In the final episode of the year, Zoë reflects on 2024's global and business trends, including ongoing conflicts, economic pressures, and a heightened focus on workforce wellbeing. She shares insights on what leaders should anticipate for 2025, discussing economic challenges, workforce welfare, cybersecurity, and ethical ecosystems. Zoë also recounts her personal experiences in leadership development and offers practical reflection tips for planning a successful year ahead.

SHOWNOTES are here.

Key Quotes:

• "Work shouldn't be a place that is detrimental to your health; we need to protect our people at work."

• "There's been a devaluing of the purpose of work, leading to a disconnection between employees and the outcomes of their contributions."

• "Leadership development is about creating community and connection, which has become even more vital post-COVID."

• Reflection on 2024: Zoë discusses the significant global events of the year, including ongoing conflicts and economic pressures that have shaped leadership challenges.

• Experiential Leadership Programs: She shares insights from her outdoor leadership programs, emphasizing the importance of face-to-face interactions post-COVID.

• Upcoming Works: Zoë announces her upcoming books, including Olympus Rising, Power Games, and a box set launch on Kickstarter.

• Personal Achievements: Highlights include completing a 200-kilometer trek on the Australian Alpine Walking Track and launching her sequel, Olympus Bound, which has won several awards.

1. How can leaders effectively navigate the uncertainties brought on by global conflicts and economic challenges?

2. What strategies can be implemented to enhance workforce wellbeing in the face of rising pressures?

3. How can leaders reconnect their teams with the purpose and value of work to combat disconnection?

4. What role does innovation in technology and renewable energy play in shaping future business strategies?

5. How can leaders foster a culture of open communication and connection within their organisations?

Take Action

• Reflect on your leadership journey in 2024 and identify areas for improvement.

• Consider implementing practices that prioritise workforce wellbeing in your organization.

• Engage with peers or mentors to discuss strategic planning for 2025.

Tip of the Week

Review the collaboration self-checklist - available for subscribers only. Join the community here. You’ll get 40 book summaries and recommendations on Leading Strategy and Performance, along with a special secret audio from my award-winning book, People Stuff.

Key Moments (timestamps)

• 00:00 Introduction and Gratitude

• 01:04 Reflecting on 2024: Global and Business Insights

• 06:10 Personal Experiments and Business Ventures

• 14:29 Looking Ahead to 2025: Plans and Predictions

• 19:47 Reflection Tips for Leaders

• 22:30 How I Can Help You in 2025

• 23:51 Upcoming Episodes and Final Thoughts

We look at the essential skills for future leadership. Zoë recounts a gripping rescue mission in Tasmania, highlighting the significance of collaboration and trust within teams. Guest Graham Wilson, dubbed 'The Leadership Wizard,' discusses the need to unlearn outdated leadership practices and emphasizes authentic, purpose-driven leadership. The conversation also covers team dynamics and practical strategies for enhancing performance.

Quotes

• "The secret ingredient to preventing a toxic culture is transparency around decision-making." Zoë Routh

• "We were educated for a world that doesn't exist anymore." Graham Wilson

• "Collaboration and teamwork should not be seen as cheating; they are essential for effective leadership." Graham Wilson

Questions Asked

1. What are the trends that you're paying attention to in leadership and business right now?

2. How do you see the pace of change affecting leaders today?

3. What does it mean for leaders to unlearn outdated beliefs and practices?

4. How can leaders foster collaboration in an environment where teamwork may be viewed as "cheating"?

5. What strategies can leaders implement to create an empowered workforce?

Take Action

• Reflect on your own leadership style and identify any outdated beliefs you may need to unlearn.
• Implement at least one collaboration tool discussed in the episode to enhance team dynamics.
• Read recommended leadership books to deepen your understanding of effective leadership practices.

Tip of the Week

Review the collaboration self-checklist - available for subscribers only. Join the community here. You’ll get 40 book summaries and recommendations on Leading Strategy and Performance, along with a special secret audio from my award-winning book, People Stuff.

Key Moments (timestamps)

00:00 Welcome to the Future of Leadership

00:38 A Riveting Rescue Story

02:16 Lessons from the Rescue

06:04 Upcoming Adventures and Book Releases

06:40 Exploring Organizational Culture

09:42 Introducing Graham Wilson

11:38 The Future of Leadership Trends

17:41 Unlearning Old Leadership Patterns

23:10 Building Human Connection in Teams

29:00 Creating Certainty in Uncertain Times

29:44 The Concept of Taking the Knee

30:31 Lessons from Racing and Business

31:48 The Importance of Slowing Down

34:40 Collaboration Tools and Techniques

39:50 Future of Work and Leadership

44:50 The Fast Three Questions

46:32 Final Thoughts on Leadership

52:09 Where to Find More About Graham Wilson

53:19 Book Recommendation and Closing Remarks

This week, we delve into redefining leadership through the lens of interdependence and the Viking Code with Anders Indset. We discuss the significance of embracing vulnerability, fostering collective success, and shifting from hierarchical to collaborative power structures in organisations.

The conversation encompasses a range of topics, including the philosophy behind the Viking Code, the importance of micro ambitions for personal and team growth, and practical strategies for building trust and enhancing team dynamics in the workplace.

SHOWNOTES are here.

Key Quotes

• "When we share power, we all grow stronger." - Zoë Routh

• “If we don't have friction, we cannot progress. And if we don't have trust, we cannot solve the friction." - Anders Indset

• "We are very resilient when we are intrinsically motivated to do something. We are high performers per nature. But if everything is a reactive performance, then it becomes very exhausting." - Anders Indset

Questions Asked

1. How might a Declaration of Interdependence change our leadership?

2. What is the Viking Code, and how does it relate to modern leadership?

3. How can organisations incorporate aspects of the Viking Code for high performance?

Take Action

• Reflect on your own leadership style and consider how you can foster interdependence within your team.

• Explore the principles of the Viking Code and think about how they can be applied to enhance collaboration in your organisation.

• Engage in conversations about vulnerability and trust within your workplace to build a more supportive culture.

Tip of the Week
Review the collaboration self-checklist - available for subscribers only. Join the community here. You’ll get 40 book summaries and recommendations on Leading Strategy and Performance, along with a special secret audio from my award-winning book, People Stuff.

Key Moments

00:00 Introduction to the Future of Leadership

00:26 Exploring Interdependence in Leadership

00:41 Innovations and Inspirations: 3D Printed Hotel

02:03 Personal Updates and Travel Plans

02:53 Rethinking Power Structures in the Workplace

05:08 Interview with Anders Inset: The Viking Code

06:40 The Philosophy Behind the Viking Code

26:27 Applying the Viking Code to organisations

31:40 Challenges of Returning to the Office

32:04 Core Leadership Skills for Thriving Teams

34:14 The Importance of Vulnerability in Leadership

35:44 Building Self-Trust Through Vulnerability

37:56 Exploring Future Technologies

40:08 Leadership Tips and Reading Recommendations

42:58 The Role of Fiction in Understanding the Future

50:03 Anticipating Future Scenarios

54:32 Conclusion and Resources

This week, we dive into the complexities of workplace dynamics with Brenda Neckvatal, an expert in human behaviour and crisis management. Our discussion focuses on the challenges of addressing difficult behaviors in the workplace, exploring the impact of technology on communication, and the evolving expectations of leadership.

Brenda shares insights on common behavioural patterns, such as entitlement and the influence of changing family dynamics on workplace interactions. We also discuss practical strategies for fostering healthy communication and managing pushback effectively, ensuring that leaders can navigate these challenges with confidence and clarity. Tune in for valuable tactics that can help create a more harmonious work environment.

SHOWNOTES are here.

Key Quotes

• "Technology has given people an outlet to hide behind the things that they don't want to do." - Brenda Neckvatal

• "Entitlement tends to bubble up as a result of changing family dynamics and cultural norms." - Brenda Neckvatal

• "If we had a map of power and the human territory of power, how might we build better teams?" - Zoë Routh

Questions Asked

1. What are the current trends affecting behavior in the workplace?
2. How does technology contribute to feelings of entitlement among employees?
3. What practical tools can leaders use to address difficult behaviors?
4. How can leaders navigate generational shifts in expectations and communication styles?

Take Action

• Reflect on your own leadership style and consider how you can foster open communication within your team.

• Identify one difficult behavior you’ve encountered at work and apply one of Brenda's suggested strategies to address it.

• Explore resources on managing workplace dynamics and consider how they might apply to your organization.

Tip of the Week
Review the collaboration self-checklist - available for subscribers only. Join the community here. You’ll get 40 book summaries and recommendations on Leading Strategy and Performance, along with a special secret audio from my award-winning book, People Stuff.

Key Moments

• 00:00 Introduction and Workplace Trends

• 00:21 Exploring Digital Twins

• 01:12 Proving Humanity in the Digital Age

• 01:56 Olympus Rising Book Launch

• 06:51 Interview with Brenda Neckvatal

• 16:34 Generational Shifts in Leadership

• 27:06 Understanding Polarized Conversations

• 30:52 Leadership and Managing Expectations

• 32:33 Effective Communication Strategies

• 35:17 Handling Difficult Conversations

• 41:48 The Fast Three Questions

• 44:45 Free Resources and Final Thoughts

• 46:59 Conclusion and Podcast Promotion

This week, we engage in a thought-provoking discussion on leadership and the philosophy of inquiry with Ralph Mercer.

We examine the significance of challenging our assumptions and fostering robust thinking in collaborative environments. Ralph shares insights from his diverse background, including his experiences in the military and academia, to illustrate how our worldviews shape our understanding of the future.

We discuss the role of technology in shaping human experiences, the concept of gray swans in foresight, and practical methods for analyzing literature through causal layered analysis. Join us as we unpack these ideas and consider how they can enhance our leadership practices and decision-making processes.

SHOWNOTES are here.

Key Quotes

1. "Better leadership needs better thinking. If we can think about what our common drivers are, our common drivers create connection." Zoë Routh

2. "When we have connection, we can actually create a path forward. That is the magical thinking that we're after." Zoë Routh

3. "Our understanding of ourselves and the world around us defines how we see the present and the future, and very much how we deal with our problems every day." Ralph Mercer

4. "Causal layered analysis became a very good way for me to take apart the book and look at what was hoping to psychologically motivate me to believe this way." Ralph Mercer

5. "If you're reading something to develop yourself or to understand the bigger picture, then you've really being human to yourself and to those that you're going to be dealing with." Ralph Mercer

Questions Asked

1. How can we effectively challenge our thinking and develop robust perspectives in leadership?

2. In what ways do metaphors and underlying philosophies shape our understanding of leadership literature?

3. What tangible benefits arise from deep reading and analyzing texts to enhance our leadership capabilities?

Take Action

1. Challenge Your Worldview: Regularly reflect on beliefs and engage with diverse perspectives and consider how they influence your leadership style.

2. Join a Book Club: Participate in discussions analyzing literature on societal issues.

3. Practice Deep Reading: Analyze metaphors and philosophies in leadership literature for deeper understanding.

4. Engage in Reflective Dialogue: Initiate conversations to find common values and foster empathy.

5. Commit to Lifelong Learning: Seek diverse information sources to continuously expand your knowledge base.

Tip of the Week:

Review the collaboration self-checklist - available for subscribers only. Join the community here. You’ll get 40 book summaries and recommendations on Leading Strategy and Performance, along with a special secret audio from my award-winning book, People Stuff.

Key Moments

00:00 Introduction and Weekly Question

00:20 Google's Nuclear Power Deal

01:14 Zoe's Personal Updates

02:06 Understanding Different Perspectives

06:08 Tea Time with Ralph Mercer

07:03 Exploring Leadership and Technology

11:37 Analyzing Books with Causal Layered Analysis

15:46 The Importance of Deep Reading

21:49 Challenges in Technology and Society

25:34 Envisioning the Future: Who Stands Next to You?

26:26 Post Humanism and Ethical Technology

27:31 Rethinking Our Relationship with Technology

28:31 The Importance of an Evolving Worldview

29:18 Quantum Social Sciences and New Perspectives

30:35 Books That Shift Worldviews

34:20 Leadership: Understanding Power Dynamics

36:33 The Fast Three: Future Tech, Leadership Tips, and Reading Recommendations

40:19 The Gray Swan Guild Book Club

43:53 Fiction Books on the Future

46:23 Conclusion: Stretching Our Brains and Changing Worldviews

In this special episode, Zoe, a leadership futurist and Canadian Australian in Canberra, dives deep into the implications of the US election results. Despite living outside the US, she reflects on the global ripple effects of American democracy and economy, discusses the division between political sides, and explores the values and stories driving these reactions.

Zoe examines the leadership maturity framework and emphasizes the importance of curiosity, compassion, and systemic thinking in bridging political divides. She also stresses the necessity of supporting security and education initiatives to build a better future.

Full Shownotes here.

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction to the U.S. Election Solo Sode

00:15 Why the U.S. Election Matters Globally

01:26 Diverse Reactions to the Election Results

02:26 Understanding Moral Outrage

03:30 Analyzing Values in the Election

06:00 The Power of Compelling Stories

07:07 Leadership Maturity and Election Dynamics

11:01 Elon Musk: Genius or Power Player?

12:49 Moving Forward: System Thinking and Civic Responsibility

17:07 Conclusion: Bridging the Gap for a Better Future

This week, we explore the future of leadership, focusing on exponential thinking and futures literacy with Charlotte Kemp. We discuss the importance of developing a flexible mindset, utilising strategic foresight tools, and adopting iterative learning methods to navigate an increasingly complex world.

The conversation covers various topics, including SpaceX's innovations, the impact of generative AI on creativity, and practical techniques for intelligence gathering and scenario planning.

SHOWNOTES are here

Key Quotes:
1. "Exponential thinking is about understanding that we have to change our thinking for the pace and the time that we're in; the world is so much faster and more complex." Zoë Routh
2. "Futures thinking gives us the tools to anticipate change, allowing us to be more agile and flexible in how we respond to whatever happens next." Charlotte Kemp
3. "As leaders, we must get really good at asking genius questions and creating unusual connections, as that is where our true value lies." Zoë Routh
4. "Our brains can't tell whether what we're thinking about is an imaginary story or a real experience, which is why we need to prepare ourselves for both worst-case and best-case scenarios." Charlotte Kemp
5. "The old five-year strategic plan can be thrown out; we need new ways of approaching our leadership that reflect the interconnected, fast-paced world we live in." Zoë Routh

Questions Asked:
What is exponential thinking?
What are some examples of different ways of approaching our leadership or our thinking in an exponential world?
How do these tools, like scenario planning, actually prepare our brains?What practical steps can leaders take to ensure they are prepared for both negative and positive outcomes?

Take Action
1. Develop a flexible mindset by regularly challenging your assumptions and seeking diverse perspectives.
2. Practice scenario planning to prepare for multiple possible futures.
3. Implement iterative learning methods in your organization to adapt quickly to changes.
4. Engage in environmental scanning to gather intelligence on emerging trends and potential disruptions.
5. Cultivate futures literacy by exploring various futures thinking tools and methodologies

Tip of the Week
Review the collaboration self-checklist - available for subscribers only. Join the community here. You’ll get 40 book summaries and recommendations on Leading Strategy and Performance, along with a special secret audio from my award-winning book, People Stuff.

Key Moments
00:00 Welcome to the Future of Leadership
00:33 SpaceX and the Journey to Mars
01:16 Leadership Training in Western Australia
01:49 Upcoming Projects on Planet Zoe
02:38 The Role of Generative AI in Creativity
04:09 Introducing Charlotte Kemp: Futures Alchemist
04:57 Understanding Exponential Thinking
07:04 The Importance of Futures Thinking
09:25 Scenario Planning: Preparing for the Future
17:38 Mistakes in Strategic Leadership
22:29 Mindset, Toolset, and Skillset for Future Leadership
24:27 The Four Stages of Futures Thinking
24:37 Gathering Intelligence: The First Stage
24:48 Managing Change: The Second Stage
25:23 Describing the Future: The Third Stage
25:33 Testing Strategy: The Fourth Stage
26:58 Practical Techniques for Intelligence Gathering
30:24 Avoiding Confirmation Bias
32:35 Examples of Leading Exponentially
34:26 Iterative vs. Revolutionary Approaches
36:56 The Fast Three: Quickfire Questions
40:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, we explore the importance of recognizing non-obvious trends and their implications for leadership and innovation with Rohit Bhargava, a 3-time Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author.

We discuss Norway's electric vehicle advancements, the preparation for the Leadership Conclave, and methods for effective trend spotting, including the Haystack method and scenario planning.

Learn how to spot the next big thing and position yourself for success.

SHOWNOTES are here.

Key Quotes

• "We can't solve the whole problem with just one part of the problem; we need to think in systems." - Zoe Routh
• "Leaders must create mental space to uncover insights." - Rohit Bhargava
• "Embrace the obvious insights; they often hold the key to broader understanding." - Rohit Bhargava

Questions Asked:

• What are you paying attention to?
• How can leaders prepare for emerging trends?
• What role does creativity play in recognizing patterns?

Take Action:

• Practice non-obvious thinking by observing everyday trends.
• Engage in scenario planning to anticipate future developments.
• Read Rohit Bhargava's book, Non-Obvious Thinking, for deeper insights.

Tip of the Week:
Review the collaboration self-checklist - available for subscribers only. Join the community here. You’ll get 40 book summaries and recommendations on Leading Strategy and Performance, along with a special secret audio from my award-winning book, People Stuff.

Key Moments
00:00 Welcome and Weekly Question
00:17 Electric Vehicle Revolution in Norway
01:38 Leadership Conclave Preparation
02:28 Reflecting on the Past and Future
05:43 Introducing Rohit Bhargava
06:50 Discussing Non-Obvious Trends
21:37 Breaking the Rules of Book Publishing
22:54 Time Horizons in Non-Obvious Thinking
25:37 Scenario Planning and Trend Prediction
28:39 The Haystack Method for Pattern Recognition
30:46 Surprising Insights in Non-Obvious Thinking
36:32 The Fast Three: Quickfire Questions
39:56 Podcast Wrap-Up and Listener Engagement