The Secret Life of Great Leaders

What does it take to lead a hospitality company of mostly immigrant, entry-level workers to the #1 spot on Australia's Great Place to Work list — six years in a row? According to Paul Hutton, Area Vice President of Hilton Australasia, the answer isn't complicated: treat people uniquely, not equally.In this episode, Michael Bunting sits down with one of the most people-centred leaders in the business to unpack the philosophy and practical habits behind Hilton's extraordinary workplace culture. Paul shares how radical accessibility, authenticity, and genuine human connection — not salary or bonuses — drive loyalty, retention, and ultimately, guest experience. They explore the fine line between psychological safety and a "decaying country club," how Hilton turned guest satisfaction into a commercial metric, and why Paul's famous four-minute speech to 1,400 APAC leaders came down to five simple words: care, passion, integrity, genuine interest, and kindness.Whether you're a frontline team leader or a senior executive, this conversation is a masterclass in what it means to lead with heart — and why that's not soft, it's the most powerful business strategy there is.

What does it really take to build a workplace culture people are truly proud of? In this episode, host Michael Bunting speaks with Søren Brogaard, CEO of TrackUnit, about the beliefs and lessons behind one of the most intentional culture-building journeys in global tech.Søren shares how a simple desire to have fun at work evolved into a sophisticated philosophy of leadership and growth. They explore the universal ingredients that put people into a state of flow, why engagement without results is just as dangerous as results without engagement, and why following the flag rather than the leader is the secret to sustaining culture through rapid growth.

What separates leaders who genuinely transform from those who stagnate or regress under pressure? In this episode of The Secret Life of Great Leaders, host Michael Bunting speaks with Dr Alis Anagnostakis, founder of the Vertical Development Institute, about the research behind adult development. They explore edge emotions, the awareness-action gap, why curiosity is the contrasting emotion that enables growth, and the distinction between insights that fade and transformations that last.

Can you drive high performance without sacrificing your team’s well-being?. In this episode of The Secret Life of Great Leaders, host Michael Bunting speaks with Ahmed Moussa, General Manager at Sanofi UK & Ireland, to unpack how he led a massive cultural transformation that boosted engagement by 40% while simultaneously increasing revenue. They explore the "tough vs. nice" paradox, the discipline of weekly reflection, and why the most dangerous thing a leader can do is pretend they don't have a "Red Zone".

What does it really take to lead 70 people remotely, fail 17 times, and still show up every day curious and driven? In this episode of The Secret Life of Great Leaders, host Michael Bunting sits down with Tom Hunt, who also happens to run the fully remote podcast agency behind this very show, Fame, to share his insights on authentic leadership, personal growth, embracing the “I know nothing” mindset, and balancing his addiction to growth with new fatherhood.

So many leaders still believe that maintaining strict standards requires a harsh inner critic and an equally severe approach to managing others. But what if this common belief is actually holding us back? Host Michael Bunting sits down with Norbert Walther, Group CEO of Kinyara Health, to dive deep into the unseen emotional work of leadership and the journey from harshly achieving the results we desire. In this episode of The Secret Life of Great Leaders, self-judgment to conscious leadership.

True leadership transformation begins with radical self-ownership and the courage to face uncomfortable truths about ourselves. In this episode of The Secret Life of Great Leaders, host Michael Bunting sits down with Nathalie McNeil, VP and General Manager of ANZ at AbbVie, to share honest insights about growth, accountability, and the messy truth of leadership.

In this episode of The Secret Life of Great Leaders, host Michael Bunting sits down with Michaela Wortley, EY’s Head of Internal Coaching and Teaming, to explore the hidden side of leadership growth. Drawing on Michaela’s 25 years inside one of the world’s largest professional services firms, they unpack the fear of being “found out,” the discomfort of true self-awareness, and why vulnerability is the starting point for meaningful change in leaders and organisations.

In this inaugural episode of The Secret Life of Great Leaders podcast, host Michael Bunting lays the foundation for what the show is all about: leadership transformation. Drawing from over two decades of experience in adult development and leadership coaching, Michael shares his personal journey and introduces the podcast's mission to uncover the hidden processes that drive meaningful change in leaders and organisations.

Most leadership advice barely scratches the surface. The Secret Life of Great Leaders goes further. Hosted by TripleGoal, this podcast explores what true transformation looks like in leadership, business, and life. We talk to people who have done the hard work, made real changes, and have stories worth sharing. Expect honest conversations, practical insights, and moments that challenge how you see growth.