Kathryn McMullan on how to develop executive presence

Is executive presence innate? Or, is it something we can work on and develop as we grow as leaders?  Kathryn McMullan is one of the country’s most senior national security leaders. She's also someone who knows how to command a room. As Director of Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation, she has learned how to hold her own in the most intimidating of environments.  In this episode, she speaks with FW's Helen McCabe about executive presence, what it's like to be interrogated by Senator Penny Wong and the one thing she would change as Prime Minister.  Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trigger warning: domestic and family violence and homicide.  1 in 4 women and 1 in 14 men have experienced violence from an intimate partner. This is a whole of society issue - including workplaces. That's why we wanted to share our latest series, There's No Place Like Home: After she leaves.  In the first episode, we meet Dr Ann O’Neill. Dr O'Neill thought her estranged husband was moving on when he finally signed divorce papers. Days later, he killed their two young children. In the first episode of There’s No Place Like Home: After she leaves, Tara Rae Moss shares Dr O’Neill’s story and investigates perpetrators who commit “the ultimate act of revenge” post-separation.  Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Visit the official website Keep up with FW on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn and join FW to unlock professional development, training and community Learn more about CommBank Next Chapter If you or someone you know is affected by domestic, family and sexual violence, contact 1800RESPECT, the national service for free and confidential counselling, information and support. Call 1800 737 732 or chat online 24/7 at www.1800respect.org.au  If you or someone you know is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person in need of a culturally safe support line, you can call 13YARN (13 92 76) In an emergency, or if you are not feeling safe, always call the police on 000 Sources: Publisher’s note: For the first few months of 2024, a woman was being murdered every 4 days at the hands of a violent man. Official statistics referenced in this podcast do not yet reflect this increase. The number of women being killed by a current or former partner every week: Calculated from Bricknell, S. (2023). Homicide in Australia 2020–21. Statistical Report No. 42. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology. A significant number of people only begin abusing their partner after they become pregnant: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2024). Pregnant people and family, domestic and sexual violence. Retrieved from https://www.aihw.gov.au/family-domestic-and-sexual-violence/population-groups/pregnant-people An estimated 4.2 million people aged 18 years and over have experienced violence, emotional abuse, or economic abuse by a cohabiting partner since the age of 15: Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2023). Personal safety, Australia, 2021–22. Retrieved from https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/crime-and-justice/personal-safety-australia/2021-22 Publisher’s note: The number of perpetrators is known, however research has been commissioned to increase understanding: Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety. (2024). ANROWS unveils $2 million investment for research into domestic and family violence perpetrators. Retrieved from https://www.anrows.org.au/media-releases/anrows-unveils-2-million-investment-for-research-into-domestic-and-family-violence-perpetrators/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can leaders best spot and put a stop to passive-aggressive behaviours in teams?  CEO of Private Healthcare Australia, Dr Rachel David, is someone who has given leadership a lot of thought. She cut her teeth as a leader in her early twenties when she was thrown in the deep end as a trainee doctor in hospital emergency rooms.  In this episode, she talks with FW's Helen McCabe about how as a self-described “painfully shy” person she's found her voice as a leader, as well as how she stamps out passive aggressiveness in the workplace. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can leaders bring the best out of team members? And what should they do when someone isn't pulling their weight?  In the second part of a two-episode interview special, former NSW Premier Mike Baird speaks with FW's Helen McCabe about the times when his motivations as a leader have been misunderstood, or deliberately misconstrued. In it, the duo discuss managing underperformers and how to deliver firm feedback with compassion.  Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At first glance, former NSW Premier Mike Baird’s career could almost seem pre-determined. He followed his father into politics and quickly established himself as a big name in the Liberal Party. After becoming Premier, he went on to a high-powered role in the banking sector.  But, since then, Baird has made surprising career calls. Ones that do not line up with the ‘typical’ corporate or political ambition. In this first part of a two-episode interview special, he speaks with FW’s Helen McCabe about his faith and leadership motivations. Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can we best lead across genders? And how leaders should be thinking about bridging the gender divide? In this panel discussion recorded live at the FW Leadership Summit, join journalist Leila McKinnon as she examines how to lead across genders alongside Wayside Chapel CEO Rev Jon Owen, Workplace Gender Equality Agency CEO Mary Wooldridge and FW’s Head of Policy and Program Impact Ruby Leahy Gatfield. Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a young mum, Bernadette Black had one of her most profound leadership realisations. Looking at her newborn son, she realised she would have to "override" fear and seek help.  Bernadette's conviction that society could be better for families and young parents spurred her to set up the influential not-for-profit Brave Foundation. Today, she’s started an exciting new venture as the Founder and CEO of Seed Futures. Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Star Matilda's midfielder Katrina Gorry might be one of the most beloved athletes in the country. But for a long time she never saw herself as a leader...Gorry speaks with FW Founder Helen McCabe ahead of the global release of her self-titled memoir. In this interview, she reflects on how difficult periods have shaped her leadership style and reveals the trait that most annoys her.  Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it possible for you to be entirely unaware of what is holding you back as a leader?  Dr Kirstin Ferguson is an internationally-recognised executive coach, author and company director. She appeared on the podcast ahead of the global release of her new book Blindspotting.  ‘Blindspotting’ as a leadership technique is all about the importance of leaders recognising where they are not experts and not being afraid to say, “I don’t know … yet”.  Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do different leadership styles go in and out of fashion? And is one version of leadership better than the rest?  In this panel discussion recorded live at the FW Leadership Summit, join Helen McCabe as she examines different leadership styles. With Private Healthcare Australia CEO Dr Rachel David, Director of the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation Kathryn McMullan, SG Fleet Chief People & Culture Officer Lindsay Underwood and CEO of Aware Super Deanne Stewart.  Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.