Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast #246 Danielle Colley The Chocolate Bar Life

Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast #246 Danielle Colley The Chocolate Bar Life

Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast #246 Danielle Colley The Chocolate Bar Life

The Chocolate Bar Life

On this episode of the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast, Craig Johns speaks with Danielle Colley about The Chocolate Bar Life, understanding what burnout is and how work culture affects our mental health.

We also dive deeper into what a Mars Bar is, why we should prioritize work, rest, play, and becoming a mother.

Danielle Colley – The Chocolate Bar Life

Danielle Colley is an integrative life coach, founder of Your Good Life and the author of The Chocolate Bar Life.

Her career involved being a freelance journalist and producer for a number of top publications including the Women’s Weekly, Sunday Life, Body + Soul and news.com.au. She has been Company Director for RawBody productions and in 2019 founded Your Good Life. She delivers leadership workshops for well-known brands that include Sony PicturesTelevision, F45, The Leadership Institute and Transport New South Wales.

Danielle talks about:

• Quitting ballet and discovering drama
• Her two drama teachers as her mentors
• Incorporating emotional intelligence to parenting styles
• Coming into the world of journalism
• Becoming a mother
• Her journey towards blogging
• What is a Mars Bar?
• What is a responsible day?
• Understanding burnout
• Implementing work, rest, play
• What is success or holistic success
• Factors that cause burnout
• Checking in on ourselves
• The Chocolate Bar Life

Tweets

“It doesn’t matter how successful, how high achieving, how much money they have, how much status they have, there comes a sort of this element or time where it just feels like it’s eating them. You know, they’ve been consumed by their life or by their job.” Danielle Colley talks about burnout on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

“Overwhelm is more palatable for people to talk about. And then burnout is what happens when you stay in that state of overwhelm for too long.” Burnout vs. overwhelm by Danielle Colley on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

“When you’re aware of your strengths, then you can lean into them.” Danielle Colley talks about positive intelligence on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

Resources Mentioned in this show:

Danielle Colley LinkedIn
Danielle Colley Instagram
Danielle Colley Facebook
Craig Johns www.craigjohns.com.au
Craig Johns craig@nrg2perform.com
Craig Johns LinkedIn
Craig Johns Facebook
Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast
NRG2Perform www.nrg2perform.com

Book:

The Chocolate Bar Life

Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast #230 Dr. Jane Foster Emotional Resilience

Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast #230 Dr. Jane Foster Emotional Resilience

Emotional Resilience

On this episode of the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast, Craig Johns speaks with Dr. Jane Foster about emotional resilience, vulnerability in leadership and how to handle negative emotions.

We also dive deeper into learning to regulate and control emotions, reshaping perspectives, and changing the language used around emotions, stress and problems.

Dr. Jane Foster – Emotional Resilience

Dr. Jane Foster is the founder of Emotional Resilience, a dedicated researcher, and the author behind the recent publication, “It’s In Your Hands”. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Teaching, a Masters Degree in Education & Learning Management from Central Queensland University, and a Ph.D. in Health Promotion and Education from the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Drawing from over four decades of global teaching experience, she intertwines her expertise in Chinese Medicine, Shiatsu, and yoga to empower individuals in taking charge of their emotional journey, helping them navigate through life’s challenges with grace. Her mission is to revolutionise our societal mindset, steering away from blame, criticism, and judgment towards fostering psychological well-being, life satisfaction, and resilience.

Dr. Jane Foster talks about:

  • Her big dream starting from outdoor education and experience with a bully
  • Desire for everyone to be able to take control of their own steering wheel from within.
  • Emotional Resilience
  • Emotions are not “good” or “bad”, they are either “rough” or “smooth”
  • Learning to regain control of negative emotions
  • The importance of developing emotional resilience
  • Language and framing is powerful
  • Focusing on taking responsibility for how you respond rather than blaming others
  • Leaders need to listen, be selectively vulnerable, and empower those around them
  • The factors that influence our behaviour
  • Taking responsibility for the way we respond
  • Asking good questions that make people reflect 
  • Coping mechanisms for learning to control emotions
  • Dopamine addiction from social media
  • Selective vulnerability for leaders
  • Changing the language used around emotions, stress, and problems 
  • Reshaping perspective and how people approach challenges

Tweets

“If you keep looking back at what you did, then you’re going to crash. That’s what so many people do when they’re coaching someone. It doesn’t mean ignoring the rearview mirror. It’s there to glance at and learn from, but not to focus on.” Dr. Jane Foster talks about moving forward on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

“At the moment, negative emotions are seen as bad and everyone’s picking people off those emotional roads and putting them on the smooth roads, thinking that they’re doing the right thing. But if you look at a pulse, it goes up and down, doesn’t it? To show you’re alive, what happens when it flatlines, you’re dead. Yet so many of us are trying to create a life that’s smooth and it’s actually unattainable. I wanted to create language that would change that. Instead of bad emotions, they’re rough, and rough has a purpose.” Emotional resilience and the role of negative emotions with Dr. Jane Foster on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

“That’s why it’s called selective vulnerability. It’s actually a thing that is a balance between oversharing and undersharing. It becomes in the middle, as you said, you share when it’s appropriate because as a leader, you had certain expectations from your team.” Dr. Jane Foster talks about vulnerability in leadership on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

Resources Mentioned in this show:

Dr. Jane Foster www.itsinyourhandsdrjanefoster.com
Dr. Jane Foster LinkedIn
Dr. Jane Foster LinkedIn
Dr. Jane Foster Instagram
Craig Johns www.craigjohns.com.au
Craig Johns craig@nrg2perform.com
Craig Johns LinkedIn
Craig Johns Facebook
Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast
NRG2Perform www.nrg2perform.com

BOOK

It’s in Your Hands – Your Steering Wheel Your Choice

Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast #229 Markus Kaulius Play A Bigger Game

Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast #229 Markus Kaulius Play A Bigger Game

Play A Bigger Game

On this episode of the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast, Craig Johns speaks with Markus Kaulius about play a bigger game, personal & professional growth, and the dangers of complacency.

We also dive deeper into the power of believing in things you have control over, the importance of physical wellbeing, and helping people achieve fulfillment.

Markus Kaulius – Play A Bigger Game

Markus Kaulius is the founder of Magnum Nutraceuticals, a Tony Robbins Platinum Partner, and co-founder of Play a Bigger Game. He is also among NYC Journal’s Top 30 to Watch in 2022. His academic journey boasts a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Business, Entrepreneurial Leadership, and Marketing from Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

As the CEO & Founder of Magnum Pharmaceuticals, Markus has steered the company from its inception to a remarkable valuation of $170 million. Beyond his corporate endeavors, Markus is actively engaged with Rockbody retreats and frequently accompanies Tony Robbins on global ventures.

Markus Kaulius talks about:

  • Going through tough times as a child
  • Starting a supplement company out of his bedroom at a young age 
  • Play A Bigger Game
  • Realisations in life and with oneself after being bullied and picked on
  • Growth and constantly challenging yourself is where the “juices in life” are found
  • Focusing on things outside of your control is detrimental
  • Having the right people around you who hold you accountable and challenge you is important for growth
  • Taking action and applying what you learn
  • Avoiding complacency in marriage and relationships
  • Having the mindset of choice
  • The power of believing in things you can control
  • Helping people wake up from the complacency that has lulled them to sleep and get them to play a bigger game in life
  • How exercise and physical activity radically changes your life
  • Building good and healthy habits
  • Balancing being healthy, happy, and hungry for success

Tweets

“If you’re not growing, you’re dying. And for many years, I didn’t quite comprehend what that really meant. I understood, but I’m not growing. I’m going the other way. I get it. But the real point of that verse, in my opinion, is if I’m not growing, I’m not experiencing what I should be experiencing in life.” Markus Kaulius talks about growth on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

“What if you started to play a bigger game in your life? What would that look like if you were going to level up a good level up, what would that look like? I truly believe everybody has those answers inside of them or you can turn to some people close to you who have reached higher levels of success and ask them, what are some of the habits that you do?” Playing a bigger game with Markus Kaulius on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

“Growth is the fun part of life. It’s challenging myself. It’s trying to become someone better in the fulfillment that I get from knowing that I am better today than I was yesterday. I’m way better than I was a week ago. I’m way better than the way, way better than I was a year ago. And that growth is so exciting.” Markus Kaulius talks about finding excitement in personal and professional growth on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

Resources Mentioned in this show:

Markus Kaulius www.playabiggergame.com
Markus Kaulius LinkedIn
Markus Kaulius Instagram
Craig Johns www.craigjohns.com.au
Craig Johns craig@nrg2perform.com
Craig Johns LinkedIn
Craig Johns Facebook
Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast
NRG2Perform www.nrg2perform.com

Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast #227 Michael McQueen Mindstuck

Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast #227 Michael McQueen Mindstuck

Mindstuck

On this episode of the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast, Craig Johns speaks with Michael McQueen about Mindstuck, how to influence change as a leader and the importance of social human connections.

We also dive deeper into why some people resist change, understanding other people’s perspectives, and finding ways to bring people closer to the middle for productive discussions.

Michael McQueen – Mindstuck

Michael McQueen is a distinguished multi-award winning speaker, change strategist, and accomplished author with 10 bestselling books to his credit, including the recently released Mindstuck. His academic background comprises a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Wollongong, supplemented by a continuous pursuit of understanding human behavior and future trends through daily research.

Having worked with esteemed clients such as Google, Toyota, and Mastercard, Michael has been instrumental in guiding some of the world’s leading brands through periods of uncertainty, ensuring they remain at the forefront of innovation. With two decades of experience as a professional speaker, Michael has held prestigious positions including President of Professional Speakers Australia. He has been honored as the Australian Keynote Speaker of the Year and inducted into the Professional Speakers Hall of Fame.

Michael McQueen talks about:

  • Being captivated by a keynote speaker as an 8 year old
  • Building his credibility through research and programs with young people
  • Drawing on new trends and information to keep his content fresh
  • Building connection with audience before and after a talk, and rehearsing thoroughly
  • Mindstuck
  • Why people become stubborn and resistant to change
  • Becoming trustworthy to influence people to make a change
  • Building rapport & framing change in a familiar or altruistic way
  • Telling stories to appeal to emotions
  • The key to reducing polarisation and tribalism
  • Increasing proximity between opposing groups so they can understand each other’s perspectives
  • Evidence and logic alone often don’t work for persuasion
  • Understanding other people’s perspectives 
  • Avoiding prejudice
  • Finding ways to bring people closer to the middle for productive discussions
  • The revelations and studies in human behavior and relationships that came out from the pandemic
  • Importance of social human connections
  • The psychology of stubborness

Tweets

“What they found is that when you’re lacking social connections, the amygdala, which is where that fight and flight reflex resides, part of the instinctive mind shrinks and the surface becomes different.” The importance of building and maintaining social connections with Michael Mcqueen on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

“The first thing is you’ve got to win affinity. You’ve got to be seen as trustworthy. Someone who’s got their best interests in mind. This is what Aristotle talked about as ethos, this notion of being credible and trustworthy in the eyes of other people you’re trying to engage with.” Michale Mcqueen talks about building trust to influence change on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

“I’m reading 5 to 7 tech and trend journals or newsletters or online resources every day. So I’m pumping out content every day about what’s new, what’s happening. That then feeds into my presentation. So I’ve got this natural cadence of always the new.” Michael Mcqueen talks about staying up to date with trends and keeping content fresh on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

Resources Mentioned in this show:

Michael McQueen Website: https://michaelmcqueen.net/
Michael McQueen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelmcqueen1/
Michael McQueen Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaelmcqueenauthor
Michael McQueen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeljmcqueen/
Michael McQueen Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaelmcqueen1
Michael McQueen X: https://twitter.com/Michael_McQueen
Craig Johns www.craigjohns.com.au
Craig Johns craig@nrg2perform.com
Craig Johns LinkedIn
Craig Johns Facebook
Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast
NRG2Perform www.nrg2perform.com

BOOK

Mindstuck

Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast #221 Andy Anderson & Matt Lavars Relentless Education for Coaches

Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast #221 Andy Anderson & Matt Lavars Relentless Education for Coaches

Relentless Education For Coaches

On this episode of the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast, Craig Johns speaks with Andy Anderson & Matt Lavars about Relentless Education For Coaches, entrepreneurs with online businesses and the importance of having great mentors and coaches.

We also dive deeper into hard work and sacrifice, having the right mindset for entrepreneurial pursuits and the secrets to enabling long-term business success.

Andy Anderson & Matt Lavars  –   Relentless Education For Coaches

Andy Anderson is a distinguished TV and Podcast host, WBFF Pro Athlete, and globally recognized author. He stands as a formidable business coach and entrepreneur. Originating from Melbourne, he meticulously built the Ultimate You Change Centre, which has now expanded to 28 centers across Australia. Notably, Andy also serves as the CEO and Founder of Change Labz in his spare time.

Matt Lavars is a seasoned coach and mentor specializing in the development and expansion of online businesses. With a fervor for assisting coaches and online service-based entrepreneurs, Matt has devoted his career to guiding individuals on how to construct the business of their dreams. Together, 

Andy and Matt have orchestrated the success story of Relentless Education, a platform where they empower coaches, consultants, and service-based entrepreneurs to reach impressive six-figure monthly revenue milestones.

Andy Anderson & Matt Lavars talk about:

  • Growing up and shaping dreams in Ballarat and Geelong respectively
  • Sacrifice and hard work are crucial for entrepreneurial success
  • Entrepreneurs need to be willing to put in long hours and juggle many roles in the early stages to build momentum
  • Having the right mindset of viewing challenges as opportunities
  • Relentless Education For Coaches
  • Learning to take responsibility to push through difficulties
  • Surrounding yourself with the proper mentors
  • Learning from successful people for personal and entrepreneurial growth
  • Focusing on serving others and customers
  • The secrets to enabling long-term business success
  • Creating a vision for the future but also setting achievable milestones along the way
  • Having a partner or co-founder who shares the same values and vision
  • Leveraging each other’s strengths and providing support
  • Understanding limiting beliefs and stories people tell themselves 
  • Constantly improving systems, processes and offerings

Tweets

“We just believe so strongly in anyone being able to change their situation through learning some new skills that they don’t have access to.” Relentless education for growth with Andy Anderson and Matt Lavars on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

“You’ve got to be super curious and passionate, but you’ve got to have a little bit of grit and a little bit of anger always. I definitely had a little bit of anger that that drove me. If anyone doubted me, I used it as fuel. And still to this day, it’s one of my greatest, greatest fuels. ” Andy Anderson talks about overcoming adversities on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

“It really became a curiosity of personal development, which then probably became like a healthy addiction to just surround myself with messages of growth. I started loving the feeling of empowerment because I thought, Wow, education is the answer to all of my problems. If I can learn stuff, then I can change things.” Matt Lavars talks about the importance of surrounding yourself with the right mentors and the right people for growth on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

Resources Mentioned in this show:

Andy Anderson and Matt Lavars Weblink: www.relentlesseducation.com.au 
Andy Anderson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andyianderson
Matt Lavars Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLavarsOfficial
Craig Johns www.craigjohns.com.au
Craig Johns craig@nrg2perform.com
Craig Johns LinkedIn
Craig Johns Facebook
Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast
NRG2Perform www.nrg2perform.com

Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast #220 Dr. Flavia Fayet-Moore Growing Mushrooms In Space

Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast #220 Dr. Flavia Fayet-Moore Growing Mushrooms In Space

Growing Mushrooms In Space

On this episode of the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast, Craig Johns speaks with Dr. Falvia Fayet-Moore about growing mushrooms in space, working with NASA and the international space station, and the importance of food and nutrition when there is 10 Billion people on the planet.

We also dive deeper into the science behind food and space, learning to be adaptable in new and different environments, and being a people-oriented leader.

Dr. Flavia Fayet-Moore  –   Growing Mushrooms In Space

Dr. Flavia Fayet-Moore is the visionary behind FOODiQ Global and a co-founder of Food is Cool. Renowned for her dynamic speaking skills, she effortlessly employs space analogies to make scientific concepts accessible and enjoyable. Originating from Brazil, raised in Canada, and refined in Australia, she is a scientist, dietitian, space nutritionist, and entrepreneur, reshaping the landscape of her field.

Having earned an Honours Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Toronto, Dr. Fayet-Moore further distinguished herself by obtaining a Master of Nutrition and Dietetics, as well as a PhD in nutrition from the University of Sydney. She is also a fellow of the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine and an Adjunct Lecturer at Newcastle University. Notably, she holds the distinction of being the first internationally board-certified dietitian in Lifestyle Medicine in Australia and has participated in the Space Studies Program at the International Space University.

Dr. Flavia Fayet-Moore talks about:

  • Moving from Brazil to Canada at the age of 9 and had difficulties adapting due to the language barrier and cold weather.  
  • Her mother encouraged her to experiment in the kitchen sparking her love for food
  • Growing Mushrooms In Space
  • Becoming passionate about nutrition after seeing her mother go on many diets in Canada
  • Moving to new countries and adapting to new environments
  • Developing resilience at a young age
  • Learning not to be limited by self-limiting beliefs
  • Wanting to see a holistic approach to food that considers human health, sustainability and the environment rather than a reductionist focus on single nutrients. 
  • Preventing food allergies through repeated exposure to potential allergens from a young age
  • The biggest shift in nutrition is the “tunnel vision” approach to solving problems.
  • Joining Royal Canadian Air Cadets at age 13 helped develop her leadership skills and passion for space nutrition
  • Prioritising your people as a leader
  • Being open to doing things in a different way
  • The connection between food, our gut inflammation and the immune system

Tweets

“We can achieve anything together as a team.” Dr. Flavia Fayet-Moore talks about working towards a similar goal as a team on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

“I don’t know what my mum did with me, but I tell everyone that I had this confidence and belief that I can achieve anything. It was incredible and it’s nice to be raised with that.” Being raised by a strong woman figure in life by Dr. Flavia Fayet-Moore on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

“For me, personally, I think it’s something so important because a company is basically people. And if you don’t prioritize your people in your teams, then you have nothing.” Dr. Flavia Fayet-Moore talks about prioritising your people as a leader on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

Resources Mentioned in this show:

Dr. Flavia Fayet-Moore www.drflav.com
Dr. Flavia Fayet-Moore LinkedIn
Craig Johns www.craigjohns.com.au
Craig Johns craig@nrg2perform.com
Craig Johns LinkedIn
Craig Johns Facebook
Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast
NRG2Perform www.nrg2perform.com

Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast #219 Krish Ramineni Fireflies.ai Revolutionises Meetings

Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast #219 Krish Ramineni Fireflies.ai Revolutionises Meetings

Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast #219 Krish Ramineni Fireflies.ai Revolutionises Meetings

Fireflies.ai Revolutionises Meetings

On this episode of the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast, Craig Johns speaks with Krish Ramineni about how Fireflies.ai revolutionises meetings, providing value for your customers, and how AI shapes the workforce.

We also dive deeper into AI vs. the human workforce, using resourcefulness as an advantage and the importance of creating meaningful human connections.

Krish Ramineni  –   Fireflies.ai Revolutionises Meetings

Krish Ramineni is the CEO and co-founder of Fireflies.ai, a groundbreaking AI note-taking assistant adopted by over 200,000 organizations, Krish has earned recognition on the cover of Entrepreneurial Magazine For 12 Founders Changing Business and secured a coveted spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

Having previously served as a Product Manager at Microsoft, Krish graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania in an impressive three years. Under his dynamic leadership, Fireflies.ai has experienced remarkable growth, expanding its team from 10 to 70 employees in under a year. The company has forged pivotal partnerships with industry leaders such as Zoom, Slack, and Salesforce, solidifying its position as a trailblazer in the tech world.

Krish Ramineni talks about:

  • Wanting to be a doctor at an early age but soon realized his passion lies in an entirely different field
  • Working at Microsoft and the flicker that ignited the idea for Fireflies.ai
  • Fireflies.ai Revolutionises Meetings
  • Learning to slow down
  • Every person has intrinsic value that makes them special
  • Being resourceful is the most important skill as a human being regardless of technology
  • Using AI to take notes, summarise and generate action items from meetings to save time. 
  • The difference between good and great
  • Looking up and taking lessons from the founders and cultures of successful companies
  • Building and providing value for your customers
  • AI can help make us smarter but humans are still in control of the decision making process
  • The need for entrepreneurs to consider unintended consequences of technology
  • The privilege and value of being able to work remotely
  • How AI shapes the workforce
  • AI is a reflection of humanity so it will have limitations that need humans to oversee its use

Tweets

“I want to build something great, but something great can’t be done just by yourself. You need to be able to inspire others to come on board, work with them put in the effort, roll up your sleeves and do it. Not someone that stands behind and just says, Do this or do that. So it’s a combination of it’s still a team sport, no doubt, but you still need to be the star athlete for every team.” Krish Ramineni talks about being a leader on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

“The more friction you can always eliminate for people and add value to those platforms, the more they’ll lean in, the more interested they’ll be, and the more they want to work with you. If you can provide value, people will come to you.” Building and providing value for your customers with Krish Ramineni on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

“I’m a big believer that we should allow people that are highly motivated, self-accountable, to be able to work from wherever they want to work.” Krish Ramineni talks about remote working on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

Resources Mentioned in this show:

Krish Ramineni www.fireflies.ai
Krish Ramineni LinkedIn
Krish Ramineni Instagram
Craig Johns www.craigjohns.com.au
Craig Johns craig@nrg2perform.com
Craig Johns LinkedIn
Craig Johns Facebook
Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast
NRG2Perform www.nrg2perform.com

Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast #217 Marita Cheng Robots That Save Lives

Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast #217 Marita Cheng Robots That Save Lives

Robots That Save Lives

On this episode of the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast, Craig Johns speaks with Marita Cheng about robots that save lives, inspiring the next generation of women engineers, and the future of AI, technology, and robotics.

We also dive deeper into leading volunteers, learning and honing crucial leadership skills at a young age, the curiosity to innovate, and instilling a sense of purpose in your organisation.

Marita Cheng  –   Robots That Save Lives

Marita Cheng is  the youngest Member of the Order of Australia, recognised by Forbes twice, as one of the World’s Top 50 Women In Tech in 2018 and a Forbes 30 Under 30 awardee in 2016, 

She holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics) / Bachelor of Computer Science from the University of Melbourne and soon became the mastermind behind aubot, a company that showcased modular, transportable, and affordable robots in 2018. She also co-founded Aipoly which has been downloaded over half a million times and translated into 23 languages. At the age of 19, she founded Robogals, a movement aimed at inspiring young girls to pursue engineering careers.

She later took the helm as Young Australian of the Year at the age of 22, leading a team of 4000 people across 13 countries.

Marita Cheng talks about:

  • Growing up in Cairns, Australia being raised by her mom who worked hard to give her all the early exposure she could possibly get
  • Being interested in robotics at an early age
  • Started RoboGirls in university to teach robotics to girls and help increase the number of women in engineering
  • Robots That Save Lives
  • Creation of Aubot and the inspiration behind it
  • Publishing a children’s book called Smart Girl to inspire young girls to pursue robotics and STEM
  • The importance of giving your people autonomy when scaling organisations
  • Helping your people develop and upskill and making sure they have a sense of purpose
  • Protecting future generations with the ethical use of technology
  • Staying focused on your lane of work rather than trying to solve every problem
  • The most success comes from going deep in one area that you are truly passionate about.
  • Learning crucial leadership skills by leading and inspiring passion in volunteers
  • Finding the balance between the messiness and processes 

Tweets

“I’m really, really happy to make something that lasted. I think that’s how I like to think about my companies as well. It’s like I want to create something that lasts, that impacts a lot of people that can scale, that lasts for like like 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50 years and beyond.” Marita Cheng talks about creating a legacy that lasts on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

“The more you keep your eyes open, the more you’re learning from everything that the world is giving you. The more you can bring interesting ideas to your projects.” Boosting your creativity with Marita Cheng on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

“I think the skills that I learned over that time were to listen and to try and understand, like where people were coming from and what they needed to feel heard, what they need to feel appreciated, what they needed to do that task.” Marita Cheng talks about crucial leadership skills on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

Resources Mentioned in this show:

Marita Cheng Weblink: www.maritacheng.com/
Marita Cheng LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maritacheng/
Craig Johns www.craigjohns.com.au
Craig Johns craig@nrg2perform.com
Craig Johns LinkedIn
Craig Johns Facebook
Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast
NRG2Perform www.nrg2perform.com

Book

Smart Girl Books:  Marita Cheng

Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast #216 John Buchanan Australia’s Most Successful Cricket Coach

Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast #216 John Buchanan Australia’s Most Successful Cricket Coach

Australia’s Most Successful Cricket Coach

On this episode of the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast, Craig Johns speaks with John Buchanan about becoming Australia’s most successful Cricket coach, coaching philosophies and leading high performing teams.

We also dive deeper into maintaining team dynamics, preserving and upholding team and organisational culture, and the importance of experience and grit in leading teams.

John Buchanan –  Australia’s Most Successful Cricket Coach

John Buchanan is a revered figure in Australian sports, with a remarkable career that has left an indelible mark on the world of cricket. As a distinguished coach, he guided the Australian cricket team to triumphs in the World Cup, Ashes Series, and a historic victory against India after 36 years. His coaching prowess is underscored by an impressive 79.83 winning percentage in both Tests and ODIs, placing him in the esteemed company of legends such as Vince Lombardi and Alex Ferguson.

Beyond his achievements on the cricket field, John Buchanan is a multifaceted individual. A performance coach, keynote speaker, and accomplished author, he is on a mission to share the secrets of success. Armed with an honorary PhD, GAICD, MA, and a Bachelor’s in Human Movement Studies, he seamlessly blends academic rigor with practical field expertise. 

John Buchanan talks about:

  • Coaching style and his principles in coaching
  • Leading high performing teams
  • Becoming Australia’s most successful Cricket coach
  • Going back to the basics and thinking about strategy
  • Pressures of coaching high-performing teams
  • Different approaches to leading different teams
  • Dealing with different expectations and pressures as a coach
  • Getting sacked and approaching it with an agile and adaptable mindset without compromising his principles
  • Doing the right thing by stepping back and asking the right questions
  • Ensuring that his people keep their feet on the ground

Tweets

“It’s a constant job of both modeling and structuring and influencing all the sorts of things that you want so that in terms of their culture and in terms of performance or preparing to perform and performing, in essence, the players are very much feeling that they’re in control of all that & it’s really coming from them.” Leading high-performing teams with John Buchanan on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

“In my mind, I was at least modelling the type of behaviours that I thought were very important to the group.” John Buchanan talks about ensuring that he can teach his teams to remain grounded and keep a humble mindset  on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

“I think the ability to store that knowledge and experience, and with people not necessarily in the job, but having access to them so that they come back and contribute and mentor and coach and really be a resource to the organisation.” John Buchanan talks about the importance of having the experience and building meaningful team relationships in leadership on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

Resources Mentioned in this show:

John Buchanan www.buchanancoaching.com
John Buchanan LinkedIn
John Buchanan Facebook
John Buchanan Instagram
Craig Johns www.craigjohns.com.au
Craig Johns craig@nrg2perform.com
Craig Johns LinkedIn
Craig Johns Facebook
Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast
NRG2Perform www.nrg2perform.com

Book

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Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast #215 Chuen Chuen Yeo Leaders People Love

Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast #215 Chuen Chuen Yeo Leaders People Love

Leaders People Love

On this episode of the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast, Craig Johns speaks with Chuen Chuen Yeo about Leaders People Love, imposter syndrome and having an agile mindset as a leader.

We also dive deeper into building a culture that can withstand conflict, vulnerability in leadership and increasing your resilience.

Chuen Chuen Yeo –  Leaders People Love

Chuen Chuen Yeo is a pioneering figure in shaping agile leaders skilled in navigating the complexities of the business landscape. With a focus on leadership agility, she is the acclaimed author of “8 Paradoxes of Leadership Agility” and “Leaders People Love,” in addition to being a sought-after agile leadership coach and international keynote speaker.

Recognized for her outstanding contributions, our guest has earned prestigious titles, including “Woman Super Achiever” and being named one of the “Top 101 Global Coaching Leaders” at the 28th World HRD Congress. A distinguished academic, she holds a degree in Computer Engineering and a post-graduate Diploma in Education from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Notably, Chuen Chuen Yeo is the visionary force behind ACESENCE Agile Leaders, a member of the Forbes Coaches Council, and a recognized LinkedIn Top Voice in Company Culture, Singapore.

Chuen Chuen Yeo talks about:

  • Discovering her passion for developing people & elevating leadership all around the world
  • Being a follower during her formative years
  • Imposter syndrome & the amplification of mistakes
  • Leaders People Love
  • Having a heavy fear of failing
  • Behind arrogance is the fear of failure
  • Building trust in relationships as a leader
  • Learning to have patience and slow down
  • Approaching leadership with an agile mindset
  • Constantly comparing yourself to others increases mental pressure and stress
  • Working on being more resilient
  • Using your insecurities to drive you forward and not hold you back
  • Creating an environment where people feel safe to fail and make mistakes
  • 8 Paradoxes of Leadership Agility
  • Building a culture that can withstand conflict
  • Authenticity and integrity in leadership

Tweets

“Great leaders have to be great teachers. We have to understand each individual and give them the right support to bring them up.” Chuen Chuen Yeo talks about the importance of knowing your people and supporting them the right way on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

“We cannot achieve anything if we are alone. We have to learn to enlist other people into our cause, our mission. To do that, we might have to choose to slow down. When I look at things like speed vs. performance, a lot of leaders can do with more patience because in their hurry to get to the end state, they compromise things and they may lose a relationship that they can never repair.” Importance of relationships built on trust in leadership with Chuen Chuen Yeo on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

“Performers have found a way to minimize chances of failure, but in their hearts, they have not embraced the truth that failure is part of any equation and learning experience. It doesn’t mean you are bad. It only just reflects that their approach is incorrect and it has informed you to do things differently. That’s a truth that people need to embrace to increase their resilience.” Chuen Chuen Yeo talks about working on being more resilient on the Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast.

Resources Mentioned in this show:

Chuen Chuen Yeo https://acesence.com/
Chuen Chuen Yeo Linkedin
Chuen Chuen Yeo Facebook
Chuen Chuen Yeo Instagram
Chuen Chuen Yeo Youtube
Craig Johns www.craigjohns.com.au
Craig Johns craig@nrg2perform.com
Craig Johns LinkedIn
Craig Johns Facebook
Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast
NRG2Perform www.nrg2perform.com

Book

Leaders People Love (Preorder)
8 Paradoxes of Leadership Agility