What does it mean to make way in leadership? For former Royal Australian Navy Captain Will Martin, progress as a leader has demanded humility, communication savvy, and above all - a commitment to mission. In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I speak with Will Martin, a veteran of over 30 years of service in the Royal Australian Navy and a third-generation Naval Officer. With Command of two ships and operational service in the Middle East and on our borders, he also served as the senior Navy representative in the Australian High Commission in London. In his final full-time posting in the Navy, Will was responsible for all aspects of warfare training across the Navy. Along with his wife Helen, he now runs Waterline Leadership - a leadership development practice focussed on senior teams and emerging leaders. What I loved about our conversation was Will’s humility and willingness to get down and dirty to discuss some of the leadership challenges of today. His extensive real-world experience isn’t merely retrospective; he’s focused on paying forward hard-won insights through emerging leader development, irrespective of industry. Join Will to hear how lessons from the command of two Navy ships have charted his course as a leadership consultant. Gain insights on unifying teams, focusing through crisis, and developing the self-awareness required of those called to command and lead others.

Losing a job you worked so hard to get into and has defined a significant portion of your life can lead to a pervasive sense of loss and confusion. While the struggle to reconcile the person who you once were with the uncertain realities of the present exists, this also serves as an opportunity to discover truths to lead yourself and begin a new journey. In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I speak with Elizabeth McCormick, a decorated US Army Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot who flew air assault, command and control, top-secret, intelligence, and VIP transport missions. She served in the 10th Mountain Division, including service in support of the humanitarian mission in Kosovo. Elizabeth’s journey into and out of the military is proof that life is indeed filled with opportunities and having the right mindset and courage to go after these will always be rewarded. From the moment she decided to join the army, to the crucial decision to join corporate America and eventually ventured out to keynote speaking, these instances showcased that although things may take an unexpected turn, it may just be the transition needed to embark on a new chapter. Elizabeth’s captivating story from soaring military success to achieving remarkable professional achievements tells about her commitment to resilient leadership that inspires others to seize the reins of their destiny and carve their own paths to success.

Acting and leadership seem like entirely separate domains at first glance. Still, upon closer examination, it becomes evident that the skills and qualities of a talented actor can significantly overlap with those of an effective leader. In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I talk with Claire Baldwin, a former member of the Royal Australian Navy whose career highlights include deployment in the Middle East, roles in Navy Culture, and key staff positions before she pursued an acting career. Throughout the conversation, Claire emphasises that the skills she developed as an actor have served her well in leadership roles. The ability to communicate effectively, inspire and motivate others, and adapt to change has been instrumental in her success. This episode of Frontline to Boardroom serves as an inspiring testament to the transformative power of diverse experiences and the valuable lessons they bring to leadership. Let's dive in!

Leadership is an ever-evolving concept that shapes the world we live in. It is a force that drives progress, inspires change, and empowers individuals and communities to achieve extraordinary feats. In leadership, there is a crucial element that often goes unnoticed but holds tremendous power—the power of collective collaboration. In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Tom Larter, a former Captain in the Australian Army. Tom had a distinguished 13-year military career before he transitioned to the private sector and became one of the early leaders at WithYouWithMe, one of Asia Pacific’s fastest-growing tech companies. Tom shares his insights on the importance of collective collaboration in leadership and how it has shaped his experiences both in the military and the private sector. He also shares the importance of data in making informed decisions and driving organisational success. What truly resonated with me during our conversation was the valuable insight into our daily leadership challenges. It reminded me of the importance of pausing and reflecting briefly before leaping into action. This seemingly simple yet powerful habit can give us a fresh perspective and enhance our decision-making process.

In today's ever-changing world, leaders need to become more innovative in their leadership. It is not enough to rely on traditional methods of leadership that may have worked in the past because the challenges of the modern day are very different. Therefore, what better way to apply science and scientific approaches when leading a team? In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Dennis Franklin who served in the Royal Australian Navy for 10 years as a logistic officer before being transferred to the Reserves to continue service in Naval Intelligence, IT Systems, and Business relationships. Dennis shares his experience utilizing science-based leadership to successfully resolve key challenges in the Navy. He talks about how science-based leadership can assist in developing a team’s culture of collaboration and interdependence. Dennis's insights apply to all types of leaders, from frontline troops to boardroom executives. Listen to this episode now to learn how to lead with a scientific approach and optimize your team’s potential.

Failure often comes with a negative connotation in our society, but the truth is that it plays an important role in success. In fact, failure is not only necessary for growth; it actually paves the way for achieving greater levels of success and fulfillment both personally and professionally. In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Ben Seesink who served in the Royal Australian Engineers, Australian Army. After a post military career in consulting and project management, Ben founded his own business, BOUW, a company that helps businesses win defence contracts and provides bespoke solutioins for the design and operations of shooting ranges and training facilitiesfor the Australian Defence Force and other security agencies. Ben shares the leadership lessons from his lived experiences in the military and how they can be applied to business. He talks about how failure is essential for growth and how it can provide insight into the direction you should take to reach your goals. Ben's story is an inspiring reminder that failure can often be a learning opportunity, and using those experiences to propel you forward is important. He also speaks about how leaders need to cultivate an environment of trust and understanding for their team members to feel secure enough to take risks and learn from their mistakes. If you want to learn how to turn failure into success, this episode of Frontline to Boardroom is a must-listen. Tune in to hear Ben's story and discover failure's vital role in achieving success.

Have you ever wondered what living and working deep under the ocean’s surface would be like? To serve your country uniquely, utilising advanced technology few will ever experience? For Australia's submariners, this is reality. In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Peter Scott who served in the Royal Australian Navy and rose to be the professional head of the Navy’s elite: the Submarine Arm. After over three decades in the military, Peter entered the corporate world and became an executive coach. Peter shares his lived experiences and how he learned to lead in the most challenging moments from emergencies at depth and leading people. He reflects on how his Navy experience helped him succeed in business, with valuable lessons that apply to any career path. His approach to leadership is both relatable and inspiring. As Peter puts it, “Leadership is values in action." Peter's story is an incredible testament to the power of resilience and determination. He proves that a career path doesn't have to be linear; it can involve twists and turns leading back to your true passion. If you are looking for inspiration and motivation, you will want to catch this episode. Tune into Frontline to Boardroom as Peter Scott shares his remarkable journey and the valuable lessons he has learned.

You can give someone all the information they need to be successful, but you can't make them take action. So, how do you inspire someone to take the lead and achieve their goals? In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Mark Cooper who served in the Royal Australian Navy as a Seaman Officer and Cryptologic Intelligence Officer for over 20 years before working across a variety of roles, including significant business owner/partnerships in four highly successful Australian "start-up" companies. Mark shares some amazing insights into leadership and how to inspire others to achieve their goals. He also shares his experience in making the transition from the military to the civilian workforce and what advice he would give to others thinking about making a similar move.

Many people view coaching as a critical leadership skill. Coaching is often seen as a way to help employees develop and grow, which can lead to better performance and higher morale in the workplace. In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Clifford Morgan, a former member of the Royal Australian Air Force and now the Director and Principal of Lumian Consulting, a firm helping leaders and organisations unlock their potential and performance. In our conversation, Clifford shares his insights on what it takes to be a good leader and a coaching style of leadership. According to him, leadership is not just about serving but also about developing others for the future. A good leader, Clifford says, is someone who can help their employees or team members learn and grow.

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.

In today's business world, there is a lot of talk about leadership. What does it really mean to be a leader? And how can you become one? Becoming a leader doesn't happen overnight. It takes time, effort, and practice. But there are some simple things you can do to start developing your leadership skills. In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Scott Leggo, a veteran of 10 years of service in the Royal Australian Air Force. Scott shares the leadership lessons he learned in and out of the military, and how these have helped him as an entrepreneur.

What legacy do you want to leave as a leader? Do you want to be known for your accomplishments, or is it being remembered for your character and how you positively influenced those around you? In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Oak McCulloch, a veteran of 23 years service in the United States Army. Oak shares his personal story what leadership meant to him and his transition from the military to the civilian sector; how his experience as a military leader helped him in his corporate career.

When most people think of the military, they think of soldiers, sailors and airmen and airwomen but the team is far more than Hollywood might have us believe. What many people don't know is that there is a team of psychologists who work with the troops to help them handle the stress of operations and cope with difficult situations to perform at their best when under pressure. In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Melissa Harries, a military psychologist for 6 years and \now working with high-risk employment categories. Melissa is also in private practice helping individuals experiencing difficulties with anxiety, trauma, emotion regulation and stress tolerance.

Being a good human can be tough. We are constantly bombarded with negative news and images, and it's easy to get discouraged. But we need to remember that we are the ones who can create change in the world, and it all starts with being our best self. In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Shamsa Lea, a former member of the Air Force and now a senior manager in climate and sustainability at Deloitte. Shamsa is also the co-founder of Propel Her, a leadership series that empowers Defence women to shape their careers and enhance their professional development in an inclusive space.

WARNING We do talk about suicide in this episode, which I know can be distressing. So if you need resources then please seek those out in your location. If in Australia go to beyondblue.org or you for 24-hour free counselling in Australia, the number for Lifeline is 13 11 14, please look after yourself. Society teaches us that in order to be a “real man,” one must be tough, unemotional, and aggressive. It creates a difficult Catch-22 for many of us that can be challenging to reconcile our desire to be both masculine and intelligent. In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Michael Aichholzer, a former intelligence specialist in the Royal Australian Navy for 35 years and 4 years in public service. When he retired from full-time work he leaned into his passion as an advocate and educator on positive masculinity and men’s mental health issues.

As a leader you know there's a need to establish and enforce standards in order to create a successful company. But what is the best way of setting and maintaining good standards for business growth? In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Andrew Balmaks, a former member of the Australian Army for 22 years and now Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of the Noetic Group, a professional services company working with government, national security and defence, emergency services, and resources sectors.

WARNING We do talk about suicide in this episode, which I know can be distressing. So if you need resources then please seek those out in your location. If in Australia go to beyondblue.org or you for 24 hour free counselling in Australia, the number for Lifeline is 13 11 14, please look after yourself. Starting a business is no easy task and takes hard work, dedication, and plenty of grit to succeed. For those who are willing to put in the effort and go all in, the payoff can be immense. In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Tim Walmsley, a former member of the Australian Army for 13 years and now the owner and founder of BenchOn, a tech platform that automatically matches government and enterprise’s demand for talent, products and services to the businesses that have the right capability and capacity to support.

How do you navigate an industry that is dominated by men and your gender is seen as a weakness and turn it into an advantage? In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Jenni Wittwer, a former member of the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Defence Force for 37 years and is now an international consultant, author, and speaker on gender and women, peace and security.

A Navy career in logistics is so much more than just logistics. In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I speak with Ric Leahy, a former logistics officer in the Royal Australian Navy for twenty-one years. Ric now works as a Program Director for Melbourne Business School and co-founder of an executive education company.

Today, more than ever before, employers are recognising the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. However, there's still work to be done when it comes to hiring employees with disabilities. Why is this the case? And what can we do to change it? In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with David Smith, a former Royal Australian Navy Maritime Warfare Officer and now the Managing Director of Employ for Ability Pty Ltd a neurodiversity employment specialist. David shares personal stories of leadership from his early times in the Navy, and how he transitioned to a consulting career.

Leadership is about the whole person. It goes beyond the uniform, the title, and all the recognitions. In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with James Harrap, a former Royal Australian Navy Submariner who now works as an independent consultant from his home in Anchorage, Alaska. James discusses his experiences as a submarine captain and shares tales from the deep.

Leadership regardless of the industry requires knowing the people you’re leading. It’s challenging to lead people when your goals and values are not aligned. In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Brendan O’Shannassy, a Maritime Warfare Officer who now sails the world as a Superyacht Captain. Brendan shares his experience as a superyacht captain: life and leadership in the world’s most incredible industry.

We can experience positive or negative leadership but ultimately, we decide what impacts our lives. In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, the conversation centres on human factors in leadership - lessons from an experienced military and commercial aviator. Martin speaks with Peter Lipsett, a former colleague in the Royal Australian Navy who transitioned from his service career after almost 20 years into commercial aviation as a pilot with QANTAS. Peter has always been fascinated with flying and continuing to fly after his career in the Navy was an obvious choice. In the conversation, we are taken to a decisive moment in Peter’s flying career when the crew of an AIRBUS 330 are faced with a mid-air emergency; it is a moment when all of his training and practical techniques are put to the ultimate test. The incident reinforces Peter’s leadership lessons from the cockpit were upholding the authority gradient and creating an environment where everyone is encouraged to speak up saves lives.

Some people are born leaders. They have the innate ability to inspire others and make things happen. But leadership is not a quality that can be learned overnight. It takes time and practice to develop the skills necessary to lead effectively. In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, Martin chats with Boris Novak, who, from being an Electrical Engineering Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force, has successfully established his own business where he develops breakthrough capabilities in real-time analytics with big data and machine learning. In its simplest form, being a leader means empowering people. It means giving people the tools they need to succeed and be happy in their work. It means creating a culture of trust where people feel safe taking risks and making mistakes. And it means being willing to listen and learn from others.

It is a gift when leaders take perspective, women are a significant part of the Navy and the military today but it wasn’t always that way. leadership is not about knowing everything. Instead, it's about being able to attract the right people, listening to them, and then taking their ideas and turning them into something great. It's about setting an example and inspiring others to achieve more than they ever thought possible. Pam Price served the Navy for almost 20 years across a range of different leadership roles that exposed her to opportunities outside technical training fields including development of Leadership and Management curriculum and staff roles in procurement and project management. With her years of experience, Pam shares what it takes to be a good-to-great leader.

There is no checklist for success when it comes to leadership. What works for one person may not work for another, and what might be successful in one organisation may not be successful in another. Because every situation is unique, leadership is all about making quick decisions based on the information you have and adapting as needed. It’s not about following a script – it’s about being creative, innovative, and resourceful. In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, Martin chats with Chris Huet, who has taken his hard-won leadership experience into business development, consulting and leadership communications.

In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, Martin chats with David Neal and Jonathan Clark; both who served in the Australian Army including operational service in Afghanistan. With their years of military service, David and Jonathan knew what leadership should look like from their experience on the battlefield. Now in the corporate sector, they are taking that experience and focus on the influence and impact you have with people. In order to leave a lasting legacy, leaders make decisions that will benefit the whole team. Good leaders know that they have to act the way they want to be remembered. David and Jono share their lessons learned from the military and how they are applying this in helping businesses and organisations improve their people, processes, products and profile. They believe that when good leadership is in place, it motivates people to perform better, creates a better company culture, and leads to success.

Military careers provide leadership lessons early. Being a leader is part of a military person’s DNA; our mistakes and critical lessons learned in the heat of the moment, help us to be better leaders for the next time. While those leadership lessons come from the operational frontline and being part of a team, the lessons also come from leading people every day wherever we serve, organisations that challenge us to create the right environment and get stuff done, where we need to be able to communicate with greater effect, and of course, being prepared to eat humble pie when we get it wrong and ultimately are prepared to laugh at ourselves too. The Frontline to Boardroom podcast is where we share the leadership lessons from those who have served in the military and then taken that experience to succeed in the corporate sector.