Leadership Spotlight by Tradewind Australia

In this episode of Leadership Spotlight by Tradewind Australia, Ben Spooner, Chief Operating Officer at St John of God Accord, shares a refreshingly honest perspective on leadership, personal growth and the future of disability services in Australia.Drawing on more than two decades across allied health, disability and leadership, Ben reflects on the lessons that shaped his career. From early leadership failures and learning to replace certainty with curiosity, to discovering that play, compassion and humility are essential ingredients of high-performing teams.The conversation also explores the evolving role of the NDIS, what genuine inclusion looks like in practice, and why great leaders create environments where people feel valued, empowered and able to grow.Whether you're leading a frontline team, an organisation or simply looking to become a better leader, this episode offers practical insights, thoughtful reflection and a reminder that leadership isn't about having all the answers, it's about asking better questions. Tune in for a conversation that will challenge how you think about leadership, resilience, inclusion and what it truly means to lead people well.Loved this episode? Let's keep the conversation going.Read the Blog – Explore the key leadership insights from Ben's conversation.View our live jobs– Discover the latest disability, community services and health opportunities across Australia.Submit a job vacancy - Need great people now? Post your job and we’ll link you with standout sector talent.Connect with the Tradewind Team – Whether you’re a practitioner or a senior leader, our specialist consultants are here to help.

In this episode of Leadership Spotlight by Tradewind Australia, Jason Trethowan, CEO of headspace, shares his leadership journey from hospitals and community health into leading one of Australia's most recognised youth mental health organisations.Jason reflects on how his leadership style has evolved over time, the lessons learned from leading through growth and change, and why he believes the best leaders don't solve problems alone-they create environments where teams can solve them together.The conversation explores the growing complexity of youth mental health, the challenges facing Australia's health and community services workforce, and the opportunities technology presents in supporting young people. Jason also discusses the importance of keeping young people at the centre of decision-making, sharing how youth voices influence everything from local service design to national strategy at headspace.View our live jobs - Discover the latest mental health and community services opportunities across Australia.Submit a job vacancy - Need great people now? Post your job and we’ll link you with standout sector talent.Connect with the Tradewind Team – Whether you’re a practitioner or a senior leader, our specialist consultants are here to help. 

We’re excited to continue the Leadership Spotlight podcast series with James King of Unison - an inspiring leader transforming how social housing is delivered in Victoria. In this episode, James reflects on the evolution of his leadership since stepping into the not-for-profit sector, the power of values-driven partnerships, and the profound impact that safe, stable housing can have on a person’s life. From bold reforms to award-winning projects and a renewed focus on people-first decision-making, James offers rich insights into what it truly means to lead with purpose.Loved this episode? Let’s keep the momentum going - Read the Blog!View our live jobs - Discover the latest mental health and community services opportunities across Australia.Submit a job vacancy - Need great people now? Post your job and we’ll link you with standout sector talent.Connect with the Tradewind Team – Whether you’re a practitioner or a senior leader, our specialist consultants are here to help.

In this episode, we speak with Tom Dalton, CEO of Neami, about the future of community mental health in Australia. Tom shares his unconventional path into leadership, the lessons he learned along the way, and how emotional intelligence and reflection shape his approach as a CEO.We explore Neami’s growth, their innovative lived-experience workforce, and the challenges facing the mental health sector, including funding gaps, workforce turnover, and the need for consumer-led outcome measures.Tom also offers practical advice for anyone building a career in mental health or community services, and explains why collaboration, not competition, is essential for lasting impact.Loved this episode? Let’s keep the momentum going - Read the Blog!View our live jobs - Discover the latest mental health and community services opportunities across Australia.Submit a job vacancy - Need great people now? Post your job and we’ll link you with standout sector talent.Connect with the Tradewind Team – Whether you’re a practitioner or a senior leader, our specialist consultants are here to help.