Zoë Routh Leadership Podcast

How vertical development and polarities help to expand our leadership identities  Author Brian Emerson believes that working with polarities is an essential leadership framework and the missing piece of the leadership jigsaw. It’s essential for expanding perspectives. His research has taken him deep into the practice of accepting that two seemingly opposite states can co-exist - and produce positive outcomes. Why you should listen: An ever-expanding leadership perspective Safeguarding corporate culture in tough situations The pitfalls of an either/or leadership mindset Exploring leadership identities through polarities  We explore a leadership framework for the third way A leadership mindset that embraces polarities Leadership strategies for managing (not solving) problems Vertical leadership development means expanding perspectives 

  How unlearning could be your greatest leadership strength Carol Sanford wants you to listen to this podcast and do nothing! Carol is the radical thinker and author behind The Regenerative Life which presents a leadership approach rooted in self-evaluation, reflection, questioning and sitting with what we don’t understand. No feedback, no judgement, just embracing our essence and inherent purpose as humans. Why you should listen: a leadership framework for unlearning Letting go of what you think leadership is No more feedback: Self-evaluation as a team development strategy The third eye - a powerful leadership perspective We explore leadership insights for longevity Leadership hubris does not serve you Self-reflection on a grand scale - what’s your leadership impact? Question everything and break free of leadership conventions 

Embrace compassionate leadership or face a post-pandemic reckoning Malaria-induced bed rest gave Paul Hargreaves, author of The Fourth Bottom Line, food industry entrepreneur and B Corp advocate, a chance to really think about his purpose and impact on the world. Now he wants other businesses to do the same, through compassionate leadership that doesn’t sacrifice people or the planet in the name of profit. Why you should listen: Leadership principles for a positive impact Leadership empathy is the key to success The imperative for corporate culture to care A leadership model that achieves more by doing less We explore the end of experts, the dawn of leadership empathy Why ‘Being’ leadership is the way forward Using ‘Love’ in your leadership language Creating a corporate culture of fun and feelings

A leader’s responsibility starts with their own leadership development Leadership development is often spoken about as a skill acquisition. This is horizontal development. Vertical development is when we see and value more of the bigger picture and can navigate complexity. It’s hard and essential work. Here’s an overview. Why you should listen: leadership strengths occur at each stage of leadership maturity We review last season’s episodes with the key takeaways to ask better questions, practice leadership reflection, and focus on others to avoid a slump The history of leadership developmental models and associated extensive global research Core leadership principles when it comes to vertical leadership development We explore leadership effectiveness through the downsides and upsides of each development stage How to expand your values and leadership identity so you can be more responsive Common leadership transitions and what to look out for The three things you need in place for successful g

Do you have the same leadership goals for others as for yourself? While Adam Moore sought autonomy and responsibility in his career from day one, he had to be told (several times!) that his future lay in leadership. An instinctive people-person in an industry usually defined by technical skills, Adam is a trailblazer in the building sector with his passion for developing and lifting up others. In this episode he shares his leadership framework for growing future leaders while also growing yourself. Why you should listen: leadership development home truths  The people stuff of understanding value and contribution True leadership means replacing yourself Leadership mindset for difficult conversations We explore leadership skills for growth The leadership journey from craftsman to MD A leadership toolkit for naming the issues  The importance of a trusted leadership network

Our leadership framework is at an evolutionary tipping point We are facing a tipping point where leadership empathy will be the driving force behind a positive, optimistic view of the world that considers multiple perspectives Do you have an agile leadership mindset? Are you expanding your perspectives, increasing your capacity for inclusion and considering the social impact of what you do? As a futurist who studied ancient history, Christina Gerakiteys perfectly combines humanity and technology to get to the heart of vertical development and why this is the leadership framework we need right now. Why you should listen: leadership principles for combining the value of humanity with technology Removing ego to understand different leadership perspectives Why we need leadership empathy now more than ever Team development that leverages passion and purpose We explore leadership strategies for moving at speed, one moment at a time Understanding the social impact imperative for corporate cultures A le

In the face of uncertainty and fear, we need a leadership mindset that does not default to blame or guilt John Davis shares how leaders can unleash their inner action hero to create positive corporate cultures with a practical leadership framework for turning obstacles into catalysts for change. Why you should listen: leadership frameworks for challenging times Team development strategies around pride and purpose A leadership mindset for being in the moment The power of leadership empathy We explore leadership perspectives on change Forging a positive corporate culture out of fallibility Team development that ditches hierarchy Leadership strategies for breaking down a challenge 

A leadership responsibility is to keep learning. How? Reading. Book recommendations! We’ve got three leadership books to decode conflict, one to make you more calm and wise, one that inspires, plus a fun one and Netflix suggestions too. Why you should listen: we can all get better at the critical leadership skill of managing conflict Some conflict arises due to embedded social constructs based on invisible cultural norms; this book reveals eight scales to help make sense of these differences Some arguments seem impossible to fix: this book by Buster Benson gives us a leadership framework to work with so we can turn disagreements into productive growth conversations. Work from home versus being told to go back to the office? This book on polarities will definitely help. We explore uplifting leadership journeys Joyful Wisdom by Yongey Mingyar is a gentle introduction to Buddhism and better awareness that brings peace and joy The All Blacks leadership journey is a delight in this beautiful book by

Fear can serve, not rule, your leadership mindset Picture this: there’s a party going on in your mind and fear is the loudest guest. How do you respond? Run and hide or sit it down for a chat? My guest, author and psychologist Dr Amy Silver, shares leadership strategies for improving our relationship with fear. When we recognise fear we can change our relationship with it. This is self-leadership, from which comes our capability to develop others. Why you should listen: team development strategies that call on fear Fear-informed leadership skills for creating safety at work Tapping in to vulnerability as a leadership strength Leadership strategies for identifying where fear shows up for your team We explore a leadership mindset that leans into fear Leadership principles for using fear as a guide How fear can actually improve our leadership effectiveness Negative emotions as a catalyst for self-leadership

  Leadership responsibilities start with a compelling vision of what matters most as humans We can feel defeated by a well-established system, be it education, politics, or in an organisation. If we are to flourish as humans though, we need to regain a strong  leadership mindset, one of agency, and wade in boots and all to tip the system to a new form. Educator, global nomad, and futurist Louka Parry shares leadership principles and a model for us to tackle the hardest - and most compelling of challenges. Why you should listen: a practical leadership framework for leading change in complex systems How learning is a central construct for important leadership questions and for the future of education Why education is really about identity and becoming fully human How all systems change starts with beliefs and values and true leadership mindset We explore leadership principles in the future of education and the future of cities Discover the power of asking a great question like, “How do we live a goo

Leadership skills all come down to exploring your perspective Can leading in complexity be simple? No, but it can be easier. In this solosode Zoë Routh shares three leadership principles and some practical tools to lead in complex situations. Why you should listen: three fundamental leadership principles for handling complexity Binary thinking is so much easier, but fraught with peril Leadership effectiveness needs a bigger perspective to begin with Leadership tools like environmental scanning and using a problem tree help us to make sense of complex situations We explore leadership tools for making sense of patterns and avoiding common traps When in doubt, lead with questions: five questions that keep you from making big mistakes Leadership models help us make sense of complex human dynamics: know the patterns, manage the people Collect maps so you can create your own leadership aide memoire

Get that leadership rush by seeking out your inner amplifier With a leadership mindset rooted in optimism, National Executive Officer of Relationships Australia, Nick Tebbey, shares the experiences that have helped him evolve from solo performer to team player Why you should listen: a positive leadership mindset can take you places!  Team development strategies that amplify strengths  Leaning into complexity as a leadership learning opportunity Leadership frameworks for moving from expert to achiever  We explore letting go of ego on the leadership journey  Leaving ‘comfortable’ for a values-driven corporate culture Navigating the people stuff of complex team personalities  Finding your voice: embracing leadership responsibilities from a young age  * Nick recommends The Gottman Institute’s Small Things Often podcast for  ‘leftfield’ leadership and relationship insights *

Leadership frameworks for having conversations that move you forward  Knowledge and information is everywhere - but if you don’t ask the right questions you won’t get the answers you need. Kate Christiansen shares the leadership skills that have helped her have 25 years of curly conversations that avoid default thinking and create connections. Why you should listen: leadership skills for questions that will move you forward Why shifting your leadership perspective from answers to questions will unlock knowledge Avoiding mental ‘drift’ by using questions to tether your leadership thinking Kate’s top three go-to questions for effective change leadership We explore flipping the leadership perspectives that result in default thinking Leaders as chefs - from following recipes to on the fly ‘cooking’  Getting the people stuff right in transformation How recognising that you don’t always know the right answer is a leadership strength

Leadership skills are deeply personal  What happens when you’re a professional athlete and you get knocked around by two car accidents and a blood disease and you can’t do sport anymore, ever? How do you reorient yourself in a useful way to grow stronger? Author Jennifer Eggers shares her personal experience and research in a powerful framework. Why you should listen: a practical leadership framework for resilience 3 characteristics of resilient people and organisations: firm grasp on reality, ability to improvise, and the ability to find meaning in any circumstances How a leadership mindset helped Jennifer survive another crazy car incident How we might need to just cope before we build resilience We explore leadership mindset for organisation and personal resilience Where to start when we find ourselves in disruption: it’s about who we are Attitude and authenticity as key leadership qualities From water skiing to bluegrass bands: how chasing what lights us up can help define success

Leadership effectiveness happens when we focus on long-term value  We’ve all seen the disaster that happens when companies focus on short term profits over long term value: think Enron, Global Financial Crisis, Volkswagen… Author and experienced CEO Joel Strom reveals four pillars CEOs need to focus on to create long term value in a company, for the benefit of all stakeholders. Why you should listen: a practical leadership framework for building value What value truly is and how it’s important for staff, clients and owners alike The 4 Pillars you need for long-term value: Strategic, Operational, Financial, and Industry Common mistakes CEOs make, like wanting and needing to be core of the business We explore leadership principles for corporate culture How different stages of company growth require different leadership styles Why communication is central to leadership effectiveness Why it’s essential to cut away dependencies to break out of silos

Leadership strategies for elevating others start from knowing yourself first Leaders need useful leadership frameworks to focus their attention. When it comes to developing others, a set of critical principles goes a long way in being the leader others would want to follow. Why you should listen: Leadership principles help us make better choices How an Uber trip and conversations about Trump led to thinking about 'can we separate the man from the message - and should we?' I take a look back on the key themes: Leadership is an inside job first Leadership is an embodied practice We need to navigate both rigorous introspection and forensic focus on others without falling prey to the pitfalls of both We explore leadership principles in special moments Things that made me go hmmm: Matt Casey's throw out management rules Fan girl moments with Virginia Whitelaw and Liz Wiseman Most embarrassing moment with Ral Dolan Respect moments: courage and diligence in leadership with Averil Foster, Melani

  The leadership journey for a young professional needs guidance. Are you giving it? The next generation of leaders are already making waves in the workplace. Recent graduate and Canberra young professional Jordan Kibukamusoke offers a fresh perspective on leadership development garnered from his experiences in fast-paced hospitality, the rigorous hierarchy of Federal Government and now in the professional services space with global business consulting firm Protiviti.  Why you should listen: gain valuable insights into the mindset of a fledgling leader Myth-busting: are Gen Y entitled babies or purpose-driven professionals? Understand what the leadership journey means to young professionals and how you can support their development Why embracing differences might be the key to leveraging your team’s strengths We explore how to support and develop leadership skills for new professionals They’re watching you - be a role model for leadership strengths in the workplace  Why career progression is abo

Creativity and mental health support are two leadership skills you can’t do without Companies large and small need to harness the creativity of their people in order to respond to changing circumstances. Unfortunately, many organisations have systems and workplaces that stymie creativity rather than develop it. Creativity and innovation expert and author Mark Simmonds shares simple behaviours we can all adopt to boost creativity while also supporting mental health. Why you should listen: learn useful leadership skills for boosting creativity How to use ‘combinatorial play’ to facilitate creative ideas Interesting leadership frameworks that include how to ‘move with the mood’ and get the most out of our own natural cycles Check your own mental health ‘banisters’, or handrails, to ensure you stay healthy We explore leadership skills for mental health and brain science Flow cycles and brain science to enhance creativity How to let your own kitchen become a Starbucks creativity stimulating space E

One of the most crucial responsibilities of a leader is to grow more leaders. It’s not something that is highlighted often enough! In her research, NY Times best selling author Liz Wiseman found that those who work to bring out the genius in others have a 2x impact on the results of the business. She called these folks “Multipliers”. She also discovered that those who diminish others reduce productivity by 48%. Most astonishing was that there was a proportion of well-intentioned leaders who were ‘accidental diminishers’. In our conversation we explore what we can do to avoid being an  accidental diminisher. Why you should listen: leadership skills and mindset for being a multiplier How your followers can read your mind and know your leadership mindset Why being an optimist all the time is bad leadership practice -  we also need to ‘signal the struggle’ Embed this crucial leadership skill: There are three stages to learning to be a successful multiplier, starting with the three ‘whats’ of delegation: w

Good corporate culture needs great leadership skills Everyone knows what a bad culture is: no trust, micromanagement, no autonomy, feeling stifled. We can build good corporate cultures, or we can at least have cultures that ‘don’t suck’, as author Rebecca Friese asserts. Learn the critical elements of good corporate culture and developing others along the way. Why you should listen: leadership frameworks for good corporate culture How to develop inner strength to support others even through a crisis Two secrets to good culture: vulnerability and gratitude The leadership skills and essential actions of good culture: recruiting, onboarding, development, and metrics We explore leadership frameworks that need revising for good company culture How to develop others without spending a fortune The benefits and misuses of engagement surveys Reclaiming the weakness of the word vulnerability: try open hearted and real instead