Back to basics: Wendy McCarthy on the politeness trap

How often have you thought about your leadership values? Well, what if you flipped that and started thinking in terms of anti-values?  Georgie Holt is the CEO of media start-up Flight Story - the powerhouse behind the Diary of a CEO podcast. She's also spoken a lot recently about AI and her efforts to see if she, as CEO, can remove large parts of her role.  In this episode, she speaks about building a culture based on "founder mentality", AI and the idea that a business shouldn’t just have values - it should also have anti values. 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What can the corporate world learn about leadership from elite sports teams?  All AFL fans will recognise the name Paul Roos. He was a legendary coach and player who is perhaps best known for ending the Sydney Swan's 72 year premiership drought. But his leadership insights extend well beyond the pinnacles of elite sport. Today Paul heads a company called Performance by Design, dedicated to improving leadership in the corporate sector. In this episode, he shares his secrets on how to systemise a winning culture and build a team.  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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we're revisiting one of our favourite FW Leadership Series episodes.  Do you ever feel shackled by the expectation to be 'polite'? Wendy McCarthy is one of Australia’s leading feminists, businesswomen, activists, and a best-selling author. In this discussion with Helen McCabe, Wendy shares the many lessons she's learned about life, love and leadership. 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does there come a point where you stop worrying about being likeable?  Phoebe Saintilan-Stocks is the founder of media start-up Missing Perspectives. She is also the author of a new book called The Right Hand. In it, she speaks to chiefs of staff to some of the world’s most consequential leaders, from Jacinda Ardern to Nelson Mandela.  In this episode, Phoebe shares what she's learned about leadership from these remarkable figures and discusses her own leadership trajectory as an entrepreneur and self-described "reformed people pleaser".  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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is there a trick to pushing through tough times? Justine Cain is the Group CEO of Diabetes Australia. In this episode, she speaks about resilience and how a great loss shaped her leadership philosophy. She also discusses her day-to-day approach to leading - from one-on-ones to org charts and skip meetings. 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Van Tang is engineering giant GHD’s CEO for the Asia Pacific region. She leads a team of over 5600 people, spanning numerous countries and time zones. And yet, despite being incredibly hardworking, she holds onto a “lazy” leadership philosophy. In this episode, Van unpacks what she means by this and also shares why she can’t stand managing up and calls herself a 'bridging leader'.  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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What sort of career moves should you be making if you want to join a board?  Mark Rigotti was the Global CEO at law firm Herbert Smith Freehills, and today, he is the CEO of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). In this episode, he talks Helen McCabe about complex power dynamics in the workplace and the sort of skills you need to be good at right now to end up on a board. 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What should leaders think about when designing org charts? And what are the secrets to creating ones that fuel, rather than hinder, collaboration?  Erica Nelson is the Chief Leadership Development Officer at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation. She’s got a background in psychology and - among many things - works one-on-one with executives to help them sort through leadership pain points. In this episode she talks all things org charts and shares her experience of being made redundant not once - but three times - in her career.  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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do we change as leaders over time?  As CEO of the Group of Eight Universities, Vicki Thomson is one of the most important figures in Australia's education sector. In a former life she was also Chief of Staff to ex-South Australian Premier John Olsen. In this episode, she reflects on her leadership evolution from being a tough boss who "didn't suffer fools" to becoming an expert at "herding cats". 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is the best way to overcome a public leadership failure? Kellie Hush is one of the most influential players in the Australian fashion landscape. The former Editor-in-Chief of Harper's Bazaar Australia, today she is the Co-Founder of The Volte and CEO of Australian Fashion Week. In this episode, she talks about career pivots and what to do when it all goes terribly wrong... and, yes, she also gives a fashion tip or two.  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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.