Zoë Routh Leadership Podcast

Grayson James is a former CEO, author of Full Contract Performance The Internal Art of Organizational Collaboration and he's a sixth Dan black belt in Aikido - a particular interest of mine as I often use the term emotional Aikido in my programs to help people master the difficult conversations that are part of leadership.  Together we go deep on the embodied experience of leadership and especially how that applies to working effectively with others. We explore somatic awareness in leadership - paying attention to our physical intention and interactions. Expanding our field of vision, checking our blind spots - there is so much we can be better aware of and utilise for enhanced collaboration.   Shownotes See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-framework-grayson-james Key Moments    Planet Human: The self-checkout falls from favour - sometimes the human touch is best.   Planet Zoë: I’m taking a fresh perspective on 2024 with the Leadership Conclave, a beautiful day of reflection and connectio

Get ready for an amazing, inspiring and enlightening conversation with my guest this week, Alysia Silberg - author and Venture Capitalist. She is so many things: a natural entrepreneur with insatiable curiosity and courage. She sees a challenge and she wants to solve it. She is a prolific reader and assimilates knowledge at an incredible rate. She's a survivor with a harrowing and inspiring story. Alysia shares her journey from South Africa to Silicon Valley, where she is an entrepreneur and venture capitalist, and now author of Unemployable: How I Hired Myself. An early adopter of AI, we also get to dip into Alysia’s amazing AI-enhanced daily routine, from analysing her leadership weaknesses to making sure she takes a yoga class. So much to gain from this conversation - enjoy!  Shownotes See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-journey-alysia-silberg Key Moments  Planet Human: Nasa is mapping water on Mars. An exciting development for the ultra long-term future.  Planet Zoë : Easing into summer

Human resources specialist Kimberly Williams is extremely dedicated to building safe, inclusive cultures and she joins me to explore the challenges of dealing with toxic CEOs and workplaces, generously sharing her own experiences of speaking truth to power.  Kimberly arrived at HR via an unconventional route: first as a history professor and then a diplomat in the US Foreign Service before falling ‘head over heels in love’ with HR and all the messy people stuff it brings.  We discuss the many ways a toxic workplace can show itself, the difficult power dynamics that impact managers, and the role of HR in shaping corporate culture. It’s a remarkable, candid conversation full of practical actions we can take to protect ourselves, our teams and our company cultures.  Shownotes See more at:  http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/toxic-corporate-culture-kim-williams   Key Moments  Planet Human: Marc Andreessen's Techno Optimist Manifesto and the advent of techno-topia city projects. Planet Zoe: Back from Canada and happ

There is no hiding in this solosode as I share how I approached a leadership mistake with a focus on being proactive and rebuilding trust. I took full accountability - and it hurt! But it was the right thing to do and the only way to move forward. In this episode I also talk about above and below the line leadership behaviours and their ripple effect, role modelling ethics and values as a leader and what we can learn from a ‘mystery poo’!  Shownotes See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-integrity-zoe-routh Key Moments  Planet Human: The heaviness of a world at war; connecting the micro to the macro  Planet Zoë: Olympus Bound update with fantastic feedback from my beta readers, travel, family and working with clients in WA.  The Mystery Poo (00:04:44) Discussion about a situation involving a mystery poo in a wilderness expedition and the challenges of taking ownership and responsibility. The Missing First Aid Kit (00:08:24) An example of taking ownership, accountability, and responsibility for

If you’re looking for a leadership perspective that is not only relatable but also grounded in the reality of our current times, my guest Dr Karuna Ramanathan has some vital insights for you.   An ex naval warship captain, formerly the Senior Principal Change Consultant in Singapore Government and, prior to that, Deputy Head of the Center for Leadership Development in the Singapore Armed Forces, Karuna is the author of Navigating the Seas of Change, a concise guide to leadership and change management with a maritime metaphor. Karuna compares the unpredictability of change to the sea, emphasising the crucial role of leadership in navigating these tumultuous waters. Karuna shares his experiences of driving large-scale organisational change, the challenges of positional power, the tension between having a transformative vision and taking incremental steps and the importance of managing different risk appetites. Karuna also reflects on his time in the military and how hierarchy and accountability have a huge impa

Work-Life Balance or Work-Life Bloom? My guest, award-winning author Dan Pontefract, argues that the traditional concept of work-life balance is a zero-sum game that sets us up for failure and the data backs it up. Instead, he introduces the idea of "work-life bloom," a gardening metaphor that encourages personal growth and fulfilment in both work and life. In this episode Dan explains his unique ‘two-by-two’ framework for work-life balance, which includes four quadrants: blooming, budding, renewal, and confusion. He then identifies six life factors we should be aware of for an evolving and fulfilling life as well as the characteristics of a positive work environment. If you’re looking to move beyond the notion of simply ‘balancing’ life then this episode is for you!  Shownotes See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-framework-dan-pontefract Key Moments  Planet Human - The rise of celebrity AI chatbots (00:00:29) Discussion about meta creating AI chatbots of celebrities and the potential of v

I’ve known my guest, Bernard Desmidt, for several years and it has been wonderful to see his success and impact in the world of work. A corporate coach, facilitator and author obsessed with the importance of team dynamics and the factors that contribute to high-performing teams, Bernard emphasises the significance of moods, language, and the body in team dynamics and introduces the concept of the five disciplines of flourishing teams. He is fascinated by the paradox of teams - where great things can be achieved but where we’re also stuck in the day-to-day tactical work. Many teams are just ‘fine’, but Bernard wants to make them flourish and that means less leadership focus on results and more on relationships. Shownotes See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/flourishing-teams-bernard-desmidt Key Moments  Planet human - Co-working spaces are struggling as the future of work is still unclear. Creative ideas are needed for the real estate left empty. Planet Zoë - I’m off to Canada for a big family celebrat

I’m searching for better ways forward in this solosode. In the current context it’s easy to feel hopeless but that won’t help us to progress and change so I’m asking the big leadership question of: What human systems can we design that allow for all human flourishing? There’s a nuanced difference to this question rather than simply, ‘what problems can we solve’?  I also talk about the deep roots needed for leadership and how we can grow them plus the three things that I believe are essential for the future of leadership. I also explore the Spiral Dynamics model of leadership development and the role of emotional intelligence in leadership. So let’s explore common ground together because we really do have more uniting us than separating us.    Shownotes See more at: http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-systems-zoe-routh Key Moments  Planet Human [00:01:16] : The need for human systems that allow for all human flourishing, in light of the referendum and the Israel-Gaza war. Planet Zoë [00:02:31] : Travel

Far from her childhood on a farm in Bavaria, Regina Huber has lived and worked in Argentina, Brazil, US and Africa. She brings this richness of understanding of the human experience to her work of helping people connect more deeply with one another. Regina is the author of Speak up, Stand out and Shine and is CEO of Transform Your Performance and her journey to where she is now is a fascinating one, full of life lessons, incredible leadership experiences and tenacity.  Regina introduces us to the four components of the new paradigm leadership framework: mind, message, trust, and heart. We delve into the importance of trust in teams, the role of conversational intelligence in building said trust, and the concept of "heart" in leadership. We even take a precious minute to work on our ‘inner power energy bubble’ for that leadership confidence and presence when under pressure!  Shownotes See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-paradigm-regina-huber Key Moments  Planet Human: Could you be the next

My guest Doug Thorpe is a leadership consultant, prolific writer, and fellow podcaster. Doug describes leadership as a lifelong passion, from his studies at college, to his military commission and career in banking, and now coaching and supporting others in their leadership journeys. Together we delve into the topic of trust at work and how to build it within a team. We also touch on imposter syndrome, a common concern among leaders. Doug offers insightful advice on how to use it as a checkpoint for self-reflection and personal growth. We also explore Doug’s book, Trust at Work, which offers a model for building trust in teams. Doug highlights six fundamental areas that leaders can focus on to build trust: the people, purpose, plan, performance, progress, and process. So, keeping with the P theme, simply press play and get all of Doug’s fascinating insights into leadership, teams and trust.  Shownotes See more at: http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-trust-doug-thorpe   Key Moments  Planet Human [00:00

Oksana Kukurudza is a Ukrainian American author, speaker and management consultant who joins me from upstate New York to share her remarkable family history and her perspective on what’s happening today in Ukraine. We time-jump almost 100 years and yet many things remain or resonate for people who have already lived through unimaginable conflict, displacement and hardship.  We navigate through Oksana’s parents' journey from being slaves in Nazi Germany to finding a home in the USA. It's remarkable how their enduring spirit enabled them to overcome the challenges of poverty and insecurity. It serves as a reminder of the power of resilience and determination.This is a powerful interview, very deeply emotional, and it's one that we all need to be aware of. What happens in Ukraine affects all of us, our humanity, identity and autonomy.  Shownotes See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-resilience-oksana-kukurudza  Key Moments  Planet human: [00:00:29] A very cool innovation in the Middle East wher

This is a really special solosode, so thank you for being here - thank you for connecting with me. That’s one of the big themes of this episode - how are we intentionally creating and sustaining connections, especially in our fragmented working lives? So I’m sharing some key reflections on that in a leadership context. I also talk about how important goodwill is in creating solid cultures. Goodwill is all about your relationship currency and as leaders and as employees, we need to constantly deposit into that goodwill bank.  I also reflect on my business evolution and my writing and, as a special treat, included in this episode is the audio narration for Chapter one of Terra Blanca: Insurrection - my novella prequel to The Olympus Project. I hope you enjoy it and are excited to explore this expanding universe with me!  If you’d like to be in the loop for all things books, consider subscribing to my eJournal for avid readers, Bookish.  Shownotes See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-connection

My guest this week is team performance expert and author Adrian Baillargeon who shares his fascinating journey from corporate work in Saskatoon, Canada, to becoming an independent consultant in Australia via Major League Baseball in Africa!  We delve into the importance of creating a sense of belonging within a team, the impact of poor leadership decisions, and how to turn around a sinking team.  Exploring the concept of teams that ‘swear by each other, not about each other’, and Adrian's book of the same name, we discuss how teams can create a sense of trust and authenticity, allowing for honest conversations. Despite his competitive sports background, Adrian’s not just about the homeruns, he believes in the power of collective achievement: we can get more runs on the board together than we can alone.  Shownotes See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/team-development-adrian-baillargeon  Key Moments  Planet Human: The defunding of the national space mission [00:00:04]  Planet Zoë:  Working with the New S

From joining the Navy at just 17 and now reflecting on a 30-plus year military career,  retired Commodore Peter Scott returns to the podcast to talk about his memoir Running Deep which offers insights into the life of a submariner.  Peter has written an open hearted, courageous, honest and compelling account of his naval life and the many personal and leadership challenges he has faced and overcome. We navigate the sometimes choppy waters of being in service to your country, facing down personal demons, digging deep to get results and ultimately, finding balance and self-acceptance in a life - and beautiful world - that’s worth defending.  Shownotes See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-perspective-peter-scott Key Moments  Planet Human: Nano Cellulose Technology [00:00:04] Planet Zoë: Working with Kimberley Health Unit [00:01:22] Guest Peter Scott's Memoir [00:02:29] Discussion about Peter’s memoir, "Running Deep," and the reasons behind writing it, including showcasing the submarine life and

The entirely frank and fearless Retired Lieutenant Colonel Oakland McCulloch shares his decades of leadership wisdom in this episode as we grapple with the big question: What makes a good leader?  Oakland shares his experience as a combat arms officer in the US Army and his views on leadership, emphasising the need for accountability and servant leadership. We discuss decision-making, micromanagement, and the importance of honesty and realistic expectations, as well as the limitations of the education system and the need for more leadership role models.  Oakland recalls a dramatic change in leadership style from micromanagement to servant leadership that proved to be a lightbulb moment that was to shape his own leadership journey. This conversation, much like Oakland’s new book, Your Leadership Legacy: Becoming the Leader You Were Meant to Be, is really practical, insightful and useful.  Shownotes See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-legacy-oakland-mcculloch   Key Moments  Planet Human: The

Join me for this solosode where I reflect on conversations with recent podcast guests, plus what has been inspiring me - from books to amazing developments in technology. Then I respond to a question about executive presence and its role in effective, influential leadership. Strength of character really comes to mind here - and that includes knowing your values, recognising your biases and challenging the systems you are a part of. The theme through all of this is: Be a good human. Show up, stand for something and share it with the world!  Shownotes See more at: http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-presence-zoe-routh Key Moments  Planet human [00:01:50] Experiments in EEG - mind reading, dream recording and other amazing potential applications of this new technology! Planet Zoë [00:04:54] Updates on the progress of Zoë's books, including Terra Blanca and Olympus Bound. Abuse of Power [00:09:33] Exploration of the abuse of power in various contexts, including politics and war, and the need for leaders t

My guest this week is author and expert in business and finance, Chris Lautenslager. We talk about Chris’ book The Prosperity Loop and explore his views on purpose-driven business and capitalism. We get into the importance of building relationships, adapting to change, and creating shared prosperity in business. Chris believes that businesses should focus on enhancing the value of the people they work with, including customers, vendors, and the community. This people-oriented approach, he suggests, is key to thriving in today's changing world. We also step through Chris’ wealth creation model for socially conscious leaders that aims to find a balance between people and profits.    Shownotes See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/future-leadership-chris-lautenslager    Key Moments  Planet Human: The World Economic Forum's latest report on the future of jobs. [00:00:04] Planet Zoë: Olympus Bound off to the editor [00:01:24] Introducing Chris Lautenslager  [00:03:40] Zoe introduces Chris, an author and exp

Tom Fox is literally the guy who wrote the book on compliance, with his international best seller The Compliance Handbook now into its third edition. Also going by the monikers of Compliance Evangelist™ and the Voice of Compliance, Tom is unequivocally committed to compliance!  In my conversation with Tom we delve right into the compliance landscape and its impact on leadership. We move from macro to micro issues, encompassing ethical business practices, the relationship between compliance and remuneration, the push for ESG, to international affairs, global trade practices and the role of technology in enabling transparency and accountability. From contingency planning to consistency of approach, the tentacles of compliance reach much further than even I imagined!   Shownotes See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-compliance-tom-fox Key Moments  Planet Human: The Future of Food [00:00:31] Planet Zoë: Running and Gratitude [00:01:17] Compliance and leadership  [00:03:48] Meet Tom Fox, a compli

In this episode, I’m welcoming back friend of the pod and productivity expert Donna McGeorge. We talk about Donna’s latest book The ChatGPT Revolution, including, in a very meta moment, how AI helped her write that book!  Donna shares her experience with ChatGPT and its productivity benefits plus we also get into the biases in AI, the limitations of AI and the importance of human editing and critical thinking in getting the most out of these tools. If you’re curious about how AI can boost your productivity and how it can augment how you lead, learn and develop, Donna shares practical insights from content creation to decision-making.  Shownotes See more at: http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-future-donna-mcgeorge Key Moments  Planet Human: The Allbirds Moonshot shoe [00:00:04] The world's first net zero carbon shoe made from regenerative farmed wool.   Using ChatGPT for productivity [00:02:28] Introduction of Donna McGeorge and her book "The ChatGPT Revolution" discussing how to use ChatGPT for lea

In a career that from the outside appears to zig and zag across journalism, law and philanthropy, Laura Fredricks saw a through line : asking questions and listening, really listening, to the answers. Laura went on to develop the ‘ask’ framework and has written seven books about it, with her latest - Hard Asks Made Easy - already a bestseller.  Laura has an amazing approach to hard asks, from the secret sauce of specificity to reframing an ask as giving someone an opportunity to help. In this conversation she shares her five laws of hard asks plus a simple formula for the moment of the ‘ask’ Hearing them is like a light suddenly turning on in that dark corner of our brain where we file away asking for help, a pay rise or promotion - anything at all! So, if you want to take the fear and embarrassment out of asking for things, I’m asking you to listen to this episode, right now… Shownotes See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-asks-laura-fredricks   Key Moments  Planet Human: The rebranding of T