Learning to Fly

In this episode we talk with renowned leadership expert, public speaker, and author, Bob Bradley.
We delve into the nuances of leadership and the power of diversity, not only in terms of background and experience but also traditional diversity factors like race and gender.
Bob talks to us about everything from 'loneliness at the top' to the need for a safe space for leaders to discuss vulnerabilities and uncertainties.

This week we're joined by Common Wealth Games gold medalist, Sarina Sundara Rajah. Sarina shares her journey from competitive gymnastics to running a rhythmic gymnastics club since 2004. She emphasizes the challenges young athletes, especially in gymnastics, face regarding body image and societal pressures. Sarina discusses her compassionate leadership style and advocates for safe sports, sharing her experience in spearheading the Safe Sport movement in Malaysia.

She highlights the importance of a proactive approach in preventing abuse, recommending policies that limit one-on-one interactions and ensure observable and interruptible situations. Sarina also talks about evidence-based strategies for abuse prevention in sports, emphasizing the need for timely intervention.

Towards the end, Serena reflects on her coaching experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, resilience, and a growth mindset. She advises aspiring leaders to challenge the status quo, be rebels with a cause, and use their voices constructively for positive change. Serena envisions a safer sports culture and continues her advocacy work for comprehensive protection of children in sports.

In this episode of our host Ulrika Brunnerdials in for a conversation with Christine Amour-Levar.

The discussion revolves around the theme of embracing discomfort for personal and professional growth. Christine emphasizes the importance of curiosity, rating it beyond the scale, and narrates her experiences in venturing into unfamiliar territories, such as launching an NFT-based community in Singapore.

Get an inside look at the courage required to step out of your comfort zone. Hear about the significance of continuous learning, and the impact of leaving a legacy. Christine's commitment to inspiring other women, shines through as she encourages diverse career paths and alternative approaches to success.

Tune in to explore how embracing change, staying curious, and taking risks can lead to transformative leadership journeys.

Join us for an insightful episode as CEO of SweetRush, Andrei Hedstrom, discusses the intricate connections between learning and development in the corporate landscape. Explore the future of leadership, the influence of neuroscience on employee performance, and the thrilling possibilities that emerging technologies bring to crafting effective marketing strategies for corporations. Get ready for a deep dive into the realms of servant leadership, consciousness studies, and the transformative power of learning and development tailored for corporate success.

In the latest 'Learning to Fly' episode, Danny, an expert in leadership development, delves into the intricate fabric of workplace culture. Part 1 sets the stage by emphasizing the impact of organizational history and effective leadership. Tune in as Danny shares personal experiences and explores the delicate balance between shaping culture and nurturing learning environments.

In this two-part episode of 'Learning to Fly,' join Danny, a seasoned leadership development manager, as he shares insights on shaping workplace culture. Part 1 explores the pivotal role of history and leadership in defining an organization's culture. Stay tuned for Part 2 in a few weeks to delve deeper into actionable strategies.

In this episode, Mark Lewis, Head of People and Culture at Connectics, delves into the core of organizational growth. He discusses the vital link between people, capability, and the success of businesses. From navigating leadership challenges to fostering a culture of continuous learning, Mark shares invaluable insights. Join us for a thought-provoking kōrero which offers a holistic perspective on building thriving and resilient teams.

In this episode, Damien Woods, the Chapter Lead of Learning and Growing at 7-Eleven, discusses the development of a learning culture in an Agile business environment.

Damien emphasizes the importance of building habits and rituals, such as regular retrospectives and reflective practices, to foster a culture of continuous learning.

He highlights that Agile is not a one-size-fits-all approach and should be adapted to fit the unique characteristics of the organization. Damien encourages the mindset of constant improvement and adaptation in pursuit of a more agile and learning-focused culture.

In a special Learning to Fly episode we welcome Chris Maika, CEO of Māori eLearning and capability consultancy, Ruku ki te ako.

As a follow on from our most recent Inspire Connect events, Chris shares insights into embedding Te Ao Māori in organisations, emphasizing the importance of leadership engagement, understanding the organisation's why, and implementing a strategic direction. He highlights the need for a sustainable, long-term approach that involves both top-down and ground-up efforts.

The discussion also touches on the significance of Te Tiriti ō Waitangi, and the importance of meaningful embedding to avoid tokenism. Chris addresses concerns about disengagement, urging organisations to create a supportive environment where individuals feel safe to make mistakes and learn.

Links to resources discussed in the episode:

• Business Readiness Assessment (adapted from the Te Arawhiti Framework)
• Free eLearning Module - Pronouncing Māori Vowel Sounds

Join your host (and our New Zealand CEO), Aidan Stoate, as he has a kōrero with the agent of change, Digby Scott.

Digby's superpower is bringing people together to create high-trust, deep-learning environments. He geeks out on making the complex simple (but not simplistic).

His perspectives on leadership and change are what made him the perfect guest to kick off the revitalisation of our Learning To Fly podcast.

Enjoy!

We dialled in for a kōrero with Gemma Sides, the Kaiwhakatere for Inspire Group. We discussed 'Decolonising Ohu Inspire' which is an internal initiative—now in it's third year at Inspire Group—which is focused on helping the organisation become better Treaty partners, and develop better, more inclusive learning for their clients. Gemma shares the what, why and how, of Decolonising Ohu Inspire as well as sharing tips for organisations looking to embark on a similar journey.