I’ve had so many conversations lately about people who are fed up with their job or their teams. They’re trapped on the treadmill of life and don’t pause to reflect on who they are becoming. It’s increasingly common in our fast-paced lives, and the question arises - When was the last time you looked in the mirror and genuinely liked the person staring back at you?

I’m not talking about what you’re wearing or how your hair looks, I want you to look deeper than that. Are you truly happy with the life you are living? It’s a simple exercise but incredibly powerful. It prompts us to evaluate our behaviors, decisions, and impacts on others, so we can make choices that better resonate with our true selves.

I’ve used this exercise many times in my life, during periods of struggle. Most recently, during my cancer diagnosis, I wasn’t happy with how I was living. I was so angry at the people who misdiagnosed me and at the situation as a whole. I was going down a dark hole but through introspection, I was able to confront this anger and find a path to positive healing energy.

It’s also an incredibly helpful exercise for leaders. It’s easy to make small compromises to suit our teams or organisations, but this adds up over time and we can lose track of ourselves. Thankfully, with consistent self-awareness, we can keep our values, priorities, and choices aligned with the person we aspire to be.

So, the next time you gaze into the mirror, pause and ask yourself - Are you happy with who is staring back at you? Embrace the discomfort that comes with self-reflection, for it is in those moments of vulnerability that true growth occurs.

Remember, change is a gradual process, but every step towards aligning with your authentic self brings you closer to a life of fulfillment.

LINKS

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today I’m joined by the wonderful and inspiring Jo Gaines, a seasoned professional who has worked in the technology and media sector for over two decades. Jo's career journey has seen her work for high-profile companies including CBS, Krux, Yahoo and more recently, as Area Vice President of Salesforce. Jo is also a dedicated mother-of-two and a fierce advocate for equality, lending her support as an ambassador for women's shelters. She shares with us her journey through hardship to finding resilience and how changing her mindset helped reshape her story.

Through facing a challenging turning point in her career due to redundancy, Jo embarked on a transformative journey of self-discovery that saw her turn to practices such as weight training, breathwork and meditation. She shares the new mindset she adopted through these practices, and how her determination to thrive in the face of uncertainty led to a completely new outlook on life.

In our conversation, Jo shares the grief she experienced when her role at Salesforce came to an end, and how lost she felt when it came to her future. However, she notes there are two choices we can make when it comes to facing adversity. Either we can see it as a downfall, or treat it as an opportunity to expand. Jo chose the latter, and decided to view this new path as one she was destined to be on.

Resilience can often be misunderstood as a suppression of emotions or ignoring our problems. However, we define what resilience really is and discuss its ability to help effectively manage our thoughts and feelings. Jo believes that releasing control and trusting everything will eventually work out can free us from fear and the temptation to give up.

We talk about how navigating through our own life challenges produces empathy, and when we view others through this lens, we become more effective leaders. Recognising that everyone experiences change, particularly in a post-pandemic world, we’re able to rally with our team and prioritise their wellbeing. How can we communicate in a way that resonates for each individual? How do we lead in a way that not only gets them through, but also builds resilience?

Jo also shares her shift in perspective that inspired her to live more fully in the present and pursue the passions that had been sitting on the backburner for too long. She talks about the bucket list she created and the importance of making time and space in life to achieve each goal.

Jo's story is a powerful testament to the transformation resilience can create, and the potential for growth when we embrace change with gratitude. I just know you’ll be as inspired as I was by Jo’s incredible wisdom, and hope you find confidence to implement strategies for a full and rewarding life in leadership and beyond.

LINKS

Connect with Jo Gaines

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/jogaines

Instagram: @gogaino

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of people have been asking me recently about my motivation for writing my latest book, You Always Have a Choice. Anyone who has written a book will know that every piece of work is incredibly personal so today I’m sharing my reasons behind writing this book and the impact I hope it will have on those who read it.

My Epiphany in the Mirror

During my battle with cancer, I experienced a transformative moment that changed everything. I had been misdiagnosed twice, which led to my final diagnosis being stage three cancer, meaning that the cancer had spread. I was so angry and I wanted revenge for this incredible pain and trauma I was going through.

One day I looked in the mirror and I didn't necessarily like the person staring back at me. I questioned who I was and who I wanted to be and I said to myself, “you always have a choice”. I could go down the victim path and sink into a deep hole of anger and blame. Or, I could choose to lead myself through the darkness in the best way I possibly could. Thankfully, I chose the latter and that’s when my mindset completely changed.

Choosing to Lead

I decided to take control of my life story. Instead of giving in to despair, I chose to guide myself through the challenges ahead. I had so many tools and techniques available to me, things that I had used in my coaching and workshops, and when I started applying them to myself, I really started noticing the difference. My mindset completely changed and I was determined to beat cancer and live a life of empowerment.

Advocating for Myself

One of the biggest lessons I learned throughout my cancer journey, and am still learning now, is to advocate for myself. When you feel out of control, it’s vital that you speak up and begin to use your voice. This is something I write about in my book, to help you position yourself in an authentic way so that you can be seen and heard. We’re not necessarily born with resilience and confidence. These are things that need to be cultivated.

Tools and Techniques to Empower Others

I speak with so many people who are overwhelmed, angry and heading towards burnout but I want to empower them with practical tools to help them navigate whatever it is they are facing in the best possible way. Everyone is faced with challenges in life, in our careers and in business, but what matters is how we respond. We always have a choice to lead our lives on purpose. Life is too short to do it any other way.

LINKS

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, I’m bringing you what is potentially one of my favourite podcast episodes, which is all about being the CEO of you. I’m deeply passionate about this topic and even wrote a whole chapter around it in my book, You Always Have a Choice. In this episode, we explore the decisions we can make and questions to ask ourselves in order to become the best leaders - of ourselves and others - we can be.

Embracing the CEO Mindset

Being the CEO of you is a mindset, and one of courage that requires you to step up and make strategic decisions to lead a life that you love. And to lead a life that is in complete alignment to your vision, values and the experience you want to have, you need to get really clear on your vision. Ask yourself: Where am I going in my career, my business and my relationships? How do I want to feel? How can I energise myself to live the best life I possibly can? Remember, knowledge is power. And when you choose to do something with that knowledge, that’s when your power comes into play.

Making Courageous Choices

While many people believe they can't be leaders, it really comes down to making a choice. Will you make the choices necessary to effectively lead your own life? Leadership is all about taking courageous action, and as Maya Angelou beautifully put it, “stand up straight and realise who you are, that you tower over your circumstances”. I discuss the power of making strategic and brave decisions in all areas of your life, from relationships to work dynamics.

Self-Awareness is Key

Effectively, you need self-awareness around how you lead your life, how you experience it and how you impact others before you can be a great leader of anyone else. I take you through the technique I use with my own clients, which involves asking yourself three questions at the end of each day to really evaluate how you performed as a leader. This isn’t an opportunity to beat yourself up; it’s a powerful exercise in giving you critical insights into yourself and improving - as the leader, the partner, the parent or friend.

So join me today and learn some powerful tactics that will fuel and enable you to be the most effective CEO of you.

LINKS

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you find it hard to speak up in the workplace, as well as in your personal life? If so, it’s clear that you are not alone.

Studies show that the rate of women experiencing burnout at work has grown to 42%, with men at 30%. Why is this happening? I believe that a huge part of the problem is that people are too tired or lack the confidence to speak up for themselves when too much is being expected of them.

Today, I’m talking about the incredibly important idea of digging deep and using your voice. I share with you how I did that in one of my darkest moments, and encourage you to use your own voice to lead you through life’s challenges and towards opportunity.

In my previous roles as a leader, I noticed that if I didn’t raise some of the issues I was observing, I'm not sure that the people impacted by them would have spoken up. It made me wonder: Did I not have the level of trust with them? Or is speaking up just something that they're just not used to?

If you’re struggling to use your voice to address an issue in your life, I encourage you to look inside and ask yourself why. Whether it’s societal, cultural or a confidence issue, there will be something deep down for you that is preventing you from taking a stand. I also talk about the practical side of sharing your message, such as giving it at an unemotional time and with a healthy amount of detachment.

I take you through three tips to help you effectively position yourself in using your voice authentically and building trust:

1. Know what you do and don’t stand for
2. Connect to your values
3. Take action using practical strategies

Speaking up for yourself isn’t easy at first, but remember: practice is progress. If you just start doing it, whether it’s at home, work or out in society, you’ll soon feel empowered to use your voice where and when it really matters.

LINKS

Resources mentioned: Daring Greatly by Brené Brown

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do we work in a way that is sustainable and avoids burnout, while still being successful? This is a difficult question for women to answer, with a 2023 survey of Australian working women finding that 54% reported increased levels in stress. Another 30% experienced ongoing burnout and 16% left their jobs in 2022 citing lack of flexibility.

Today, I’m joined by the wonderful Jo Wagstaff, internationally renowned leadership coach and speaker. She has worked with many premier Australian and global firms to support thousands of professionals to embrace the power of conscious, authentic leadership. Jo has recently written her book, Lead Like You, a roadmap for women to lead more authentic and fulfilling lives. In this episode, we’re talking about just that.

Jo takes us through her earlier years of working in the corporate world, where she seemingly had it all. However, a pivotal moment in her life (at a party hosted by James Packer, no less!), along with a season of loss and grief, caused her to step away. We hear about the following messy years, where she became a person and mother she wasn’t proud of, and how she made the conscious decision to change her life.

We talk about the limiting beliefs formed in childhood that often drive us to overwork as adults. Jo talks about how writing her book helped her unpack how her experiences shaped her, and how she found self-acceptance on the journey.

So many of us struggle to find true meaning in our lives. We’re overloaded by society’s expectations on how to be, work and raise children. Jo talks about the importance of self-reflection, boundary-setting and values alignment to combat this. She also believes it’s not just about leaning in; it's about knowing when to step back and breathe.

There's no question that this world needs successful women. Those breaking glass ceilings, sitting at the top of the decision making tree and helping to develop the world that we want to live in. For Jo, it's about how to make them successful in a way that still feels meaningful.

Her motto? Know yourself, care for yourself and be yourself. What is really driving you? As Jo says: our greatest strengths, when overplayed, become our greatest weaknesses. So join us today as we uncover the secrets to combating burnout and finding our true, authentic purpose in life.

LINKS

Connect with Jo:

Book: Lead Like You

Website: https://jowagstaff.com/

Instagram: @jowagstaffofficial

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a tendency for so many leaders to constantly want more, do more and strive to be more. But what happens when we continue to forge ahead without ever slowing down?

I know firsthand how operating like this can lead to burnout. So today, I’m talking about an incredibly important yet undervalued strategy that will get you the results you want: taking pause.

While it may seem counterintuitive to stop and breathe in the midst of all the busyness, it’s often the very thing we need to be able to keep going - and improving. I talk about the benefits of pressing the pause button, such as giving your brain a break from overthinking, enabling yourself to process the chaos and reducing overwhelm.

By stepping back from the constant busyness in our work and personal lives, we create space for self-awareness and enhance our capacity for growth. I encourage you to develop a daily practice in setting aside time to breathe, reflect and reconnect with your centre.

A simple breathwork practice can work wonders to calm your nervous system, and I take you through a breathing technique you can implement in your routine to ground yourself when you’re in overwhelm.

I also share with you 5 practical tips to effectively press the pause button:

1. Pick your quiet time
2. Set the length of time for your pause
3. Find your solitude
4. Remove distractions
5. Sit with the silence

Taking pause is not just a valuable strategy to enhance your performance and that of your team; it’s a mindset shift that will empower you to choose how you show up in the world, both as a leader and an individual.

So join me today and learn the tools and techniques to help you become the most resilient and effective leader you can be.

LINKS

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.