THE COURAGE TO LEAD INTERVIEW SERIES

37. STEPHANIE COPUS CAMPBELL AM

I recently had the pleasure of welcoming Stephanie Copus Campbell, Australia’s Ambassador for Gender Equality, to my podcast.
The Role of Gender Equality in Society
As Australia’s lead advocate on gender equality, Stephanie works under the portfolio of Minister Penny Wong, Australia’s Foreign Minister. She emphasises that when every person has equal opportunities to reach their full potential, society as a whole benefits. She has witnessed the positive impact of gender equality throughout her long career, including happier and more prosperous families, healthier children, higher incomes, and more peaceful and stable communities.
Stephanie also highlights the economic benefits of gender equality, noting that countries with gender equality tend to be more prosperous. However, she acknowledges that women and girls often face greater barriers than men and boys in reaching their full potential due to entrenched social norms and gender perspectives. These barriers can manifest in various sectors, such as education, workforce, and accessing health services.
A Journey from Alaska to Australia
Stephanie’s upbringing in Alaska shaped her values and understanding of community. After studying international relations in the UK, she met her husband, Angus Campbell, who is now the Chief of the Defence Force in Australia. They made the decision to be together, which led Stephanie to drop out of her PhD program and move back to England. They eventually settled in Perth, Western Australia, where Stephanie began her career with the Australian Red Cross, focusing on international humanitarian law.
Balancing Dual Careers and Family
Stephanie and Angus have supported each other’s careers, despite the challenges of being in different countries for extended periods. They have had open discussions and made sacrifices to make their dual careers work. Stephanie emphasises the importance of gender equality in their relationship and how it has enabled her to pursue her career in foreign policy.
The Importance of Vision and Inspiring Leadership
Stephanie believes in the importance of setting a vision and inspiring people to work towards it. She shares an example from her experience in Papua New Guinea, where the urgency of the situation motivated people to step up and take risks. She emphasises the need for a permissive environment for failure, where people can learn from their mistakes and grow.
Leading a Gender Equality Life
When asked for advice on leading a gender equality life, Stephanie emphasises the importance of self-care and having a well-rounded life. She encourages individuals to prioritise their own well-being, as it enables them to better support others. Stephanie shares her own self-care practices, such as surrounding herself with animals and exercising daily.
Everyday Heroes
Stephanie shares a powerful story about an incredible woman she met in Papua New Guinea. This woman was a midwife in a remote village, working without running water or electricity. Despite the challenging conditions, this woman prioritised the needs of her community and found ways to provide holistic care with limited resources. Stephanie greatly admires her and often thinks of her when facing tough times.
The Importance of Self-Care and Support
Stephanie emphasises the importance of seeking support, especially as one advances in their career. She personally relies on good friends and her husband for debriefing and emotional support. She also mentions the significance of finding someone to talk to after witnessing traumatic events or experiencing vicarious trauma.

36. CORDELIA FINE

Hello there,
I'm thrilled to share with you the latest episode of our Courage to Lead podcast series, where we had the privilege of hosting the brilliant Professor Cordelia Fine. A philosopher of science, psychologist, and writer, Cordelia's work on gender differences is both enlightening and thought-provoking.
Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:
1. The First Experience of Leadership: Cordelia believes that our first experience of leadership begins at birth, emphasizing the role of caregiver-baby interactions in shaping our cognitive, social, emotional, and moral development.
2. Challenging Gender Stereotypes: Cordelia's book, "Delusions of Gender," is a deep dive into the scientific evidence behind gender differences. She challenges popular views and stereotypes, making academic ideas accessible to everyone.
3. The Journey to Professorship: Cordelia's path to becoming a professor was unconventional, filled with periods in and out of academia. Her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of having a safety net.
4. Inherited Resources in Human Development: In her book "Testosterone Rex," Cordelia explores the complexities of the relationship between hormones and behavior. She emphasizes that we inherit not just genes and hormones, but also external resources like caregivers, peers, and cultural artifacts.
5. Closing Gender Gaps: Cordelia highlights the closing or reversing of gender gaps over time, attributing these changes to gendered environments and cultural influences rather than genetic factors.
6. The Importance of a Council of Advisers: Drawing from her experience, Cordelia suggests having an informal council of advisers or a "critical friend" to help prevent making unwise decisions.
I hope these insights spark your curiosity and inspire you to listen to the full episode. Cordelia's wisdom and courage to challenge the status quo are truly inspiring.
You can find Cordelia's books, "Delusions of Gender" and "Testosterone Rex," at reputable booksellers and online platforms. Remember, supporting authors by purchasing from legitimate sources is crucial.
Stay tuned for more exciting episodes of Courage to Lead. Until then, keep learning and leading!
Best, Allan Sicard

35. THE RESILIENCE PANEL

Hello there,
I'm thrilled to share with you some exciting insights from our latest podcast episode of the Courage to Lead series. This time, we had an enlightening discussion on resilience with four distinguished leaders: Carlene York, Amy Brown, Mick Willing, and Peter Scott.
The Resilience Factor: Our panelists shared their personal experiences, emphasising the importance of resilience in overcoming setbacks. Carlene and Mick, both having faced unexpected departures from their respective organisations, highlighted how resilience helped them bounce back and continue their journey.
Support Systems: The panelists unanimously agreed on the significance of having a strong support system. Whether it's trusted mentors, friends, or family, these relationships can provide the necessary support during challenging times.
Authentic Leadership: Amy stressed the importance of authenticity and culture in organisations. A culture where people feel comfortable being themselves and expressing their ideas is crucial for navigating challenges and seizing opportunities.
The Power of Purpose: Peter pointed out that resilience is not just about overcoming adversity, but also about adapting and thriving during successful periods. He emphasised the importance of purpose in fostering resilience.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Carlene shared her experience leading the State Emergency Services during crises like floods and the COVID-19 pandemic. She emphasised the importance of being positive and proactive, turning challenges into opportunities.
The Importance of Self-Care: Peter reminded us that self-care is crucial for leaders. It enables them to make good decisions and effectively serve others.
The Constant Value of Individuals: Amy encouraged listeners to remember their worth, regardless of their circumstances, and to look for the positive aspects even in challenging times.
I'm incredibly grateful to our panel for their candidness and the dynamic discussion we had. I hope their stories inspire you as much as they inspired me.
Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation. Tune in to our latest podcast episode and let's continue to learn and grow together!
Best, Alan

34. MICHELLE BOUNDY

I'm thrilled to share with you the latest episode of our "Courage to Lead" series, where we had the pleasure of hosting Michelle Bundy, the inspiring leader behind the "She Inspires Me" movement and the "Tell Your Story" initiative.
1. The Power of Persistence: Michelle shared her first leadership experience, where she led a major wellbeing reform in the state government. Despite facing opposition and disciplinary action, she never gave up. Her initiatives like Wellness Wednesday and Fresh Fruit Friday impacted thousands of workers, a testament to her courage and determination.
2. The Human Side of Leadership: Michelle opened up about her personal struggles, reminding us that even the strongest leaders have their moments of vulnerability. She also shared her journey of resilience, from her son's tragic incident to her own battles with self-doubt.
3. The Unexpected Path: Michelle's journey into modelling and her return to it at the age of 52 is a fascinating story of seizing opportunities and breaking societal norms. It's a reminder that it's never too late to pursue your passions.
4. The Power of Kindness: Michelle's work with the Salvation Army and the Alison Baden Clay Foundation highlights her commitment to serving others. Her passion for supporting women and helping them move forward from difficult situations is truly inspiring.
5. The Birth of "She Inspires Me": Michelle's initiative, born out of a desire to celebrate women's contributions and achievements, has become a platform for sharing inspiring stories and building each other up.
6. Connect with Michelle: You can find Michelle on LinkedIn, her website, She Inspires Me Australia, and on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Don't forget to check out our co-hosted podcast, "She Has the Courage to Lead."
7. Living Life to the Fullest: Michelle's perspective on embracing aspirations, cutting off toxic relationships, and surrounding oneself with supportive people is a valuable lesson for us all.
I hope Michelle's story inspires you as much as it did me. Remember, it's never too late to take charge of your life and create your own story.
Until next time,
Allan

33. FLEUR HEAZLEWOOD

Discover the Power of Resilience and Well-being in Leadership
I'm thrilled to share with you the latest episode of the Courage to Lead Interview Series, where I had the pleasure of hosting Fleur Heazlewood, an award-winning author and founder of the Blueberry Institute.
Fleur's journey is a testament to resilience and well-being in leadership. She shared her experiences as a young female leader in a male-dominated industry, facing adversity, bullying, and even manipulation. Yet, she stood her ground, advocating for herself and others, and setting a new standard for leadership.
Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:
Leadership and Well-being: Fleur's first true experience of leadership was during the global financial crisis. She made a bold decision to prioritise her employees' well-being over commercial requirements, proving that doing right by people is also right for business.
The Importance of Psychological Safety: Fleur emphasised the need for a safe and supportive work environment. She believes that no one should be treated poorly because of differences or needing help.
The Power of Resilience: Fleur's personal journey of resilience is inspiring. She faced burnout, recovered, and used her experiences to educate others about the importance of well-being in the workplace.
Well-being as a Business Strategy: Fleur demonstrated that investing in well-being is also an investment in business performance. She shared a case study where a company saw significant improvements in engagement, reduced absenteeism, and safety incidents after implementing a well-being and resilience training program.
The Role of Books: Fleur sees her books as an act of service, sharing the strategies and techniques she teaches in her programs. She prefers speaking and facilitating over writing, valuing the dialogue and interaction with people.
I'm grateful for the opportunity to share Fleur's wisdom with you. Her story is a reminder that resilience and well-being are not just personal pursuits but essential elements of effective leadership.
I encourage you to listen to the full episode and discover more about Fleur's inspiring journey.
Until next time, keep leading with resilience and well-being.

32. AMY BROWN

In the latest episode of the Courage to Lead series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Amy Brown, a highly regarded leader with a diverse career spanning various fields, including homelessness. I've known Amy for a while and have always admired her leadership abilities.
* Introduction of Amy Brown as a highly regarded leader
* Amy's background and experiences as a leader
* Amy's career journey and early career experiences
* Amy's reflections on being a young woman in the workforce
* Amy's experiences in managing public-private partnerships and
privately financed initiatives
* Amy's mentorship and the impact of mentors on her career
* Amy's work at PwC and the projects she worked on
* Amy's approach to peer relationships and networking
* Amy's reflections on leadership, including acknowledging mistakes
and learning from them
* Amy's support system and giving back to others in leadership roles
FAVOURITE QUOTES:
"When we do push ourselves out of the comfort zone and into the courage zone, that's actually where the magic happens."
"I think I'm always out of my comfort zone. It tends to be where I hang out."
"Courage is the ability to keep moving forward even in times of setbacks and even when you feel alone."

31. EMELDA DAVIS

In this podcast episode of the "Courage to Lead" interview series, I interview one of my favourite guests so far, a truly beautiful human being, Emelda Davis, a councillor on the City of Sydney Council who is deputy to Clover Moore Lord Mayor of Sydney in a myriad of important areas. We laugh and we cry and we are exposed to some of the best leadership wisdom on the program so far.
We discuss Emelda's background as as a proud Australian South Sea Islander and survivor of trauma of the “Black-birding” trade that occurred in Australia history that not many Australians know anything about.
We then discuss Emelda’s leadership experiences, and challenges she faces in her role. Emelda shares her heritage and reflects on the challenges of transitioning from grassroots community advocacy for the Australia South Sea Islanders to council work. We also discuss Imelda's experiences as an activist, her work in community engagement, her involvement in the film industry, her role as a single mother, and her advocacy for climate change and indigenous voices. Throughout the interview, Imelda emphasises the importance of inclusivity, kindness, and building strong relationships within communities.
My Favourite Emelda quote is:
"wherever I am in the world or working, I've always tried to provide a pathway for those that wouldn't necessarily have that opportunity because I know someone did that for me and that's my grounding in everything I do."
At the end of the interview I highlight some further leadership wisdom shared by Emelda
Work with the positive and step around the negative.
It’s about listening, work with your agreed vision, respect the process and empower voices.
We don’t have to like each other, you go home and I go home to separate houses but we do have to get on with it.

30. SCOTT CHAPMAN

There is so much to say about Scott Chapman.
To get the full bio go to https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-chapman-48804921/
To give you a hint.
Scott is the CEO of the Royal Flying Doctors in Victoria and has held that position for 14 years.
3 weeks before this interview he was awarded the 2023 Melbourne Achiever Award Committee for Melbourne which is no small feat.
One of the best adaptive leaders I have interviewed, to mould his organisation in a changing world,
Towards the end of the interview he came out with this quote from his mum. I love it.
"Good better best, never let it rest, until your good is better and your better is best, not perfect just best. Be the best you can be, not perfect."

29. ALEX GREENWICH (REMASTERED THE COMPLETE INTERVIEW)

This is one of my first interviews on The Courage to Lead Interview Series, and I must confess one of my favourites. I just learnt this week that the interview ended at 48 minutes with another 20 minutes to go. I have reedited the Interview so everyone gets to hear one of the best leaders I have ever met, tell his complete story.
Please excuse the audio, I have remastered it as best I can but this was one of my first interviews where I was only just learning the best way to record what was said.
Alex Greenwich MP, Independent Member for Sydney, is a wonderful human being. After 12 years in the New South Wales State Parliament as an Independent Member he has achieved some amazing outcomes.
Alex has some incredible credentials. -
the Co Chair behind the Marriage Equality Act which eventuated in the act being passed into Legislation.
- A driving force behind the legalising of Abortion in NSW 3 years ago
- A driving force behind Reproductive Health Care Reform
- A driving force behind having Euthanasia legalised.
This interview delves into how Alex was formed into the leader he is today.
His parents encouraged discussions about anything at any time, sex workers, drug addicts, homelessness, nothing was off the table. His Grandmother, Jacqui, lived in America and was a loud and proud advocate against President George Bush’s Abortion Policies. Alex’s grandmother was his first exposure to My Body My Choice, I should control my own body, and set up his passion for what eventuated in legalising Abortion in NSW three years ago.
Alex worked with his parents in their HR Recruiting Firm, Winning Attitudes, learning over 12 years, every day what motivated people around their lives in regards to dignity, purpose and salary.
It was during his time with Winning Attitudes that Alex began his work as a Marriage Equality advocate at a time when no government would discuss the topic,
Alex helped changed the landscape across high profile Australian Corporates that it was time to discuss Marriage Equality.
Alex talks us through his wonderful relationship with his husband Victor, and you will be left with a smile on your face with the relationship they share, having fun in life’s most simplest moments.
Alex then takes us to how he became a member of parliament. At at time when Clover Moore was the Mayor of Sydney and also the Member for Bligh/Sydney, the then Liberal Government changed the laws and said a member of parliament could not hold both positions.
When this happened Alex contacted Clover asking what he could do as he felt his democratic vote had just been taken away by a political process.
Clover asked Alex to work for her people, and then Clover’s people became Alex’s people. The bi election was brought on by the Liberal Party within 3 weeks of Clover Moore stepping down because of the new legislation. However Clover Moore backed Alex Greenwich to be her replacement and that endorsement rewrote history. In Alex’s words, “Now there are two of us.”
Alex see’s his role as ensuring no one gets left behind, even those most challenged and disadvantaged in our community. On his office wall he has the picture of a homeless man, sitting with his dog on a Sydney street. Alex know the story of that man, “It’s who I work for”
Alex was a lived experience candidate on the show Filthy Rich and Homeless, living on the streets of Sydney without support for 10 days. Alex describes this time as a lightbulb moment, anybody can become homeless, all it takes is some of life’s misfortunes to occur and homelessness is a reality.
Alex views his role in parliament as a privilege but he is aware that politicians are human beings. They are flawed, they make mistakes and we change our minds. Forgiveness is important. Alex makes his business not to leave anyone behind. A final piece of advice from Alex for empowering future leaders - “Don’t be afraid.”

28. MELO CALARCO

Melo Colarco is the Author of "Beating Burnout Finding Balance"
A Mental health support coach, mindfulness and meditation expert across mental health facilities, the highest echelons of business, sporting and entertainment excellence arenas.
There are so many gems in this interview but here are a couple of stand outs
Humans need to be growing, learning, developing and challenging ourselves we if we are doing the opposite, we are shrinking and dying, loosing purpose and direction.
“ Hibunto. “ is an African phrase: It means:
"I exist because of the other people around me"
"Serving others is a worthwhile goal"
"Empower others so they can do better in the world."
To do something for someone else and they don’t know you have done it for them is also a wonderful way to live your life.
In Chinese the sign for Crisis is
"Danger and Opportunity"
Always look for the opportunity in any crisis.
3 main leadership tips if you want to pursue being a really effective leader:
1. Self awareness
2. Self regulation
3. Self care
If you want to find out more about Melo, buy his book or book him for the multitude of skills he has you can find him at
https://www.melocalarco.com