In this episode of The Courage to Lead , Belinda Sinclair , National Sales Director at Domain Australia , shares her journey of values-based leadership in a high-performance, highly competitive industry. From being promoted two weeks before maternity leave to leading with gratefulness, Belinda explores the power of trust, feedback, and building diverse teams. She opens up about setbacks, strategic growth, and how accountability and care can—and must—coexist. A masterclass in modern leadership, t...
Jun 20, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 72
In this episode of The Courage to Lead , Deputy Commissioner Ben Millington shares his inspiring leadership journey from surf lifesaving as a teenager to leading operational coordination for NSW Rural Fire Service . Ben reflects on key lessons from policing in tough communities, coordinating crisis responses during the Black Summer fires and COVID, and driving reform in Queensland. With honesty and humility, he highlights the power of persistence, team trust, and listening deeply. A must-listen ...
Jun 08, 2025•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 71
🎙 Navigating Leadership in Crisis Situations: Jamie Caldwell’s Leadership Journey In this powerful episode, we sit down with Jamie Caldwel l, Director of Energy Operations in New South Wales , to explore what it means to lead through complexity, uncertainty, and crisis. Jamie shares his insights on why leadership is less about technical know-how and more about human connection, trust, and adaptability. He reflects on the challenges of operating in a rapidly evolving energy sector, the impact of...
May 22, 2025•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 70
This interview by Allan Sicard on The Courage to Lead Interview Series with Professor Pauline Boss , author of Loving Someone with Dementia, looks at what our futures will be like. 1 in 2 women, and 1 in 3 men over 85, in the western world will experience dementia. The scary part is that the carers of dementia are currently dying quicker than the people with dementia. This interview and her book provides insights and valuable tips on how to navigate this challenging journey for both ourselves an...
May 09, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 69
This interview by Allan Sicard on The Courage to Lead Interview Series explores what is really meant by Gender Equality with a true expert in the field Professor Cordelia Fine. This is the 2nd time Cordelia has been on our podcast(see Episode 36 ). She is described as a 'living legend' researcher in this field with her books on the subject having the following descriptions : ‘Ten books about women that will change your life’ (Sunday Times), '22 books women think men should read’ (Huffington Post...
Apr 25, 2025•1 hr 50 min•Ep. 68
This interview by Allan Sicard on The Courage to Lead Interview Series delivers a story with a twist on leadership. As we hit the golden age of 40 + we bring with us a level of wisdom and capabilities that we didn't possess when we were younger. This is the story of leadership from Aneace Haddad, A C-Suite Coach who unlocks the potential of C-suite teams. Aneace introduces "joyful rejuvenation" as a proactive embrace of change and transformation. As individuals age, their resilience increases, a...
Apr 13, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 67
This interview by Allan Sicard on The Courage to Lead Interview Series delivers a story that we do not see that often. A CEO and a Company that genuinely puts their people first and from that building an amazing culture and a profitable business. This is the story of leadership from Michelle O'Keeffe , CEO of Engaging.io a technology business in North Sydney that recently placed in the top 10 workplaces for the Great Place to Work Australia in small businesses for 2024-5 and ranked in the top 3 ...
Mar 24, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 66
This interview by Allan Sicard on The Courage to Lead Interview Series delves into the captivating journey of renowned Australian journalist Peter Overton , exploring his path from school leadership to pivotal career moments like the Thredbo disaster, while emphasising the values of authenticity, mentorship, and teamwork that have shaped his distinguished career. By embracing early leadership opportunities, seeking mentorship, recognising and appreciating others, staying true to oneself, and bui...
Mar 12, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 65
Wayne Larden is the Event Director of TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS - The 7th Abbott World Marathon Major . This interview by host Allan Sicard is the second interview with Wayne Larden on The Courage to Lead Interview Series , with the first interview over 3 years ago, before the Sydney Marathon entered the qualifying process for it to become an Abbott World Marathon Major, next to the cities of Tokoyo, London, New York, Chicago, Boston and Berlin. This is the story of how Wayne Larden...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 64
**The Power of Leadership: Insights from Rebecca Moulynox** In today’s fast-paced corporate world, the essence of effective leadership is often overshadowed by metrics and bottom lines. However, Rebecca Moulynox, General Manager of Great Places to Work Australia and New Zealand, reminds us that true leadership is about creating environments where employees feel valued, trusted, and engaged. Rebecca’s journey into leadership began with her own experiences in the workplace. She recalls her first t...
Feb 08, 2025•1 hr 20 min
In a recent episode of the Courage to Lead podcast, I had the privilege of speaking with Amelia Adams, a senior reporter for 60 Minutes Australia. With years of experience covering high-stakes global events, Amelia’s career has been marked by a commitment to powerful storytelling, resilience under pressure, and an unwavering curiosity about the world. What struck me most, however, was how her leadership philosophy transcends journalism and offers valuable lessons for anyone in a leadership role....
Jan 23, 2025•1 hr 26 min
Mark Coyne, the former CEO and current Executive Director of Employees Mutuals Limited (EML). Mark’s journey from professional footballer to business leader Key Lessons and Insights: Leadership in Sports and Business: Mark’s first true experience of leadership came from his time as a professional footballer with the St. George Dragons. He learned the importance of doing the basics right and the courage to lead from the front. Overcoming Adversity: Mark shared a powerful story about being dropped...
Jan 09, 2025•59 min
Some quotes from our interview with Reika Phung. We need more leaders like this in our workplaces, so everyone and that means everyone has a great place to work. "To be a strong leader, you've got to drive ego out of the equation as much as possible because the essence of leadership is that its actually about everyone else and not about you." "The key thing for me in terms of my relationship with people in my team is to really get to know them, not just understand who they are at work but also w...
Dec 13, 2024•1 hr 10 min
In this next episode of The Courage to Lead Interview Series, we talk to the newly elected Mayor of Willoughby Council, for her 2nd Term, Tanya Taylor Community Engagement in Queenstown, Tasmania Growing up in the small, isolated community of Queenstown, Tasmania, had a significant impact on Tanya's values and sense of community. Her experiences in such a close-knit environment shaped her understanding of the importance of community engagement and support. Transition to Event Management Tanya's ...
Dec 01, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Key Takeaways with Breda McCague From Curious Girl to Trailblazing Leader: Breda’s journey began with a childhood curiosity about the military, leading her to become a leader in both the defence forces and the corporate world. Her story is a testament to the power of curiosity and determination. First Leadership Roles and Challenges: Breda shared her early experiences in leadership, starting as a corporal and quickly rising to officer. She was the first female officer in her unit, facing challen...
Nov 13, 2024•1 hr 6 min
This next episode of The Courage to Lead is truly special as I had the honour of interviewing Isaiah Dawe, the CEO of ID Know Yourself, a non-profit organisation dedicated to mentoring Aboriginal young people in and out of home care and the child protection system. Isaiah’s story is nothing short of inspiring, and I can’t wait for you to hear it. Here are some intriguing moments from our conversation: Leadership from Humble Beginnings: Isaiah attributes his first true experience of leadership to...
Oct 22, 2024•1 hr 17 min
In the latest episode of the Courage to Lead Interview Series, I had the pleasure of speaking with John Foong, Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director of Agent Experience at Domain Group. With an impressive background that includes roles as the Global Head of Account Management and Customer Engineering for Uber in San Francisco, and Global Director of Partner Sales and Strategic Alliances at Google in California, John shared his unique approach to leadership and team engagement. Foundatio...
Oct 09, 2024•1 hr 2 min
In the latest episode of "Courage to Lead", I had the pleasure of speaking with Gemma Felicity Acton, Director of News Operations for Seven West Media. Since taking on this role in June 2024, Gemma’s career has spanned both finance and media, giving her a rich perspective on leadership. Her journey is not only remarkable but also filled with hard-earned lessons—complete with a few battle scars along the way. Authentic, credible, and deeply compassionate, Gemma’s story offers invaluable insights ...
Sep 25, 2024•58 min
Welcome to "Courage to Lead," where we explore the power of resilience and leadership through compelling stories. In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to have an extraordinary guest—Jana Pittman. From Olympic athlete to medical professional and devoted mother of six, Jana embodies the essence of perseverance and empathy. Join us as we delve into her inspiring journey, uncovering how she navigated the demanding worlds of sports, medicine, and motherhood. We’ll discuss her early leadership experienc...
Sep 11, 2024•53 min
Kylea attributes her first true experience of leadership to being the oldest of four children. Growing up in a small town in New South Wales, Australia, she was often expected to step up and help care for her siblings. This early responsibility instilled in her a sense of duty and the belief that if something was broken, she should work to fix it. Kylea's upbringing in Coonabarabran, a small town with a population of around 3,000, was marked by a strong sense of community. Her parents were invol...
Aug 23, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Informal Leadership: The Foundation Anna's leadership journey began in university, where she often found herself nominated to lead committees and social initiatives. * Seek Opportunities: Look for informal leadership roles in your community or workplace. These roles can provide valuable experience and help you develop essential leadership skills. * Focus on Impact: Concentrate on the positive impact you can have on others, regardless of your title. Leadership is about influence, not authority. O...
Aug 07, 2024•57 min
Courage to Lead: Insights from Tanya Kunze on Leadership, Resilience, and Success In the latest episode of the "Courage to Lead" interview series, Allan Sicard sits down with Tanya Kunze, a global keynote speaker, author, TV anchor, podcast host, and neuroscience-based coach. Tanya's journey from Johannesburg to becoming a recognised leader in enablement is nothing short of inspiring. This blog post delves into the key themes and insights from the interview, offering actionable advice and detail...
Jul 23, 2024•1 hr 3 min
In the latest episode of the Courage to Lead interview series, Allan Sicard sits down with Sapphire Parsons, a senior workplace lawyer at Macpherson Kelly. Sapphire's impressive accolades include being named the Best Young Lawyer in Australia for under 35 in 2023 and winning the 2023 Lawyers Weekly Under 30 Award for Workplace Health and Safety. This interview delves into Sapphire's journey, her experiences of leadership, and her unwavering commitment to creating safe workplaces for everyone. Ea...
Jul 10, 2024•1 hr 22 min
🌟 Leadership Lessons from Childhood: A Journey with Asha BHAT AOM 🌟 In a recent conversation with Asha BHAT, I was captivated by an inspiring childhood memory that profoundly shaped her leadership journey. As a young girl, Asha won a competition and navigated public transport in India, alone to bring her prize home. This early experience, coupled with her defiance of traditional gender roles, laid the foundation for her lifelong determination to empower women. It's fascinating how our early ex...
Jul 03, 2024•1 hr 27 min
Today, I'm thrilled to share with you a truly enlightening conversation I had with Terri Martin, the head of corporate training at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA), based at the University of New South Wales. The Genesis of Leadership: A Tale of Early Responsibility My chat with Terri began with a question I pose to all my guests: "What is your first ever true experience of leadership?" Terri’s response took us back to her 15-year-old self, working at Harris Farm Markets in Brisban...
Jun 03, 2024•1 hr 12 min
My conversation with Lee Cooper, Senior lecturer Center for Social Impact University of New South Wales, was a great example of Empowering Leadership. Lee's journey is a testament to the power of resilience, trust, and the willingness to learn from every experience. The Formative Influence of Selfless Service Lee's story begins with a powerful example set by his grandfather. His grandfather's leadership through his unwavering commitment to caring for his wife with rheumatoid arthritis. This act ...
May 21, 2024•1 hr 22 min
From Bridge Housing to Homes New South Wales: Embracing New Challenges Transitioning from the CEO of Bridge Housing to the helm of Homes New South Wales was a significant move for Rebecca. She shared with me the mixed emotions that accompanied this change. While she cherished her time at Bridge Housing, the opportunity to establish a new division in government dedicated to housing was too compelling to pass up. Rebecca's passion for making a tangible impact in the housing sector was evident as s...
Apr 26, 2024•59 min
I want to share the insights and lessons from my conversation with Abby Jane, a young advocate for the LGBTIQA+ community whose story is a testament to the power of leadership, empathy, and resilience. A Leader in the Making: Abby Jane's Early Steps Abby Jane's journey into leadership began at the tender age of eight when she volunteered and fundraised for cancer research. Her initiative to donate her hair and raise $3500 showcased her early commitment to making a difference. Her involvement in ...
Apr 12, 2024•1 hr 3 min
I'm excited to share with you the insights and experiences of an extraordinary guest, Corinne West, the head of diversity and inclusion at King and Wood Mallesons. It is a story that I believe will resonate with many of you. The Genesis of Leadership: A Dance Teacher's Journey Corinne's story begins with a touching recollection of her first experience of leadership. As a primary school student, she organised a fundraiser for bushfire victims, showcasing her innate ability to lead and empathise f...
Mar 29, 2024•1 hr 31 min
Leading Through Adversity: Insights from Mark Stone, CEO of Parks Victoria Mark, the CEO of Parks Victoria, is not only recognised for his leadership but also for his significant role during the harrowing bushfire period in Victoria in 2009. Navigating Crisis with Compassion and Collaboration The 2009 bushfires in Victoria were a time of immense tragedy, and leading an organisation through such a crisis was no small feat. Mark recounted the challenges his team faced, from the heartbreaking loss ...
Mar 19, 2024•1 hr 32 min
