We Are Human Leaders
Welcome to We Are Human Leaders - big conversations around human-centred leadership at work and beyond. This is a story about you, as a Human, and a Leader. It doesn’t matter your industry, your geography, the products you sell or the services that you offer. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a corporation, or a small business, it doesn’t matter your profit margins or your official job title. Our common denominator is the same, we are humans first and leaders second. This is a call to everyone who prioritizes learning and growth to truly put Humans first in business. Human Leaders is changing how we work to ensure business and humans can thrive through work. Human Leaders create workplaces where every single person feels seen, their contributions valued and their voice heard. We’re mobilizing the global leadership community to reimagine what work looks like and we’re glad you’re on this journey with us. Find out more at www.wearehumanleaders.com
Mind Body Wisdom and The Illusion of Control with Ellen Langer
December 13, 2023 • 53 MIN
Life consists only of moments, nothing more than that. So if you make the moment matter, it all matters What does it mean to truly be mindful? In today’s conversation we explore the mind-body connection through decades of powerful, trailblazing research with Harvard University Professor and the ‘Mother of Mindfulness’ Ellen Langer.
From National Captain to Activist: Using Influence to Level The Playing Field with Craig Foster
November 29, 2023 • 43 MIN
Former captain of the Australian Men’s national soccer team, the Socceroos, with an impressive ongoing career in sports broadcast, Craig holds a masters in sports and a law degree, and is now well known for his incredible work as a human rights and social justice advocate and an antiracism activist. He’s won numerous awards and accolades but that’s not really what Craig is about – and its certainly not what motivates him. In this conversation Craig shares about his lessons from professional sports, his journey to becoming a leading human rights activist, where morality fits into the discussion around leadership and humanitarian issues – and the responsibility those of us with privilege have to level the playing field for everyone. Find more details of our conversation with Craig Foster at www.wearehumanleaders.com
See Me: The Case for Recognition at Work and Beyond with Michèle Lamont
November 15, 2023 • 44 MIN
The Power of Being Seen: Why Recognition Matters at Work and Beyond. In this conversation we explore recognition, dignity and worth with renowned Harvard Sociologist Michele Lamont, unpacking her latest book 'SEEING OTHERS: How Recognition Works and How It Can Heal a Divided World'.
Thriving, not just Surviving: The Key to Wellbeing at Work with Ryan Hopkins
November 1, 2023 • 44 MIN
Today we’re hosting a very lively and colorful conversation with Future of Wellbeing Leader Ryan Hopkins. Ryan comes at Well Being from a very unique perspective. Through his own lived experience with mental illness, Ryan supports organizations globally to shift how they work for the betterment of their employees wellbeing. We deep dive into the leading and lagging metrics of wellbeing, and what organizations can be doing better to support their people.
Navigating a Corporate Career as a Human Leader with Nina Pollard
October 18, 2023 • 40 MIN
Today, we’re talking to someone who truly embodies human leadership, translating the theory of human leadership into everyday lived practice. With huge impact. Nina Pollard is an Australian-based Head of People and Culture who has been leading teams of HR practitioners for over 15 years. Learn through her experience about bringing more human into corporate workplaces.
How to Detox a Toxic Work Culture with Charlie Sull
October 4, 2023 • 39 MIN
What is the greatest predictor of employees leaving your company? Research tells us, toxic culture is TEN times more important than compensation in predicting turnover. Toxic Culture is something we all know about, perhaps you feel you’ve even worked in one. But how exactly do we diagnose a toxic workplace culture, and what do we do about it? We learn how to detox a toxic culture with Expert and Researcher Charlie Sull of CultureX in this conversation.
Listen Up: How Leaders Can Embrace Active Listening with Heather Younger
September 20, 2023 • 37 MIN
Do you know what it feels like to be unheard? Most of us know the frustration of feeling unheard and unvalued at work. And many of us don’t stick around for long. Active listening is the doorway to increased belonging, loyalty, profitability, innovation, and so much more. In this conversation we explore Active Listening with Heather Younger. She shares with us the five key steps in the Active Listening cycle and how we can create organizational cultures of engagement as a result.
The Right Kind of Wrong: How to Reframe Failure for Success with Amy Edmondson
September 6, 2023 • 33 MIN
Failure – something all of us are familiar with, and something humans are notoriously not great at dealing with. Failure is often a sensitive topic – in our conversation, Amy Edmondson makes failure relatable and fascinating. You’ll probably leave wanting to fail intelligently more often. You’ll definitely get insight into how to create an environment for intelligent failure in your workplace. And you’ll learn which sport Amy likes to use as her own playground for experimenting with failure. This episode is proudly sponsored by Neurocapability.
A Human-Centered Entrepreneur On Leadership and the 4 Day Week with Banks Benitez
August 23, 2023 • 38 MIN
In this episode we explore a Leader who's guided his company through the 4 Day Week process, led with true human-centred values. At Uncharted, Banks Benitez moved the organization to a 4-day workweek where people get 100% compensation to work 32-hours a week over four days. Uncharted was recognized in 2019 as one of Outside Magazine's 50 best places to work in the US. Listen up to find out how he did it!
The Courage of Compassion: Justice, Leadership and Social Change with Robin Steinberg
August 9, 2023 • 47 MIN
Is there space for compassion in the justice system? How does a public defender and a leader find the courage to care, and to fight for justice at an individual and systemic level? In today's episode we speak with Robin Steinberg who is having a huge impact in creating access to justice for thousands of people. Robin Steinberg is founder of the Bail Project, the Bronx Defenders, the Bronx Freedom Fund, and Still She Rises. She has taught at leading law schools across the US, and received multiple awards for her work. She’s also author of the brand new book, The Courage of Compassion: A Journey from Judgment to Connection, published by Simon Sinek’s Optimism Press.
The Ritualist: Using Ritual to Uplevel Your Leadership with Ezra Bookman
July 26, 2023 • 34 MIN
What do you think of when you think of rituals? And how can rituals form a part of how we lead, work and connect? Today we dive deep on the meaning and impact of rituals at work and beyond with Ezra Bookman. Ezra is a nationally recognized ritual designer, artist, and founder of Ritualist, a creative studio helping leaders cultivate more conscious companies and connected communities. Let's dive in!
DEI Reconstructed: Practical Steps to Doing the Work Right with Lily Zheng
July 12, 2023 • 49 MIN
When it comes to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, often our intentions don’t always have the level of impact we truly want or need. In this conversation with Lily Zheng we deep dive into DEI to explore how to drive impactful, systematic change in our organisations and as individuals. Lily’s approach to DEI supports organizations to go far beyond intention into creating measurable, meaningful and quantifiable outcomes in the DEI at work. We learnt an incredible amount about this conversion with Lily, and we know you will too. Let’s dive in.
Rest To Success: The Seven Types Of Rest You Need with Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith
June 28, 2023 • 36 MIN
Rest is so much more than just getting enough sleep. In this episode we explore the seven types of rest we all need, and how to get them with Medical Doctor and Author of 'Sacred Rest' Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith.
Is Meaningfulness The New Measure Of Success at Work? with Zach Mercurio Ph.D.
June 14, 2023 • 38 MIN
Have you ever experienced work with a true sense purpose and meaning? Knowing that what you’re contributing has an impact on outcomes greater than yourself? How did that make you feel? If you’ve never experienced this, you’re not alone. Many of us struggle to find meaning in the work we do everyday, it may not be your fault. Welcome to We are Human Leaders. In this conversation with Zach Mercurio we explore how meaningfulness at work can transform our lives and workplaces.
Play On: How Purposeful Play Unlocks Human Potential At Work with Dara Simkin
May 31, 2023 • 41 MIN
Many of us tend to think of work and play as two separate concepts. We banish play to outside work hours, or as busy working adults some of us barely play at all. Today, we're speaking with a woman who will change how you think about play. Dara Simkin shares how these restrictive, rigid ideas about play do us, our leadership and our business a massive disservice. She unpacks how play is actually an essential component of our humanity, and what we stand to gain when we welcome play into our worklives and beyond.
Anxiety Is Your Superpower: Rethinking Anxiety for Leaders with Morra Aarons-Mele
May 17, 2023 • 38 MIN
Explore how to turn your biggest fears into life-changing leadership with Morra Aarons-Mele 'The Anxious Achiever'.
The Power Of Radical Candor At Work (And Beyond) with Jason Rosoff
May 3, 2023 • 48 MIN
This conversation with Jason Rosoff of Radical Candour illuminates the power in caring personally about those we work with and having the courage to challenge directly. It debunks the myths of brutal honesty and presents a more effective and compassionate way to have hard conversations that drive psychological safety. It's a lesson that’s important well beyond our worklife.
Work Less, Do More: Demystifying The Four Day Work Week with Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
April 19, 2023 • 46 MIN
Imagine a career that adds years to your life. This is exactly the work Alex and his team are doing at 4 Day Work Week Global - they’re helping people and organizations create a million years of free time. As an individual the four day working week gives you back around 10 weeks every calendar year - imagine how you could spend that time. In this conversation we debunk the long-held view that to achieve more we need to work longer.
The Art of Modern Leadership: Balancing Head and Heart with Dr Kirstin Ferguson AM
April 5, 2023 • 42 MIN
Welcome to the We are Human Leaders podcast, today we're talking to global leadership expert, Dr Kirstin Ferguson AM about the impact of leading from the Head and the Heart. We delve deep into the attributes that empower great leadership, why everyone can be a leader, and what changes for us and those around us when we lead from the Head and the Heart. Dr Ferguson also turns the tables on us and asks about our leadership styles, revealing some uncomfortable and important truths.
How Feeling Seen drives Engagement with Meisha-ann Martin Ph.D.
March 22, 2023 • 43 MIN
Welcome back to the We Are Human Leaders podcast. Today's conversation with Meisha-ann Martin Ph.D. is centered around the power of feeling seen in the workplace. When is a time when you’ve felt truly appreciated for who you are and your unique contribution at work? These moments tend to stand out - because they tend to be rare. Today we are talking to people analytics, engagement and recognition expert Dr Meisha-ann Martin about why research shows we need to build better skills and habits around how we show recognition. And how we as human leaders can make this happen. Dr. Meisha-ann Martin is the Senior Director of People Analytics and Research at Workhuman. Dr. Martin has a Ph.D in Industrial/Organizational Psychology based on her research on diversity attitudes in the workplace and has fifteen years of experience in People Analytics across industries. She’s also a really delightful human being.
A Cardiologist On Leading from the Heart with Dr Jonathan Fisher
March 8, 2023 • 46 MIN
Welcome back to the We Are Human Leaders podcast. I’m Alexis Zahner and together with Co-Host Sally Clarke Today we’re speaking with Dr Jonathan Fisher about how we create space for the heart in Leadership. Dr Fisher is a Mindful Cardiologist. He’s a Harvard trained physician, Clinical-Cardiologist and Mindfulness meditation teacher with the lived experience of surviving burnout, Dr Fisher has rediscovered his joy at work the hard way. With over 20 years of clinical experience, Dr Fisher is now committed to ending workplace burnout and optimizing peak performance in healthcare and the corporate world. In this candid conversation, Dr Fisher shares with us his heart breaking journey through burnout and recovery, back to finding purpose and joy in his life and work. We explore what it means to lead from the heart, and how important how heart is mentally, emotionally and spiritually in our lives. Dr Fisher shares his personal journey through understanding and regulating emotions, and how engaging with and creating space for our emotions is the key to heart health. He also shares key insights from his upcoming book “Just one Heart: A Cardiologist practical guide to the mind-heart connection’ This conversation was so warm and loving we left feeling like we’d been all wrapped up in a big hug. We’re grateful to have you with us for this conversation, let’s dive in.
Fighting Ageism in the Workplace (and why we need to) with Ashton Applewhite
February 22, 2023 • 47 MIN
Welcome back to We Are Human Leaders. In today's conversation we explore the issue of Ageism and the critical importance in dispelling it in the workplace. We look at generational stereotypes and why they are harmful, and learn practical ways to debunk ageism at work. This conversation with Ashton Applewhite will challenge your preconceptions and have you viewing the statement 'act your age' in a whole new way!
Leading through Truth, Power and Purpose with Ron Carucci
February 8, 2023 • 37 MIN
Welcome back to We Are Human Leaders. In today's conversation we explore the impact of honesty in Leadership, through the work of Ron Carucci on the Power of Truth, Justice and Purpose. He shares over 15 years research with us including the four factors that help Leaders create an environment where humans are 16 times more likely to tell the truth, behave fairly, and serve the greater good.
Practical Reconciliation and Allyship in Modern Workplaces with Aunty Munya Andrews & Carla Rogers
January 25, 2023 • 55 MIN
In this episode we’re delighted to speak with Aunty Munya Andrews and Carla Rogers on Reconciliation and Allyship in Modern Workplaces. Australia is home to the oldest living culture in the world and we have much to learn from Australian Aboriginal wisdom and dreamtime - explore practical steps to reconciliation and allyship with us in this conversation.
Attuning to Conscious Leadership with Diana Chapman
January 11, 2023 • 35 MIN
In this conversation on We Are Human Leaders we speak with Diana Chapman C-Founder of the Conscious Leadership Group about what it means to attune to conscious Leadership. We explore the necessity of IQ, EQ and EQ as a conscious Leader and discuss practical ways Leaders can step into their full body wisdom.
Unlocking Emotional Optimism for Joyful Service with Claude Silver
November 30, 2022 • 31 MIN
Welcome to We Are Human Leaders, in this incredibly heart-centered conversation we speak with Claude Silver, the world's first Chief Heart Officer at global company VaynerMedia. Claude proudly states her personal life's purpose is 'to be of joyful service and unlock emotional optimism in all.' This conversation delves into what it means to be Emotionally Optimistic and how this impacts our ability to be heart-centred in business.
The Impact of Burnout on Employee Engagement with Dr John Chan
November 16, 2022 • 36 MIN
In this episode of We Are Human Leaders, Alexis speaks with Co-Researchers and Co-Authors of the Global Workplace Burnout Study Dr John Chan and fellow Human Leaders Director Sally Clarke. Dr Chan and Clarke have conducted the longitudinal study for the third time in 2022 and bring the latest insights from their most recent report with a focus of employee engagement to the conversation.
The Impact of Grief on Humans at Work with George Kohlrieser
November 2, 2022 • 53 MIN
Welcome to the We Are Human Leaders podcast. What do hostage negotiators and CEOs have in common? Which skills serve you when your life is being threatened, but also when you’re relating to your colleagues in an everyday meeting? Today we’re talking to someone who has vast experience with both situations: George Kohlrieser. In this conversation, we are talking about grief. We explore how grief - especially unresolved grief - impacts us as humans and as leaders. And how we can start to bring awareness to grief so it becomes a powerful tool for connection and even creativity in the workplace and beyond. A strong content warning for this episode, we discuss issues of mental health, violence, trauma, death and suicide, which may be distressing or triggering for some listeners.
Creating Psychologically Safe Workplaces with Dr David Weiss
October 18, 2022 • 45 MIN
In this We Are Human Leaders episode we learn from Dr David Weiss about the role psychologically safety has in organisations and how, as Human Leaders we can develop an environment where it can thrive. Dr Weiss connects the skills of Coaching to Leadership and gives us insight into how we can develop our coaching capacity as Leaders to connect and inspire our team in an environment where everyone human feels safe to be heard.
Self-Leadership is the Key to Transformation with Jean Marie DiGiovanna
October 5, 2022 • 38 MIN
Welcome to the We Are Human Leaders podcast. In this conversation we speak with Jean Marie DiGiovanna about the role of personal transformation in leadership, how being a generalist can positively impact the way we lead, the intersection of emotional intelligence and psychological safety, and the essential innerwork that is required of us if we want to lead with authenticity and alignment.
A Human-Centred Global Leader in Action with WD40 CEO Garry Ridge
September 21, 2022 • 43 MIN
Welcome to the We Are Human Leaders podcast. Today we’re taking a deep dive into what being a human centred leader looks like in action. Today’s guest is the CEO of a Global Company, one that you all know. Rather than give you the name of the company, I’ll give you a riddle. What’s blue and yellow and lives in your garage? It tackles rust and grease, without a qualm. Transforming squeaks and squeals Into houses of calm It comes in a compact can That fits right in your palm. Can you guess? Today’s guest is none other than CEO of Global Company WD40, Mr Garry Ridge. Garry is nothing short of an incredible Leader having lead WD40 since 1997 and transforming the companies revenue into a multi-billion dollar publicly listed company whilst keeping human beings at the central core of the companies priorities. This conversation was nothing short of awe-inspiring as Garry left both Sally and myself with a multitude of learning moments. We’re so excited to share this conversation with you, let’s dive in!
Heart Intelligence in Leadership with Hema Vyas
September 7, 2022 • 49 MIN
Welcome to We Are Human Leaders. Today we are speaking with Hema Vyas on Heart Intelligence in Leadership. We discuss in depth the impact of Heart Intelligence on how we lead, how we communicate, how we evolve and how we live, as humans and leaders. Hema Vyas is The Omnipreneurial Psychologist, and an international speaker and mentor. Hema guides the path to commercial success, evolutionary and inclusive leadership, wellbeing and positive impact for diverse global audiences. Her work is centred on connecting with ancient wisdom to solve the problems of modern times, especially by understanding the significance of the heart. Hema helps leaders connect to their own personal truth and build towards a life of joy, love, mindfulness, and prosperity. She is trusted by clients from Deloitte, EY, Google, Guardian News & Media, Parliamentary Digital Services and Visa. Her vision closely aligns with the core components of Human Leadership.
Overcoming Self-Sabotage to Embrace Your Power with Iman Oubou
August 24, 2022 • 53 MIN
Welcome to the We Are Human Leaders podcast. Today we're speaking with Iman Oubou, a Moroccan America self-made entrepreneur, former beauty queen, and published scientist on a mission to change the women's media landscape. Author of The Glass Ledge: How to Break Through Self-Sabotage, Embrace Your Power, and Create Your Success, in this conversation we explore Iman's experience and expertise around how we can overcome self-sabotage and embrace our power which is the central focus of her latest internationally available book.
Navigating Stress with Nutrition & Neuroscience with Dr Delia McCabe
August 10, 2022 • 59 MIN
Welcome to We are Human Leaders. In today's episode we're diving into a topic that every single human being on earth has experience with - stress. In our wide ranging conversation with Dr Delia McCabe, we explore how to navigate stress using nutrition and neuroscience and the intersection of the two.
Mindful Leadership & the Business of Peace with Mandar Apte
July 27, 2022 • 65 MIN
Welcome to the We are Human Leaders Podcast, I’m Alexis Zahner and together with my Co-Host Sally Clarke today we’re exploring the concept of Mindful Leadership with Mandar Apte. This conversation shares a new perspective of the power Leadership can have in creating positively impactful organisations that can act as vehicles for change and peace in our world. As Leaders tune into their purpose and align with a more empathic and mindful leadership style, business can shift focus from being profit centred to true drivers of positive global change - it all begins with us. At Human Leaders this speaks to our pillar of Human Leaders called Leading Others, an opportunity for Leaders to become more aware of their impact on those around them, choose mindful communication over reactivity to drive more connection in their teams. BONUS: At the end of this conversation we invite you to take a moment and delve into a Mindful Breathing Practice with Mandar and Sally. Breathing Practice begins at [56:46].
Quietly Powerful Leadership with Megumi Miki
June 29, 2022 • 39 MIN
Welcome to the We are Human Leaders podcast. In this episode we are talking to Megumi Miki about the superpowers we have which lie beyond the traditional lens of leadership and how as leaders we can step into our power and own our voice, through the framework of Quietly Powerful Leadership. Megumi is an author, speaker and consultant in leadership, culture and diversity and inclusion, with a background in strategy, economics and finance. Megumi challenges the status quo in leadership to unlock the hidden talent and collective potential. She is the author of Start inspiring, stop driving: Unlock your team's potential to outperform and grow and Quietly Powerful: How your quiet nature is your hidden leadership strength, which received the Australian Career Book Award for 2020 and Best Leadership Book of 2020. This episode is a real invitation to tap into the power of our unique authenticity as leaders at work and beyond. Welcome, and enjoy.
The Power of Peer Support in tackling Mental Health with Dr Tahnee Bridson
June 29, 2022 • 45 MIN
Welcome to the We are Human Leaders podcast. In this episode we’re taking a very raw and candid deep dive in this conversation with Dr Tahnee Bridson around mental health and the power of peer support in the workplace. Content warning: this episode contains sensitive topics such as suicide, mental illness, eating disorders, and other personal struggles which may be triggering and distressing for some listeners.
Meeting your Ego to Unlock Co-Creation & Collaboration with Eitan Sharir - PART TWO
June 29, 2022 • 32 MIN
Welcome to the We are Human Leaders podcast. Join us today for the second half of Alexis’ conversation with Eitan Sharir on understanding our ego to create true co-creation in our workplaces. In this episode Alexis finds out more about how we begin to imbue Co-Creation into our organisational culture’s through becoming a truly aligned and ego-less Leader. If you haven’t listened to part one yet, we really encourage you to go back and give it a listen so you get the most out of this often uncomfortable confrontation with ego and our ego-driven behaviours.
Meeting your Ego to Unlock Co-Creation & Collaboration with Eitan Sharir - PART ONE
June 29, 2022 • 25 MIN
Welcome to the We are Human Leaders podcast. Today is the first part of our conversation with Eitan Sharir of Dynamic Achievement on Ego and the role it plays in Leadership. This episode is candid, enlightening and uncomfortable, all in one! Welcome in, and enjoy.
Mastering your Triggers for Effective Communication with Louise Evans
June 29, 2022 • 47 MIN
Welcome to the We are Human Leaders podcast. In this episode we're talking to a global leader in servant leadership and non-violent communication, Louise Evans. Louise Evans is Founder and Director of The 5 Chairs project, a Behavioural Coach, Corporate Trainer and Facilitator, Speaker, and Author of 5 Chairs 5 Choices. Her TEDtalk has garnered over 4.5 million views, and for good reason. Her powerful framework for non-violent communication - the 5 Chairs - uplevels our self-awareness to transform how we communicate at workplaces, schools and homes around the world. This conversation is peppered with practical tips and relatable stories - welcome in.