Dig Deeper

Have you ever stood in front of a room with your heart thumping in your ears? Or walked away from a moment knowing you should have spoken up, and didn't?Fear runs more of our leadership than we like to admit. Powering through it works for a while, until it doesn't. Getting specific about what's actually going on underneath is where the real shift starts.In this solocast I share a three-part framework I've used for years to work with my own fear, especially before walking onto a stage: name it, frame it, tame it. It's simple, and it applies to all the everyday moments where the stakes feel higher than they probably are.Here's what I get into:The moment before I addressed a large audience for the first time, and what was actually running through my headWhy putting words to a feeling changes what your brain does nextThe difference between fears that are about survival and fears that are about social standingWhy the worst case version we play in our heads rarely shows up in real lifeA small action that builds more real confidence than another round of rehearsalWhy naming your fears out loud builds trust with the people you leadReferencesFear - Name It Frame It Tame It worksheetStart Close In | David WhyteCheck out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if the leadership model you've inherited is the very thing standing between your team and its potential? Most of us have experienced at least once what it feels like when a team is genuinely alive. When trust is in the room. When leadership moves around naturally, and people show up as their whole selves. And yet for most leaders, most of the time, the unspoken hope remains that the right person will arrive with the right answers and fix things. We race straight to task. We skip the human stuff. We declare a safe space and wonder why trust is still so hard to build, and so easy to lose.What if there's a fundamentally different way of meeting each other? One that's not just a nice idea, but a proven strategy for performance under the kind of pressure that matters most?In this conversation, Christian Penny brings a frame that has been tested across thousands of years on the marae and refined through decades of applying it in drama schools, Olympic programmes, and elite Super Rugby environments. It's a frame where presence and people come before task, not as an indulgence, but as the very investment that pays off when the pressure is on. Where leadership isn't a position but a question: what does this moment require, and who in the room can answer it? And where your distinct strengths, the things that only you bring, aren't optional extras but the contribution your team is quietly waiting for you to own.Christian Penny is one of New Zealand's most quietly radical leadership thinkers. A former Director of Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School, co-architect of the Ruku Ao leadership programme for senior public sector leaders, and a current adviser to the Hurricanes Super Rugby team and the Black Ferns Sevens, Christian has spent his career asking a single question across wildly different performance contexts: what really creates the conditions where people and performance can thrive? Drawing on Māori frameworks, the craft of theatre, and years at the edge of elite sport, he brings a practice that bridges indigenous wisdom and contemporary leadership with uncommon depth and warmth.In this episode, you will discover:How the myth of the hero leader persists even when we know it doesn't work, and what the marae offers as a practical, tested alternativeWhy putting people before task isn't soft leadership, it's the investment that pays off under the most intense pressureHow "go slow to go fast" transforms team performance precisely when it counts mostWhy alignment is often a fantasy, and how learning to use each other's difference is the real leadership skillHow to ask the question that changes the room: "What does this moment require, and who can lead us here?"Why trust is emergent, not declared, and what that means for how you build it deliberatelyHow knowing and naming your strengths doesn't just make you more potent, it makes life easier for everyone around youWhy courage, not confidence, is the real prerequisite for stepping up, and how that reframe changes everythingTimestamps:(00:00) - The Myth of the Hero Leader(10:25) - Presence Over Task in Leadership(17:26) - The Shift from Hero to Host Leadership(23:31) - Emergent Leadership and Dynamic Teams(30:01) - Overcoming Resistance to New Leadership Models(36:37) - The Importance of Small Victories in LeadershipOther references:Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama SchoolRuku Ao leadership programmeManutūkē Marae, RongowhakaataHigh Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ)The HurricanesBlack Ferns SevensDigby Scott's Superpowers exerciseYou can find Christian at:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-penny-54016515/Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

You're across everything. The problems, the people, the pressure. And somehow, no matter how much you get through, there's always another thing popping up that needs your attention. Sound familiar?In this episode, Digby explores what it actually means to have a leadership identity and why most leaders are defining theirs by accident, one reactive moment at a time. Drawing on William James's observation that the ability to bring back a wandering attention is the very root of judgement and character, he makes the case that where you direct your focus is not a time management question. It's an identity question.In this episode, we cover:Why reactive leadership is like playing whack-a-mole and what it costs you over timeThe difference between solving problems and building the systems that make fewer problems inevitableHow to define a leadership identity that guides your decisions before the pressure hitsA practical exercise to help you name your purpose and start leading from itThe one question that cuts through the noise: what do you need to build so your team can thrive without you?Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

You've built the career. You've hit the milestones, earned the respect, ticked the boxes that once seemed so far away. And yet there's a quiet discomfort underneath it all. Something that's hard to name but hard to ignore. A sense that the achievements are real, and yet something at the heart of it is still missing. I wonder if that feeling is more common among successful leaders than any of us let on.What if the thing that's missing isn't another goal, a bigger title, or a smarter strategy, but a deeper sense of what your leadership is actually for? In this conversation, Prina Shah and I explore the idea that legacy isn't something you earn at the end of a long career and hand it over at your farewell function. It's something you can build right now, today, with this team, on this project. We also get into what it really means to manage your energy rather than just your time, and what it looks like to step back from heroic leadership and build something that genuinely doesn't depend entirely on you.Prina Shah is a coach, consultant, trainer, speaker, and the author of Make Work Meaningful: How to Create a Culture That Leaves a Legacy. She's spent years working alongside executives who have achieved extraordinary things, and she asks the question most leaders are too busy to sit with: what's missing from a heart perspective? In this conversation, we explore:How to reframe legacy as something you leave every single day, not a footnote reserved for the end of a careerWhy leaders who carry that nagging sense of something missing often haven't yet defined what will actually fulfil themHow shifting from ambition to meaning changes the quality of decisions you makeWhy managing your energy rather than your time is the more honest path to sustained performanceHow a simple "door framing" practice can keep you genuinely present across a day of back-to-back meetingsWhy becoming the indispensable go-to in your organisation might be the thing quietly holding your team backHow building a learning culture inside your team creates resilience that doesn't depend on you to sustain itWhy the question "what important things have no action steps attached to them?" might be the most useful one you haven't been askingTimestamps:(00:00) - Reframing Legacy: A Daily Consideration(05:00) - The Missing Piece: Fulfilment Beyond Achievements(12:06) - Energy Management: The Key to Effective Leadership(18:06) - Creating a Learning Culture: Empowering Teams(25:00) - Breaking the Bottleneck: Trusting Your Team(32:12) - Redefining Work: Balancing Leadership and ReflectionOther references:Make Work Meaningful: How to Create a Culture That Leaves a Legacy — Prina ShahWays to Change Your Workplace Podcast — Prina Shah (host)Simon SinekSeth Godin — "work is not working""Becoming the Boss" — Linda A. Hill, Harvard Business Review (January 2007)Prina's self-coaching journalYou can find Prina at:Website: https://www.prinashah.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prinashah/Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

Have you ever missed the moment? Something shifted in a conversation or a meeting, and by the time you noticed, you were already playing catch up. In a world that's systematically eroding our capacity for sustained attention, how do we stay genuinely tuned in when it matters most?This episode introduces a practical framework for sharpening your attention in the room. Drawing on the work of philosopher Simone Weil, who called attention the rarest form of generosity, Digby explores why treating attention as a deliberate leadership practice is one of the most powerful things you can do right now.In this episode, we cover:Why our capacity for sustained attention is under serious pressure and what that means for leadersThe four lenses of attention: personal, relational, directional, and contextualHow to read what's happening in a room and respond well when it countsPractical ways to apply each lens in your next conversation or meetingThree reflection questions to help you identify which lens you lean on and which you tend to neglectOther referencesStolen Focus | Johan HariFour Lenses DownloadHow to Read the Room Blog versionCheck out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if the friction in your team isn't a strategy problem? What if it isn't a structure problem either? What if it's a conversation you've been avoiding, a truth no one has been willing to name, or simply the widening gap between what gets said in the meeting room and what gets said in the corridor afterwards?Most leaders invest enormous energy into policy, process, and planning, trusting that the culture will follow. But culture isn't built in documents. It's built in the thousands of conversations happening, or not happening, every single day.Emma Gibbens is a strategic communications expert, author of Anatomy of Conversation, and someone who has spent her career helping leaders and organisations have the honest, courageous conversations that actually shift things. With a background in international political campaigning across multiple countries and cultures, Emma brings a rare combination of directness and warmth. She understands, from the inside, how conversations can build bridges or quietly erode them and she's passionate about what becomes possible when we stop avoiding what most needs to be said.In this episode, you'll explore:How conversations function as the invisible infrastructure of culture, shaping what's possible long before strategy is ever implementedWhy the cost of silence can be just as damaging as the cost of brutal honesty, and what leaders consistently underestimate about bothHow to distinguish constructive honesty from brutal honesty, and why the difference lives in intention rather than contentWhy creating a deliberate, structured container for difficult conversations is far more effective than letting them seep into gossip and corridor chatterHow awareness of power dynamics transforms the conversations you lead, and what stepping out of the content and into the role of host actually looks likeWhy knowing what you want, and preparing your energy, matters as much as anything you say in a difficult conversationHow fitting in and belonging are not the same thing, and what it takes to build cultures where people bring their full selvesReferences:Brené Brown: Belonging vs Fitting InAdam Grant: The "Mount Stupid" ModelMurmurations (Starlings)Georgia Murch EpisodeOscar Trimboli EpisodeAnatomy of a Conversation | Emma GibbensWhite Paper | Emma GibbensTimestamps:(00:00) - Conversations as Cultural Infrastructure(21:24) - Conversations as Core Business Process(28:45) - Creating a Feedback-Rich Culture(29:59) - The Role of Conversation Containers(32:10) - Power Dynamics in Conversations(40:11) - Resolving Friction Through ConversationYou can find Emma at:Website: www.emmagibbens.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-gibbens/Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

How many leadership books have you read this year? Now here's the harder question: how many hours have you spent genuinely studying the people you lead?For most leaders, there's a significant gap between those two answers. And that gap, more than almost anything else, explains leadership failure. The best leaders don't just consume content about leadership. They become students of humanity, curious, patient, and unrelenting in their effort to understand what makes people tick.In this episode, you'll discover why reading the room matters more than reading the latest leadership title, how Harvard researcher Amy Edmondson's work on psychological safety points back to how well leaders understand fear in human beings, and why calibrating yourself is every bit as important as reading others.You'll walk away with:Why the gap between leadership learning and people-studying is costing you and your teamThe two directions of study that every effective leader needs to develop: outward and inwardWhat Peter Drucker's landmark Harvard Business Review essay "Managing Oneself" tells us about the rigour of self-knowledgeA surfing metaphor that reframes what it means to lead with fluency rather than forceFour practical ideas you can start using today to become a more astute student of the people around youThe distinction between caring about your people and actually studying themWhether you're leading a large organisation or a small team, this episode is an invitation to treat the people around you as your greatest source of learning. Because you can't read the room if you don't know how you distort it.Check out my services and offerings at https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter at https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

Have you ever stopped to consider that the image you project as a capable, in-control leader might actually be the very thing keeping your people from truly connecting with you? There's a particular kind of isolation that comes with always having it together. And if you're honest with yourself, I wonder how much energy it costs you to maintain that facade and what it might be costing the people around you too.What if the shift that changes everything in your leadership isn't about acquiring more knowledge or developing another competency, but about letting go of the performance? This episode is an exploration of what becomes possible when leaders trade the polished, textbook version of themselves for something more real. We dig into the relationship between authenticity and energy, vulnerability and performance, and why learning together with your team might be the most underrated leadership practice available to you right now. What's possible here when you stop trying to be the one with all the answers?Rita Cincotta is a leadership expert, coach, and consultant with 25 years of experience supporting leaders across Australia. She's the founder of The Deliberate Leader, author of two books on leadership, and is currently pursuing a PhD to rigorously test whether deliberate leadership is genuinely distinct from other leadership approaches. Rita brings rare intellectual depth and disarming human warmth to this conversation and she models everything she talks about, right from the first moment. In this episode, you'll explore:How the image of having it all together can quietly push your people further awayWhy reconnecting with your purpose as a leader is the source of the energy your team needs from youHow a single piece of feedback, being called a "textbook reader" and became a turning point in how Rita ledWhy psychological safety isn't just a culture initiative, but a daily practice that starts with youHow leading with an L plate changes the dynamic between you and your team in profound waysWhy balancing empathy with performance becomes easier, not harder, when you lead human firstHow vulnerability at a senior level creates a ripple effect that lifts the energy of an entire teamWhy contributing to the learning of others not having the answers is where lasting leadership impact livesTimestamps:(00:00) - The Burden of Perception(10:10) - The Shift to Authenticity(20:47) - Embracing Vulnerability in Leadership(26:47) - Human First: Balancing Performance and Empathy(30:06) - The Messiness of Life and Leadership(36:39) - Learning Together: The Power of ContributionOther ReferencesYou are how you lead | Rita CincottaSwinburne University of TechnologyManaaki Tāngata | Victim Support NZHome and Away TV ShowMike House Podcast EpisodeJames McCulloch Podcast EpisodeDeal In Energy Blog Upgrade your Identity BlogForget Time Management, Master These Disciplines Instead BlogLeading Lasting ImpactYou can find Rita at:Website: https://thedeliberateleader.com.au/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rita-cincotta-80a1263/Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

Have you ever left an interaction at work feeling genuinely seen? And when did you last create that feeling for someone else?Most leaders focus on strategy, capability, and performance. But the ones who build real loyalty, the ones whose people genuinely want to show up for, tend to share something far simpler: they pay attention to the human stuff. The greeting. The name. That moment of genuine connection in an otherwise ordinary day.This episode starts with a story from an ordinary morning in a coffee shop that stopped me in my tracks. It's a story about two places, two very different choices, and what it reveals about the kind of leader you're choosing to be every single day.You'll discover why attention, not talent or strategy, is the real currency of trust, how the smallest interactions shape loyalty more than most leaders realise, and why making people feel seen doesn't require anything extraordinary. It just requires intention.I'll walk you through:Why the difference between a leader people want to follow and one they don't often has nothing to do with skill or resourcesHow a headmaster in a school of 900 kids used one simple practice to shape the people around himThe distinction between doing excellent work and giving people your attention — and why both matterTwo honest questions to sit with about how seen you make your people feelWhy this doesn't need to be big stuff — it just needs to be human stuffWhether you're leading a large organisation or a small team, this episode is a gentle reminder that the most impactful thing you can do today might take less than thirty seconds.Check out my services and offerings at https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter at https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if the strategies gathering dust in your organisation aren't the problem, but rather the shadow strategies everyone's actually following? You know the ones. The unspoken "work harder, work longer, make more money" approach that contradicts your official commitment to innovation and people-centred leadership. That tension between what you say you're doing and what's actually happening costs more than productivity. It costs truth. And when organisations can't tell themselves the truth about what's really going on, they plateau in ways that feel both frustrating and invisible.This conversation explores a different way forward, one that honours healthy friction over comfort, embodied wisdom over abstract strategy, and possibility over certainty. Melissa Clark-Reynolds brings a rare combination of street-smart entrepreneurship and rigorous futures thinking to help leaders navigate complexity with both imagination and pragmatism. Melissa is a street smart futurist who started university at 15, built and sold multiple tech companies, and was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the tech sector. She's trained at Stanford's Institute for the Future and the UK's School for International Futures, bringing both rigorous methodology and practical wisdom to her work with organisations navigating uncertain futures. In this conversation, you'll discover:How to identify the "shadow strategy" your organisation is actually following beneath the official one, and why naming this incongruence is the first step toward real transformationWhy living in possibility rather than certainty opens more pathways forward than any five-year plan, and what questions like "I wonder" and "how might we" make possibleHow embodied strategy reveals truths that spreadsheets and presentations hide, and what happens when teams physically experience the difference between growth, transformation, and collapseWhy curiosity combined with commitment to excellence creates the conditions for continuous improvement, rather than the confident mediocrity that keeps organisations stuckHow to reframe the past as an empowering platform rather than a weight to escape from, particularly through bicultural and indigenous perspectives on whakapapa and timeWhat it means to find your tribe, the people who challenge you with love and compassion, see something more in you, and give you invitations to greatness rather than comfortable reinforcementWhy effective leadership means knowing whether you want to be right or you want to be effective, and how bringing the full triangle of inspirers, doers, planners, and storytellers creates sustainable impactHow to embrace your outlierness as a superpower rather than moderating yourself into mediocrity, and why the world needs the juiciness of your weirdnessOther References:Elisabeth Kübler-RossSohail InayatullahJennifer Garvey BergerDavid Snowden - Cynefin frameworkInstitute for the FutureStanford UniversitySchool for International FuturesCultivating LeadershipCasual Layered Analysis FrameworkEpisode 22 with Jennifer Garvey BergerEpisode 26 with Kirsten PattersonEpisode 17 with Derek SiversTimestamps:(00:00) - The Power of Healthy Friction(13:32) - Finding Your Tribe(20:39) - Embodying Strategy in Organisations(25:12) - Incongruence in Organisational Strategies(30:23) - Living in Possibility: Leadership Mindset(32:27) - Reframing Time: Past, Present, and FutureYou can find Melissa at:Website: https://www.melissaclarkreynolds.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissaclarkr/Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

Do you have a network? Of course you do. But is it the one you actually need? For most leaders, the honest answer is probably not — and it's not because you don't care about relationships. It's because you've never thought about them quite this way.In this episode, I explore why the word "networking" can feel a bit icky, and why that reaction might be costing you the impact you're trying to create. I share a simple but powerful framework for thinking about the nine distinct roles people can play in your network, and why having a balanced set of those relationships, deliberately cultivated, can accelerate your progress and keep you grounded while you do it.In this episode, you'll discover:Why leaders often resist building networks and what's really behind that resistanceThe nine distinct roles people can play in your network (and why balance matters)What a "door opener" and a "critical friend" actually look like in practiceWhy the quality of your relationships, not the size of your network, determines your impactHow to start assessing the strength of your own network using a free diagnostic toolReferences:Network Diagnostic Mike House Podcast EpisodeCheck out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if the moment you're told you've lost your job isn't the time to narrow your focus, but to widen it? When everything in you is screaming to grab control, shore up certainty, and solve the problem immediately, what would it take to do the opposite? To put down your phone, pick up your camera, and walk into the unfamiliar streets of a city that feels both beautiful and unsafe?This conversation with Dr. Chris McKeown invites us into a different way of understanding leadership under pressure. Chris is both a photographer and an energy consultant—a combination that might seem random until you realise that both practices are about the same thing: knowing where to put your attention, understanding depth of field, and recognising that widening the aperture lets in more light.When Chris lost his employment contract while sitting in Havana, he didn't rush to fix it. He grabbed his camera and walked. What he discovered wasn't distraction—it was something far more powerful. The neuroscience of awe. The practice of presence. And the recognition that our nervous systems are so jacked up by algorithms, back-to-back Zoom meetings, and the relentless pressure to perform, that we've forgotten how to stop.Here's what you'll discover:How widening the aperture—literally and metaphorically—helps you lead through uncertainty more effectively than controlling every detailWhy forcing yourself to stop isn't a luxury but essential infrastructure for doing hard things as leadersHow the anterior cingulate cortex connects awe experiences to empathy, compassion, and the ability to make difficult decisionsWhy successful CEOs all have "opposite worlds"—creative practices outside work that aren't optionalHow back-to-back meetings compound stress in your autonomic nervous system in ways your conscious mind doesn't registerWhy "holding space" for others might be more powerful than solving their problemsHow Chris's photography creates lasting impact in hospital rooms—and what that teaches us about legacy beyond our presenceWhy the simple practice of looking up activates the default mode network and changes how you thinkOther ReferencesThe Creative Act: A Way of Being | Rick RubinThe Mindful Body: Thinking Our Way to Chronic Health | Ellen LangerAtomic Habits | James ClearReligion for Atheists: A Non-believer's Guide to the Uses of Religion | Alain de BottonStolen Focus | Johann HariPeak Experiences & Hierarchy of Needs | Abraham MaslowAnterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC)Katie Hair Career CoachingKatie Hair Podcast EpisodeTe Papa MuseumChris’s substackTimestamps:(00:00) - Creative Clarity in Old Havana(08:52) - Widening the Aperture: Leadership Lessons(14:24) - The Challenge of Attention in Modern Life(19:45) - The Neuroscience of Awe and Leadership(23:11) - The Importance of Creative Outlets for Leaders(36:14) - The Impact of Art and Photography in Healing SpacesYou can find Chris at:Website: nzenergyconsultants.comPhotography: chrismckeown.photographyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismckeown/Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

When Mike House said "mentoring is any interaction that has the possibility of a disproportionate long lasting impact," something shifted for me. Not a formal programme. Not a monthly calendar booking. Just any moment where you notice something worth naming and find the courage to say it.Yet we've made mentoring too formal, too time-intensive, and frankly, too heavy. We think it requires being the guru with all the answers, which means we miss the moments that actually matter.This episode introduces five practical roles that any leader at any level can play to create those moments of disproportionate impact. Not theory. Not the corporate version of mentoring that looks good in annual reports but doesn't change much. Just ways of showing up that help others grow their capability.I'll walk you through:Why mentoring isn't about knowledge transfer but about creating conditions where growth becomes almost inevitableThe People Developer role: how to listen deeply, ask powerful questions, and challenge respectfully without diminishing confidenceThe Cheerleader role: reflecting back people's brilliance when the daily grind makes them lose sight of their own capabilityThe Path Clearer role: removing unnecessary friction and helping people navigate organizational politics more easilyThe Door Opener role: using your network and position to create opportunities that would otherwise remain invisible or out of reachThe Context Provider role: showing the bigger picture so people can transform isolated decisions into strategic movesWhich role to focus on first and how to practice it without adding hours to your calendarThis isn't about adding another development programme to your already long list of initiatives. It's about recognizing that if you're serious about leading lasting impact—about creating organizations that don't depend on you being the hero—then mentoring is how you build systems that think without you, adapt without you, and continue creating value long after you've moved on.Whether you're formally mentoring one person or trying to build a culture where everyone develops everyone else, this framework will help you notice what's happening around you and choose to engage with it in ways that grow others' capability.References:Download the Five Ways to Mentor One-Pager: https://digbyscott.com/mentorrolesEpisode referenced: 55. Chasing Certainty, Guerrilla Mindfulness, and Teachable Moments | Mike House - https://dig-deeper.captivate.fm/episode/interview-chasing-certainty-guerrilla-mindfulness-and-teachable-moments-mike-houseEpisode referenced: 50. Listening beyond words and choosing what to say no to | Oscar Trimboli - https://dig-deeper.captivate.fm/episode/50-listening-beyond-words-and-choosing-what-to-say-no-to-oscar-trimboliSolocast referenced: Four Questions That Change Everything - https://dig-deeper.captivate.fm/episode/43-the-four-questions-that-transform-leadership-conversations-what-what-is-what-if-and-what-nowCheck out my services and offerings at https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter at https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if chasing certainty is actually making you less certain? Most leaders look outward for stability when everything's shifting, but that external focus keeps them perpetually off-balance. When the environment refuses to cooperate with our need for predictability, where do we turn?This conversation explores a different kind of certainty: the kind that lives inside your team's clarity about who they are, not just what they do. Mike House brings an unexpected lens to leadership development, drawing from 20 years as a survival instructor watching people navigate genuine uncertainty in the outback. He's discovered that the same principles that help someone thrive when stranded with a soapbox-sized survival kit apply when we're leading through complexity. What's possible when we shift from seeking certainty in circumstances to building it through identity and practice?Mike spent two decades running what National Geographic called "the toughest thing outside the military anywhere in the world," dropping people into the Australian outback with minimal resources. Now he helps leaders and organisations navigate uncertainty by developing what matters most: the ability to respond rather than react, to spot moments of disproportionate impact, and to create systems that don't need them. He challenges conventional thinking about development, and shows that the most powerful growth often happens in 30-second exchanges we're walking right past.In this conversation, you'll discover:• How guerrilla mindfulness, a three-breath practice, can shift your leadership in moments of pressure• Why looking for certainty in the environment will always leave you more uncertain• What makes brief mentoring moments more powerful than formal development programmes• How the gap between circumstance and response is trainable, not fixed• Why the best mentors might be those creating systems that don't need them• What survival priorities can teach us about leading through uncertainty• How to develop the courage to act on teachable moments when you spot them• Why purpose and identity create more certainty than any strategic planTimestamps:(00:00) - Navigating Uncertainty in Leadership(17:44) - The Power of Mentoring Moments(32:12) - Adaptability in Uncertainty(35:24) - Survival Skills for Business(39:42) - Creating Conditions for Growth(43:27) - Identifying Teachable MomentsOther References:Pilbara RegionBox BreathingEmotions wheelfMRI (Functional Resonance Imaging)The Five B’s for Thriving at WorkYou can find Mike at:Website: mikehouse.com.auLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themikehouse/Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

When Mark Carney stood up at Davos in January 2026, he didn't just make a speech. He named what everyone was thinking but too afraid to say out loud. And the way he structured his message holds a powerful lesson for any of us leading people through uncertain times.This episode unpacks a deceptively simple framework that cuts through all the noise about what leadership actually requires: See, Imagine, Do. Three practices that effective leaders cycle through again and again, whether they're giving a speech to world leaders or having a coaching conversation with a team member.You'll discover why naming reality with unflinching honesty matters more than diplomatic softening, how to paint compelling visions that aren't just nostalgic wishful thinking, and what it means to take deliberate action rather than just staying busy for busy's sake.I'll walk you through:How Carney embodied all three practices in sequence and why that mattersThe difference between seeking to be accurate versus seeking to be rightWhy plenty of leaders see problems clearly but fail to offer compelling alternativesHow to move from inspiration to implementation without getting caught in frantic activityPractical ways to integrate See, Imagine, Do into your daily conversations and decisionsThe critical question every leader needs to ask: which of these three practices have you got nailed, and which needs more attention?This isn't about adding more competencies to your already long list. It's about simplifying what leadership actually requires so you can be more effective in the conversations and decisions that matter most.Whether you're navigating major organisational change or just trying to lead your team through everyday challenges, this framework will help you show up with more clarity and impact.References:See. Imagine. Do. Three Practices for Effective Leadership: https://digbyscott.com/thoughts/see-imagine-do-three-practices-for-effective-leadershipMark Carney's speech at Davos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btqHDhO4h10Transcript of Mark Carvey’s Davos speech: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/01/davos-2026-special-address-by-mark-carney-prime-minister-of-canada/Václav Havel's greengrocer metaphor: https://pathtothepossible.wordpress.com/2011/12/19/havels-greengrocer/Check out my services and offerings at https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter at https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

Have you ever sat in a meeting where everyone nods in agreement, yet you leave sensing something wasn't said? That silence might be your team's biggest liability. The teams that feel most harmonious, most polite, most nice are often the ones moving slowest, innovating least, and leaving the most impact on the table.In this conversation, we're exploring a counterintuitive truth about high-performing teams: psychological safety isn't about everyone being nice to each other. It's about creating the conditions where people feel brave enough to disagree, curious enough to question, and safe enough to say "I made a mistake." What if the path to faster impact runs directly through healthy debate rather than around it? What becomes possible when leaders shift from performing in their teams to orchestrating them?Claire Gray is the author of Thriving Teams, an executive coach, and someone who spent years helping leadership teams move from polite agreement to genuine impact. She works with teams across Australia and beyond, bringing this rare ability to surface what's really happening beneath the team dynamics most of us are too nice to name. In this episode, you'll discover:• Why nice teams go slow, and what psychological safety actually requires of us• How the four Ds of healthy debate (diagnose, dialogue, decide, dedicate) create alignment without consensus• Why making people feel they matter goes far beyond the work they do• How leaders can operate as both contributors and orchestrators, not just participants• Why shared accountability ripples across organisations when teams co-create their goals• How to navigate the post-COVID reality of reinforced silos and fractured stakeholder connection• Why silent agreement probably means you don't have alignment at all• How to create joint ownership rather than defaulting to the leader for every decisionTimestamps:(00:00) - Understanding Psychological Safety(20:20) - Healthy Debate vs. Argument(23:51) - The Four Ds of Healthy Debate(26:52) - The Role of the Orchestrator in Teams(31:20) - Creating Joint Ownership and Accountability(32:08) - Building a Culture of AccountabilityOther References:Thriving Teams Book | Claire GrayThriving Leaders Book | Claire GrayThriving Leaders PodcastGoogle’s Project AristotleMcKinsey Post-COVID StudyThe Power of Mattering | Zach MercurioYou can find Claire at:Website: thrivingculture.com.auPodcast: Thriving LeadersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leadership-coach-facilitator/Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if the most lasting leadership isn't about the monuments you build but about the quiet spaces you create for others to thrive? Many senior leaders wrestle with this tension: how do we create impact that endures beyond our tenure without becoming the very "founder effect" that stifles the organisation's future? We know intellectually that leadership is about developing others, yet our systems still reward personal visibility over collective growth, heroic intervention over sustainable culture.This conversation with Professor David Murdoch offers a different lens. We explore what happens when leadership becomes less about being essential and more about making yourself unnecessary. Through his experience moving from technical expert to Vice Chancellor, from academic to industry leader, and through his two years running a remote hospital in Nepal, David reveals how unconventional detours often become our most formative experiences. His practice of building guitars (30 of them, all given away to friends around the world) isn't a hobby separate from his leadership, it's the creative renewal that sustains it. What's possible when we stop treating our "opposite world" as optional?Professor David Murdoch is an infectious disease expert, former Vice Chancellor of Otago University, and currently works with PHF Science leading organisational transformation. His father's quiet championing of women in education shaped David's approach to what I'm calling "covert mentoring," lifting others into opportunities without fanfare or expectation of recognition. In this conversation, you'll discover:How creative practice serves as a barometer for your work-life integration (when your mind wanders to the workshop during boring meetings, you're in a good spot)Why taking opportunities that "wreck your career" often become the best decisions you'll makeHow to build high trust, high accountability cultures through deliberate delegation and learning to let goWhy working with young people isn't just about developing them, it's about their fresh questions keeping your thinking aliveHow succession planning is the ultimate success metric (things continuing well when you're not there)Why you can't assume you have a legacy, and how that humility actually creates enduring impactHow experiences in radically different environments (like running a remote hospital in Nepal for two years) shape your leadership in ways conventional career paths never couldWhy the "founder effect" happens and what warning signs to watch for in your own leadershipTimestamps:(00:00) - Introduction(03:02) - The Creative Outlet: Guitar Building and Leadership(09:13) - The Journey from Expert to Leader(23:59) - Trusting Young Talent in Leadership Roles(32:54) - Creating Lasting Impact in Leadership(38:20) - Building a Culture of Trust(42:02) - Lessons from Nepal: A Unique Leadership ExperienceOther ReferencesNick PetrieSir Edmund Hillary FoundationHimalayan TrustAshley Bloomfield Podcast EpisodeValues PartyYou can find David at:Website: https://www.phfscience.nz/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-murdoch-61a436318/Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if the most important measure of your leadership isn't what you achieve while you're in the role, but what continues after you've moved on? It's a question most senior leaders avoid because the answer is often uncomfortable. You've built the strategy, delivered the results, transformed the culture. But if you left tomorrow, how much of it would actually last?In this special Year in Review episode, Digby reflects on five interconnected themes that emerged from a year of deep conversations with remarkable leaders, change-makers, and systems thinkers. These aren't isolated insights, they're facets of the same question: how do we create change that endures? From understanding complex systems and shifting from hero to host leadership, to embracing unhurried productivity and living with deliberate authenticity, each theme builds toward a powerful framework for leading lasting impact.This episode is Digby's invitation to step back and see the bigger picture. Drawing on insights from over 50 conversations, personal experiences of burnout and breakthrough, and years of working with leaders across sectors, he maps a journey from crisis-driven leadership through to creating change so embedded that people don't want to go back. You'll discover:How to assess where you sit on the spectrum from crisis-driven to lasting impact leadership (and why most leaders get stuck at stage two)Why systems thinking is essential for addressing root causes rather than just treating symptoms, and how the dragonfly metaphor reframes our understanding of generational impactHow shifting from hero to host leadership transforms dependency into capability, and why your job isn't to be the answer but to create conditions where answers emergeWhy unhurried productivity isn't about slowing down but about creating spaciousness within the work itself, and how this becomes the foundation for everything elseHow living deliberately means making daily choices that align with who you truly are, not who you think you should beWhy these five themes aren't separate ideas but interconnected pieces that, when working together, create leaders whose impact outlasts their tenureHow to measure leadership success differently, focusing on what continues after you're gone rather than what you achieve while you're thereLeading Lasting Impact self-assessmentOther References:James McCulloch Podcast EpisodeDr. Richard Hodge Podcast EpisodeAdam Cooper Podcast EpisodeJennifer Garvey Berger Podcast EpisodeDK Podcast EpisodeKate Christiansen Podcast EpisodeKP (Kirsten Patterson) Podcast EpisodeDerek Sivers Podcast EpisodeAntonia Milkop Podcast EpisodeSimon Dowling Podcast EpisodeRachel Paris Podcast EpisodeJordan Harcourt Hughes Podcast EpisodeCynefin FrameworkLeading Lasting Impact | Digby ScottUnhurried Productivity DiagnosticTimestamps:(00:00) - Introduction & Leading Lasting Impact(10:25) - Systems Thinking and Complexity(15:54) - Hero to Host Leadership(22:39) - Unhurried Productivity(25:53) - Authenticity & Living Deliberately(32:28) - Leading Lasting Impact Synthesis(41:27) - ClosingCheck out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

How much of what matters most are you missing while you're listening? Not the words themselves (you're good at capturing those) but what's underneath them, between them, beyond them.Here's the uncomfortable truth: most of us believe we're better listeners than we actually are. We're busy preparing our response, managing the future, or distracted by the ping of the next urgent thing. Meanwhile, the people in front of us (the ones we're meant to be leading) are telling us everything we need to know. If only we knew how to truly hear it.In this conversation with Oscar Trimboli, we explore something deeper than communication skills. We venture into the territory of how we show up, what we say no to, and why the foundations we've already built might matter more than the future we're chasing. This is about the shift from hero to host, from infinite ambition to the surprising lightness of a ‘tour of duty’, and from listing ingredients to sharing the story of the meal.Oscar Trimboli is on a quest to create 100 million deep listeners in the workplace. He's spent decades discovering that the gap between speaking and listening isn't just about paying attention. It's about understanding that how we frame something can change what happens next. His work helps leaders see what they're missing when they focus only on the words.In this conversation, you'll discover:• Why the legacy you're creating might already exist in ways you can't yet see, and how acknowledging your past builds the foundation for what's next• How setting boundaries isn't about limitation but about the strategic clarity of knowing what you choose not to do• Why corporate funerals (literally burning what no longer serves) can create the trust that moves organisations forward when change initiatives get stuck• How the "tour of duty" mindset releases the weight of infinite responsibility and brings unexpected lightness to leadership• Why effective leaders operate as hosts rather than heroes, facilitating learning instead of performing expertise• How metaphors become mental shortcuts that help people understand the unfamiliar through the familiar, and why food and music work better than sport• Why distraction isn't just about devices but about the stories we tell ourselves when our attention wanders, and what choices we have in those moment• How "getting over yourself" enables you to serve the work rather than protect your ego, and why this shift makes everything else easierTimestamps:(00:00) - Introduction(06:39) - The Importance of Boundaries(10:32) - Navigating Change and Acknowledging the Past(19:11) - Corporate Funerals: Letting Go to Move Forward(24:41) - The Power of Rituals in Leadership(32:46) - Navigating Distractions in Conversations(42:59) - The Impact of Metaphors in CommunicationOther references:Animal Liberation OrchestraDeep Listening: Impact Beyond Words by Oscar TrimboliDeep Listening QuizYou can find Oscar at:Website: oscartrimboli.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/oscartrimboliTake the Deep Listening Quiz: listeningquiz.comCheck out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

Are you the bottleneck in your organisation? What if your greatest leadership contribution isn't solving every problem, but creating the conditions where others can thrive without you?I've been reflecting on a pattern I keep seeing in leaders—this constant pressure to prove our worth by being indispensable. Yet the organisations that truly transform are the ones where leadership doesn't depend on any single person staying in the room. This episode explores a fundamental shift: moving from proving yourself to backing yourself, and what that means for creating lasting impact.Drawing on insights from my conversation with James McCulloch, CEO of Victim Support New Zealand, I unpack what it takes to build systems that outlive your tenure, why organisations often reward heroics over sustainability, and how small, consistent choices can shift you from being the solution to creating the space where solutions emerge.You'll explore:The hidden cost of trying to prove your worth through constant interventionWhy backing yourself changes everything about how you show upWhat sustainable leadership actually looks like in practiceHow to create conditions for others to succeed rather than being the sole heroThe shift from individual heroics to building systems that thriveWhy true leadership effectiveness is measured by the capability you build in othersCheck out my services and offerings: https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if the stories we're not telling are the very ones that could shape our organisations long after we're gone? In a world flooded with AI-generated content that sounds increasingly the same, I wonder what happens to the distinctly human act of storytelling. And here's the deeper question: are we waiting too long to make the changes that matter most?This conversation explores the enduring power of authentic human stories in an age of artificial intelligence, the gift of presence in our distracted leadership, and what becomes possible when we stop gradually planning and simply flip the switch. We're examining how stories don't just communicate culture—they are the culture, coursing through organisations like lifeblood, carrying meaning long beyond our tenure. What's emerging here is an invitation to reconsider where real impact lives and how it spreads.Gabrielle Dolan is one of the world's leading experts on storytelling in business, having spent over two decades helping leaders find their authentic voice and communicate with depth through story. She's the author of eight books, including her latest Story Intelligence, which she describes as the first she's felt truly compelled to write. After a health scare prompted her to abandon gradual retirement in favour of immediate life redesign, Gabrielle now spends her time between storytelling work she carefully selects, travelling, and watching kangaroos at her holiday property in Bermagui. In this episode, you'll discover:How authentic human stories serve as the antidote to AI-generated content that lacks heart and feelingWhy the most powerful cultural change happens when leaders let stories do the heavy lifting, rather than always being the storyteller themselvesHow the practice of presence—whether watching wildlife or protecting creative time—becomes a discipline that sustains meaningful workWhy success might be better defined as freedom of choice rather than conventional measures of achievementHow stories create lasting impact by living in organizational culture long after the storyteller moves onWhy flipping the switch immediately can be more liberating than gradually planning for changeHow leaders can spot when they're needed versus when they need to focus on what only they can doWhy knowing what a value means to you personally is essential before you can authentically communicate it to othersTimestamps:(00:00) - The Role of Storytelling in an AI World(01:33) - Finding Presence in Nature(10:07) - Navigating Leadership Challenges(29:24) - The Art of Storytelling in Leadership(36:01) - The Enduring Nature of Stories(41:01) - Health Scares and Life ChoicesOther References:Story Intelligence by Gabrielle DolanSapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari"Maker's Schedule, Manager's Schedule" by Paul GrahamNational Australia Bank (NAB)Bermagui, New South Wales, AustraliaDig Deeper Episode 20 with Sarah ManleyDig Deeper Episode 32 with Kate ChristiansenThe Answer Trap by Kate ChristiansenYou can find Gabrielle at:Website: https://gabrielledolan.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielledolan/Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if the most dynamic leadership doesn't happen in the stable center or the chaotic unknown, but right at the edge between them? And what if trying to control everything is actually keeping you from discovering what's possible?In this solo episode, I explore leadership through the lens of the coast — that fascinating space where land meets sea. The intertidal zone, where stability and change collide, offers a powerful metaphor for the kind of leadership our complex world demands. I'll share why embracing the tension between control and adaptability isn't just necessary — it's where the most vital leadership occurs.You'll discover why the patterns you notice matter more than the predictions you make, how to navigate the loneliness that comes with leading at the edge, and what it means to be a lighthouse keeper who provides orientation rather than control.Whether you're feeling the pull between certainty and possibility, wrestling with forces you can't fully control, or simply curious about how to create the conditions for something new to emerge, this conversation will shift how you think about leading from the edge of things.In this episode, we explore:Why leadership exists in the dynamic space between stability and changeHow the ocean's unpredictability mirrors the challenges leaders faceWhat the intertidal zone teaches us about thriving in uncertaintyThe challenges that come with leading from the edge (and why they're worth it)Why awareness of patterns matters more than trying to control outcomesHow creating conditions for new ideas is more powerful than forcing solutionsReflective questions to guide your own leadership developmentWhat it means to be a lighthouse keeper in your leadershipCheck out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if the very language you use—from "my target" to "our target," from "my client" to "our client"—is either building or breaking the culture you're trying to create? And what if being constantly busy is actually preventing the very work that matters most?In this conversation, I'm catching up with my mate Colin Ellis in a traditional English pub in Winchester. Colin's a five-time best-selling author and a super practical culture consultant who's spent decades helping organisations around the world rid themselves of what he calls toxic cultures. We're exploring the tension between delivering results and creating space for what actually sustains us—both as individuals and as teams and organisations. What emerges is a powerful reminder that building great culture isn't complicated. It's about creating the conditions where people can be good humans and do good work together.Colin Ellis grew up in Liverpool in a working-class family where security was paramount. After flunking school, he found his calling in project management—not for the technical side, but for the team-building aspect. His career took him from window cleaning family business roots to leading major project departments, from Melbourne to New Zealand and back to the UK. What's shaped his work most is his observation that the best teams valued both hard work and play, both productivity and camaraderie. He's built his reputation on making the complex simple, using language that connects with people who do the work day in, day out. His mission? To rid the world of toxic cultures by teaching leaders how to build great teams.You'll discover:How a simple shift in language from "my" to "our" transforms everything about how teams show up and support each otherWhy creating permission for your team to not be busy all the time might be the most productive thing you do as a leaderHow investing in relationships and camaraderie is as important as delivering on your targets—and why Friday drinks became sacred time for Colin's highest-performing teamWhy determination matters more than having a clever strategy when you're trying to create momentumHow reading Harvard Business Review in the office was "frowned upon" but essential for Colin's growth as a leaderWhy the most productive teams are often the least hurried—and what Colin did in 2008 to create that cultureHow burnout at 31 became the catalyst for building an integrated life where work is part of the whole, not the whole itselfWhy demystifying culture change is about using language people understand, not complicated frameworksTimestamps:(00:00) - Introduction(10.39) - Individualism vs. Teamwork(27:09) - Burnout and the Path to Change(35:27) - Creating Productive Work Environments(38:34) - Redefining Productivity(41:41) - Cultural Shifts in Work DynamicsOther ReferencesOn the Road Jack Kerouac - https://www.penguin.co.nz/books/on-the-road-9780241951538Harvard Business Review - https://hbr.org/Michael Page - https://www.michaelpage.co.uk/Liverpool Echo - https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/Camp America - https://www.campamerica.co.uk/Abel Tasman Coast Track - https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/nelson-tasman/places/abel-tasman-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/abel-tasman-coast-track/Ronnie Scott’s Jazz club - https://www.ronniescotts.co.uk/Everton Football Club - https://www.evertonfc.com/You can find Colin at:Website:https://www.colinellis.comLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/colindellisCheck out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if the gap between being curious and creating real change is just one small action?And what if the leadership move you've relied on your whole career is actually limiting your impact?This short episode cuts through the noise to explore three powerful distinctions that can transform how you lead. These aren't abstract theories. They're practical frameworks that help you navigate the messy, complex situations leaders face every day.You'll discover:Why curiosity by itself isn't enough, and the one action that turns wondering into wisdomThe crucial difference between knowing what to do and understanding when to do it (and when not to)How shifting from hero to host leadership creates sustainable impact and brings out the best in your teamWhy heroing might feel productive while hosting builds resilience, innovation, and genuine engagementThis is a bite-sized episode designed for leaders who want practical insights they can apply immediately. Pick one distinction, experiment with it, and notice what shifts.Whether you're leading a team meeting, navigating uncertainty, or simply wanting to deepen your leadership practice, these three distinctions offer a fresh lens on what makes leadership truly impactful.Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if the pinnacle of success you've been climbing towards is actually a trap? When you finally make partner, win the promotion, or achieve the milestone you've been chasing for years, what happens when you discover it's not the answer? When the very achievement that was supposed to bring freedom instead leaves you feeling like a rat in a mill, just surviving from one deadline to the next?This conversation explores what happens when we pause long enough to ask whether the life we're living is actually the life we want. Rachel Paris shares her journey from corporate law partnership to becoming a novelist, revealing how crisis can become catalyst, how the skills that made us successful in one domain become secret weapons in another, and why freeing up your future might mean letting go of the one you thought was already set. We get into the tension between security and creativity, physical presence and emotional presence, and what it truly means to redefine success on your own terms.Rachel Paris is a former partner at Bell Gully, one of New Zealand's most prestigious law firms, where she specialised in banking and finance for over a decade. After walking away from partnership, she became a bestselling novelist with her debut crime thriller "See How They Fall." Her sister's cancer diagnosis became the catalyst for change, prompting her to question whether surviving each day was any way to live a life. Rachel's journey from Harvard Law graduate to creative writer offers a fascinating lens on how professional skills translate across domains and what becomes possible when we give ourselves permission to begin again.You'll discover:Why the partnership track in professional services can become a trap rather than a destination, and how to recognise when you're caught in itHow to shift from physical presence to emotional presence in both work and family lifeWhy redefining success requires asking what truly sustains you rather than what society says you should achieveHow professional training in law, accounting, or other demanding fields creates unexpected advantages in creative pursuitsWhy being your own agent of change means not waiting for crisis to force your handHow to navigate the guilt and fear of letting people down when walking away from senior positionsWhy creating space for others to step up can reframe career transitions from selfish to generous actsHow the wrestle of expressing something in your own words makes us human in an age of AIOther ReferencesThe Answer Trap Kate ChristiansenHumankind by Rutger BregmanOpenAIBell Gully Law FirmSee How They Fall by Rachel ParisTimestamps:(00:00) - From Corporate Law to Creative Freedom(23:12) - Redefining Success and Embracing Change(27:07) - The Journey of Self-Discovery(29:24) - Navigating Career Transitions(32:11) - The Impact of Legal Training on Creativity(34:33) - Creativity in the Age of AIYou can find Rachel at:Website: https://rachelparisauthor.comLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-paris-authorCheck out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if the quality of your leadership came down to the quality of your questions?And what if shifting just one word in how you frame a question could completely change the direction of a conversation?Most leaders ask questions to get answers. But the real power lies in asking questions that unlock thinking, creativity, and action in others.This episode introduces a practical framework for asking better questions – four simple categories that can transform how you lead meetings, drive strategy, and navigate complexity. Whether you're facilitating a team discussion, making a tough decision, or trying to move beyond surface-level conversations, these questioning techniques will shift what's possible.You'll discover:The four types of questions every leader needs to master: "what", "what is", "what if", and "what now"Why "what" questions clarify focus and set the stage for meaningful dialogueHow "what is" questions help you uncover the real issues beneath the surfaceWhy "what if" questions ignite creativity and open up new possibilitiesHow "what now" questions drive action and accountabilityA practical quadrant model you can use to structure any conversationSimple techniques for naming shifts in your questioning to enhance clarityWhy progression matters more than perfection when developing your questioning practiceThis is a short, practical episode designed to give you an immediately useful tool. The goal isn't perfection – it's progression. Pick one type of question, experiment with it in your next conversation, and notice what shifts.Whether you're preparing for a strategic discussion, wanting to deepen team engagement, or simply curious about how to facilitate better conversations, this framework offers a clear path forward.Related EpisodesKP on Breaking Out of 'Answer Mode': https://dig-deeper.captivate.fm/episode/26-breaking-out-of-answer-mode-building-collective-wisdom-and-the-village-that-raises-leaders-kirsten-patterson/Kate Christiansen on Escaping the 'Answer Trap': https://dig-deeper.captivate.fm/episode/32-escaping-the-answer-trap-and-why-slowing-down-speeds-you-up/Simon Dowling on Why Creating Space Matters More Than Efficiency: https://dig-deeper.captivate.fm/episode/18-why-creating-space-matters-more-than-efficiency-simon-dowling-on-intentional-leadership/The Questions Toolkit: digbyscott.com/questionstoolkitCheck out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if the secret to lasting leadership impact isn't about building your legacy, but about accepting that you're just passing through? And what if the shift from trying to prove yourself to truly backing yourself changes everything about how you show up as a leader?This episode explores how moving from a hero mindset to a host mindset creates lasting change, and why focusing on embedded impact rather than personal legacy might be the most powerful leadership practice of all. We dive into the confidence that comes with experience, the urgency that emerges from accepting impermanence, and the art of creating solutions that endure long after you've moved on.James McCulloch is the CEO of Victim Support New Zealand, where he's led one of the country's most remarkable organisational transformations. His perspective has been shaped by managing high-profile parks in the heart of London, navigating complex turnarounds, and now wrestling with the tension between ambition and balance as a seasoned leader. James brings a systems-aware approach to leadership that embraces both vulnerability and fierce determination.You'll discover:How to shift from needing external validation to backing yourself with genuine confidenceWhy thinking of leadership roles as fixed-term rather than permanent creates productive urgencyHow to build embedded solutions that create lasting impact beyond your tenureWhy moving from "my legacy" language to "our impact" transforms team dynamicsHow vulnerability among leadership teams forges stronger bonds through adversityWhy the travelling CEO who over-promises creates more damage than helpHow to balance the drive for meaningful impact with sustainable work-life integrationWhy learning from your predecessors while avoiding the trap of constant comparison mattersTimestamps:(00:00) - The Impact Over Legacy Mindset(12:15) - Shifting from Proving to Backing Yourself(21:11) - The Concept of Passing Through(32:18) - Building Lasting Change: Strategies for Sustainable Impact(37:58) - Balancing Ambition and Life: The Tension of Leadership(43:11) - The Handover: Learning from PredecessorsOther ReferencesWe are all Fixed TermSir Ashley Bloomfield on When Leaders Are Human: Navigating Complexity With IntegrityInspire GroupJim Collins and Level 5 LeadershipInternational Coach FederationInternational Parks FederationIntercontinental Hotel WellingtonGuild Hall, LondonYou can find James at:Website: https://victimsupport.org.nz/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-mcculloch-65a2931b/Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if the Christmas break you're desperately counting down to won't actually fix what's broken?And what if the way we're running our years (like we run our cars, pushing hard until we desperately need a service) is the very thing keeping us stuck in this exhausting cycle?In this solocast episode, I explore why most of us are caught in an infinite loop: work hard, get exhausted, take a break, repeat. We've all navigated some gnarly challenges this year, and it's tempting to think a few weeks off will sort everything out. But here's the truth: Christmas won't fix the underlying problems.You'll learn:Why the car metaphor for productivity is sabotaging your wellbeingHow tending a plant offers a better framework for sustainable workThe distinction between downtime and due time (and why both matter)Why discovery is just as essential as delivery for doing your best workHow to reclaim more agency over your time than you might thinkWhat it means to design your life with genuine intentionHow leaders can create conditions where people actually thriveWhether you're heading into the break feeling depleted, or you're curious about creating a more sustainable rhythm for 2026, this conversation will challenge how you think about rest, renewal, and what's actually possible when you shift from running your life to designing it.This isn't about working less. It's about working differently. And it starts with questioning the beliefs we hold about productivity, downtime, and what it means to craft a life that's genuinely worth living.Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/Life By Design Webinar: https://digbyscott.com/lifebydesignHow to Create Your Life By Design: https://digbyscott.com/thoughts/how-to-create-your-life-by-designUnhurried Productivity: https://digbyscott.com/thoughts/fresh-insights-on-unhurried-productivity

What if the most powerful thing you could do as a leader isn't delivering results or driving change—but simply seeing and hearing the people around you?Today I'm joined by Jenny Brown. Jenny grew up in apartheid South Africa, classified as a ‘coloured’ person, where she learned what it means to navigate between worlds—not quite belonging fully anywhere, but developing an extraordinary ability to see and be in the spaces between.She’s got this superpower to read what's really happening in a room - not just what's being said, but what's being felt, what's being avoided, and what needs to be addressed.She’s also learned to call out what needs to be called out, doing so with a skillfulness that keeps people whole. She understands that leadership isn't about having all the answers - it's about creating space for others to be truly seen and heard.If you've ever wondered how to create genuine belonging in your organisation, or how your own formative experiences might become your leadership superpower, this conversation will change how you think about what leadership really means.Timestamps:(00:00) - The Power of Observation in Leadership(18:01) - The Journey from Independence to Interdependence(24:05) - Navigating Difficult Conversations(27:00) - Calling Out BS with Compassion(34:18) - Creating Conditions for Belonging(40:47) - The Broader Impact of BelongingOther references:The Anxious Generation by Jonathan HaidtTogether by Dr Vivek MurthiBelonging by Owen EastwoodFierce Conversations by Susan ScottA Leader’s Guide to Reflective Practice by Judy BrownWork Human 2023 StudyGallup Employee Engagement SurveyWhat’s Your Bit? by Digby ScottYou can find Jenny at:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-b-aa8ba958/Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if the life you're living by default could become the life you're crafting by design?And what if the difference between drifting and deliberately creating your future comes down to one intentional weekend with the person who matters most?In this solocast, I share what happened when my partner Gillian and I carved out a weekend to create our 'Life by Design' plan. It wasn't about rigid blueprints or perfect forecasts. It was about getting intentional with what we want to create together, and how we might navigate the messiness of making it happen.You'll discover:Why life by design is the antidote to life by default, and how to shift from one to the otherThe simple process we used to map out our future without losing space for spontaneityHow clustering your ideas into themes makes overwhelming possibilities feel manageableWhy reflecting on what's worked (and what hasn't) is crucial before planning what's nextHow having a shared plan makes everyday decisions easier and less energy-drainingWhy financial planning isn't just about spreadsheets, but about creating freedom for what mattersThe tools and templates you can use to start your own life by design journeyWhether you're wrestling with feeling like life is happening to you rather than being shaped by you, curious about how to align your daily choices with your bigger vision, or simply wanting to create something meaningful with your partner, this conversation offers a practical glimpse into what's possible when you get deliberate about designing the life you actually want to live.If you'd like the tookit and to learn how we use it, go to https://digbyscott.com/lifebydesignCheck out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if words aren't enough to truly connect with others?And what if there's an entire dimension of communication we're missing, one that could transform how we lead, how we listen, and how we create trust in our teams?Today I'm joined by Jordan Harcourt-Hughes, an abstract painter, writer, and communications specialist who's spent fifteen years leading creative teams across the Asia-Pacific. Jordan's journey began with what she calls her "early midlife crisis" at nineteen. A pivotal moment when she realised that traditional language wasn't the complete picture for human connection.We explore the fascinating concept of vibrational language.How our bodies communicate beyond words, why singing in Monday morning meetings might be more revolutionary than you think, and what happens when we learn to listen not just with our ears, but with our entire being.Whether you're leading strategy sessions that feel stuck, or simply curious about creating deeper connection in your work, this conversation will change how you think about the spaces between what we say and what we truly communicate.Timestamps:(00:00) - Introduction(01:27) - The Concept of Vibrational Language(21:06) - Listening Beyond Words(25:37) - Creating a Trusting Environment(28:27) - The Importance of Recalibration and Connection(30:19) - The Challenge of Letting Go(38:51) - Finding Energy and Inspiration for ChangeOther referencesDown and Out in Paris and London | George OrwellLet Your Life Speak | Parker J. PalmerThe Let Go: https://www.digbyscott.com/thoughts/the-let-goDeal in Energy: https://www.digbyscott.com/thoughts/deal-in-energyYou can find Jordan at:Website:https://jordanharcourthughes.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanharcourthughes/Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

Feeling burnt out and overwhelmed by constant change? You're not alone, and more importantly, you're not broken. In this thought-provoking episode, Digby explores the paradox at the heart of modern leadership challenges: how the problems we face are both completely beyond our control and entirely within it.Drawing on Viktor Frankl's timeless wisdom about choosing our attitude in any circumstance, Digby unpacks why structural forces often feel insurmountable and how brilliant leaders get trapped thinking they just need to push harder. Through the powerful metaphor of swimming against a fast-flowing river, he reveals the hidden choices available to us even in the most challenging situations.You'll discover the difference between external structural forces (like organisational culture and economic pressures) and the internal ones we carry within us (our assumptions, beliefs, and the stories we tell ourselves). Most crucially, you'll learn how shifting from being subject to change to becoming an agent of change can transform both your leadership and your wellbeing.Whether you're a CEO feeling the weight of responsibility or anyone navigating complexity and burnout, this episode offers a fresh perspective on finding your way to the riverbank when the current feels too strong.Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if the very thing that makes you uncomfortable about being seen is exactly what's holding you back as a leader?Today I'm walking by the ocean and sitting in a Wellington playground with Cam Fink, a videographer who's spent years on the other side of the lens, observing what happens when leaders step into visibility.We explore why being comfortable on camera isn't really about cameras at all – it's about your willingness to be authentically seen. Cam shares what he's learned about energy, presence, and human connection from filming thousands of people, and why the skills that make you compelling on video are the same ones that make you an engaging leader.Whether you're leading a team meeting or recording your first LinkedIn video, this conversation will change how you think about showing up authentically in any situation where you need to influence and inspire others.Cam Fink is a videographer, director, and the creator of the brilliantly named course "Be Less Shit on Camera." He's also my go-to person for helping me feel comfortable and confident whenever there's a camera pointed in my direction.Timestamps:(00:00) - The Need for Human Connection(06:02) - The Role of Energy in Leadership(17:47) - Visibility and Connection in Leadership(24:51) - Shifting from Bystander to Activator(32:11) - Embracing Authenticity and Vulnerability(36:12) - Navigating Negative Feedback and Self-PerceptionOther references:Santo, Sam and Ed's Cup FeverSanto CilauroThe CastleThought Leaders Business SchoolPeter CookMatt ChurchCol FinkTony WilsonSimon DowlingYou can find Cam Fink at:Website: https://www.camfink.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camfink/Course: https://www.camfink.com/Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if the constant firefighting and crisis management that fills our days is actually stealing our chance to create something truly meaningful? And what if the most important work we can do isn't about solving the next problem, but about building something that lasts well beyond our time here?This episode explores how we can shift from reactive mode to creating lasting impact. Drawing from fresh insights gathered during 10 weeks of travel across five countries, Digby shares three powerful examples of enduring legacy: 3,500-year-old Bronze Age buildings in Sardinia that still stand strong, Royal Designers whose creations continue to enrich our lives decades later, and a volunteer marine rescue service that's been saving lives for over four decades.You'll discover why our modern culture of constant change and precious time traps us in reactive patterns, how to lift your head above the daily fires to focus on what truly matters over the long term, and practical ways to start building your own lasting impact today. Whether you're leading a team, running an organisation, or simply seeking to create something meaningful, this conversation will challenge you to think differently about the legacy you're creating.This episode marks the beginning of a deeper exploration into what it takes to lead lasting impact and offers a glimpse into new services designed to help senior leaders focus on creating enduring change.You’ll explore:Travel as a catalyst for fresh perspectivesThree examples of lasting impact: buildings, design, and serviceWhy reactive mode steals our chance for lasting impactQuestions to consider for your own lasting legacyCheck out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if the conversations we're avoiding at work are exactly the ones that could transform everything?And what if there's a crucial difference between being nice to people and being truly kind to them – one that could revolutionise how you lead?Today I'm joined by Georgia Murch, founder of Can We Talk and someone who's spent over 25 years mastering what she calls "the dance" of building better cultures. Georgia's take is that most of us have lost the art of disagreeing well, and she's got some fascinating insights about why we're so conflict-avoidant – and what's possible when we learn to push through that discomfort.We explore why people hear your content but smell your intent, how to move from being a "magpie" or a "mouse" in conflict to becoming more like a "meerkat," and the surprising business impact of developing a solid meditation practice.Whether you're tiptoeing around difficult conversations or wondering how to create psychological safety while still holding people accountable, this conversation will change how you think about the courage required to truly serve others.Timestamps:(00:00) - The Difference Between Nice and Kind(17:51) - The Art of Disagreeing Well(27:09) - Embracing the Meerkat Within Us(31:38) - Meditation as a Tool for Clarity(34:50) - Leading with Freedom and Authenticity(43:03) - The Opportunity Beyond Conflict AvoidanceOther references:Brené Brown - “Dare to Lead”Thought Leaders Business SchoolThe Rest is Politics PodcastJennifer Garvey-Berger EpisodeAdam Cooper EpisodeYou can find Georgia at:Website: https://canwetalk.coLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiamurch/Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if the clarity you're seeking isn't about having all the answers, but about cultivating deep conviction in what matters most to you?And what if the wobbly feeling you have when charting your own course isn't a sign you're on the wrong path, but evidence you're choosing authenticity over easy?In this solo episode, I reflect on a conversation that sparked some deep thinking about conviction and direction. Someone who knew me 25 years ago remembered my clarity of purpose during a time when I was actually feeling quite wobbly and uncertain. It got me wondering about the difference between confidence and conviction, and why one matters more than the other for sustained leadership impact.You'll explore:How major burnout at 32 led to life-changing clarity about what truly matteredWhy conviction can grow even when confidence feels shakyThe questions that form the foundation of authentic commitment to yourselfHow blind alleys and course corrections actually strengthen your sense of directionWhy comparing yourself to others' corporate trajectories misses the point entirelyThe relationship between authentic living and sustained impactHow to honour your values even when the path feels uncertainWhether you're questioning your current direction, feeling the strain of relentless effort, or simply curious about what it means to stay true to yourself over decades, this conversation offers a framework for cultivating the kind of conviction that becomes fuel for meaningful change.Sometimes the path that feels most uncertain in the moment becomes the only path that could have been truly yours. This episode explores why that paradox might be exactly what your leadership journey needs.Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

Do you know that feeling when you're asked a question, you’re under pressure, so you reach for the nearest answer?Or when you're in a meeting and someone says "let's not overcomplicate this" or "we just need to make a decision" and something inside you knows you're moving too fast, but the momentum carries you forward anyway?This episode explores what Kate Christiansen calls "the Answer Trap," that invisible current pulling us toward quick closure when what we actually need is better thinking. Kate shares how our brains, when faced with disruption and complexity, default to comfort-seeking patterns that feel like progress but actually limit our capacity to navigate what's really happening. What if the biggest risk we face isn't making the wrong decision, but stopping our thinking too soon?Kate Christiansen is a ‘cognitive detective’ who's spent decades helping leaders think more clearly when it matters most. Having lived through disruptive environments her entire career, she's developed an uncanny ability to see patterns in complexity that others miss. Kate is the author of "The Answer Trap," a book that names something we've all experienced but never had language for. In this episode, you'll discover:How to recognise the five "autopilot" thinking patterns that drag us toward premature answersWhy disruption makes us crave closure and how this creates a cycle of reactive decision-makingHow to switch from autopilot to "copilot" by partnering with your brain rather than being controlled by itWhy asking "What am I thinking right now?" is the simplest way to break free from default patternsHow AI both amplifies the answer trap and offers new ways to enhance our thinkingWhy the "dodo effect" threatens our cognitive abilities and what we can do about itHow to create "surface piercing questions" that move beyond comfortable answersWhy slowing down in conversations actually accelerates better outcomesTimestamps:(00:00) - The Dodo Effect and Outsourcing Thinking(10:57) - The Answer Trap: Understanding the Problem(20:17) - The Relationship with AI: A Double-Edged Sword(27:39) - Understanding Autopilots in Decision Making(32:20) - Breaking Free from Autopilot Thinking(46:09) - The Power of Naming the Answer TrapOther references:Curly Conversations for Teams Book| Kate ChristiansenThe Answer Trap | Kate ChristiansenThe Thrive Cycle | Kate ChristiansenGrowth Mindset | Carol DweckChat GPTYou can find Kate at:Website: www.katechristiansen.com.auLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katechristiansen/Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

Ever found yourself in a conversation where someone's perspective seems completely wrong to you? Where your first instinct is to correct them, challenge them, or prove your point? What if that instinct is actually blocking you from real connection and genuine influence?This solocast explores a powerful encounter on a flight that challenged everything about how we engage with differing viewpoints. You'll discover why everyone's perspectives make perfect sense to them, even when they seem completely at odds with your own beliefs. Understanding this changes everything about your ability to connect and lead.Through a candid story about a conversation on US politics and South Africa, I'll show you how curiosity beats critique every time, and why meeting people where they're at without judgment opens doors that argument slams shut. This isn't about agreeing with everyone – it's about expanding your own perspective and building the kind of understanding that creates real influence.You'll learn:Why your first instinct to correct someone's "wrong" viewpoint limits your leadershipHow to listen for understanding rather than listening to respondThe difference between proving your point and improving your viewpointWhy meeting people where they're at is essential for genuine connectionHow expanding your perspective gives you greater awareness of the complex world we're leading inPractical ways to ask questions that deepen understanding rather than create defensivenessWhy curiosity and judgment can't coexist – and which one actually creates influenceWhether you're navigating difficult conversations at work, trying to understand different perspectives in your community, or simply wanting to become a more effective communicator, this episode will shift how you approach every interaction where viewpoints differ.Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if the most courageous leadership decision you ever make isn't about charging forward, but about stepping aside? And what if the key to authentic influence isn't having all the answers, but mastering the paradox of deep confidence paired with genuine curiosity?This episode explores the delicate balance between ego and humility that defines transformational leadership. We dive deep into how brutal self-honesty can become your greatest strength, why emotional intelligence is no longer optional for leaders, and how creating space for others to contribute might be the missing piece in your leadership approach.Andrew Little is a figure who redefined political courage in New Zealand by making one of the gutsiest calls in the country's political history: resigning as Labour Party leader just weeks before an election to make way for Jacinda Ardern. A former union leader turned politician, Andrew brings a unique perspective on leadership forged through decades of navigating complex stakeholder relationships, from representing workers to serving as a cabinet minister. His journey from a conservative household to progressive leadership offers profound insights into how our views can evolve while our core values remain steadfast.You'll discover:How to balance confidence with "wonderance": the art of remaining curious while holding firm convictionsWhy reading your opponents' views strengthens rather than weakens your positionHow to create psychological safety where no viewpoint is considered "dumb" and everyone has access to leadershipWhy the phrase "you're either there to make decisions or make friends" misses the point of collaborative leadershipHow to process significant setbacks without letting them derail your purpose or self-worthWhy showing appropriate emotion in leadership is a superpower rather than a weaknessHow to navigate opposing views by finding shared values and common groundWhy the question "what is the why?" becomes your most powerful tool for building understandingTimestamps:(00:00) - The Paradox of Leadership(11:18) - The Decision to Step Aside(14:39) - Processing Emotions in Leadership(20:44) - The Role of Collective Leadership(26:00) - Navigating Opposing Views(30:33) - The State of Leadership TodayOther references:1981 Springbok Tour in New ZealandAndrew Little resignation as Labour LeaderEngineering, Printing and Manufacturing UnionAndrew Little to run for Wellington MayoraltyYou can find Andrew at:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewlittle-nz/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/andrewlittlenz/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewlittlenzBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/andrewlittlenz.bsky.socialX : https://x.com/andrewlittle_nzCheck out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

Have you ever found yourself speaking at cross purposes with someone, searching for that elusive connection point that might unlock meaningful progress?What if the most powerful leadership practice isn't about getting straight to business, but about genuinely meeting people where they're at first?In this solocast episode, I share a story from Papua New Guinea that changed how I think about building trust and connection. When a head of HR literally threw my 360-degree feedback report in the bin, I had a choice: push harder or find another way in.What happened next taught me something profound about what I call "I-matter conversations" - those moments when someone feels truly seen and heard, not for what they can deliver, but for who they are.You'll discover:Why connection before content transforms resistance into opennessHow to recognise when someone needs to feel they matter before they'll engageThe power of patience and genuine curiosity when building relationshipsWhy investing time in "I-matter conversations" is leadership, not just nicenessHow small moments of authentic listening can unlock breakthrough conversationsWhether you're facing resistance from a team member, trying to build trust quickly, or simply wanting to create more meaningful connections in your leadership, this story will change how you approach those challenging relationship moments.Sometimes the longest route to getting things done is actually the shortest.Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if the very thing you think makes you qualified to lead is actually limiting your impact? And what if the version of leadership you've been trying to perfect isn't even yours to begin with?This episode explores how authentic leadership begins with claiming your own space to be you, rather than becoming a caricature of someone else's approach. We discover why recognising your agency isn't about gaining permission from others, but about remembering the power you already possess and learning to wield it with intention.Nicola Nation is the former CEO of the Ākina Foundation, a leader who at age seven wrote to her parish priest demanding girls be allowed to serve on the altar, with aspirations of becoming the first female pope. Her journey from that bold seven-year-old to a purpose-driven executive offers profound insights into how we can break free from the "should" and "have to" stories that constrain us. You'll discover:How shifting from obligation to desire transforms your leadership effectivenessWhy creating space for yourself actually creates space for others to thriveHow to recognise when you're operating from over-responsibility versus empowered choiceWhy being a "ruthless prioritiser" is essential for sustainable leadershipHow to identify and move through the fear that keeps you playing smallWhy "hell yeah, within a container" becomes your framework for big decisionsHow small friction changes (like logging out of LinkedIn) can reclaim your attentionWhy curiosity about others becomes a pathway to unexpected wisdomTimestamps:(00:00) - Introduction(10:24) - Transforming Leadership: From Should to Want(12:23) - Creating Space for Others and Yourself(14:42) - The Scary Journey of Being Yourself(26:40) - Navigating Life's Hell Years(30:07) - Embracing Fear and Opportunity(33:11) - The Journey to Purpose-Driven LeadershipOther references:Derek Sivers: https://sive.rs/n“Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down: https://www.amazon.com/Things-Only-When-Slow-Down/dp/0241298199Kaitoke Regional Park: https://www.gw.govt.nz/parks/kaitoke-regional-park/Andrew Maffet: https://dig-deeper.captivate.fm/episode/4-the-power-of-being-unhurried-what-happens-when-you-dial-up-curiosity-and-what-leadership-is-really-about-andrew-maffett/Simon Dowling: https://dig-deeper.captivate.fm/episode/18-why-creating-space-matters-more-than-efficiency-simon-dowling-on-intentional-leadership/You can find Nicola at:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-nation/Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if the secret to finding your place in any new situation isn't about making a big first impression, but about the quiet power of simply showing up, again and again? And what if the discomfort you feel when you're the outsider is actually the gateway to genuine connection?This solocast explores the profound simplicity of consistency – how regular presence creates familiarity, familiarity builds trust, and trust opens doors you didn't even know existed. Through personal stories from a new neighbourhood café and a windsurfing beach in New Zealand, you'll discover why being a reliable presence comes before becoming a significant one.Drawing on the psychological principle of the ‘mere exposure effect’, I'll show you how exposure over time naturally creates preference and connection. This isn't about networking tactics or forced relationship-building – it's about the patient art of becoming part of the energy of what's already happening around you.You'll learn:Why the discomfort of being "new" is actually where real connection beginsHow consistency creates opportunity in ways that one-off efforts never canThe difference between being a reliable presence and a significant one – and why sequence mattersHow the mere exposure effect works in boardrooms, communities, and anywhere you want to belongWhy authentic persistence beats impressive entrances every timeThe art of joining the flow rather than forcing your way inHow to bring your authentic self into spaces regularly without being overbearingWhy patience with the process is essential for real connectionWhether you're starting a new job, joining a new team, moving to a new community, or trying to create change in your organisation, this episode will shift how you think about showing up and finding your place.Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if the question isn't "Where are all the leaders?" but "Where are all the responsible adults?"Today I'm joined by Kirsten Patterson, better known as KP, CEO of the Institute of Directors New Zealand and chair of the Global Network of Directors Institutes.She had an auspicious start by getting suspended from school at five for challenging the system. Yet she went on to become one of New Zealand's most respected governance leaders. In 2025 she was awarded the New Zealand Royal Honour, Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to governance and women in leadership, She’s also known for her work founding multiple diversity initiatives including Chapter Zero New Zealand, which focuses on climate governance.KP's background includes growing up in a funeral home, giving her a unique perspective from observing how humans show up during challenging times, and what actually matters when the chips are down. She's built her reputation on asking the curly questions others avoid in a world that’s chasing answers.We explore how wonder and curiosity might be the antidote to our crisis-driven world, why asking questions we don't know the answers to is a lost art, and how creating space for reflection isn't a luxury – it's essential for responsible leadership.Whether you're wrestling with uncertainty or seeking to lead with more depth and authenticity, this conversation will challenge how you think about what it means to be a grown-up in today's world.Timestamps:(00:00) - The Chocolate Fish Test: Questioning Leadership(02:10) - Where Are the Responsible Adults?(10:53) - Balancing Confidence and Wonderance(21:00) - The Role of Wonder in Leadership(34:28) - Personal Journey: From Funeral Home to Leadership(41:54) - Collective Responsibility in Developing LeadersOther references:Institute of DirectorsSusan Cain - TED TalkSusan Cain - “Quiet” bookWellington Homeless Women’s TrustWellington City MissionCranlaner FoundationKate Christiansen - The Answer Trap Book - Not yet releasedJames Miller EpisodeYou can find Kirsten at:Website: https://www.iod.org.nz/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattersonkirsten/Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if resistance isn't something to overcome, but something to work with? And what if that uncomfortable tension you feel when facing change is pointing you toward something valuable on the other side?This solocast dives into the emotional messiness of change through the lens of a recent house move. It’s one of life's most stressful transitions. You'll discover how loss aversion creates natural tension between holding onto what we treasure and stepping into the unknown, and why this tension is is feature, not a bug, in the system..Through honest reflections on leaving my much-loved home for a fresh start, I'll share three practical approaches that helped navigate the interior world of transition. This isn't just about personal change – these insights translate directly into how you can lead your team through organisational shifts, restructures, and new directions.You'll learn:Why resistance is a signal pointing toward possibility, not an obstacle to eliminateHow loss aversion affects our ability to embrace change – and what to do about itThe power of being in motion and creating meaningful involvement during transitionsWhy acknowledging the full range of emotions speeds up the change processHow to lean into the new while honouring what you're leaving behindThree practical strategies for leading your team through change without fighting their resistanceWhy showing what's now possible matters more than pushing people to let goHow to create non-judgmental spaces for people to process transitionWhether you're facing personal change, leading organisational transformation, or simply wanting to get better at navigating life's inevitable shifts, this episode will change how you think about resistance and what lies on the other side of it.I also mention Jason Clark's "Four Doors of Change" tool. Check that out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPhM8lxibSUCheck out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if your perception of "unhurried productivity" isn't about someone constantly on holiday, but rather a deliberate approach to crafting a life aligned with your values?And what if the most powerful leadership practice isn't about getting things done faster, but creating genuine I-matter conversations where people truly feel seen and heard?That's what emerges in this special episode of Dig Deeper, where the tables are turned as I step into the guest chair of my own podcast. My friend Antonia Milkop takes the host role, guiding a conversation that explores the person behind the mic.We get into:Why "meeting people where they're at" transforms resistance into meaningful connectionHow burnout at 30 led to a complete reevaluation of my approach to life and workThe distinction between being "nice" versus being "kind" in leadershipWhy connection before content is the foundation of trust in any relationshipHow unhurried productivity is a state of mind, not just a state of movementWhy pivotal moments with "tough love" mentors can shape our leadership journeyHow embracing discomfort and messiness might be the gateway to our most significant growthWhether you're wrestling with busyness, curious about building trust quickly with new teams, or simply interested in the philosophy behind Dig Deeper, this conversation offers a glimpse behind the curtain that might change how you think about creating space for what truly matters.In this role-reversal episode, Antonia skillfully draws out perspectives on my journey from being a people pleaser to someone who stands for something, and why focusing on intentionality rather than constant activity leads to more meaningful outcomes.Timestamps:(00:00) - Introduction(05:16) - The Importance of Intentionality (12:09) - Pivotal People and Moments in Life(15:32) - Building Trust in Leadership(23:40) - The Power of Connection Before Content(36:27) - Unhurried Productivity: Finding Balance in Busy Lives (41:02) - Embracing Discomfort and Uncertainty in LeadershipYou can find Antonia at:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoniamilkop/Others mentioned:Cam Fink: https://www.camfink.com/Simon Dowling: https://dig-deeper.captivate.fm/episode/18-why-creating-space-matters-more-than-efficiency-simon-dowling-on-intentional-leadershipGeorgia Murch: https://georgiamurch.com/Jennifer Garvey Berger: https://www.cultivatingleadership.com/team-member/jennifer-garvey-bergerAdam Cooper: https://dig-deeper.captivate.fm/episode/14-natural-systems-nervous-systems-and-navigating-change-adam-cooperCheck out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

Ever found yourself so focused on getting things done that you've completely disconnected from what you're feeling? And noticed how that numbness starts seeping into your relationships, your team dynamics, and your ability to truly lead?This episode explores the critical balance between head and heart in leadership – and why operating from just one without the other is limiting your impact. You'll discover how emotional disconnection during high-pressure periods can undermine everything you're trying to achieve, and more importantly, how to reconnect in ways that enhance both your effectiveness and your humanity.In this solo episode, I share my experience of emotional disconnection during a recent transition and how it affected my leadership. I explore the stark differences between head-only and heart-centred leadership approaches, and I share some practical steps to integrate emotional awareness into your leadership practice without sacrificing results.You'll learn:Why numbness in one area of life inevitably affects your leadership effectivenessHow to recognise when you're operating purely from the head versus connecting with heartThe difference between task-focused and emotionally intelligent leadership responsesPractical ways to schedule "heart time" and celebrate wins that create deeper team connectionHow vulnerability and courage become essential tools for authentic leadershipWhy connection becomes even more crucial during tight deadlines and high-pressure periodsCheck out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/thoughts#subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

Do you find yourself constantly seeking clarity and certainty, even when faced with complex challenges that don't have simple answers? What if that very pursuit of certainty – that comfortable feeling we all chase – is actually blocking your growth, your learning, and your ability to create something new?This episode explores the counterintuitive idea that confusion isn't something to avoid, but rather something to value as a gateway to deeper learning. What's possible when we release our grip on needing to know and instead embrace the generative space of uncertainty? Together we consider how the most meaningful growth often happens precisely when we're willing to step into discomfort rather than rushing to make it disappear.Jennifer Garvey-Berger is a thoughtful disruptor who's constantly questioning how we might do business, relationships, family, and leadership better. As CEO of Cultivating Leadership, she's spent decades helping leaders navigate complexity and uncertainty. Jennifer brings a fascinating blend of intellectual rigor and lived experience to our conversation, including her bold experiment of buying a house with twelve friends in France to deliberately create a different way of living. In this episode, you'll discover:How confusion serves as a necessary gateway to learning and growthWhy certainty, despite feeling comfortable, often blocks our ability to discover new possibilitiesHow good conversations create something neither person had thought of beforeWhy crafting a meaningful life requires questioning default assumptionsHow deliberate disruption can lead to more authentic ways of working and livingWhy play and exploration remain essential elements of leadership at any ageHow creating intentional communities can challenge our assumptions about work/life separationWhy our idealism is not something to outgrow but rather a strength to cultivateTimestamps(00:00) The Value of Confusion(08:47) The Quest for a Better World(14:55) Living Fully vs. To-Do Lists(32:18) Creating a Unique Living Environment(40:03) Growth Through Difficulties(42:28) Giving Less FucksOther references:David Whyte: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/9100423-what-you-can-plan-is-too-small-for-you-toRichard Bach: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illusions_(Bach_novel)Oliver Burkeman: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Thousand_Weeks:_Time_Management_for_MortalsVito Perrone: https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/news/11/09/hgse-remembers-vito-perroneThomas Huebl: https://thomashuebl.com/Heidi Brookes: https://www.cultivatingleadership.com/team-member/heidi-brooksAndrew Maffett: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/8dc40ef3-104d-4a48-a38e-495ed4650abbAdam Cooper: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/48bf4ecf-f533-47d3-943e-2445135d473dYou can find Jennifer at:Website: https://www.cultivatingleadership.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-garvey-berger-7b4a264/Books: "Unlocking Leadership Mind Traps," "Simple Habits for Complex Times," and "Changing on the Job"Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

What if the most powerful thing you could do as a leader isn't to step in and save the day, but to step back and create space for others to shine? And what if your obsession with being the hero is actually preventing your team from reaching their potential?This episode looks at one of the most challenging transitions in leadership: moving from hero to host. You'll discover why the traditional heroic model of leadership, where you're the one with all the answers, solving every problem, is unsustainable and ultimately limits both your impact and your team's growth.I'll share practical insights on how stepping away strategically can enhance your leadership effectiveness, create self-sustaining systems, and build the kind of collaborative culture where everyone thrives. This isn't about becoming passive or disengaged. It's about becoming the kind of leader who creates ecosystems rather than dependencies.You'll learn:How to recognise when your heroic tendencies are holding your team backThe difference between stepping away and stepping out – and why timing mattersPractical strategies for creating psychological safety that allows others to step upHow to build sustainable systems that don't depend on your constant interventionWhy focusing on who you build is more important than what you buildSpecific tools and approaches to make the hero-to-host transition successfullyHow to celebrate team successes in ways that reinforce collaborative cultureThe art of identifying opportunities to step back without losing momentumWhether you're burning out from trying to be everything to everyone, or you're ready to create lasting impact beyond your direct involvement, this episode will reshape how you think about what leadership really means.Download the Plan on a Page mentioned in this episode here: https://www.digbyscott.com/planonapageCheck out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

Have you ever found yourself caught in an endless cycle of meetings and tasks, wondering if your leadership is truly making a difference? What if the most powerful leadership tool isn't your strategic plan or your team's expertise, but your ability to recognise and act on the second chances life gives you?This episode explores how our personal challenges can become a driving force and focusing tool for positive change and authentic leadership. Sarah Manley's journey reveals the quiet power of listening to your gut, sitting with uncertainty, and moving beyond the "hero leader" mindset. What emerges is a perspective where leadership becomes less about personal achievement and more about creating space for something greater to emerge—where vulnerability becomes strength and purpose fuels resilience.Sarah Manley is the Chief Executive of MITEY New Zealand, delivered through the Sir John Kirwan Foundation. MITEY is a purpose-led organisation that provides evidence-based mental health education to primary and intermediate schools in New Zealand. Born in Chile and adopted by New Zealand and Australian parents at just five weeks old, Sarah's origin story has shaped her deep sense of purpose and commitment to making a difference. In this conversation, she shares:How transforming your relationship with meetings can create space for what truly mattersWhy journaling for just five minutes a day can shift your focus from what you do to who you want to beHow to discern the difference between your gut instinct and your "love filter" when making decisionsWhy sitting with tension and uncertainty can lead to more authentic leadership choicesHow personal rock-bottom moments can become catalysts for purpose-driven leadershipWhy the "pinchy point" of leadership loneliness requires intentional connection with othersHow to build relationships before you need them rather than waiting for crisisWhy recognising that "you cannot not impact" transforms how you show up as a leaderTimestamps(05:51) Listening to Your Gut(10:02) Journaling for Clarity(15:14) The Impact of Personal History(24:22) Transforming Adversity into Purpose(27:09) Rising from Rock Bottom(31:46) Building Support NetworksResources referenced:The Bigger Me ToolThe Network DiagnosticEpisode 15: Hazel Maclaurin on the Value of MentorshipYou can find Sarah at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-manley-nz/Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

Have you ever wondered what it takes to shift an entire leadership team's mindset and approach in today's fast-changing environment?This week, I share a case study from a recent 12-month engagement with a senior leadership team. It’s a story about moving from technical perfection to purposeful experimentation, and from control to empowerment.You'll discover the four essential ingredients that make lasting leadership change possible: How to create the right amount of heat for transformationThe support systems that sustain progressWhy deliberate experimentation beats perfectionismHow connecting change to a bigger purpose keeps momentum alive.Whether you're leading change in your team or looking to evolve your leadership approach, this real-world example offers practical insights you can apply immediately.Check out the blog version of this episode at digbyscott.com/thoughtsCheck out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/