We Are Human Leaders

In this transformative episode of We Are Human Leaders, we sat down in Sydney with Wendy Smith—renowned expert on paradox and co-author of Both/And Thinking—to explore how shifting from either/or decision-making to both/and thinking can unlock deeper clarity, resilience, and creativity in leadership and life.Wendy walks us through the concept of paradox: the ongoing, often uncomfortable tensions between seemingly opposing forces (such as stability and change, profit and purpose, or control and flexibility). She shares how these tensions aren't problems to be solved, but dynamics to be navigated, and how ancient wisdom, modern psychology, and business innovation all point to the transformative power of holding space for complexity.In this conversation, hosts Alexis Zahner and Sally Clarke asked Wendy to unpack:The difference between tensions, dilemmas, and paradoxesWhy binary thinking is limiting—and often harmfulHow leaders and teams can cultivate a paradox mindsetPractical strategies like the ABCD framework for both/and navigationReal-world case studies from IBM, Unilever, and PatagoniaThe link between paradox thinking and ancient Eastern and Indigenous philosophiesThis is a conversation that challenges your assumptions and offers tools to lead with greater compassion, nuance, and confidence, especially in times of uncertainty.Ready to reframe your next challenge not as a dilemma—but as an opportunity? Tune in now, and access the show notes at: www.wearehumanleaders.com/podcast/paradox-thinking-wendy-smith

Welcome to Brain Snacks: bite sized learning moments from We Are Human Leaders.In today’s brain snack, Morra Aarons Mele shares with us How to Turn Your Anxiety into a Superpower.For more, check out the full conversation with Morra right here https://www.wearehumanleaders.com/podcast/rethinkinganxietyFor now, enjoy!

In this incredible episode we’re discussing The Power of Mattering with Zach Mercurio. We admire Zach’s work, so much so he’s officially our first repeat guest on We Are Human Leaders! His poignant new book The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance is arguably one of the most needed in the world right now!In this conversation Zach shares with us the damning data on the state of work–despite the billions of dollars of investment made in employee engagement, retention, wellbeing, belonging, you name it–we’re more disengaged and unhappy than ever before. Why? Well because despite it all, we still don’t feel like we truly matter. And this is an innate human need that can’t be overlooked.Zach shares that “honing the skills to create a culture of significance is at the heart of revitalizing the health of our workplaces and workers.” We couldn’t agree more. Mattering is much more than a means to create productivity and engagement at work. It’s a way of making sure everyone knows that they are innately needed, unique and what they do matters to others. Mattering is a fundamental human needs for all of us, and for that reason alone should be motivation to prioritise it.Learn more about Zach Mercurio, and find his latest book here:Find Zach Mercurio on LinkedIn.Get your copy of The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance from Harvard Business Review Press here.

Welcome to Brain Snacks: bite sized learning moments from We Are Human Leaders.In today’s brain snack, Todd Kashdan shares with us the difference between productive and destructive disagreement, and how the labels we place on ourselves can stop us from truly understanding the perspectives of others.For more, check out the full conversation with Todd Kashdan right here https://www.wearehumanleaders.com/podcast/dissent-and-defy-todd-kashdanFor now, enjoy!

Burnout is a red hot topic right now and for good reason.The State of Workplace Burnout Report 2025 shows that 35% of us globally are experiencing burnout. In this episode my usual co-host Sally Clarke dons her researcher’s hat alongside Dr. John Chan as Co-Authors of the State of Workplace Burnout Report 2025. We discuss their very important research from the report. Now in its fifth year, it shines a very bright light on how outdated productivity metrics and expectations are keeping us stuck in burnout with lower productivity.In this conversation, I've asked Sally and John the hard questions:What impact does burnout have on our productivity?What are we getting so wrong about productivity and burnout?Despite the billions of dollars invested globally in wellbeing and burnout, these still such pervasive issues. Sally and John offer a comprehensive evidence backed set of answers to these questions, and they offer critical advice for leaders listening to fundamentally shift how we work to overcome them.SPOILER ALERT: Solving burnout is well within your control as a leader. This conversation is insightful and practical and exactly what all leaders need to hear right now. Learn more, and find links to the report at www.wearehumanleaders.com/podcast/burnout-productivity-john-chan-sally-clarke

Welcome to Brain Snacks: bite sized learning moments from We Are Human Leaders.In today’s brain snack, Garry Ridge shares with us the WD40 secret in achieving a 98% employee engagement rate, and how coaching your employees can radically shift how they view their job.For more, check out the full conversation with Garry Ridge right here https://www.wearehumanleaders.com/podcast/humancentredleaderFor now, enjoy!

Have you ever felt out of control in your career? Subject to the whims of your boss and internal politics?What if you could take back that power and drastically amplify your professional profile – in the space of a few simple, impactful conversations?Well, you can, by Managing Up. In this conversation we asked Melody Wilding, author of the brand new ‘Managing Up, How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge’ exactly how we can do this. In this conversation we explore some incredibly practical research-based ways you can shape key conversations with every leader you work with, to create great outcomes for you, your team and that leader – and help you feel a greater sense of agency over your work life. Melody Wilding is a professor of human behavior at Hunter College and was recently named one of Insider’s “most innovative career coaches.” Her background as a therapist and emotions researcher informs her unique approach, weaving evidence-based neuroscience and psychology with professional development. She is the author of Trust Yourself, and her latest book ‘Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge’.Learn more about Melody Wilding and find her book 'Managing Up' here: www.wearehumanleaders.com/podcast/managing-up-melody-wilding

Welcome to Brain Snacks: bite sized learning moments from We Are Human Leaders.In today’s brain snack, Iman Oubou shares with us how to end self sabotage and why this is so important for leaders at work and beyond.For more, check out the full conversation with Iman at the link here https://www.wearehumanleaders.com/podcast/episode8selfsabotageFor now, enjoy!

Remote, Hybrid, Return to Office—there are so many ways to work in 2025, and as the debate in popular media rages on it can feel utterly overwhelming to know how and where we actually work best.To help us wade through the mess of public discourse, and cut to the facts, we sat down with Stanford University Professor of Economics Nicolas Bloom whose research spans global geographies and focuses on helping us understand work from home, hybrid and office-based work, along with management best practices and uncertainty.And the answer to ‘what is the best way to work’? It’s kind of complicated.In this conversation we explore why work is complicated, and Nick presents his research on how hybrid work, done well, is the best answer we’ve currently got.We hope this conversation with Professor Nick Bloom will debunk some of your misconceptions around where and how we can work best. Nick’s research presents a compelling case for hybrid work, but even more importantly than simply mandating this, is making sure that the coordination of hybrid work is done well, getting clear on what work should be done together, and being explicit on performance metrics, such as outputs over desk monitoring is crucial in making time in the officer, together count.Want to learn more about Professor Nick Bloom and find his research, visit our shownotes: www.wearehumanleaders.com/podcast/remote-hybrid-office-professor-nick-bloomHave something to share about this episode? Share it with us on social media.