Is it true that creative people are difficult to manage? Brooke Webb is the CEO of Sydney Writers' Festival, and has over 25 years of leadership experience in the arts at organisations like, Universal Music, Cirque du Soleil and The Sydney Opera House. Her talents have even taken her to Broadway, where she was Resident Director of Mel Brooks', "The Producers." In this discussion, Host Helen McCabe and Brooke explore topics like how to effectively lead a team of highly creative individuals, fostering a culture of innovation and problem-solving, and the importance of storytelling in business - even for those in technical roles. 

How can you shape the future to be more inclusive? Recorded live at the Future Women Leadership Summit 2023, in this episode you’ll hear from two incredible speakers leading the change for young women. The first speaker is Angelique Wan, Co-founder and Executive Director of Consent Labs. Angelique talks about the importance of supporting organisations striving for change and shares some practical methods to incorporate the passion and innovation of young people into the workplace. The second speaker is Dr Elise Stephenson, Deputy Director of the Global Institute for Women's Leadership at ANU. According to Elise, the space industry in Australia is pitched outgrow every other industry in 2024 – so how are we making sure it’s inclusive? Elise’s discussion provides a framework for ensuring women and other diverse groups are properly represented in emerging industries and organisations.

Please be advised, Angelique’s discussion contains references to sexual assault and domestic violence. If you’d like to talk to someone about this, help is available, click here for more information.

Why we need to change systems not women with Angelique Wan and Dr Elise Stephenson

Are you confident taking risks? Recorded live at the Future Women Leadership Summit 2023, this episode explores how to take and manage calculated risks and provide practical advice to help risk-averse leaders find the confidence to stretch themselves. Moderated by Jamila Rizvi, Future Women’s Deputy Managing Director, the panel features Professor Renée Leon, Vice-Chancellor and President of Charles Sturt University, Kate Torney OAM, CEO of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation, Lucy Turnbull AO, Director of Turnbull and Partners and Kayla Kelaher, Founder and Managing Director of Kelaher Industrial Services.

Why you should take the risk with Lucy Turnbull, Professor Renée Leon, Kate Torney and Kayla Kelaher

Brooke Webb on leading a team of creatives

Do you ever feel left out of crucial work conversations? Kylie Blucher, Managing Director of Nine Queensland & Nine Northern NSW, has amassed over three decades of experience in the media industry and holds several board positions, one of these being at Future Women. In this conversation with Host Helen McCabe, Kylie shares her advice on how to speak up against inappropriate behaviour from senior colleagues, what she does to navigate exclusionary social events like ‘after work drinks’, and practical strategies to ensure your ideas are heard and respected in male-dominated environments.

Kylie Blucher on navigating micro-exclusions at work

What are the signs you should leave your job? Ben Naparstek has had a meteoric career, spanning editorial, digital marketing, and technology. Starting as Editor in Chief of The Monthly at just 23, Ben has effortlessly kept up with the digital evolution, moving from long form journalism to digital marketing, and back to content as Senior Director of Content Acquisition & Partnerships at Amazon ANZ, before taking on a position as Director of Marketing at Kayla Itsines’ Sweat. Host Helen McCabe asks Ben about measuring the risks of leaving versus staying in your current job, why you should take on roles that may be outside your comfort zone and the lessons he’s learnt from being in leadership positions at such a young age.

Ben Naparstek on knowing when it’s time to leave your job

Do you struggle with giving honest feedback? In this discussion, recorded at the Future Women Leadership Summit 2023, an expert panel discuss navigating the 'likability penalty' many women face when giving feedback, how to give feedback during times of hardship, and practical strategies for assessing an individual's strengths and weaknesses, enabling them to reach their full professional potential. This panel was moderated by Future Women's Head of Research and Insights, Ruby Leahy Gatfield, and features Anna-Maria Arabia, Chief Executive of the Australian Academy of Science, Niti Nadarajah, a coach and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Consultant, and Edweena Stratton, Chief People Officer at Culture Amp. Host of the series is Helen McCabe.

How and when to give feedback with Anna-Maria Arabia, Niti Nadarajah & Edweena Stratton

How can we ensure our workplaces are truly inclusive? Live from this year’s Future Women Leadership Summit, in this episode you'll hear from Elly Desmarchelier, a passionate disability rights campaigner who points out the many ways our society is set up to segregate the one in five Australians with disability. Elly's thought-provoking speech provides a framework in which leaders should be thinking about how we consider inclusivity and intersectionality in both our workplaces and social circles. The second speaker is Padma Raman, CEO of Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety, and proud South Asian woman who shares the best way to call out discriminatory behaviour and the importance of staying vigilant to ensure that people’s rights are being respected at work.

Please note, this episode contains references to sexual assault and abuse of people living with a disability, which may be upsetting to listeners.

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Being inclusive with Elly Desmarchelier & Padma Raman

Is it a risk to be 'too honest' as a woman in business? Host Helen McCabe picks Lord Mayor Sally Capp’s brain about the art of having 'fierce' conversations, how to mitigate being seen as a 'risk' as a woman in leadership, and the best way to call out inappropriate behaviour in the workplace. 

Lord Mayor Sally Capp on Managing Conflict

Are women more emotionally intelligent naturally, or are they just conditioned to be more aware of others feelings? Liz Jones, Leadership and Culture Advisor at the Australian Red Cross, shares her insights into the commonly held belief that women possess more emotional intelligence, and draws from her own relationship with her transgender son to answer the question of what it really means to be an 'authentic' leader in today's world. Host Helen McCabe asks Liz why ‘soft skills’ are the hardest to learn and what kind of leaders we need during times of instability.

Liz Jones on 'authenticity' versus 'vulnerability'

How can adversity and struggle lead to growth and opportunity? According to Founder of EQ Minds and international speaker on mindfulness and well-being, Chelsea Pottenger, part of the answer is making the most of plan B when plan A gets taken from you. Host Helen McCabe asks Chelsea about how her peri-natal anxiety and depression struggles led to a new career and leaving corporate life, what her experience has taught her about the importance of building a mindful but productive schedule and why your mental well-being is your superannuation.

Chelsea Pottenger on building a mindful but productive schedule

Can empathy in leadership lead to burnout and indecision? Minister Amanda Rishworth’s background in psychology helped her understand the difference between sympathy and empathy, the pitfalls of having too much empathy, and how you can turn empathy into action to enact real change in the world. In this International Women’s Day episode, host Helen McCabe asks Minister Rishworth to discuss whether women in the workplace are expected to be more empathetic to colleagues needs than their male counterparts.

The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP explains the power of empathy in the workplace

What makes a good strategy? And what happens when the one you and your team agreed on needs to change? CEO of Right Lane Consulting Chiara Lawry works to help clients develop and execute their strategies day in and day out. Host Helen McCabe asks Chiara how she builds strategies with her clients, what the hardest part of changing a strategy is, the difference between a strategy and a plan, and the practical steps you can take to work on a strategy if you can't bring an expert like herself in on the conversation.

Chiara Lawry on how to create (or change) your team's strategy

Where do you go for help if you’re feeling lonely? Steph Trethewey was faced with that question shortly after her move to rural Tasmania, and when she couldn’t find an answer, she built her own network. Steph created Motherland to connect rural mums around Australia, and its success has helped share stories, build support networks, and has earned her the title of Rural Women of the Year 2022. Host Helen McCabe asks Steph about the moment she realised she needed help, how her learnings on isolation can help with social exclusion at work, and her advice for starting your own business.

Steph Trethewey’s tips for combatting isolation

How do you make sure everyone in a room feels heard? Especially if one person is part of the problem you're meeting to discuss. Head of Research & Insights at Future Women Ruby Leahy Gatfield shares the art of facilitation with Host Helen McCabe. They discuss how the key to reaching real incomes lies in purpose, knowledge, empathy, and creativity as a facilitator, as well as Ruby's learnings from her work leading men in discussions about gender equality and literacy.

Ruby Leahy Gatfield shares how to facilitate meaningful team discussions

How do you talk about pregnancy at work? It can be easy enough to share the good parts, but with one in three women experiencing trauma in birth, there are some more complex conversations you might need to have as an employee, or as a boss. Sophie Walker is the founder and host of the Australian Birth Stories podcast, and has been sharing her own birth story as well as the stories of parents around the country for around six years. Host Helen McCabe asks Sophie how her podcast has shaped her view on pregnancy in Australia, what gaps exist in our current healthcare systems surrounding birth, and the common problems she sees around people balancing parenthood and their careers.

Sophie Walker’s guide to pregnancy and motherhood as a working woman

How do you prepare for the biggest speech of your career? What if that speech was being made in front of every premier in the country? In 2022, Danielle Wood made the keynote address at the Jobs Summit, and for her, preparation was key. Danielle Wood is an economist and the CEO of Grattan Institute, a public policy think tank and in this episode, host Helen McCabe and Danielle discuss finding your voice in a male dominated field, what’s coming up in Australian policy and preparing for a once in a lifetime speech. 

Danielle Wood on finding your voice

Does being a professional public speaker sound like a dream to you? Or more like a nightmare? Whichever your answer, you'll find something to learn from former executive, nutritionist, health writer, and keynote speaker Michele Chevalley Hedge. Host Helen McCabe talks to Michele about how to bring value to your audience, why you should trust in your own expertise when speaking in public, and how your wellbeing underpins your performance in your job, speaking skills, and more.

Michele Chevalley Hedge on finding your confidence as a public speaker

Do you know what kind of leader you are? Perhaps you lead more with your head, or maybe your heart? Dr Kirstin Ferguson is an author, columnist & company director who has spent many years studying these very questions.  

Through her work on her latest book 'Head & Heart, The Art of Modern Leadership', Kirstin developed the 'Head & Heart Leader Scale', a free online survey which tells you whether you lead with your heart or your head. In this episode, host Helen McCabe goes through her results from the 'Head & Heart Leader Scale with Dr Kirstin Ferguson to find out which traits she carries as a leader. 

Dr Kirstin Ferguson on discovering your leadership style

Disclosing pregnancy in the workplace can be difficult for anyone, whether you're an employee or the boss. Prue Gilbert, CEO of Grace Papers, knows just how complex these situations can be, having been both an employee disclosing pregnancy and a leader of employees who are taking parental leave. Host Helen McCabe talks to Prue about telling your boss that you're pregnant, and what to do if you are the boss. 

Prue Gilbert on telling your boss that you're pregnant

Does good team management create young leaders? For Professor Renèe Leon, effective leadership involves collaboration and a strong team. After a long career in public service, Professor Renèe Leon made the move to academia when she accepted the role of Vice Chancellor of Charles Sturt University. One thing that remained throughout the transition was Renèe’s leadership skills and management style. Host Helen McCabe asks Renèe about what she looks for in leaders, transition between sectors, and what it means to be working in a feminised workplace. 

Professor Renée Leon on cultivating a team of leaders

What will the future of recruitment look like? Is it possible to cut out biases, even unconscious ones? Barb Hyman, founder and CEO of Sapia.ai thinks that AI could be the solution to the issues facing recruitment. Host Helen McCabe asks Barb about personal qualities that led her to starting a business, what not to ask when hiring, and how to have a balanced workplace.

Barb Hyman on why artificial intelligence could kill the resume

How do you know when it's worth doing something a little risky? Whether it's leaving a job, making an impression at a new one, or shaking up an old team? Ann Sherry AO is a former banker turned CEO who now holds several non-executive board director positions, and she prides herself on defying expectations, and knowing when to take calculated risks.

Revisit this chat from 2020 in which host Helen McCabe asks Ann how she gains the respect of her peers, builds confidence, picks the best people for her teams, and more.

Ann Sherry on calculating and taking risks

With a reputation as a highly effective negotiator, Chief Commercial and Content Officer of Foxtel, Amanda Laing has plenty to teach about the art of making difficult deals work. Host Helen McCabe asks Amanda how she prepares for a negotiation, what leadership theory she employs in her career, and what to do when you're in the middle of a negotiation and you reach a deadlock?

Amanda Laing on how to become a master negotiator

When are you the most productive? Managing Director for Google Australia & New Zealand Melanie Silva doesn't just fill up her days with meetings. She makes space in her schedule for 'big thinking' days and time to find her 'flow' so that she's not just busy, she's using her time well. Host Helen McCabe asks Melanie why she's stayed at Google for longer than any other job she's had, what cultural changes she's seeing emerge with young employees, and how she managed to lead the company through government questioning heavily pregnant, the day before she gave birth. 

Melanie Silva on being the most productive leader, not the busiest

Award-winning journalist and former Executive Producer of ABC's Four Corners Sally Neighbour has needed to push forward against any doubts to tell some of the most important stories to the Australian public. Host Helen McCabe discusses with Sally whether fearlessness is something you can learn, or if it's innate in your character, as well as the importance of trusting your team, building a process together, and how to weigh up the consequences of reporting a story with the impact it could have on those adjacent to it.

Sally Neighbour on staying fearless

Australia now has one of the most highly educated female workforces in history, but does that mean you need to study more to get further in the industry? Professor Rae Cooper, AO is the perfect person to answer this, currently working as Professor of Gender, Work and Employment Relations at the University of Sydney. Host Helen McCabe and Rae discuss how you can determine whether you should consider further study, the empowerment of younger generations of women, and how society shifts as women become more educated.

Professor Rae Cooper answers if it's worth it to do further study?

How do you become an empathetic leader? According to Chief Executive of Trans-Tasman Business Circle Tanya Oziel, part of the answer is to lead with heart, learn from your heritage, and create an environment where people can be themselves. Host Helen McCabe asks Tanya how she creates the unique environment on her study tours that allows guests to be open and vulnerable with those they've just met, and what her heritage has taught her about the importance of taking time out.

Tanya Oziel on leading with compassion

What does healthy conflict in the workplace look like? And how do you fix the destructive kind of conflict? Psychologist Rearn Norman and host Helen McCabe discuss what kinds of disruptive tensions exist in workspaces, how to deal with passive aggressive behaviour, whether different genders approach conflict differently, and much more in this enlightening chat.

Rearn Norman on resolving tension within your team

Do creative people lead differently? Executive Creative Director and Partner at Josephmark Alex Naghavi helped build the original Future Women brand, and has expert insight into how creatives work and lead. Host Helen McCabe asks Alex what she looks for when hiring creatives, how to make sure that you're leading the creative members of your team most effectively, and the one question Alex always asks when interviewing, to find her perfect culture fit.

Alex Naghavi on leading as a creative

Where does confidence come from? Author, activist, and Future Women's Deputy Managing Director Jamila Rizvi brings both her experiences, and the research behind confidence to discuss how to best build it in your life. Helen and Jamila share the most common struggles they hear women have with maintaining confidence, as well as practical tips you can implement into your communication and career to dissuade any self doubt.

Jamila Rizvi on growing your confidence

What does it mean to be a coach? And how do you become an effective one? Lisa Hutton has been a manager, consultant, and coach across an array of companies, as well as volunteering as a Future Women mentor. Host Helen McCabe asks Lisa when she started leading, what good coaching is to her, and her advice on some common leadership issues they've both come across.

Lisa Hutton on why defining your identity will make you a better leader

Would you leave a stable job to build your business from scratch? And if you did, who would you choose to help you? Tasnia Alam Hannan co founded Arise Foundation to help survivors of economic abuse reach financial freedom. Host Helen McCabe discusses why Tasnia chose to leave the career path she was on to pursue Arise, how important a strong network is to building a business, and why you need to delegate in order for your team to thrive.

Tasnia Alam Hannan on the power of a strong network

Do you talk about your mental health at work? If there's no safe environment to discuss the topic, it can make it that much more difficult to manage any mental health issues you or your team might experience. Secretary for NSW Department of Customer Service Emma Hogan talks with host Helen McCabe about why she became a Mentally Healthy Workplaces Ambassador, how she approaches leading high performers, and why the size of a team she's leading matters less to her than how complex the job is.

Emma Hogan on creating a culture where mental health is talked about openly

Am I making this decision because it’s the best one for the business? Or because I don’t want to have a difficult conversation? Managing Director of Nine Radio Tom Malone sees this question as key to his leadership. Tom has been an Executive in media for over two decades, working across shows like 60 Minutes and the Today Show, and managing some of the highest profile people in media. He's seen first-hand the evolution that media has gone through as a workplace and an industry over the last 20 years. In this episode Host Helen McCabe asks Tom how he leads strategic change, how he manages difficult conversations with hosts, and the changes he's seen for women working in the media landscape.

Tom Malone on strategic leadership and having difficult conversations

After working under some of the biggest names in Australian media and politics, Creina Chapman has learned how to manage egos big and small. Host Helen McCabe asks Creina if big egos still have a place in the modern workforce, what kind of leadership she finds effective in her current role as deputy chair and CEO of the Australian Communications and Media Authority, and why it can be so difficult to get honest feedback from your peers. 

Creina Chapman on dealing with egos

It's hard to know when to leave a toxic workplace, when to speak up against a bully, or when to hold your ground. Kate Mason figured this out the hard way, after experiencing bullying as an executive at one point in her impressive career. Host Helen McCabe asks what confronting her bully taught Kate about leadership, and what she would change if she were to be in the same position again.

You can learn more about Kate Mason and her leadership at the Self Energy website.

Kate Mason on how to beat a workplace bully

How often are you the only woman in the room? In Dr Bronwyn Evans' four decades in engineering she's been the sole woman more times than she can count. But instead of discouraging her, it often motivated her to work harder than her male colleagues. Host Helen McCabe asks Dr Evans what progress she's seen in her career, and what advice she has for women in industries that are still working towards gender equality.

Dr Bronwyn Evans on how to navigate a male dominated industry

Friendship can often get in the way of business. It can be hard to lead alongside your friends, or tell them what to do. But when it's done right, friendship can also lead to a  productive work culture, a motivated team, and innovative ideas, as with Steph Claire Smith and Laura Henshaw building their business Keep it Cleaner. Host Helen McCabe asks Steph and Laura how they navigate their friendship, what leadership and success mean to them, and how beauty expectations in their industry are constantly evolving.

Steph Claire Smith and Laura Henshaw on balancing friendship and business

In all likelihood you'll come across a sexist boss in your career. Maybe you're dealing with one right now, or can remember a time you've witnessed your coworkers put up with prejudice. So how should you handle sexism, and how do we craft diverse environments that cull sexist cultures altogether? Speaking at the 2022 Future Women Leadership Summit, Mary Wooldridge, Director of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, Dr Victor Sojo, Senior Lecturer in Leadership at the University of Melbourne and Jessica Smith, Senior Security Consultant at CyberCX discuss their experiences and research surrounding gender inequality at work and give their advice on how you can deal with, and prevent future displays of discrimination.

The Future Women Leadership Series is hosted by Helen McCabe.

Dealing with a sexist boss

Are you thinking of upskilling? Does your resume need that extra diploma or degree to get you noticed? This panel recorded at the 2022 Future Women Leadership Summit features three women who have been on either end of the hiring process and know exactly what skills the market is looking for. The panel includes Kylie Bryant, Chief Operations Officer for the Department of Industry, Emma Foley, the Director of Driver Operations and Marketplace for Uber Aus/NZ, Priyanka Ashraf, Founder & Director of The Creative Co-Operative, and is chaired by Future Women’s Bojana Kos.

The Future Women Leadership Series is hosted by Helen McCabe

How to stand out in the job market

Why do women often shy away from self promotion? How do you persuade someone to donate to your cause? and how do you get over the nerves of public speaking? Mara-Jean Tilley, Director of the Garvan Research Foundation answers this and more as she and host Helen McCabe dissect her leadership career. 

Mara-Jean Tilley on why you should stop saying 'sorry'

Women are disproportionately at the helm of organisations and governments in crisis. Professor Michelle Ryan points out that this might not be due to women causing these crises, but rather a phenomenon where women are often only given power at times of unease. Host Helen McCabe asks Professor Ryan why this trend has appeared, how you may be able to avoid or utilise it, and what changes you can make to improve your leadership style.

Professor Michelle Ryan on why times of crisis lead to more female leaders

How do you ask for a pay rise? Or a promotion? Or any other change in your workplace that you deserve? Louise Adler, Incoming Director for Adelaide Writers Week, Sam Mostyn, President of Chief Executive Women and Catherine Brenner, Chair of Australian Payments Plus share their tips for getting what you deserve, at the 2022 Future Women Leadership Summit.

The Future Women Leadership Series is hosted by Helen McCabe.

Asking for what you want at work

How do we make sure our bodies and brains are at their healthiest? According to Dr Norman Swan, it has less to do with getting the right amount of sleep or following wellness trends, and more to do with the autonomy we have over our own life choices. Dr Swan shares his insights on health at the 2022 Future Women Leadership Summit following a moving acknowledgement of country given by Madison Howarth.

The Future Women Leadership Series is hosted by Helen McCabe.

Dr Norman Swan on how stress affects our bodies

Can you be 'too young' to make it in politics? Tu Le was told she was when her chance to represent the seat of Fowler disappeared as the Labor party brought in a star candidate in her place. Host Helen McCabe asks Tu Le how she recovered after such a public instance of being overlooked, what opportunities she's opened up following the event and discusses why being young in the political sphere may actually be an advantage.

Tu Le on turning disappointment into opportunity

Tarang Chawla’s sister Nikita was killed by her husband in 2015. Today he’s a mental health advocate, gender equality activist, and podcast host sharing the stories of people who have survived family violence. Tarang joins host Helen McCabe to talk about how his experiences motivated him to change the way we teach men about gender equality, and why resilience is a key trait for any authentic leader.

Tarang Chawla on teaching resilience and equality

How do you make a political impact? And are there certain skills you’ll need to run as a woman in politics? Host Helen McCabe asks this and more to Jessica Short and Martina Ucnikova who are the founders of She Runs, a not-for-profit that helps women engage in political careers and civic participation. They share their knowledge on what it means to be political, why we aren’t seeing enough women in Federal decision-making positions, and the first steps to starting your political career.

Jess Short and Martina Ucnikova on what makes a great political leader

What is innovation? According to Pip Marlow, CEO at Salesforce ANZ & ASEAN it’s about more than just building products and tech. It’s about how you think, how you build your business, and an integral part of successful company culture. Host Helen McCabe talks to Pip about how she created a career through innovation, acknowledged and owned her ambitions in order to do so, and the best examples of innovation she sees in the business world today.

Pip Marlow on owning ambition and building innovation

Are there shortcuts to leadership success? Kerri Hartland, Principal Advisor at Proximity, and Andrea Clarke, author and founder at Future Fit Co. share their experiences of reaching leadership positions and what they learned along the way at the Future Women Leadership Summit 2021.

The Future Women Leadership Series is hosted by Helen McCabe.

Hacks for becoming a good leader

What will be the future of our workplaces? Lizzie Young moderates a panel discussion that asks this question and dives deep into what has changed in our work environments since COVID. The panel includes Siobhan McKenna , Chairman at Fox Sports & Australian News Channel, and Julie McKay, Chief Diversity, inclusion and Wellbeing Officer at PricewaterhouseCoopers, and was recorded at the Future Women Leadership Summit 2021. The Future Women Leadership Series is hosted by Helen McCabe.

Will workplaces ever return to how they were pre-COVID?

Personal and professional lives haven't been the same since COVID hit, but what effect is the pandemic having on gender inequality? In this passionate discussion, panellists Fabian Dattner, Priscilla Brown, and Natasha Stott Despoja explore the ways in which they’ve seen inequalities worsen through COVID, and the silver linings they’ve observed since the pandemic began. The panel is moderated by Jamila Rizvi at the Future Women Leadership Summit 2021. The Future Women Leadership Series is hosted by Helen McCabe.

Has COVID impacted gender equality?

Why do we need diversity in leadership? Do quotas or targets work? And how do we measure ‘merit’? Helen McCabe leads a deep dive into these topics with Nicola Wakefield Evans, Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the 30% Club, and Nareen Young, industry professor at UTS at the Future Women Leadership Summit 2021.

How can we improve diversity in leadership roles?

How can you get your way? And what sacrifices could you need to make to get there? In this panel discussion, Helen McCabe asks Jess Miller, Amani Haydar, Anna Brown, and Amanda Gilmore about the persuasion principles they’ve gained in their highly successful careers, including how to persuade others, remain authentic, and admit when you’re wrong. The discussion was recorded at the Future Women Leadership Summit 2021.

How do you become more influential?

What makes a workplace toxic? What impact can a bad working environment have on your health? And how do you know when to leave? Lizzie Young moderates a panel discussion featuring Kate Jenkins, Sangeeta Venkatesan, and Dr. Tanya Pelly as they share their expertise on recognising and dealing with destructive working environments, recorded at the Future Women Leadership Summit 2021. The Future Women Leadership Series is hosted by Helen McCabe.

How to handle a toxic workplace

Tanya Plibersek is an Australian politician who has served as a Member of Parliament for Sydney since 1998 holding various portfolios and titles. She shares her thoughts on parliamentary allegations of sexual assault and why she thinks justice feels out of reach for a lot of Australian women, followed by a Q&A with Jamila Rizvi, recorded at the Future Women Leadership Summit 2021.

How do we push for effective cultural change?

Have you ever felt like you didn’t deserve your achievements? Like a fraud about to be discovered? This panel discussion hears from a diverse group of women, each of whom have incredibly accomplished careers, and also along the way, have experienced imposter syndrome. Recorded at the Future Women Leadership Summit 2021, panellists Sarah Walsh, Nikki Gemmel, Emily Hill, and Cathy Ngo, share their stories of imposter syndrome and tips on how to combat the phenomenon. The panel is moderated by Jamila Rizvi. The Future Women Leadership Series is hosted by Helen McCabe.

Tackling imposter syndrome

Skipp Williamson is the Managing Director at Partners in Performance. She is successful, resilient, and imperfect. And wants you to know that you are too. Skipp shares her tips for success at the Future Women Leadership Summit 2021, speaking on making the system work for you, recognising your skill gaps, and rolling in your failures. The Future Women Leadership Series is hosted by Helen McCabe.

Embracing your imperfections

Very few women have made it in the male-dominated world of newspaper editing in Australia like Lisa Davies, editor of the Sydney Morning Herald. Lisa shares with host Helen McCabe how she handles imposter syndrome, managing the stress of publishing a daily newspaper and transitioning from working in a newsroom to leading a team of complex personalities.

Finding your voice as a leader

Arabella Burge is a master collaborator. She has successfully pivoted from the Director of Communications for PBL Media in Australia and London to CEO of the Gidget Foundation, a charity dedicated to dealing with perinatal depression. Arabella speaks with host Helen McCabe about using her corporate leadership experience for the greater good, leading with empathy and harnessing her persuasiveness to help young families around the country.

The value of collaboration in leadership

Minister Bronnie Taylor has been told she is "too nice" for politics but she believes empathetic leaders are powerful leaders. Bronnie is the NSW Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women and worked as a registered nurse for 20 years before entering politics. Bronnie shares with Helen McCabe the importance of empathy in leadership, respecting opposing views and why country women are good leaders.

The power of being an empathetic leader

Jamila Rizvi is a leading feminist voice of her generation. She is a bestselling author, one of the youngest chiefs of staff to a cabinet minister and Future Women's Chief Creative Officer. Jamila opens up to host Helen McCabe about being taken seriously as a young woman in parliament, forcing herself out of her comfort zone to become a stronger leader and not letting a brain tumour get in the way of her career ambitions.

Being taken seriously as a leader

Meredith Hellicar is already the guiding force for many of Australia’s top performing executives and strives to build future CEOs, directors and C-suite executives. Now the Executive Chairman at Merryck & Co, Meredith’s extensive senior executive career, including several Managing Director and CEO roles with global companies, her success and experiences have led to her become one of the most sought after Executive Coaches in Australia. Meredith shares with host Helen McCabe the biggest mistakes that she sees leaders consistently make, tips on how to assess where your time is best spent as a leader and why those who aspire to leadership positions should be more vocal about their career ambitions.

Behind every great leader is a great executive coach

Siobhan McKenna is one of Australia’s leading businesspeople, but when she was growing up, she wanted to become a writer. Siobhan made the decision to pursue business over writing, but not wanting to abandon her passion entirely, she spent ten years writing her debut novel alongside her successful career as a director of some of Australia's largest companies. Siobhan speaks with host Helen McCabe about making pragmatic career decisions, being true to herself and creating an identity for herself outside of work.

Being pragmatic about your passion

Nicole Sheffield's decisive leadership style has earned her a reputation for effectively leading businesses through times of transformation. As Executive General Manager for Community & Consumer at Australia Post, Nicole is leading a team through an unprecedented period of change and upheaval. Nicole speaks with host Helen McCabe about the importance of being openly ambitious, about recognising when it's time for a career change and learning to adapt her leadership style to suit each workplace's team and culture.

Leading teams through change

Renee Carter always knew she wanted her career to be more aligned to her purpose. So after several years working in corporate and investor relations, she decided to follow her passion for social change and became the CEO of Adopt Change. Renee speaks with host Helen McCabe about finding purpose through work, transferring skills across different industries and the differences between leading in corporate and not-for-profit sectors.

Following your passion

Sue Cato is an expert in crisis management for business leaders and executives and the founder of corporate communications agency Cato & Clive Partners. Sue speaks with host Helen McCabe about the culture changes needed for a workplace to be successful, why boards are giving leaders less time to prove themselves and her tips on managing your reputation capital.

Building culture from the top down

Anna Bligh AC was the first woman to become the Queensland Premier and the first woman to lead the Labor party. Anna shares with host Helen McCabe the importance finding your own identity and purpose as a leader, what it was like to hold her own in the houses of parliament (with the weight of an entire gender on her back) and why she has learned to relish difficult problems and roles.

Andrea Clarke is a former journalist and humanitarian aid worker whose background has led her to understand, and master, the power of effective communication. Now, as the founder of Future Fit, Andrea uses her experience to teach businessmen and women the skills they need to stay relevant & competitive in the modern workplace. Andrea shares with Helen McCabe the biggest mistakes women make when presenting, her tips for building a good reputation for yourself both online and in-person, and why she thinks introverts will thrive at work during COVID19 times.

How to present yourself and your content well

Margie Hartley is a career coach and CEO and Founder of Gram Consulting Group and is an Executive Coach to 11 of the top ASX listed companies. Margie speaks to host  Helen McCabe about the differences she has observed between how females lead versus how males lead, the impact of unconscious gender bias when considering staff members for a leadership role and why it’s important that women in particular create space for other female leaders in the workplace.

Why women need to make more space for female leaders

Jamila Gordon is the Founder & CEO of technology platform, Lumachain. Jamila was born in a rural village in Somalia and overcame civil war and homelessness before moving to Australia and creating a new life for herself as a Chief Information Officer at some of Australia’s largest companies. Jamila tells a powerful story of finding opportunity and learns resilience through adversity. Host, Helen McCabe, the founder of Future Women.

Learning resilience through adversity

Lynn Dang is the Head of Talent Acquisition at Microsoft and Fleur Brown is the Founder of Launch Group and EntrpreneursTV. Together, they discuss the importance of creating and maintaining a personal brand, engaging effectively on different social media channels and what recruiters look for when they’re hiring new talent. Host, Helen McCabe, the founder of Future Women.

Personal branding and crisis management

Felicity Zadro, the founder of Zadro Agency and Niti Nadarajah, Senior Counsel at Philip Morris AU, NZ & Pac. Isl. have overcome many challenges over their respective careers. They share their learnings and then join Lisi Schappi, Head of Design at Deputy for a greater discussion about how to best deal with making mistakes at work. Host, Helen McCabe, the founder of Future Women.

Learning from your challenges

Megan Houghton is the Executive General Manager Energy Solutions at ERM Power. Megan shares her 4 steps to building your brand and creating a sphere of influence made up of people who will advocate for you when the chips are down. Host, Helen McCabe, the founder of Future Women.

Building your brand

Jodie Auster is the General Manager of Uber Eats ANZ. Jodie shares her experience of driving cultural change internally at Uber Eats ANZ when she joined the company in the aftermath of a sexual harassment scandal that hit the company. Host, Helen McCabe, the founder of Future Women.

Driving cultural change

Wendy McCarthy is a businesswoman, activist and feminist icon. She shares the challenges she overcame to forge her position in senior leadership and advises women to take control of their lives and warns that the fights are not all in the workplace. Host, Helen McCabe, the founder of Future Women.

Being bold and taking risks

Lisi Schappi is the global head of design for Deputy, an Australian software company. She shares how she overcame the need to be liked while still being ‘fearlessly kind’ and why being transparent in your feedback actually builds better relationships. Host, Helen McCabe, the founder of Future Women.

Giving honest feedback

Leadership takes courage and resilience. Host and founder of Future Women, Helen McCabe shares insights from some of the most influential women on the sometimes complex challenges faced by women on the path to senior leadership. Leadership thought-leaders will inform and at times challenge your thinking on what it means to be leader and advise you on how to build respect and loyalty from your team members. Future Women is a club for women to connect, learn and lead. To find out more go to futurewomen.com

Future Women Leadership Series out soon on LiSTNR

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