018: Passionate Leadership with Dr Ellen Joan Nelson
September 26, 2022
What are the attributes of a passionate leader? And, more importantly, how can you become one? While there is no single answer to this question, there are certainly certain things that passionate leaders do differently than those who are not.
In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Dr Ellen Joan Nelson, a veteran of 10 year’s service in the Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers, who after a short career inr logistics management and consultancy, found her passion for improving the well-being of women in the workplace. A PhD later Ellen is a sought after expert in the experiences of working parents in the corporate sector, identifying significant flaws with the current, archaic, construct of work.
Ellen shares her experiences in the military and the ground breaking work she is doing to improve social outcomes for families and for organisations.
What are the attributes of a passionate leader? And, more importantly, how can you become one? While there is no single answer to this question, there are certainly certain things that passionate leaders do differently than those who are not.
In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Dr Ellen Joan Nelson, a veteran of 10 year’s service in the Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers, who after a short career inr logistics management and consultancy, found her passion for improving the well-being of women in the workplace. A PhD later Ellen is a sought after expert in the experiences of working parents in the corporate sector, identifying significant flaws with the current, archaic, construct of work.
In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Dr Ellen Joan Nelson, a veteran of 10 year’s service in the Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers, who after a short career inr logistics management and consultancy, found her passion for improving the well-being of women in the workplace. A PhD later Ellen is a sought after expert in the experiences of working parents in the corporate sector, identifying significant flaws with the current, archaic, construct of work.
Ellen shares her experiences in the military and the ground breaking work she is doing to improve social outcomes for families and for organisations.
What I love about this conversation is the energy and passion that Ellen brings to everything she does. From being on the frontline in Afghanistan to leading a volunteer organisation in New Zealand, Ellen shares stories about making a difference, being a passionate leader and inspiring others to do the same.
WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:
- Leadership influences in Ellen’s life (03:47)
- Ellen’s experience of being a woman in the military (05:30)
- Leadership in an operational environment (07:03)
- One thing Ellen wished she had done differently (10:17)
- Ellen’s transition from the military to the corporate world (12:44)
- Ellen’s Ph.D. journey (15:02)
- The role of emotion in the decision-making process (18:49)
- Ellen’s attempt to change the world (22:48)
- Balancing personal and professional life (28:04)
- What it’s like to be a volunteer in Afghanistan (30:06)
- The power of inclusion and diversity (34:00)
- Rapid-fire questions with Ellen (41:20)
Quotes
“We actually need to lead with inclusion to make sure that people know that they're included rather than feeling like they're excluded.” -Martin Brooker
“At the end of the day, it just comes down to treating other people like human.” -Martin Brooker
“When we're dealing with people, we need to have an emotional lens around it rather than just making it transactional.” -Martin Brooker
“People are far more willing and committed to making a positive change when they feel something. It’s quite different to just being given statistics and numbers.” -Dr Ellen Joan Nelson
“If you're going to do something that's right for your people, you need to care.” -Dr Ellen Joan Nelson
RESOURCES MENTIONED
WHERE TO FIND DR ELLEN JOAN NELSON
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW THE FRONTLINE TO BOARDROOM PODCAST
Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Frontline To Boardroom podcast. If the information in any of our conversations and interviews has helped you in your business journey, please head over to Apple Podcasts, click the 3 dots in the top right corner of your smartphone screen, follow the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver valuable content but will also help us reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!
ABOUT DR ELLEN JOAN NELSON
Dr Ellen Joan Nelson is a veteran of 10 year’s service in Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers, NZ Army. Ellen’s operational service included Afghanistan, Antarctica, and the Pacific.
On leaving the Army, Ellen embarked on a career in logistics management and consultancy. It was studying for an MBA that saw Ellen’s passion for improving the well-being of women in the workplace come to the fore and a PhD that focused on the experiences of working parents in the corporate sector, identifying significant flaws with the current, archaic, construct of work.
That research has been used to make improvements in the NZ Army, and other organisations around the world. She is passionate about improving social outcomes (with a focus on women and parents), while simultaneously improving organisational outcomes such as: wellbeing, retention, leadership, productivity, and business performance.