about courage, candor, and caring enough to tell people the truth while still having their back. His journey from an 18‑year‑old regional startup founder to a $50M tech leader shows what’s possible when you pair relentless execution with deep values and community impact. The way he handles brain cancer with gratitude, perspective, and a focus on legacy raises the bar on what resilience and responsibility look like. His approach to culture, where high standards, psychological safety, and “boomerang” employees all coexist, offers a blueprint for any leader who wants both performance and humanity. Most of all, Geoff’s commitment to mentoring others and eventually redefining how young people learn leadership challenges each of us to use our own influence more intentionally.

What happens when you stop accepting other people’s limits and start writing your own story? In this episode, Paralympian, leadership coach, and organizational psychologist Kate Naess shares how she turned a childhood of “you won’t be able to…” into a life built on curiosity, courage, and high performance. Born with a hand difference and surrounded early on by doctors’ low expectations, Kate was raised by parents who chose a different narrative: “Kate will learn how Kate can.” From tying shoelaces and riding bikes to playing violin, horse riding, and eventually reaching the World Equestrian Games, everything became an experiment in finding another way. Along the way, a primary school teacher who believed she could do anything and an unforgettable moment with Keith Richards telling her not to stop doing what she was doing helped cement her sense of possibility. When her horse almost died after international travel and she later lost her mum to breast cancer, Kate didn’t step back she reinvented herself in a completely new sport, going from local tri club sessions to the Rio Paralympic Games in under two years. 

Takeaways: 

• Influence starts with curiosity – Real influence isn’t about force or “because I said so”; it’s about asking better questions so people can see new possibilities and their own potential. 

• Your story isn’t fixed – Being born with a hand difference and given limiting predictions didn’t stop Kate. With support and experimentation (“Kate will learn how Kate can”), she found her own ways to do almost everything. 

• Community and coaching are performance multipliers – Local tri clubs, supportive teammates, and coaches like Corey Bacon and Danielle Stefano helped Kate see what she was capable of long before she saw it herself.

Quotes: 

• “Kate will learn how Kate can. If she can’t do it the ‘normal’ way, she’ll find another way of doing it.” 

• “It’s not about forcing someone to change; it’s about bringing enough curiosity to the conversation that they start to see their own potential.” 

• “You don’t get to the Paralympic starting line by accident. You’re not a fluke – you’re there for a reason, even if your mind is trying to convince you otherwise.” 

Timestamps: 

00:00:01 – Meet Kate Ness: Family, Dogs, and Life Outside Sport

00:02:21 – Born Different, Raised Without Limits

00:04:52 – Teachers, Awards, and Keith Richards’ Unforgettable Encouragement

00:07:43 – From Local Tri Club to Racing with Heroes 

00:10:03 – Coaches Who See What You Can’t See Yet

00:12:06 – The Emotional Weight of the Rio Paralympics Start Line

00:16:14 – High Performance, High Pressure: Sport and Corporate Parallels

00:18:36 – Why She Chose Organizational Psychology

00:22:04 – Human-First Leadership and the Power of Curiosity

Conclusion: 

Paralympian, leadership coach, and organizational psychologist Kate Naess shares how a life that began with a hand difference and low external expectations became a powerful example of curiosity, courage, and high performance. She credits her parents for refusing limiting narratives, early mentors and even Keith Richards for reinforcing her potential, and coaches like Corey Bacon and Danielle Stefano for pushing her beyond what she thought she could do. From the local tri club to the Rio Paralympic Games, Kate’s story highlights the role of community, environment, and self-awareness in navigating pressure and change. Drawing on her transition into organizational psychology, she underscores the need for human-first leadership, genuine connection, and curiosity-driven conversations in modern workplaces. She closes with a message that real influence isn’t about force or titles, but about helping people reinterpret their own stories, see their potential more clearly, and show up fully on the start line, in the boardroom, and in everyday life.

Neuroscientist and resilience expert Jurie Rossouw explores how true resilience is less about “toughening up” and more about learning to advance despite adversity through deliberate self-care and skill-building. He frames influence as educating others so they can make better decisions, rather than inspiring or pressuring them with slogans. Jurie shares how his own struggles with depression as a teenager pushed him into decades of research that eventually led to the Predictive Six-Factor Resilience (PR6) model, built around six domains: vision, composure, reasoning, tenacity, collaboration, and health. He sees vision as the anchor that gives people a sense of purpose, while health quietly powers everything else by shaping how well the brain functions under pressure. Along the way, he reflects on population-level insights like Australia’s relatively low composure and strong health scores, how workplaces sometimes mistakenly expect resilience instead of supporting it, and his belief that resilience, properly understood, is a blueprint for sustainable self-care that everyone should have been taught at school.

Takeaways:

1. Resilience = advancing despite adversity

   • Resilience isn’t “toughen up and push it down”; it’s a long-term self-care strategy that lets you keep moving toward what matters, even under pressure.

2. Vision drives the other resilience skills

   • Of the six PR6 domains (vision, composure, reasoning, tenacity, collaboration, health), vision—a clear sense of meaning and purpose—has the biggest influence on the others and helps direct where you invest your energy.

3. Organizations should support, not demand, resilience

   • A healthy culture doesn’t just expect people to “be resilient” in a toxic environment; it actively creates conditions that support resilience (psychological safety, good work design) and then builds individual skills on top of that.

Quotes:

“The definition that I have for resilience is to advance despite adversity.”

“It shouldn’t be a work environment that requires resilience; it should be a work environment that supports resilience.”

“Resilience is an effective way of self-care to enable our personal sustainability in the long term.”

Timestamp:

0:00 – Opening: Foundations of Resilience 1:11 – Meet Jurie Rossouw: Neuroscientist & Resilience Expert 4:04 – Jurie’s Background and Global Perspective 4:49 – What Influence Really Means to Jurie 6:38 – Redefining Resilience: “Advance Despite Adversity” 7:17 – Breaking Down the PR6: Six Domains of Resilience 10:53 – Before vs After: Resilience for “Boom Events” 11:48 – Why Vision Is the Leverage Point 14:46 – The National Resilience Index: Australia’s Resilience Profile 17:26 – Comparing Australia and the U.S. on Resilience 17:57 – What Sparked Jurie's Journey into Neuroscience 20:21 – From Personal Struggle to Published Research 22:30 – Building the Predictive Six-Factor Resilience Model 23:30 – Why Health Is the Hardest (and Most Ignored) Domain 25:13 – How Body Health Shapes Brain Performance 26:53 – Coaches, Partners, and Global Impact of PR6 29:29 – Jurie’s View of Leadership: Clarity and Focus 31:02 – Resilience and Psychological Safety at Work 31:52 – Measuring Psychosocial Hazards with JSEC 35:42 – “Don’t Require Resilience; Support It” 36:36 – Global Vision: Mapping and Growing Resilience Worldwide 38:09 – Making Resilience Training Practical and Daily 40:00 – Anton’s Recap of Jurie’s Key Ideas 41:26 – Jurie’s Final Thought: Resilience as Sustainable Self-Care 41:58 – Closing and Call to Action

Conclusion:

Resilience, as Jurie Rossouw explains, is not a heroic trait reserved for a few; it is a set of learnable skills that allow anyone to keep moving forward even when life doesn’t cooperate. His journey from teenage depression to published neuroscience researcher is a reminder that transformation often begins with quiet, persistent curiosity about how to feel and function better. Jurie's message is to stop treating resilience as “just toughening up” and start treating it as sustainable self-care built from six domains you can measure, train, and improve over time. He urges individuals to clarify their vision, the purpose and meaning behind their actions, because that clarity magnifies every other effort they make. And for leaders, his challenge is simple and profound: build workplaces that support resilience through psychological safety and good design, so people don’t have to burn themselves out just to survive.

Leadership coach Janine Jakob and host Anton Guinea explore the themes of influence, impact, and resilient leadership through Janine’s personal and professional journey. Janine defines influence as a ripple effect that spreads globally, with impact being the outcome of that influence, and she emphasizes that even negative experiences can be reframed into growth opportunities through a resilient mindset. She shares how her multilingual background and cross-cultural experiences, shaped by learning several languages and working across continents, enable her to bridge cultures and foster better connections in organizations. Deeply influenced by her mother’s discipline, hard work, and values, as well as by a life-changing scholarship that allowed her to study in the U.S., Janine has built a career centered on “paying it forward” through mentorship, opportunity creation, and her long-running Monday Morning Motivation community, which helped many people through anxiety and depression, especially during COVID and Shanghai lockdowns. Drawing on her time at Hewlett Packard, she highlights empowerment, trust, development, and career opportunities as the traits that distinguish great leaders from average ones, arguing that strong leaders invest in people even at the risk of being surpassed. Finally, she explains why podcasting is such a powerful tool for authority building, relationship creation, and content leverage, showing how it supports both personal branding and genuine human connection in today’s AI-enabled, globally networked world.

Takeaways:

1. Influence is a ripple effect, grounded in mindset. Janine sees influence as ripples that spread across borders, with impact being the outcome of those ripples. Even hard or “negative” events can become powerful growth moments if we choose to reframe them rather than ruminate.

2. Great leaders invest, empower, and develop people. Inspired by her HP leaders, Janine stresses that strong leaders trust their people, give them resources and coaching, and even prepare them to surpass them. They create opportunities, nurture talent, and work to keep their best people growing—not hold them back.

3. Paying it forward creates long-term impact. A scholarship that changed Janine’s life drives her to invest in others through mentoring, introductions, and projects like Monday Morning Motivation, which helped people through depression and anxiety. She extends this pay-it-forward philosophy into tools like podcasting, using it to build authentic relationships, visibility, and scalable positive influence.

Quotes:

"I prefer to look at impact and influence in a positive way, because even if it's something negative at the end, it always depends on your mindset and what you do out of it."

"If you want to have influence and impact, the more different languages you speak nowadays, the better it is... a language connects people and cultures, and that's how we can make an even bigger impact and have a better influence."

"Someone did something good for me and invested in me, and that's why it's so important for me that I invest in other people... I really believe in paying it forward."

Timestamp: 

00:00 Influence, impact, and mindset 00:38 Leaders of Influence podcast introduction 03:00 Welcoming guest Janine Jacob 03:25 Defining influence: ripples and global impact 05:36 Resilience, reframing, and positive outcomes 05:56 Janine’s multilingual background 07:19 Learning languages and global career opportunities 08:19 Language, culture, and influencing for peace 08:55 Biggest personal influence: Janine’s mother 09:40 Discipline, hard work, and values from family 10:50 Key professional influence and sponsored exchange year 11:14 Life-changing scholarship and studying in the U.S. 13:30 Paying it forward: mentoring and opening doors for others 16:39 Monday Morning Motivation community story 18:47 Mental health, lockdowns, and real impact on followers 20:47 Selling the Monday Morning Motivation brand 22:15 Anton reflects and parallels his own work 23:12 What separates strong leaders from average ones 23:19 Empowering leadership at Hewlett Packard 25:26 Trust, feedback, and developing human potential 26:02 Investing in talent and creating roles to keep great people 27:34 How HP shaped Janine’s leadership style and culture 28:04 Full Potential Partners: Janine’s pitch 29:45 Power of high-quality networks and private clubs 31:21 No dickhead policy and surrounding yourself with good humans 33:28 Why podcasting is such a powerful tool 33:49 Podcasting for learning, relationships, and sales 35:20 Using AI to repurpose podcast content 36:39 Authenticity, video, and nonverbal communication 37:07 Episode wrap-up and leadership lessons 40:07 Janine’s final mantra: unlocking your full potential

Conclusions:

Influence, for Janine, is less about status and more about the quiet choices we make to turn hardship into fuel for growth and to lift others as we climb. Her journey shows how discipline, multilingual curiosity, and one act of belief from a stranger can redirect an entire life—and inspire a lifelong commitment to paying that belief forward. Leadership, in her world, means empowering people so fully that they might one day surpass you, and seeing that not as a threat but as success. Tools like podcasting, AI, and curated networks are simply amplifiers for that deeper work of connection, service, and visibility. In the end, the real challenge is personal: choose one idea that stood out and use it this week to create a small ripple of positive impact for someone else.

Jamie explains how his upbringing in Melbourne’s western suburbs, backpacking and working in an Aboriginal health organization in Tennant Creek, and long involvement in sport have shaped his values of optimism, calm under stress, inclusion, and belonging. He defines influence as using these values to positively impact others, especially by using sport and education as vehicles for connection, social capital, and a sense of belonging. Jamie highlights several key mentors, such as Russell Wilson, Kate Palmer, Nick Beckinsale, and Michael O’Neill, who showed him more modern, people-centered, and strategic models of leadership and how government and sport can drive positive social and economic outcomes. He is particularly proud of leading Gymnastics Victoria as a learning-focused, customer service–oriented organization that developed staff so well that multiple team and board members went directly into CEO roles, including several women, reflecting his commitment to progressive, inclusive leadership development.

Takeaways:

Influence comes from values and mindset, not title – Jamie sees influence as living with optimism, calm under pressure, and genuine care, using sport and education to create connection, belonging, and positive impact.

Great leaders develop other leaders – At Gymnastics Victoria, Jamie intentionally made it a learning and customer-service organization, helping several staff and board members (many of them women) step directly into CEO roles in other sports bodies.

Inclusion and simplicity are strategic advantages – Jamie emphasizes inclusive leadership (especially supporting women and young staff to step up) and the importance of uncomplicating systems so people are clear, empowered, and able to do their best work.

Quotes:

"I think if we try and come in with a positively optimistic mindset into everything we do, that means we're going to enjoy our work more, we're going to enjoy the people we work with more, and our outcomes are going to be better."

"I think I learned early on that trying to not be yourself isn't ideal, and whilst you might take on the attributes of others or try and take on the best of other people, at the end of the day, you just need to be yourself."

"We weren't a sports administration organization. We were a customer service learning-focused organization, and we really wanted to develop our staff, and we knew by developing our staff that we would succeed as an organization."

Timestamp:

00:00 – Why Being a Good Person Matters in Leadership 01:14 – Podcast Intro & Jamie’s Background 03:16 – What Has Influenced Jamie as a Leader 06:21 – Defining Influence 08:40 – Leaders Who Shaped Jamie 12:36 – Government, Sport & Social Capital 18:11 – Developing Future CEOs at Gymnastics Victoria 23:16 – Supporting Women into Leadership 28:39 – Jamie’s Leadership Mantra 31:51 – Leadership Lessons from a Conductor 32:21 – Purpose and the ‘Why’ of Leadership 34:15 – Wrap-Up & Final Message

Conclusion:

Jamie highlights that real influence in leadership comes from who you are, not just what you do or the title you hold. His journey—from community health in Tennant Creek to leading major sporting and school networks—shows how optimism, authenticity, and a focus on connection and belonging can shape entire organizations. By treating sport and education as vehicles for social capital, he’s demonstrated that you can build both strong communities and strong results. His proudest achievements aren’t trophies or titles, but the leaders he has helped develop—especially women and younger staff—by creating a learning-focused, customer-service culture. Ultimately, his message is simple and powerful: make your objectives clear, keep things as uncomplicated as possible, and make sure people have fun at work—because that’s the environment where influence and impact naturally grow.

Allan explains that he doesn’t view his achievements as superhuman, but as opportunities to inspire others to attempt what they once believed impossible, whether that’s getting out of bed or tackling a major goal. He describes the Race Across America, a 5,000 km ride with 55,000 meters of elevation in 12 days, and how absolute trust in his crew, pre-compliance with their decisions, and a focus on movement over metrics keep him going. Their exchange highlights powerful life metaphors: address niggles early, smile to lift the team, and remember that “while there’s movement, there’s hope,” even when pain and fatigue are overwhelming. Allan also shares candid details about physical hardship, crew dynamics, and preparation, showing how elite endurance sport, gratitude, and having fun under pressure blend into a practical philosophy of high-performance leadership.

Takeaways:

Influence is about small, real impact. Allan doesn’t see himself as superhuman; his goal is to help someone take one step they thought was impossible—whether that’s getting out of bed or attempting a huge challenge.

Trust your team and be “pre-compliant.” In the Race Across America, Allan’s crew has information he doesn’t, so he chooses to comply with their calls 95% of the time, even when he doesn’t like them—because their only job is to get him safely to the finish.

Quotes:

"If I can make a difference in somebody's life and make them actually get up and do something for the day, whether it's just actually get out of bed for the day, or, you know, go off undertake something that they thought was, I guess, impossible... if we can just change one of those and make their day a little bit better, I think that's pretty cool."

Timestamp: 

00:00 – Trusting the Crew and Being “Pre-Compliant” 01:14 – Leaders of Influence Intro & Allan Jefferson’s Background 03:36 – Introducing Greg the Crew Chief & Setting the Topic 04:01 – What Influence Means to Allan 07:00 – Men, Mental Health, and Hiding Struggles 07:47 – Not a David Goggins: Allan’s Different Style 08:31 – Doppelganger, Public Persona, and Attention 09:12 – How Allan Got Into Cycling in Hokitika, New Zealand 09:33 – Explaining the Coast to Coast Multi-Sport Event 10:04 – The Race Across America: Distance, Elevation, and States 11:24 – Why Race Across America? The Solo Rider Inspiration 13:18 – What Do You Think About at 2 a.m.? Inside Allan’s Head 17:46 – Using the Crew as Mental Support & Conversation 19:21 – Why Allan Hides the Numbers (Speed, Distance, Time) 20:59 – Day vs Night: How He Mentally Breaks Up the Race 21:32 – Distractions vs Focus and The “Just Keep Moving” Rule 22:06 – “While There’s Movement, There’s Hope” 23:00 – Deep Gratitude for the Crew & The One Rule: Have Fun 24:00 – The Rhythm of Conversation, Venting, and Quiet 25:20 – Crew Reading Allan’s State and Acting Proactively 26:31 – Life Metaphor: “What Can We Do Now to Make Life Easier?” 27:19 – Is Allan Easy to Influence? Compliance vs Pushback 27:39 – Trusting the Crew’s Decisions Even When He Disagrees 31:30 – Smiling to Lift the Team and Change the Mood 32:08 – “You Smile, and the World Smiles Back” 32:32 – Burger Gate: The Cheeseburger Controversy 35:17 – Lessons from Burger Gate: Managing Cravings and Fuel 36:01 – Saddle Sores, Chafing, and Pain Management 38:10 – Treating Problems Early: Inspections and “Special Sauce” 39:16 – Practical Gear Tips: Double Shorts, Lube, and Modesty 40:18 – Why Allan Uses Dry Lube and How the Crew Applies It 40:41 – Heading Back to Race Across America Again 40:53 – 2024 Crash, Neck Issues, and Training Limitations 43:23 – Shermer’s Neck Explained and How He Manages It 45:03 – What New Endurance Athletes Should Do First 45:34 – Race Across the West as a Stepping Stone 46:51 – Having Fun 80% of the Time and the 1% Hurt Locker 47:53 – Acknowledging Pain Without Focusing on It 48:34 – Sponsorship, Cost of Racing, and Support 49:38 – Anton’s Wrap-Up: Metaphors for Life from the Race

Conclusion:

Allan Jefferson’s Race Across America is more than an ultra-endurance feat; it’s a living lesson in trust, resilience, and leading with gratitude under pressure. His philosophy—fix the small niggles early, lean on your crew, keep moving, and remember that “while there’s movement, there’s hope”—turns a brutal bike race into a powerful metaphor for life and leadership.

Dr. Jae describes his recent Spartan Race, a 5K obstacle course involving walls, heavy carries, rope climbs, water wades, barbed wire crawls, and grip-intensive obstacles, emphasizing how he arrived late, used each obstacle to pass other competitors, and refused to stop even when he wanted to quit. He explains that his mindset during the race was driven by self-influence: focusing on the next person ahead, maintaining the identity of someone who “does hard things,” and feeling accountable to people he imagines are watching him, which keeps him from walking when others slow down. Anton highlights this as a powerful example of self-leadership and influence, noting that Dr. Jae is usually the one inspiring others, and uses this to transition into a deeper exploration of Bitcoin, how it is often misunderstood, and how Dr. Jae uses it to help people think about changing their lifestyle and mindset, setting the stage for a Bitcoin-focused discussion in the next part of the conversation.

Takeaways:

Self-influence and identity drive persistence: Dr. J uses challenges like the Spartan Race to reinforce the identity of someone who “does hard things,” which helps him push through discomfort in races and in life.

Bitcoin as permissionless, non-inflationary money: He frames Bitcoin as money outside government-controlled systems—capped at 21 million, resistant to inflation, and enabling people to store and move value without relying on banks or central authorities.

“Stack sats, get fit” long-term mindset: Dr. J’s coaching philosophy links health and Bitcoin: invest in your body and in hard money now so that in 10–20 years you have both the physical capacity and the financial resilience to enjoy the future instead of spending everything on rising healthcare costs.

Quotes:

"If I can do that, I can do this. You know, it just helps."

"Bitcoin allows you to move and exchange value outside of the rails of the government without having to ask permission for anybody. You can be your own bank, as they say."

"I say saving Bitcoin or stack sats get fit, because the two things you can control are your health and your money."

Timestamps:

0:00 – Intro & Who Is Dr. Jae Koonce? 1:20 – From Pharmacy to Proof of Work Fitness 3:14 – What Is a Spartan Race? 3:34 – Inside the Obstacles & Strategy 5:30 – “I Can Do Hard Things”: Mental Toughness 6:38 – Self-Influence and Not Quitting 9:04 – Transition: From Mindset to Bitcoin 10:09 – Bitcoin Myths vs. Reality 11:30 – Bitcoin, Countries, and Game Theory 12:30 – Being Your Own Bank 13:30 – How to Get Started with Bitcoin 16:16 – The Bitcoin White Paper & Satoshi 16:28 – Inflation, Gold, and Broken Money 18:31 – Mining, Scarcity, and Energy 19:24 – Using Bitcoin in Fitness Coaching 21:54 – Scams, Reputation, and Real Adoption 22:14 – Wallets, Seed Phrases, and Security 25:03 – Lost Bitcoin and Fixed Supply 27:25 – Inheritance, Taxes, and the Ecosystem 28:47 – Volatility and “Stacking Sats” 29:40 – Health Costs, Bitcoin, and the Future 30:16 – “Bitcoin Is Dead” (Again) 32:30 – Transparency, Taxes, and Responsibility 33:43 – Bitcoin as Stored Time and Energy 34:41 – Outro & Where to Find Dr. Jae

Conclusion: Bitcoin, fitness, and mindset all point to the same underlying principle: choosing to do hard things now so life becomes easier later. Treating Bitcoin as long-term, permissionless money shifts focus from short-term price swings to accumulating durable value over decades, just as training and smart lifestyle choices compound into resilience and lower health costs over time. The discipline of finishing a Spartan Race when every part of you wants to quit mirrors the discipline of consistently “stacking sats” and staying committed to habits that don’t pay off immediately but change who you become. Health, wealth, and personal sovereignty stop looking like separate goals and start to feel like different expressions of the same decision: to own your choices, your energy, and your future instead of outsourcing them to systems that don’t necessarily have your best interests at heart.

Links: 

Find Dr. Jae Koonce and his work at: 

• Website: https://www.proofofwork.fit/

• Proof of Work Fitness App on apple (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/proof-o...) and android (https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...)

• Instagram: proofofworkfitness  

• LinkedIn: pharmacistjeremiahkoonce

Manuela describes the emotional experience of standing in an Olympic start gate knowing she has done everything possible to prepare, and reflects on her 2006 Torino Games, where she finished 14th in mogul skiing and was the first Australian woman to make the moguls final. She emphasizes how sport shaped her identity, discipline, and mindset, even though, as a winter athlete, she was largely unpaid and had to self-fund much of her journey. A major theme is influence as intentional role-modeling: choosing positive influences, being careful about who you let shape your life, and striving to be a positive mentor for others, including the athletes she now supports off-snow through fitness, mindset, and goal-setting work. Manuela shares that her family’s example, active, healthy parents in their 80s and a brother who was also an elite skier and now a stuntman, deeply influenced her optimism and work ethic, and she now takes pride in learning she has, in turn, inspired athletes like Nicole Parks and Sami Kennedy-Sim. Throughout, both Manuela and Anton highlight how positivity, energy, and genuine belief in others can powerfully influence performance and life choices, often in ways you don’t realize until years later.

Takeaways:

1. Influence is a choice—both in who you follow and how you show up. Manuela stresses being intentional about who you let influence you (mentors, role models, circles) because those choices directly shape your outcomes.

2. Positivity and belief in others are powerful performance multipliers. She challenges the “tough, negative coach” model and shows how genuine encouragement—simply saying “I believe in you”—can change an athlete’s trajectory more than criticism can.

3. Your example reaches further than you realize. Manuela only discovered years later that athletes like Nicole Parks and Sami Kennedy-Sim saw her as a major influence, proving that your consistent actions, energy, and work ethic may be inspiring people who’ve never even told you.

Quotes:

1. On choosing your influences carefully

"We need to be very careful who we use as influence in our lives, because when we choose correctly with our influences, it makes a big, big difference."

1. On giving your all on the Olympic stage

"When I stood at the bottom of that course after my run, if I was last or first, the result wouldn't matter because I couldn't have done any more, and that's the amazing experience that I was able to have through training and dedication."

1. On the underrated power of positivity

"Positivity will always outweigh negativity. Positivity will help you through a situation... I just think positivity is so often underrated."

Timestamps:

00:00 – What Influence Really Means 01:10 – Podcast Introduction & Manuela’s Bio 04:19 – What It Feels Like to Be an Olympian 07:27 – Results, Goals, and Judged Sports 08:57 – The Fragility of Olympic Dreams 09:51 – Transitioning to “Real Life” After Sport 10:24 – How Sport Shapes Identity and Life 11:59 – Defining Influence & Choosing Your Circle 13:42 – Family as the Ultimate Role Models 16:30 – Near Miss: Her Brother’s Olympic Story 17:13 – Early Mogul Heroes: Edgar & Donna 18:43 – Staying in the Sport: Coaching & Mentoring 20:26 – The Power of “I Believe in You” 21:17 – Positivity, Energy, and Influence 25:02 – Who Has Manuela Influenced? 28:30 – Being the Best Version of Yourself Daily 29:49 – Small-Town Roots: Growing Up in Jindabyne 30:38 – COVID, Mountain Life & Community Growth 30:47 – Final Reflections on Influence & Excellence

Conclusion:

Manuela Berchtold ultimately shows that influence is less about status and more about consistent character. Her story as a two-time Winter Olympian, gym owner, and mentor reveals how preparation, resilience, and optimism can carry someone from elite sport into a meaningful “second career” of service to others. She demonstrates that who you choose to model, and how you choose to show up every day, quietly shapes not only your own life but the lives of people watching you—often without you realizing it until years later. The way Manuela speaks about her family, her heroes, her athletes, and her town of Jindabyne reinforces a simple but powerful theme: positivity, belief, and generosity with your knowledge are forms of leadership and influence available to anyone, not just Olympians. If there’s one lasting message from this episode, it’s that striving to be the best version of yourself—consistently and visibly—may be the greatest influence you ever have.

Anton introduces Teagan as a leadership and culture expert who grew up in a mining community, blending backgrounds in psychology and HR to focus on inclusive, high-performing cultures in high-risk environments. Teagan explains that influence is not limited to formal leaders; it comes from relationships, perspectives, and the “leadership shadow” leaders cast through their behavior and positional power. She shares her origin story, including early work coaching leaders in underground coal mines and the gendered challenges she faced, which later drove her to found Blue Collared Woman and write The Rules of the Game: Women in Masculine Industries. A major theme is mental health, particularly the disproportionate suicide rates among working-age men and the strain of FIFO work, reinforcing the need for honest discussion, support services, and leaders trained in mental health first aid. Teagan and Anton also highlight empathy and emotional intelligence as critical leadership traits, distinguish kindness from mere “niceness,” and stress aligning leadership with personal purpose so that leaders create genuine, lasting positive impact.

Takeaways:

1. Influence is for everyone, not just titled leaders Teagan emphasizes that influence comes from relationships, perspectives, and daily behavior, meaning anyone in an organization can shape culture and outcomes, regardless of role.

2. Psychological safety and mental health are critical in heavy industry The conversation highlights high suicide risk among working-age men, the strain of FIFO and night shift, and the lasting impact of fatalities, underscoring the need for open dialogue, support, and mentally healthy workplaces.

3. Empathy and emotional intelligence are core leadership skills Effective leaders combine self-awareness with genuine care, choosing kindness (including tough, honest conversations) over superficial “niceness,” and aligning their leadership with a deeper sense of purpose and value

Quotes:

"Influence for me is something that anyone can possess, and it's our ability to create a lasting impact and to influence the people around us for good or for not so good."

"I just followed a purpose, a heart-driven purpose, and I truly believe that when we are aligned with the thing that lights us up... that's the ticket."

"We should not focus on being nice; rather, we should focus on being kind, because nice means that we shy away from the hard conversations... whereas kindness is doing the hard thing, knowing

Timestamps:

0:00 – Culture change & mental health in heavy industry 0:50 – Podcast intro & Teagan’s bio 3:14 – What influence really means 5:22 – Why people really become leaders 6:35 – Origin story: From coal town to leadership coach 8:57 – Coaching underground coal leaders as a young woman 9:21 – Gendered challenges and sexual overtones in mining 11:43 – Men’s mental health and heavy industry risk 12:20 – The reality of FIFO and the cost of “doing it for the money” 14:33 – Psychological safety, suicides, and fatalities 16:46 – Call to reach out for help and support 17:04 – Launching Blue Collared Woman (BCW) 18:42 – “That’s a dumb idea”: Pushback from dad and mentor 19:54 – From anonymous blog to national platform 20:56 – Influence through purpose, not a marketing plan 22:23 – Being of value & legacy 24:21 – Parenting as the most important leadership role 26:17 – Generational change: Letting the next generation lead 27:21 – Wisdom vs. rigidity in experienced leaders 28:45 – People vs. process: The gray zone of leadership 31:03 – DISC profiles and changing styles over time 33:18 – Knowing when you’re “being a D” 34:28 – Adapting to others’ styles, not just your own 35:27 – The engineer who “did leadership as a task” 36:33 – You can’t fake care: Heart vs. checklist 40:06 – The dark triad and empathy spectrum 41:26 – Nervous systems, stress, and psychosocial safety 41:45 – Emotional intelligence: Not creating negative emotional experiences 45:12 – Final homework: Walk in with more empathy 45:26 – Host wrap‑up & calls to action

Conclusion:

The conversation ultimately lands on a very human, hopeful note: real leadership in heavy industry isn’t about titles, toughness, or having a perfect strategy, but about caring enough to tell the truth, to listen, and to keep people safe—physically and psychologically. Teagan’s journey from coal-town kid to industry influencer shows how one person’s decision to “hit publish” on an uncomfortable truth can ripple out into cultural change. Anton’s reflections reinforce that when leaders align their work with purpose and empathy, they don’t just improve performance; they literally help keep people alive and well in some of the toughest workplaces on earth. Together, they challenge listeners to stop treating people as tasks, to question their own “I must be right” stories, and to walk into their next interaction with just a little more courage and compassion than they had yesterday.

How do top general managers navigate complex industry challenges, maintain operational excellence, and keep their teams motivated?

Anton hosts Rio Tinto General Managers Trent Scherer, Shona Markham, and Shane Wembridge for a candid conversation on what it truly takes to lead with integrity, humility, and long-term vision.

What you’ll learn:

How to shift mindsets through trust and transparent evidence.

The importance of supporting local small business supply chains.

Why respecting every role on site transforms work culture.

Practical advice on preventing executive burnout through personal health and family focus.

👉 Enjoyed this conversation? Leave a comment below with your biggest takeaway, and don't forget to like and subscribe!

#LeadersOfInfluence #Gladstone #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessImpact #TrustAndIntegrity #QueenslandIndustry #IndustrialLeadership #RioTinto #QAL

What does it take to lead at the highest level of industrial operations without falling into the trap of silos, ego, or isolation?

In this special roundtable on Leaders of Influence, Anton Guinea sits down with three top General Managers: Trent Scherer (Queensland Alumina Limited), Shona Markham (Rio Tinto - Boyne Smelters), and Shane Wembridge (Rio Tinto - Yarwun Refinery).

Together, we unpack what it means to operate with a "First Team" mindset, why executive peer networks are critical in times of crisis, and how to build authentic, no-ego connections across organizations.

📌 In this episode, you’ll discover: Why your primary team as an executive is the leadership table, not your silo.

How to role-model core company values so middle management actually follows suit. The game-changing value of having peer GMs you can call at 10 PM for real support. Why building high-trust relationships before you need them is the key to cross-industry success.

💬 What’s the biggest barrier to getting an executive team to function as one unit?

Drop your thoughts in the comments below! 👇

#LeadersOfInfluence #AntonGuinea #ExecutiveLeadership #RioTinto #QAL #GladstoneIndustry #LeadershipStrategy #BusinessMindset

CEO Sladen Moses speaks with Anton Guinea on the Leaders of Influence podcast about what real influence and leadership look like in practice. Sladen defines influence not as being the loudest voice, but as the compound effect of small moments, comments, ideas, and actions that continue to shape teams and outcomes long after a meeting ends. He describes his leadership style as a “greatest hits album” made up of mentors, colleagues, bosses, and family who taught him customer obsession, candor, hard decision-making, and showing up for others even when there’s nothing in it for you. A core theme is service-driven leadership and sales: instead of pushing for end-of-quarter deals, his company focuses on deeply understanding customers’ problems and helping solve them, trusting that sales will follow naturally. Sladen also emphasizes psychological safety and high standards within a small, highly specialized startup team, comparing business more to a high-performing sports team than a family; everyone is accountable, aligned to a shared goal, but treated well especially when things are hard. He explains how Lexon Solutions leverages deep industry experience in mining, oil & gas, and heavy industry to help clients manage spare parts and indirect materials, using credibility and empathy from ex-industry professionals rather than traditional hard-sell tactics. The discussion closes with Sladen’s belief that sometimes the only thing carrying an idea forward is your belief in it, so leaders must hold strong convictions while staying adaptable in how they reach their goals.

Takeaways: Influence is built from small, consistent moments Sladen sees influence not as big speeches or titles, but as the compound effect of everyday comments, decisions, and behaviors that quietly shape culture and outcomes over time.

Service-first leadership makes sales and trust easier By obsessing over customers’ problems and genuinely trying to help (even if it means saying “you don’t need our product”), Sladen shows that integrity and service naturally create credibility and long-term business.

High standards plus psychological safety create high-performing teams He leads like a coach of a high-performance sports team: the best idea wins regardless of title, tough conversations are normal, and people feel safe enough to hear and give hard feedback while staying aligned to a shared mission.

Quotes: "Influence to me is more of a compound effect of several tiny moments instead of big speeches and planning sessions, and executive oversight."

"We tell the truth, especially if it's a tough conversation to have. We get comfortable having uncomfortable conversations. We obsess over our customers, and we treat people well when things are hard, not just when things are going to plan."

"Sometimes your belief can be the only thing that will take an idea forward. So maintain those strong beliefs, but be able to adapt."

Timeline: 0:00 – Influence as a team sport 0:30 – Sladen’s background and leadership journey 3:59 – What “influence” means to Sladen 5:32 – “Best idea wins” culture at Lexon 8:32 – Service-first mindset in sales and leadership 13:54 – Standards, hard conversations, and long-term impact 15:14 – Life inside a high-pressure, bootstrap startup 19:19 – Psychological safety, DISC, and team dynamics 24:05 – High-performing sports team vs “family” analogy 27:17 – Aligning individual goals with company vision 28:54 – What Lexon actually does for heavy industry clients 32:46 – From consulting to product-led SaaS and long-term integrity 36:00 – Final message: strong belief plus adaptable strategy

Conclusion: Sladen Moses shows how real influence comes from service, standards, and shared ownership rather than titles or loud voices. He leads Lexon like a high-performing sports team, where the best idea wins, hard conversations are normal, and psychological safety lets people do their best work. By obsessing over customers’ problems and bringing deep industry expertise to the table, his team builds trust and long-term relationships instead of chasing quick wins. Sladen’s story underlines that when you align strong personal belief with adaptability and a people-first culture, business performance and impact follow naturally.

Seasoned strategist and grants/tenders specialist Robyn Baker traces her journey from starting at Brisbane City Council in 1980 to becoming a sought-after advisor who helps SMEs secure funding and scale with confidence. She reflects on breaking through as a woman in a male-dominated environment, fueled by mentors who pushed her into stretch roles and modeled strong leadership. Robyn shares practical stories of resolving team conflict, supporting distressed staff, and transforming tense relationships into deep trust, highlighting the importance of psychosocial safety and genuine care at work. For her, real influence is built on authenticity, word-of-mouth trust, and the responsibility that comes when people act on your recommendations, with leadership success measured by whether you leave the workplace better than you found it.

Takeaways:

1. Influence is built on trust, not titles Robyn sees real influence as what happens when people act on your recommendations because they trust your values, integrity, and track record—not because you call yourself an “influencer.”

2. Great leadership leaves people and places better than you found them Her measure of leadership success is simple: if your workplace, team, and individuals are in a better state when you leave than when you arrived, you’re doing leadership right.

3. Psychosocial safety is now a core leadership responsibility Robyn believes leaders must create environments where people feel safe, heard, and supported—especially when they’re struggling—while also ensuring leaders themselves are supported and equipped to handle emotional and relational challenges at work.

Quotes:

"I think finding your influence, I think people who trust you, who have the same values and morals as you, and they go, well, if she's doing that, then I'm going to do that." Description: Robyn links true influence to shared values and trust, not status or labels.

"If you can leave your workplace in a better place than you found it, then you're probably a good leader." Description: Her simple benchmark for leadership success is the positive change you leave behind.

"If their safe place isn't at home, then their safe place should be at work. They need a safe place somewhere." Description: Robyn underscores the responsibility leaders have to create emotionally safe environments for their people.

Timeline:

0:00 – The hidden factors behind losing a tender 1:10 – Anton introduces “Leaders of Influence” and Robyn Baker 3:36 – Robyn hints at her new diagnostic funding tool 4:18 – Exclusive tool for funding suitability and individual fit 5:24 – Starting in 1980 at Brisbane City Council 7:06 – Learning tenders, grants, and big-project funding from experts 9:06 – Leaving council to care for her sick child and starting consulting 11:33 – Launching her own consultancy from scratch in 2016 13:54 – Why some tenders lose: competition, location, social fit, and bias 17:04 – Defining influence: authenticity, trust, and real‑world referrals 19:40 – Early mentors, breaking glass ceilings, and tokenism vs. opportunity 24:30 – Growing as a leader and being pushed into bigger roles 26:40 – The team member ready to quit and how Robyn stepped in 31:28 – Facilitating hard conversations between leaders and staff 35:56 – Turning two people who “hated each other” into lifelong friends 39:18 – Psychosocial safety and why work must be a safe place 41:43 – The emotional load on modern leaders and the need to decompress 42:56 – Why leaders themselves need support, systems, and resources 44:34 – Robyn’s leadership test: leave the workplace better than you found it 46:37 – Anton’s wrap‑up and key lessons from Robyn’s story

Conclusion:

Robyn’s journey is a reminder that technical excellence—like knowing grants and tenders inside out—only truly scales when it’s paired with character, care, and courage. The way she navigated male-dominated rooms in the 1980s, backed younger women, and even turned workplace enemies into bridesmaids shows how far patience and genuine curiosity can go. Her stories underline that leaders don’t need grand gestures as much as they need consistency: listening when people want to quit, advocating when things get political, and quietly setting a standard of psychosocial safety before it had a name. Influence, in her world, is almost accidental—it accumulates over decades of doing the right thing when no one’s clapping, until one day your name is the one people whisper when someone asks, “Who can we really trust with this?”

Casuarina Smith, known as Trucking with CJ, shares how she uses her platform and road-train experience to advocate for the transport industry and educate everyday drivers about road safety, especially around heavy vehicles. She explains her unconventional journey from a corporate insurance career into trucking, helped by a few people who saw her potential and by her own decision to invest personally in gaining her truck license. Casuarina speaks candidly about being a woman in a male-dominated field, the tough realities, and how her values, authenticity, positive representation, and refusal to sexualize her image or promote harmful products guide what she will and won’t do for money. She describes receiving emotional messages from people who are inspired to change careers or start driving, and from families whose children feel seen through her content and her self-published children’s book, “My Auntie’s Truck.” A recurring theme is the idea of “being in the right room”: your value doesn’t disappear when people don’t respond, it often just means you’re showing your work to the wrong audience, and the key is to find communities and spaces that genuinely want you to succeed.

Takeaways:

1. Influence is a responsibility, not a label Casuarina sees influence as the power to shape how people view trucking and safety, so she treats it with care—sticking to honesty, positivity, and being a real role model rather than chasing clicks.

2. Your values are more important than quick money She turns down lucrative offers (like gambling or sexualized content) that don’t align with her principles, choosing long-term integrity over short-term cash, even if it means going back to full-time trucking.

3. You’re not “wrong,” you might just be in the wrong room From her kids’ book to her online content, she’s learned that poor reactions often mean the audience is a bad fit, not that the work has no value—success comes from finding the right people and spaces who appreciate what you do.

Quotes:

“You have the ability to shape someone's perception of something, so make sure that with that power you do it correctly.” – Casuarina Smith

“Just because someone doesn’t see your value doesn’t mean you’re not valuable; you might just be in the wrong place.” – Casuarina Smith

“I’m not just working in the industry, I’m working for it, and I’m advocating for it.” – Casuarina Smith

Timeline: 

0:00 – Casuarina shares practical road safety tips for driving around trucks, including giving space, avoiding blind spots, and using UHF radios on channel 40.

1:14 – Anton sets up the podcast focus on leadership, influence, and impact, and introduces the theme of real-world influence.

2:10 – Brief overview of who Casuarina is: road train driver, content creator, and advocate known as Trucking with CJ.

3:10 – Casual chat about where she lives now, helping her partner with interstate freight, and flying to Tasmania for AgFest.

4:23 – Discussion about the truck she’s currently in (Kenworth 950 Legend), bunk beds in the cab, and a shout-out to Emerald Carrying Company.

6:04 – Reflection on how everyone is connected to the transport industry without realizing it, from office supplies to clothes.

6:51 – Exploration of the mental fatigue of trucking: dealing with traffic, being brake-checked, and constant risk management.

7:47 – Concrete advice for everyday drivers on making truckies’ lives easier through space, awareness, and respectful driving.

9:06 – Anton asks how to practically use a UHF to talk to a truck driver and what to say when wanting to overtake.

10:18 – Light-hearted discussion about the Bruce Highway, road quality, and what politicians should experience before allocating road budgets.

10:48 – Story of how she moved from insurance into trucking, including early ride-alongs with her dad and investing in a truck license.

13:50 – Conversation about her dad’s fears, gender stigma, and the early challenges of being a woman entering trucking.

16:58 – Casuarina explains how she thinks about influence and why she treats it as a serious responsibility rather than a trendy label.

18:08 – She outlines her personal values: being a positive role model, avoiding sexualization, rejecting gambling promotions, and only backing brands she trusts.

22:39 – She talks about burning out from full-time trucking, changing how she works, and holding her ground on not compromising her principles for money.

23:58 – Stories of people she’s inspired, from career changers to young women who started driving after following her content.

29:23 – Discussion about the financial and training commitment of getting a truck license, and why investing in yourself gives you independence.

32:31 – Anton and Casuarina unpack how some people close to you may not truly support your success and what that feels like in business.

34:31 – Reflection on the idea that lack of recognition often means you’re in the wrong room, not that you lack talent or value.

35:58 – Quick snapshot of her social media reach and the growing community around trucking and road safety.

36:31 – She explains why she created her children’s book about trucks and the gap she saw in positive truck-related stories for kids.

37:31 – Description of how the book teaches kids about different trucks, their drivers, and how each supports daily life.

39:59 – Realities of self-publishing: paying illustrators and printers, marketing it herself, and dealing with imposter feelings.

40:40 – Contrast between events where the book barely moves and others where it sells out, reinforcing the “right room” idea.

42:46 – Anton’s leadership-focused summary on influence, values, and staying aligned with what matters despite pressure.

46:23 – Casuarina’s closing reflection that she’s not just working in transport but working for it, as an advocate for the whole industry.

46:58 – Final wrap-up, subscription call-to-action, and encouragement for listeners to apply the lessons about influence and values.

Conclusion:

Influence often starts quietly, one person deciding to do their work with integrity, even when nobody seems to be watching or buying. What stands out is how far values can carry someone: from a truck cab to kids’ bookshelves, from a UHF radio to hundreds of thousands of followers. The story shows that staying true to what you stand for might limit your options in the short term, but it multiplies your impact over time. Sometimes the real shift happens not when you change who you are, but when you change the rooms you walk into and the people you choose to serve.

• Casuarina’s YouTube channel: Trucking with CJ
• Casuarina’s Instagram and other socials: Trucking with CJ

Former pro triathlete and high-performance coach Grant Giles about anxiety, endurance sport, and influence. Grant explains how he suffered from pervasive anxiety and discovered that accepting and embodying it, rather than resisting it, reduced its power- a lesson he now applies in both sport and life. He describes his evolution from 1990s professional triathlon into a coaching career that integrates psychology, mindfulness, embodiment, and neuroscience, heavily influenced by the example of Mark Allen and the legendary 1989 Iron War. Grant outlines his coaching methods with triathletes, fighters, and big wave surfers, focusing on grounding in the body, breathwork, visualization in the “felt sense,” and preparing mentally for key “pinch points” where things get hardest. He closes with his coaching mantra of authenticity, honesty, integrity, and truth, arguing that stripping away personal “bullshit” and being fully yourself is the real source of influence and performance.

Takeaways:

Accept, don’t resist anxiety Grant explains that trying to get rid of anxiety makes it stronger; accepting and fully feeling it (like a wave that comes in and goes out) allows it to subside and become manageable.

Performance comes from embodiment and flow High performance in Ironman and other extreme sports comes from “becoming the process”—using felt-sense visualization and staying in the body rather than overthinking, which enables flow even during very hard efforts.

Real influence is grounded presence, not tactics Grant defines influence as the steady, calm “ground you hold” for others—being authentic, honest, and present—rather than clever strategies; athletes respond most to a coach’s integrity and grounded energy.

Quotes:

"What I found out about anxiety is the more you try to get rid of it, the stronger it gets. The more of it you can accept and embody and feel, the more it pulls back." Description: Grant reframes anxiety as something to be accepted and felt, not fought, showing how non-resistance reduces its power.

"Be with the process. Don’t try and escape the process." Description: Grant’s core performance principle: instead of wishing discomfort away in sport (or life), immerse yourself fully in what you’re doing.

"Influence to me is… the ground that you hold for other people… so basically, at the end of the day, it’s just be more of yourself, and there’s influence." Description: Grant defines influence as grounded presence and authenticity, not strategy or tactics.

Timeline:

0:00 – Anxiety as a Superpower Grant explains his history with anxiety and how accepting it (not resisting it) changed everything.

1:00 – Who Is Grant Giles? Anton introduces Grant’s journey from pro triathlete to high-performance and mental skills coach.

4:07 – Old-School Triathlon & Ironman Basics They compare 90s triathlon to today and break down Ironman race distances.

6:06 – Hypnotherapy, Embodiment & Flow How visualization in the “felt sense” and non-resistance helped Grant take 45 minutes off his Ironman time.

9:42 – Anxiety in Racing and Life Grant’s “wave on a beach” metaphor and the principle: what you resist persists.

10:59 – What Real Influence Means Influence as the calm ground you hold for others, not tactics—rooted in Grant’s experience coaching a pro squad.

15:01 – Iron War & Mark Allen’s Impact The 1989 Iron War story and how Mark Allen’s psychological approach shaped Grant’s philosophy.

20:52 – Coaching Fighters & Big Wave Surfers Grounding, breathwork, and becoming an “immovable object” when safety and fear are on the line.

28:56 – Ironman as an Internal Battle Handling the darkest patches of the race and training to cope with “feeling bad,” not just feeling good.

36:27 – Grant’s Coaching Mantra: Authenticity Grant closes with his core values—truth, honesty, integrity, and being fully yourself as the real source of influence.

Conclusion:

Triathlon and high-performance coaching become a lens for understanding anxiety, influence, and leadership in everyday life. Grant Giles shows how accepting and embodying discomfort—rather than resisting it—unlocks flow, resilience, and better results, whether you’re racing Ironman, fighting in a ring, or leading a team. His methods of grounding, breathwork, and visualization in the “felt sense” turn abstract talk about mindsets into practical tools anyone can use. Above all, Grant argues that real influence isn’t about tactics; it’s about the authentic, steady ground you hold for others. Sport, in his world, is just the arena where we practice being more fully ourselves.

Ashley Hayden, a Melbourne-based commercial growth and marketing leader who also runs a small wine business as a creative outlet. Ashley defines influence primarily as the perception you create in others, emphasizing that what really matters is how people receive and interpret your words, actions, and positioning. He links influence closely to trust, connection, and storytelling, arguing that everyone is in sales because we are constantly selling ideas, ourselves, or our work, whether we realize it or not. Ashley highlights the power of creative storytelling to build relationships in both business and personal life, and stresses that genuine influence also depends on being an excellent listener—using our “two ears and one mouth” in the right proportion. Throughout, he and Anton use examples like movies, wine, and workshops to illustrate how recommendations and stories shape others’ perceptions and decisions.

Takeaways:

1. Influence is perception-based Ashley defines influence as the perception you create in others—it’s less about what you say about yourself and more about how others receive, interpret, and talk about you when you’re not in the room.

2. Everyone is in sales (whether they know it or not) From coders to executives, everyone is constantly “selling” themselves, their ideas, or their work. Recommendations about movies, books, or restaurants are all everyday examples of selling through enthusiasm and belief.

3. Storytelling and listening are core influence skills Creative storytelling builds connection and trust, but it must be paired with deep listening—using “two ears and one mouth” in proportion—to really understand others’ problems and influence their thinking in a meaningful, respectful way.

Quotes:

"I think that influence then is about the perception that people create... you can talk about yourself as much as you want, you can talk about your business as much as you want, but it's really about how other people receive that."

"I always say... we're all salesmen, we're all [in sales]... that person at some point had to get the opportunity to be able to write their code, so they sold themselves at some point."

"We have two ears and we have one mouth for a reason... you should listen twice as much as what you should speak."

Timeline:

0:00 – 1:20 | Ashley’s definition of influence (perception and trust) Influence as the perception you create in others; trust as a core part of that.

1:20 – 3:56 | Anton’s intro: Leaders of Influence & Ashley’s background Podcast positioning, why influence matters, and Ashley’s corporate/consulting bio.

3:56 – 5:35 | The wine side-hustle story Ashley’s small wine business, being his own best customer, and mixing passion with business.

5:35 – 7:18 | Learning wine by doing & creative outlet Leaving corporate comfort, learning winemaking hands-on, and using wine as a creative outlet.

7:18 – 9:26 | Defining influence: perception created, not words said Ashley explains influence as perception, pitches, and how others talk about you when you’re not in the room.

9:26 – 13:07 | Everyone is in sales (movies, recommendations, and influence) How everyday recommendations are selling; influence in workshops and casual conversations.

13:07 – 15:35 | Storytelling, movie choices & shaping perception Using favorite movies as icebreakers, how your choices create a specific perception.

15:35 – 19:00 | Storytelling, connection, and the power of listening Campfire origins of storytelling, two ears/one mouth, and why listening is a core influence skill.

19:00 – 23:58 | Mentors, stewardship, and long-term influence Ashley’s 17-year mentor story, values, trust, and when the mentor becomes the mentee.

23:58 – 28:21 | Family influence, spouses, and leadership loneliness Influence of parents and partners, feedback from spouses, and how lonely leadership can be.

28:21 – 32:41 | Hospitality leadership and seeking support Influence challenges in hospitality, transient teams, and the need for mentors/peer circles.

32:41 – 35:45 | Pride in others’ growth: mentees and entrepreneurs Stories of people Ashley has mentored, from note-taking lessons to a dance & kids’ science business.

35:45 – 39:13 | People, planning, and performance: the execution triad Right people, clear plan, and actually performing—why execution is where many get stuck.

39:13 – 41:00 | One team, one message: Ashley’s leadership mantra Lessons from elite teams, avoiding silos, and aligning everyone around a simple, shared message.

41:00 – end | Anton’s recap and call to action Summary of key influence ideas, book mention, and how to go deeper with Leaders of Influence.

Conclusion:

This episode centers on Ashley Hayden’s core idea that influence is the perception you create in others, not just the story you tell about yourself. Through examples from consulting, wine-making, and everyday life, Ashley and Anton show that everyone is in sales, constantly “selling” ideas, values, and character in how they show up. They highlight storytelling and deep listening as the practical skills that turn influence into trust and real connection. Ashley’s experiences with mentors, mentees, and hospitality leaders underline that growth comes from supportive relationships, clear plans, and committed execution. The conversation lands on a simple leadership mantra—“one team, one message”—as the anchor for any leader who wants to influence with clarity, consistency, and integrity.

The conversation centers on leadership, influence, and the pivotal role of coaches and women leaders in sport and beyond. Carol Fox shares how her background as an athlete and swimming/water polo family shaped her views on dedication, mindset, and the importance of nurturing coaching. She defines influence as the impact we have before, during, and after we speak, essentially how people experience us and how they feel after interacting with us, with validation as a core leadership behavior. Carol emphasizes that great coaches and leaders deeply understand the individuals in front of them, adapt their style to different needs, and recognize the ripple effect of their behavior on athletes, teams, families, and communities. A major theme is kindness: Carol’s leadership and parenting mantra is to be kind to yourself and others, challenge negative labels like “difficult,” and consciously choose positive assumptions, especially in the context of increasing women’s representation and visibility in coaching, governance, and sports leadership roles.

Takeaways: 

Influence is felt, not just heard – Leadership impact comes from how people experience you before, during, and after you speak, especially whether they feel seen, heard, and emotionally validated.

Great coaches adapt to the individual – The most effective coaches and leaders take time to understand each person’s needs, mindset, and communication style, then tailor their approach rather than using one style for everyone.

Kindness creates powerful ripple effects – Leading with kindness, positive assumptions, and respect—while championing more women in coaching and leadership—quietly shapes cultures, role models, and future generations far beyond the initial interaction.

Quotes:

"For me, influence is how are people experiencing us, and so that's why a lot of my work is, you know, how are you projecting yourself, and how do people feel when they leave you?"

"The most important thing you can do as a leader is to validate the person in front of you, because the experience they're having is real."

Timeline:

0:00 – Coaches under pressure – Grassroots coaches juggling athletes, parents, and club politics. 0:47 – Podcast intro & who is Carol Fox? – Anton frames the show and introduces Carol’s leadership and coaching work. 3:42 – 40+ years in sport – Carol’s long career and early life as a swimmer, water polo player, and surf lifesaver. 7:15 – Validation in a post‑pandemic world – Why people need their feelings and stress responses acknowledged. 8:29 – Seen, heard, felt – Different communication styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) and why they matter. 9:34 – Self-awareness & situational awareness – Understanding yourself and others to adapt your leadership. 11:22 – Family, Olympians, and early coaches – How Carol’s elite-sport family shaped her mindset and standards. 18:41 – The hidden load of coaching – Parents, committees, politics, and the pressure on (often volunteer) coaches. 20:35 – Small moments of impact – Why Carol treasures quiet feedback from clients years later. 23:24 – The ripple effect of influence – How one coach’s shift changes athletes, families, and communities. 25:27 – Take it on, give it a go, live it – Carol’s three-step approach to applying leadership tools. 26:51 – Women in sport leadership – Why visible female coaches, umpires, and board members matter. 29:26 – Progress and programs for women coaches – Representation stats and initiatives like W32 for 2032. 31:01 – Role models for boys and girls – How both genders benefit from seeing women and men in leadership. 37:30 – How we treat each other matters – Culture cues, from whiteboard slogans to “Believe” signs. 38:09 – Being human and fixing it – We all slip; what matters is noticing, apologizing, and realigning. 40:00 – Anton’s recap of key lessons – Validation, mindset, small moments, and the pebble-in-the-pond metaphor. 41:58 – Carol’s closing message – Be kind, create space, and validate people’s experiences.

Conclusion:

Carol Fox highlights that real leadership and influence are less about titles and more about how we make others feel—seen, heard, and validated. Through stories from sport, coaching, and governance, Carol shows that the most impactful leaders are those who know themselves, understand the unique people in front of them, and deliberately adapt their communication. Her focus on kindness as a non‑negotiable leadership mantra reminds us that positive assumptions and small, respectful actions can create far-reaching ripple effects. The push for greater representation of women in coaching and sport leadership is not just about fairness; it’s about enriching decision-making and role modeling for the next generation. Ultimately, Carol’s message is that if we choose kindness, validation, and genuine curiosity about others, our influence will extend far beyond what we can ever see.

This episode of the Leaders of Influence podcast features Denise Mokadsi, a Melbourne-based integrative health practitioner and belief transformation coach who works with midlife women on energy, clarity, and confidence. The conversation centers on influence as the often-invisible forces, external (like social media, family, society) and internal (beliefs, values, meanings) that shape how we think and act. Denise emphasizes that the true power of influence lies in how much meaning we assign to experiences and how consciously we choose what to let affect us, especially in relation to our core values. She also highlights the darker side of influence as manipulation, in which people may be persuaded to act against their values in exchange for validation, success, or material rewards, unless they remain aware of and aligned with what they truly believe.

Takeaways:

Influence starts internally, not externally – The impact any person, platform, or situation has on us is determined by the meaning we assign to it and how consciously we choose to let it affect us.

Life direction is shaped by who we let influence us – Especially when younger and less self-confident, we may over-rely on respected figures (like parents) and pursue paths that fit their view of our strengths rather than our true passions.

Quotes:

"The amount of influence that something or someone has on us is only going to be determined by the level of our experience or meaning we give that interaction with someone or something."

Timeline:

0:00 – Opening Reflection on Influence & Leadership

1:13 – Podcast Introduction & Guest Bio

5:46 – The Role of Beliefs in Influence

8:47 – Trading Values for Validation or Success

10:26 – Influence, Values, and Leadership Integrity

13:27 – Returning to Teaching and Coaching

17:23 – The Puzzle Piece Metaphor

23:41 – Belief, Trauma Work, and a Turning Point

24:34 – From Wheelchair to Dancer

28:05 – Leadership and Influence: Why Leaders Matter

32:46 – Borrowing a Leader’s Confidence

33:45 – Host’s Appreciation and Closing on Leadership

34:29 – From Science to Nursing to Education

Conclusion: 

Denise shows that influence isn’t something we chase outside ourselves, but something we consciously reclaim from within. By becoming aware of the meanings we attach to experiences and how those meanings shape our values, health choices, and leadership, we regain agency over our direction in life. Her stories, from being steered by others’ expectations to helping her son transform a devastating diagnosis into a dancing future, underline the power of curiosity, self-trust, and aligned action. Listeners are left with a clear invitation: know your values, trust your inner signals, and choose your influences deliberately so you can lead yourself and others with integrity.

Brent reflects on how his lifelong love of rugby league began in childhood, when his mum signed him up to channel his energy, and how the game shaped his identity, friendships, and career. He and the host explore the idea that influence is primarily about daily behaviors and setting an example, especially for children, teammates, and colleagues, rather than just words or status. Brent also speaks candidly about the pressures of professional sport, the physical toll of repeated serious injuries, and how his resilience and self-talk were tests of character he refused to fail, with support from influential mentors like Wayne Bennett, Craig Bellamy, Mick Devere, and his brother-in-law Steve Price.

Takeaways: 

1. Influence is behavior, not title Influence shows up in what you consistently do—your routines, discipline, and how you treat people—more than in what you say or the position you hold. Kids, teammates, and colleagues “watch” you more than they “listen” to you.

2. Resilience is a daily test of character Brent viewed his serious injuries as tests of character he refused to fail. Through self-talk, self-motivation, and disciplined action (showing up to rehab, doing the hard work), he kept coming back, building his “willpower muscle” over time.

3. Great leadership creates belief and clarity Coaches like Wayne Bennett, Ivan Cleary, and Paul Green influenced Brent through structure, clear roles, high standards, and genuine care. Strong leaders give people confidence, clear expectations, and a standard of excellence that lifts performance and culture.

Quotes:

1. On willpower and resilience

   “Willpower, it's like they say, it's a muscle, the more you use it, the stronger it gets.” Description: Brent sums up his philosophy on resilience here—treating willpower as something you train every day, especially through rehab and setbacks, not something you either “have” or “don’t have.”

2. On what influence really is

   “When I think about influence, it's behaviors, and people observe and watch behaviors… that's the biggest influence of all, how you act and the behaviors that you display on a daily basis.” Description: This captures the core theme of the episode: influence isn’t about titles or speeches, it’s about the small, consistent actions others see you take.

3. On discipline, standards, and culture

   “When people talk about culture, culture’s behaviors at the end of the day… if you've got good standards and good behaviors, well, you've got a great culture.” Description: Brent boils “culture” down to something practical and controllable—everyday standards and behaviors—making it highly applicable for both sports teams and organizations.

Timeline:

0:00 – Brent on injuries & self-talk Using setbacks as tests of character, daily self-talk, willpower as a muscle.

1:00 – Podcast intro & Brent’s career highlights Anton introduces the Leaders of Influence / Find Your Influence podcast and runs through Brent’s NRL, Origin, and Test career.

4:00 – How Brent fell in love with rugby league Childhood memory in Toowoomba, mum signing him up, watching Bulldogs vs Wests, and never looking back.

5:40 – Rugby league shaping character and behavior Mum threatening to take league away, behavior turnaround, how the sport set him on a better path.

6:00 – What rugby league has given (and taken) him Friendship circles, providing for family, joy of watching footy, and acknowledging the physical costs.

8:20 – Defining influence: behaviors over words Influence as daily behavior, routines, fitness, and how kids and colleagues copy what you do (“monkey see, monkey do”).

10:30 – Key influences and mentors Wayne Bennett, Craig Bellamy, Mick Devere’s professionalism, and being deliberately paired with disciplined role models.

11:50 – Family influence: Steve Price and support network Emotional reflection on his brother-in-law Steve Price, the importance of good people in your corner.

13:20 – The pressure cooker of professional sport Public scrutiny, constant pressure (e.g., Reece Walsh), and the “rope off the chest” feeling when he retired.

16:00 – The magic of the Maroons jersey What it feels like to run out for Queensland, deep emotional connection to Origin and Suncorp.

17:40 – Injuries, pain, and long-term impact Lasting knee issues, being unable to run, and the physical toll of a long NRL career.

18:20 – Comebacks, mindset, and inner drive Doctors and physios helping, but why the hard work must come from within; seeing rehab as a test of character.

20:00 – Self-influence and mental strength Daily self-talk, self-reassurance, discipline to do the work, and strengthening willpower over time.

21:00 – Stepping into leadership at the Warriors Craving a leadership role, Ivan Cleary pushing him to “find your voice,” calling out soft options.

23:20 – Leadership, confidence, and readiness Moving from being ready to lead to actually speaking up and influencing the group.

23:50 – Senior leadership and parenting as leadership Leadership groups at Warriors and Cowboys; parallels between parenting and leadership.

25:45 – Lessons from great coaches Wayne Bennett’s “better humans make better footballers,” Paul Green’s standards and excellence, and structure and routine.

27:05 – Culture = behaviors and standards Simple definition of culture: daily behavior when people walk through the door; the standards and behaviors that drive performance.

29:10 – Hard work, discomfort, and reward Discipline, early mornings, extra work, and the idea that “nothing worth getting comes easy.”

30:55 – Life after footy and corporate ambitions Enjoying the corporate world, board role at the Cowboys, Fox commentary, and wanting to keep making an impact.

32:00 – Staying connected to the game & media Why staying connected eases retirement, pros and cons of media, and rugby league as entertainment and constant storylines.

33:50 – Host’s recap of influence and leadership themes Anton summarizes Brent’s story, early influences, resilience, leadership lessons, and staying connected to the game.

37:30 – Brent’s closing motivational thoughts Willpower as a muscle, controlling what you can control, and the quotes he lives by.

38:10 – Episode close & call to action Anton’s outro: subscribe, share, and mention of the Leaders of Influence book and framework.

Conclusion: 

Brent Tate’s story illustrating how influence, resilience, and discipline play out in real life—not as abstract ideas, but through daily choices. From his mum’s decision to sign him up for rugby league, to mentors like Wayne Bennett, Ivan Cleary, Paul Green, and Steve Price, Brent shows that the right people and standards around you can shape your character and career. His perspective that “willpower is like a muscle” and that culture is simply “behaviors and standards” offers a clear, practical blueprint for leaders in sport, business, and at home. Ultimately, Brent’s journey—from an injured player constantly fighting back to a corporate leader, board member, and commentator—reinforces that nothing truly worth having comes easily, and that we each have more control than we think over the person and leader we become.

Gen Dohrmann, CEO of Table Tennis Victoria, shares her journey into sports leadership, explaining how a background in communications and marketing across multiple sports led her to her current role. She describes the recent overhaul of table tennis membership structures in Australia, expanding beyond simple “social” and “competitive” categories to better reflect different levels of play and introducing a free “fan and fun” membership to capture the many informal players outside the formal system. Gen emphasizes that influence for her is rooted in clear communication and getting genuine buy‑in so others come on the journey with her, especially when balancing the needs of traditional members and new participants. She highlights key influencers in her own career, particularly former CEO Jamie Parsons, mentor Carol from Women’s Sport Australia, and her parents, and how they encouraged her leadership aspirations and board involvement at a relatively young age. Now, Gen is focused on “handing the ladder down” by mentoring younger professionals (especially women in sport), sharing her story publicly, modeling flexible leadership as a part‑time job‑share CEO and mother, and contributing to the Global Institute of Sport advisory board to help grow pathways into sports careers.

Takeaways:

Influence is built on clear, honest communication. Gen sees influence as getting genuine buy‑in by communicating the vision, strategy, and reasoning behind decisions so people feel part of the journey, even when changes are unpopular.

Female leadership in sport needs visibility and pathways. Her drive to lead was sparked by seeing too few women applying for CEO roles in female‑dominant sports, and mentors like Jamie and Carol helped her step into board and executive positions earlier than she thought possible.

Quotes:

On influence and communication

"Influence is so important to be able to do what you do and do it well. You need to have the buy-in of others, and I think that communication plays such a key role in this."

On women stepping into leadership

"That for me was like a lightning bolt of like, okay, well that's not good enough; like, females can do this job, and a female sport should be represented by a female at the helm."

Timeline:

0:00 Updated membership model at Table Tennis Victoria 1:25 Leaders of Influence podcast intro 2:15 Introducing CEO Gen Dohrmann 3:54 Gen reacts to her bio and sets the scene 4:40 What influence means to Jen as a leader 6:14 Gen’s career journey into sports administration 8:55 Deciding to pursue CEO roles and female leadership 10:25 Balancing traditional members and new participants 11:14 Detailed breakdown of the new membership categories 17:00 How Gen pays it forward and supports her team 19:46 Being a mum, job-share CEO, and female leader in sport 20:06 Never saying no to a coffee and helping early‑career talent 24:19 Building pathways into sports careers 25:42 The most important character trait of a good leader 26:02 Empathetic leadership versus old-school authoritarian styles 27:18 Leading by example at tournaments and “all hands on deck” 28:18 Communicating hard decisions with transparency 29:18 Real-life example: cutting and reinstating prize money 31:14 Making prize money fair and equitable for women 32:14 Call for sponsors and supporting community table tennis 32:31 Wrapping Gen’s impact on women’s sport 33:19 Can you make a living playing table tennis? 34:35 Pathways, overseas competition, and Brisbane 2032 34:51 Role of Table Tennis Australia and home Olympics opportunity 35:38 Future talent and excitement for a home Games 36:14 Host’s recap of Gen’s leadership and influence 38:05 Gen’s closing quote: “Those that need to know, know” 39:04 Podcast outro and call to action for listeners

Conclusions: Gen Dohrmann’s story is a powerful example of how modern leadership in sport is built on empathy, clarity, and a genuine commitment to lifting others. From reshaping Table Tennis Victoria’s membership model to better reflect how Australians actually play, to challenging the status quo on female leadership and board representation, she shows that influence is less about titles and more about how effectively you communicate, include, and develop people. Guided by mentors and now mentoring others, Gen “hands the ladder down” to the next generation of women in sport while proving that flexible, family-friendly leadership at CEO level is not only possible but highly effective. Her journey underscores that when leaders are transparent in tough calls, willing to get hands-on with their teams, and intentional about creating pathways, they don’t just grow a sport—they change its culture.

Melissa Williams, an award-winning global authority on adult learning, joins leadership expert Anton Guinea to explore how true influence is built through learning. Melissa shares her journey from believing she was “dumb” at school to becoming CEO of a successful learning organization, thanks to discovering the FORMAT model and her own learning preferences. Together, they unpack the difference between influence and manipulation, the power of intent, and why creating a love of learning is one of the greatest gifts a leader, parent, or educator can give. They break down the four learning preferences—why, what, how, and what if—and show how designing for all of them transforms engagement, confidence, and results. The conversation also dives into psychological safety, handling mistakes, and practical ways leaders can build cultures where people feel supported in learning, growing, and taking risks.

Takeaways:

1. Influence vs. Manipulation Comes Down to Intent Influence and manipulation can look similar on the surface—both change how people think or act—but the key difference is the intent behind them. Leaders must constantly check their motives and use their power responsibly.
2. Learning Works Best When You Honor Different Preferences Melissa’s use of the FORMAT model (why, what, how, what if) shows that people learn in different ways and sequences. When leaders, trainers, and parents design conversations, meetings, or training to touch all four, engagement and retention go up dramatically.
3. Psychological Safety Fuels Growth and Performance A powerful leadership move is to respond to mistakes with “What happened?” and “How can I support you?” rather than blame. This builds trust, encourages risk‑taking, and creates a culture where people feel safe learning, experimenting, and improving.

Quotes:

"The only difference between manipulation and influence is intent." Description: Melissa highlights that what truly separates healthy influence from manipulation isn’t the tools or techniques, but the motive behind them.

"Learning is simply the making of meaning, and meaning is always personal." Description: She reframes learning as a deeply individual process of connecting new information to past experience, which explains why the same lesson lands differently for different people.

"If a leader can actually encourage their people to embrace learning through authentically doing it themselves, then you come together as a team whilst you're leading, whilst you're growing." Description: Melissa underlines that the best leaders role‑model learning, turning growth into a shared team journey rather than a top‑down directive.

Timeline:

00:00 – Opening: Melissa’s view on learning vs. grades 00:53 – Show intro and Melissa’s background and awards 05:03 – Growing up “dumb” and discovering the FORMAT model 08:56 – Definition of influence and intent vs. manipulation 10:54 – Authenticity, mistakes, and learning like riding a bike 16:45 – The four FORMAT learning preferences (why, what, how, what if) 20:09 – Brain, VAK styles, and how we code learning visually 23:37 – Learning as “the making of meaning” 25:44 – Who influenced Melissa and seeing herself in adult learners 30:12 – Pebble in the pond: the ripple effect of teachers and leaders 35:12 – “Bouncy boys,” non‑judgment, and respecting learning preferences 40:04 – Melissa’s definition of leadership and psychological safety 43:34 – Two culture‑shaping questions: “What happened?” and “How can I support you?” 44:55 – Parenting, leadership, and learning as a lifelong gift

Conclusion:

Melissa Williams leaves us with a powerful reminder that learning is less about grades and more about meaning, confidence, and possibility. When leaders, teachers, and parents understand how people learn—and design experiences that honor different learning preferences—they don’t just transfer knowledge; they ignite potential. Influence, as Melissa frames it, is about intent and about artfully guiding others to see and act differently without ever stripping away their agency. And leadership at its best creates a safe space for people to say, “I stuffed up,” and still feel supported in growing. If there’s one takeaway to carry forward, it’s this: when you commit to your own learning and create spaces where others can safely learn, experiment, and make meaning, your impact ripples far beyond what you’ll ever see.

Leadership coach Anton Guinea interviews storytelling expert Gabrielle Dolan about how storytelling functions as a core leadership and influence skill, not a “nice to have.” Gabrielle explains that stories make messages “sticky” by creating emotional connection and long-term memory, drawing on examples from First Nations cultures, safety storytelling, and her work in change management and values communication. She outlines a simple framework—be crystal clear about your message, choose a personal story, keep it tight (60–90 seconds) with a clear beginning–middle–end, and finish with an inviting, reflective close rather than a moral. Through stories about leaders she’s coached (including a once-skeptical CFO and a values-driven “touch the wall” moment), she shows how sharing authentic and even vulnerable experiences humanizes leaders, builds trust and credibility, and brings organizational values like “doing the right thing” to life in day-to-day decisions.

Takeaways:

1. Stories make messages “sticky.” Storytelling creates emotional connection and locks ideas into long-term memory, which is why people remember stories from a presentation or tour long after they’ve forgotten the facts and figures.

2. Leadership, influence, and values live in stories, not slogans. You can’t meaningfully communicate values like “doing the right thing” or “safety first” with posters and bullet points alone—concrete stories (like the “go back and touch the wall” example) show what those values look like in real decisions.

3. A simple story structure beats polished slides. Be crystal clear on your message, choose a short (60–90 second) often-personal story, start with time and place, give it a clear beginning–middle–end, and end with a reflective question or thought rather than “the moral of the story is…”

Quotes:

"Get into the habit of saying, would a story help me communicate this more effectively?" Description: Gabrielle encourages leaders to make storytelling a default consideration whenever they need to deliver an important message, whether at work or at home.

"Stories make your messages sticky." Description: This captures Gabrielle’s core point that stories help people actually remember and act on what you say, unlike standalone data or bullet points.

"Leadership is a verb, it's not a noun, and it is certainly not a title." Description: Gabrielle’s definition of leadership emphasizes action and influence over role or status, aligning with her view that anyone can display leadership through how they show up and communicate.

Timeline:

00:00 – Storytelling as a leadership skill 00:55 – Anton’s intro and Gabrielle’s bio 03:35 – Why Anton invited Gabrielle on the show 03:57 – What influence means to Gabrielle 05:29 – Discovering storytelling in change management 06:05 – Why humans are wired for stories 07:22 – Emotion, memory, and “sticky” messages 10:03 – Storytelling as a learnable leadership skill 10:49 – PowerPoint vs. stories 12:24 – Gabrielle’s simple story framework 15:18 – How to start and end a story well 16:47 – Who influenced Gabrielle most 18:55 – Early resistance to storytelling in business 21:33 – The skeptical CFO who became a CEO 23:07 – Vulnerable storytelling and brand change 26:19 – Learning from others’ failures 28:33 – Safety culture and “safety shares” 29:52 – You can’t communicate values without stories 30:53 – Values, behaviors, and lived examples 33:08 – The “go back and touch the wall” story 36:25 – Using stories to guide real decisions 37:09 – What leadership means to Gabrielle 38:37 – Leadership as a verb, not a title 40:53 – A non-example of leadership in action 43:26 – Anton’s wrap-up and key lessons

Conclusion:

Gabrielle Dolan shows that storytelling isn’t a soft extra for leaders but a core tool for influence, culture, and values in action. By making stories short, clear, and often personal, leaders can turn abstract ideas—like safety, integrity, and “doing the right thing”—into vivid moments people remember and act on. When leadership is treated as a verb, not a title, the stories leaders choose to tell (and live) become the most powerful way they earn trust, shape behavior, and create lasting impact.

Canberra-based community care leaders Lisa Walker and Natashia (Tash) Telfer share how their personal histories. Lisa’s transition from high-level government finance roles into family-run care businesses, and Tash’s battle with stage 4B Hodgkin’s lymphoma at 18, shaped a leadership style built on kindness, culture, and advocacy. They discuss what influence means beyond social media likes: creating long-term, positive impact on vulnerable clients and on the nurses and support staff whose careers they help shape. Through their work at National Community Care, they’ve moved long-term “bed-blocker” patients with tracheostomies from hospital into community homes, designed their own specialist training where none existed, and repeatedly fought underfunding in the NDIS, often sacrificing their own financial comfort rather than compromising safety or dignity. Using tools like DISC profiling, strong governance, and modern HR/rostering systems, they hire and develop people for values first, skills second, fiercely protect a healthy culture, and invest heavily in staff wellbeing. Their story is also one of a profound partnership: two contrasting DISC profiles in a “yin–yang” dynamic who have navigated divorce, domestic violence, IVF, postnatal depression, and neurodivergence together, turning those hardships into fuel for a mission-driven, people-first approach to leadership and care.

Takeaways:

1. Influence = Long-Term Impact, Not Likes Lisa and Tash define influence as the lasting, positive change you create in people’s lives and careers, not popularity or social media metrics.

2. Culture Is Built by Who You Let In (and Who You Don’t) They hire for values and common sense over resumes, protect their caring culture fiercely, and remove “culture killers” even when it’s hard.

3. Advocacy Means Putting Clients Before Profit They repeatedly fight systems (like NDIS underfunding), create their own clinical training when none exists, and even sacrifice their own finances to ensure clients get safe, dignified care.

Quotes:

“We can teach you skills and we can teach you learnings and how to do things, etc. But we can't teach you the culture – you need to either fit in, or, you know, don't be here, don't break it.” On why they hire for values first and protect culture fiercely.

“Do good and the good will come – we've always put our people, whether that's our clients or our staff, always first.” On leading with service, even when it costs them financially in the short term.

“It's probably only been in the last two, three years that we've actually gone, they're not really tethered together anymore. We're literally in the one dinghy… we are now in the one boat.” On how their partnership has deepened from two separate leaders to a single, united leadership team.

Timeline:

00:00 – Lisa’s early life, caring upbringing, and shift from government finance roles to wanting more human impact 01:03 – Anton’s podcast intro, show purpose around leadership and influence, and introduction of Lisa 02:48 – Introduction of Tash, her background in disability and community services, and leadership roles 04:30 – Reveal that Tash is an author and brief intro to her book “Project Kind” 04:39 – Tash explains why she wrote “Project Kind” and how lessons and kindness shape her work 05:27 – Tash defines influence as a positive impact beyond social media likes and spreading that through their team 06:43 – Lisa expands on unseen influence, long-term impact on students and team members 08:07 – Story of a long-term staff member whose career and life kept circling back to their organization, “feels like home” 09:01 – Another staff story about their youngest employee, inspired by the care given to her grandmother 10:05 – The grandmother’s relatives visit the office to express gratitude for the care provided 11:03 – Anton asks who influenced them to become kind and caring leaders 11:04 – Lisa’s detailed story: mum as a nurse, early assistant nurse work, government career, then taking over the family agencies 13:38 – Tash’s “complete opposite” path: rebellion, rejecting uni, then stage 4B Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis and treatment experience 17:10 – Discussion of culture: family culture, culture of care, culture killers, and how deliberate they are about culture 18:23 – Hiring philosophy: can teach skills but not culture, importance of common sense and advocacy for vulnerable people 19:16 – Anton links “don’t break our culture” to leadership principles and comments on their strength of conviction 19:36 – DISC profiling of their team, Anton guesses their profiles, and they reflect on people-focused profiles in care 19:58 – How opposite DISC profiles can repel yet complement; Lisa’s directness balanced by Tash’s systems and processes 20:55 – Using their DISC differences as a yin–yang leadership model 21:01 – Lisa’s leadership growth from “iron fist” to more collaborative, empathetic leadership with her teams and kids 22:28 – Anton ties DISC back to communication as the foundation of strong culture 23:14 – Who they are most proud of: Lisa names Tash and explains why 23:24 – Story of the Beyond Blue event: Tash freezes on stage and Lisa carries the presentation 24:13 – Contrast to now: Tash speaks internationally, on TV, and at major events like the Australian Embassy in Paris 25:38 – Their boats/dinghy metaphor: moving from tethered boats to being in the same boat together with their families 26:37 – More on the “same boat” idea and rowing together, even if sometimes in circles 27:02 – Anton relates their styles back to DISC in practical decision-making terms 27:41 – Example: performance management and termination decisions, Lisa as decider, Tash ensuring process and care 28:13 – Protecting culture and clients while following due process and supporting staff 28:40 – Beginning of the COVID/TV story: their work didn’t stop during lockdown, and they had long-term “bed-blocker” clients to move 30:53 – Tash’s detailed account of the tracheostomy clients’ situation, delays and promise to get them out of hospital 31:24 – Long fight to create a community home, design, furnish it, and get clients moved safely during COVID 34:45 – Intention to become an RTO and gift their tracheostomy training package to raise national standards 34:49 – How the Today Show segment came about; Lisa nominates Tash and her husband to help them buy a home 35:28 – Tash and her husband receive fifteen thousand dollars toward a deposit, eventually buying their own family home 36:28 – Ongoing advocacy: NDIS significantly underfunds a client, they keep providing care at their own cost 37:17 – Refusal to return clients to hospital or risk nurses’ registrations despite funding pressures 37:45 – “Do good and the good will come”: they accept personal financial sacrifice to protect clients and staff 39:02 – Lisa’s persistent campaigning to local MPs and ministers to recover 18 months of unpaid services 40:50 – Systems and tech investment: implementing AI-enabled HR and rostering tools to free staff for care 41:08 – Anton reflects on how fortunate clients are to have Lisa and Tash as advocates 41:15 – Example of another provider returning a similar client to hospital, contrasted with their philosophy 42:36 – How they prioritise people over flash: industrial-area office, reinvesting in training and staff instead of status 44:36 – External partners: HESTA, Amanda Thompson, Nutrition Australia, helping staff with money, super, nutrition, and shift work 45:06 – Anton’s closing reflections on their story of influence, impact, advocacy and kindness, plus his calls to action for listeners

Conclusion:

Lisa Walker and Natashia (Tash) Telfer show what real influence looks like when kindness, courage, and culture sit at the center of leadership. Their stories move from personal hardship—serious illness, family breakdown, financial pressure—to a shared mission of lifting standards in community care, even when that means fighting systems and sacrificing their own comfort. They redefine influence as long-term impact: shaping staff careers, keeping high-needs clients safely at home, and challenging a funding and regulatory environment that often falls short. Supported by a complementary DISC “yin–yang” partnership and strong governance, they’ve built an organisation where values come before profit, advocacy is non-negotiable, and “do good and the good will come” is more than a slogan—it’s the way they operate day to day.

What happens when a straight-talking boilermaker with real-world experience in gas, coal, and agriculture steps into the halls of power? In this episode, you’ll hear a raw, no-filter conversation about politics, work, and life from someone who built a career with their hands long before they ever set foot in parliament. Colin shares why so many modern politicians are out of touch with everyday Australians, how a lack of genuine business and life experience leads to bad decisions, and why representing Central Queensland means understanding the realities of mining, resources, heavy industry, and agriculture – not just reading about them in briefing notes. 

You’ll discover how he went from earthmoving contractor to high-pressure pipe welder in his 40s, proving it’s never too late to change direction, upskill, and take control of your future. He opens up about the values that shaped him, from hard work and self-sufficiency to raising kids who understood the importance of earning their way in life. We dig into the growing gap between metropolitan Australia and regional communities, the hypocrisy of exporting energy resources we refuse to properly use ourselves, and the importance of honest, direct communication in leadership – even when the truth is uncomfortable. The conversation also tackles some of the biggest challenges facing young people today, including why so many struggle to buy a home, how lifestyle and financial choices compound over time, and the failures of an education system that doesn’t teach basic money skills like interest, debt, and credit cards. Along the way, you’ll hear the influence of conservative figures like Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher, learn why “don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t” is more than just a slogan, and be reminded that if you’re going through hell, you really do have to keep going. This episode is a must-listen if you care about politics grounded in reality, personal responsibility, and the power of backing yourself at any age. 

Takeaways: 

Real-world experience matters – Politics needs more leaders who’ve actually worked in industries like mining, gas, and agriculture, not just career politicians. 

It’s never too late to reinvent yourself – You can start a new trade, upskill, and change direction even in your 40s and beyond. 

Honest communication builds trust – People respect leaders who tell the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable, instead of dodging questions. 

Young people lack financial preparation – Schools fail to teach basic money skills like interest, debt, and credit cards, leaving many struggling to get ahead. 

Mindset and choices shape your future – Your attitude, work ethic, and decisions over time matter more than the cards you’re dealt. 

Quotes: 

“First and foremost, don’t ever let anyone tell you you can’t, and don’t ever think it’s too late.” 

“If you want something bad enough, go out and get it, because nobody’s going to hand it to you on a plate.” 

“If you’re going through hell, keep going.” 

Timestamps: 

[00:00:00] – Never Too Late to Change Your Life 

[00:00:45] – From Workboots to the World of Politics

[00:03:00] – The Problem with Career Politicians 

[00:05:30] – Central Queensland & the Port of Gladstone

[00:08:30] – From Local Council to Federal Parliament 

[00:11:30] – Young People, Housing, and Hard Choices

[00:15:00] – How School Fails on Money and Life Skills Critique 

[00:18:00] – Leadership, Communication, and Telling the Truth

[00:22:00] – City vs Country: A Growing Divide 

[00:26:00] – Reinvention at 40 and the Churchill Mindset   

Conclusion:  Colin Boyce, a trade-qualified politician representing Central Queensland, discusses the lack of real-world experience among many politicians. He emphasizes the importance of practical experience in industries like coal, gas, and agriculture for effective representation. He criticizes the hypocrisy of exporting resources while not utilizing them domestically. Speaker 1 advocates for community interests, citing his background in boilermaking and earthmoving. He highlights the education system's failure to prepare youth for financial independence and stresses the importance of communication and honesty in leadership. He concludes with a motivational message about personal growth and resilience. 

Melissa Dunbar, a highly respected Australian entrepreneur and founder of Big Fish Events Group (est. 2004), whose three-decade career spans events, marketing, communications, and innovation, and includes recognition as a 2019 Telstra Businesswoman of the Year finalist. Melissa recounts how, after returning from London and Texas and finding traditional roles hard to land, she tapped into her network and was offered a massive first project by former Australian cricketer Dean Jones—a 37‑day, 113‑event journey from Cairns to Sydney celebrating 25 years of State of Origin. The team transported a custom-made trophy “ball” via surfing, kayaking, walking, running, cycling, cars, trains, and a flotilla of boats into Sydney Harbor, raising about $250,000 for Make-A-Wish and granting 11 wishes for children, showcasing her talent for ambitious, high-impact event design rooted in sporting culture and state rivalry.

Takeaways:

1. Create Your Own Opportunities (The Big Fish Origin Story) Melissa didn’t wait for the “perfect job.” After returning from overseas and struggling to find a role, she leaned on her network, said yes to a big challenge from Dean Jones, and turned a single opportunity—a 37-day, 113-event State of Origin tour—into the foundation of a 20+ year events business.

2. Influence = Intentional Knowledge Transfer Melissa defines influence as the intentional transfer of knowledge from one person to another—spoken, written, or visual. She emphasizes that influence carries responsibility: your actions and words should have clear, positive intent, because every interaction has the potential to shape someone else’s thinking or behavior.

3. Values, Boundaries, and “No Compromise” As a woman working in male-dominated, high-profile sporting and events environments, Melissa’s guidance is to never compromise your values. You always have a choice—silence is still a choice—and you likely have more influence than you think. Her approach is to stay safe, uphold standards, and sometimes step in to “shut down” behavior that isn’t okay, focusing on getting it right, not needing to be right.

Quotes:

"We talk a lot at Big Fish Events about getting what you need, not necessarily what you want." Used while describing creative problem-solving (like funding the Opera House sails turning blue). Melissa’s focus is on outcomes and resourcefulness, not perfection or wishful thinking.

"You don't always have to be right, but you've got to get it right." Melissa’s philosophy on leadership and decision-making: drop the ego, own mistakes, and stay focused on delivering the best result for the team, clients, and stakeholders.

"You have more influence than you think." Shared in the context of women (and anyone) in male-dominated or high-pressure environments. Melissa stresses that every person, regardless of title, can shape behavior and outcomes by using their voice and values.

Timeline:

00:00 – Anton’s intro to the Find Your Influence podcast and to guest Melissa Dunbar, outlining her background and achievements. 04:42 – Melissa explains returning from overseas, struggling to find a job, and how reconnecting with her network led to launching Big Fish Events. 06:34 – Detailed story of the first Big Fish project: 37 days, 113 events, 86 legends, and raising $250,000 for Make-A-Wish. 11:25 – Behind-the-scenes “footballers on tour” story and early leadership boundaries on that first big event. 12:35 – Melissa describes creatively getting the Sydney Opera House sails turned blue and finding a last-minute sponsor. 14:48 – Discussion of Melissa speaking on stage at the Sydney Opera House in 2025 and what that experience felt like. 17:14 – Melissa defines what influence means to her: intentional transfer of knowledge plus responsibility and intent. 20:56 – “Create your own stage” concept: you don’t need a big stage to influence; you can build your own platforms and opportunities. 22:10 – Advice for women working with “blokey blokes” in male-dominated industries: never compromise, always choose, and understand that silence is a choice. 26:27 – Key line: “You don’t always have to be right, but you’ve got to get it right” and “You have more influence than you think.” 27:13 – Early influences: growing up one of six, brothers, lots of kids at home, and the people skills that created. 29:16 – The impact of dance training: discipline, professionalism, presentation, and “excellence as base level.” 31:48 – What Melissa learned from elite athletes and why they “don’t compromise” on excellence. 35:20 – Favorite elite sportspeople and notable figures she’s worked with, including Dean Jones, Darren Lehmann, David Beckham, Olivia Newton-John, and Queen Elizabeth II. 39:11 – Melissa’s definition of leadership: do what you say you’re going to do, own your mistakes, and always bring a solution.

Conclusion:

This conversation with Melissa Dunbar showcases how intentional influence, uncompromising values, and a commitment to excellence can shape a remarkable career in events and leadership. From her audacious first project—a 37‑day, 113‑event State of Origin tour that raised significant funds for Make-A-Wish—to turning the Sydney Opera House sails blue and eventually speaking on its stage, Melissa demonstrates what’s possible when you back yourself, create your own opportunities, and refuse to compromise your standards. Her philosophy—influence as responsible knowledge transfer, leadership as doing what you say you’ll do, and the reminder that you have more influence than you think—offers powerful guidance for anyone wanting to build a meaningful career, especially in high-pressure or male-dominated environments.

Les Moir explores how business-level AI is transforming service-based small and medium businesses that have strong capability but hit a capacity and infrastructure plateau. They distinguish task-level AI (e.g., ChatGPT for emails, ads, and content, like upgrading from a hammer to a nail gun, but still requiring the owner’s time and skill) from business-level AI, systems that run core functions on your behalf, such as 24/7 call handling, instant follow-up, and reputation management. Les argues that missed calls and slow responses quietly erode revenue and lifetime client value, with data showing that speed of response can mean six figures a year in extra revenue. Together, they frame AI as an infrastructure and leverage tool for influence: the goal isn’t to “learn AI” but to have AI learn your business, freeing owners from being the bottleneck and shifting from product-focused to client-experience-focused operations. They also connect AI with better communication and leadership, suggesting that leaders who lean into AI and learn to ask clearer questions will become more influential by scaling their insight and improving the client journey at every touchpoint.

Takeaways:

1. Business-level AI vs. task-level AI – Stop just using AI as a faster tool; use it as infrastructure that runs entire functions (like 24/7 reception and follow-up) for you.

2. Speed-to-lead = revenue – Slow or missed responses quietly kill sales; business-level AI protects six-figure opportunities by replying instantly and consistently.

3. Leverage your influence, don’t learn to “be AI” – The goal isn’t to become an AI expert; it’s to have AI learn your business so you can scale your impact and client experience without becoming the bottleneck.

Quotes:

• "You don’t need to learn AI, you need AI that learns your business."
• "If you believe that your product’s going to help fix their business and make it better for them, then you’ll continue follow up."
• "It’s not the microphone that influences; it gets you the ability to voice."

Timestamps: 

00:49 – Anton introduces the Find Your Influence podcast, the focus on influence, and guest Les Moir’s background working with businesses up to $1.5B.

02:20 – Les’ core insight: most established service businesses plateau not from lack of skill but from missing infrastructure.

05:59 – Clear distinction between task-level AI (you still operate the tool) and business-level AI (systems that operate core functions for you).

08:30 – Les explains 24/7 call handling, systematic follow-up, and reputation management as examples of business-level AI.

10:03 – Discussion on speed-to-lead and why fast response times can be worth six figures a year in extra revenue.

13:54 – Les frames influence as internal belief, the questions you ask yourself, and who you choose to be influenced by.

17:42 – Anton predicts AI will make leaders better communicators because good outputs require clear questions and instructions.

21:56 – Shift from product focus to client experience focus, using McDonald’s as an example of systemized customer journey.

27:00 – The cost of doing nothing: missed calls, lost reviews, and unasked referrals adding up to major revenue loss.

33:54 – Les on objections to AI and why owners must move from “why not” thinking to “how can I” thinking.

39:35 – Framework for choosing AI: decide whether you want a business that depends on you or one that can operate without you.

43:01 – Les outlines next steps: starting with a demo where AI answers calls as your receptionist and is refined from there.

Conclusion:

The conversation closes by underscoring that many strong service businesses are capped not by their skills, but by their capacity and missing infrastructure—and that business-level AI is now a realistic way to fix that. Les and Anton highlight that the real win isn’t dabbling with shiny AI tools, but delegating whole client-facing functions (calls, follow-up, reviews, client journey) to systems that learn your business so you, as the owner, stop being the bottleneck. For leaders, that shift is both a leverage play and an influence play: when you pair clear thinking and communication with scalable AI-powered systems, you can serve more clients, faster, with a consistently better experience—without burning yourself out.