Future Fit Leadership

Hosted by Sadhana Smiles

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Welcome to Future Fit Leadership a podcast for emerging and experienced leaders to learn, grow and become future fit! There has been a global shift in how we lead people. Traditional models are being challenged, and our workplaces are now dynamic. In this podcast you will hear and connect with leaders, CEO’s and change makers who will challenge the status quo and share their future ready strategies to unlock your growth. No matter where you are on your leadership journey this podcast will give you practical ideas and tools to help you think outside the square and become a change maker in your industry. Future Fit leadership is your place for bite sized learning, for time poor executives. Contact Sadhana Smiles via email: sadhanasmiles@realchange.com.au Or connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasmiles/

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 14, 202657 min

Hugo Toovey: Turning a Cancer Journey into a Movement

At 21 years of age, Hugo Toovey discovered a small lump. Like many young men, he ignored it. What followed was a life-changing cancer diagnosis, months of chemotherapy, major surgery, and a lesson that would ultimately shape the rest of his life: never ignore the signs when something doesn't feel right. In this powerful Men's Health Week conversation, Hugo shares his journey through not one but two cancer diagnoses before the age of 30, the physical and emotional toll of treatment, and the challenges of rebuilding his life after years of surgeries and recovery. But this episode is about far more than cancer. Hugo speaks openly about the impact serious illness had on his mental health, the pressure many men feel to appear strong when they are struggling, and the turning point that taught him the importance of asking for help. Today, Hugo is the founder of 25 Stay Alive, a charity dedicated to changing the way young Australians think about their health. His mission is simple: encourage people to take ownership of their wellbeing earlier in life, advocate for themselves when something doesn't feel right, and understand that the choices we make today shape our health decades into the future. In this episode we discuss: • Why early detection saves lives• Learning to trust your instincts and advocate for your own health• The hidden mental health impact of serious illness• Resilience, recovery and finding purpose through adversity• The mission behind 25 Stay Alive and why "25 is the new 50" This is an honest, courageous and deeply human conversation about health, resilience, and making the most of the life we're given. Link to 25 Stay Alive - https://www.25stayalive.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June 7, 202642 min

The Physical Toll of a Toxic Workplace with Jane Phipps

What happens when the workplace that is meant to support you becomes the very thing that breaks you? In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I sit down with Jane Phipps, author of The Heart-Centered Leader, to explore a topic that affects more people than we often realise: toxic workplace cultures and the lasting impact they can have on our wellbeing, confidence, and sense of self. Drawing on her own experiences of workplace bullying, narcissistic leadership, and growing up in an environment shaped by control and fear, Jane shares how those experiences influenced her leadership philosophy and ultimately led her to a very different way of leading. Together, we discuss psychological safety, emotional intelligence, accountability without fear, and why trust remains one of the most important foundations of leadership. Jane also shares the moment her body told her something was wrong before her mind was ready to acknowledge it, and how that experience changed the way she views work, leadership, and personal responsibility. We explore why many people stay in unhealthy workplaces longer than they should, the hidden cost this can have on women, carers, and those who cannot simply walk away, and what leaders can do to create environments where people feel safe to contribute, challenge ideas, and bring their whole selves to work. This is an honest conversation about courage, recovery, self-awareness, and the kind of leadership the future requires. One built not on control, but on trust, kindness, and humanity. Guest: Jane PhippsBook: The Heart-Centered Leader: Transformation and Healing from Narcissistic Abuse to Self-EmpowermentSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 31, 202654 min

Moving From Execution to Creation Is The New Leadership Role : with Matt Hart

Leaders as Creators, Not Controllers In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I sit down with Matt Hart, founder of Better Ideas Faster, innovation strategist, and creative thinker who has worked with some of the world's most recognised brands across media, technology, education, and entertainment. At the heart of this conversation is a challenge to the way many of us think about leadership. For years, leadership has been built around expertise, experience, and control. But as AI takes over more of the knowledge-based work, Matt argues that the leaders who thrive will be those who can create, not just direct. We explore why creativity is no longer a skill reserved for artists, designers, or marketers. It is a human capability that exists in all of us. The challenge is that many of us have stopped trusting it, using it, or even recognising it in ourselves. Matt shares why curiosity, empathy, collaboration, and resilience are becoming the defining capabilities of future-fit leaders, how organisations unintentionally suppress creative thinking, and what leaders can do to create environments where people feel confident contributing ideas and solving problems together. We also discuss the opportunities and risks of AI, the importance of maintaining critical thinking in an age of cognitive offloading, what younger generations are teaching us about identity and work, and why leadership today requires far more range than it did a decade ago. This is a conversation about human potential, the future of work, and why reconnecting with our creativity may be one of the most important leadership skills of the next decade. If you've ever wondered how to unlock better thinking, stronger cultures, and more innovative teams, this conversation is for you. Bought to you with Saxton Speakers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 24, 202646 min

The $3.5 Trillion Handover - Leadership, Legacy and Letting Go with Kirsten Taylor Martin

In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I sit down with Kirsten Taylor Martin from Grant Thornton to unpack one of the biggest leadership and economic shifts facing Australian business today. Over the next 20 years, more than $3.5 trillion is expected to transition from one generation to the next in family businesses. But as Kirsten explains, succession is not just a financial process. It’s emotional, deeply personal, and far more complex than many families expect. We discuss why succession planning has become the number one challenge facing family businesses, the growing tension between incumbent leaders and the rising generation, and why many experienced successors are still waiting well into their 40s, 50s, and beyond to take over leadership. Kirsten shares insights from Grant Thornton’s 2025 Family Business Survey, including the clash in priorities between generations. While founders are focused on business performance, economic pressure, and protecting what they’ve built, the next generation is increasingly focused on family relationships, communication, and creating a future that works for everyone involved. We also explore why retirement feels so confronting for many founders, the emotional weight of stepping away from a business that has shaped their identity, and the risks that emerge when families avoid difficult conversations for too long. This is a practical and human conversation about leadership transition, legacy, governance, and the future of family business in Australia. If you lead a family business, work in one, or expect to inherit one someday, this conversation will give you a clearer understanding of what’s at stake, and why starting early matters more than ever.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 17, 202650 min

Aisle 10 at Bunnings - The Day Everything Changed for Mark Jones

Mark Jones shares the moment his life changed in Aisle 10 at Bunnings. What started as a routine weekend errand quickly became a frightening wake-up call. A panic attack brought on by years of pressure, stress, exhaustion, and a belief that he simply had to keep going. But this conversation is about much more than burnout. Mark opens up about the signs he ignored, the internal pressure so many leaders carry, and the dangerous stories we tell ourselves when we are under stress. Stories like “I can’t stop,” “I have to hold it together,” and “people are relying on me.” Together, we explore why high-performing leaders often miss the warning signs until their body forces them to pay attention. We also unpack the practical side of recovery and resilience. From sleep, exercise, and discipline through to the power of self-talk, identity, and rewriting the inner narrative that shapes how we lead and live. Mark also shares insights from his book The Story Code for Leaders, including his “mirror moment” exercise and the four-step framework he developed after his own breakdown. This is an honest and deeply human conversation about leadership, mental health, pressure, self-awareness, and what it really takes to sustain yourself in demanding roles. If you have ever felt overwhelmed, stretched too thin, or trapped in the cycle of “just keep going,” this conversation will resonate. https://www.markjones.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 10, 202655 min

Holly Ransom — Courageous Leadership & Leading from the Edge: Practical Steps to Lead Through Constant Change

What does it take to lead with impact when the world won’t stop changing? Holly Ransom (author of The Leading Edge) shares how to lead with courage and mattering while navigating constant change. Learn practical habits and decision steps for leading from the edge, building influence, and creating future-ready teams. Key takeaways: 1) How to make courageous choices that signal organizational values; 2) Small actions that increase mattering and staff buy-in; 3) Tactical approaches to lead through uncertainty. Ideal for emerging and experienced leaders seeking actionable leadership tools. A sharp, energising conversation with insights from Holly’s own journey and her conversations with leaders like Barack Obama and Richard Branson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 3, 202650 min

Fractional People Leadership for Growth, Change & Reset — Human & Commercial Focus with Robyn Djelassi

Host Sadhana Smiles talks with Robyn Djelassi about fractional leadership and what it means for businesses navigating growth, change or reset. Learn how fractional people leadership balances human-centred and commercial priorities, why fundamentals like clarity and accountability still matter, and who can benefit from fractional executives. Ideal for leaders updating people strategies during change.   Show notes: Guest: Robyn DjelassiTopic: Fractional leadership, organisational capability, leadership fundamentals Listen and subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/future-fit-leadership/id1665791866See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 26, 202650 min

Leverage Over Hustle: How A Billionaire Wealth Coach Designs Careers That Compound with Emmy Sobieski

In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I sit down with Emmy Sobieski, a former fund manager who ran the number one fund in the world and now coaches high performers on how to build real, lasting wealth. Her career is anything but linear. It is shaped by sharp decisions, missed opportunities, sustained pressure, and a growing clarity about what actually matters over time. We explore the concept of leverage and why many people spend too long trying to break into roles rather than building equity in their careers. Emmy explains how small shifts in where you sit within a business can significantly change your financial trajectory, and why focusing on the next pay rise can distract from building something more meaningful and durable. We also talk about the reality behind high performance. The long hours, the trade-offs, and the point where success begins to come at a cost. Emmy shares how she has rethought health, energy, and sustainability, while still maintaining ambition and drive. If you are looking to take a more deliberate approach to your career, your financial future, and how you lead, this conversation offers a clear and practical perspective. Show notes: Guest: Emmy SobieskiTopic: Career leverage, wealth building, high performance, sustainability Listen and subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/future-fit-leadership/id1665791866See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 19, 202656 min

Leadership Lessons from a 1,400 km Run Across Thailand — Resilience & Endurance with Peter Baines

What does leadership look like when there’s nothing left in the tank? In this episode, I sit down with Peter Baines following one of the most physically and emotionally demanding challenges of his life - running 1,400 kilometres across Thailand over 26 days to mark twenty years since the Boxing Day tsunami. But this conversation isn’t about endurance for the sake of it. It’s about leadership under pressure. About what it means to show up when you’re empty. About why leaders bring the weather, and how your response in the hardest moments shapes everyone around you. Peter shares the mindset that carried him through extreme conditions, why whatever the conditions, they’re my favourite, and the critical role trust, preparation and team played in getting him to the finish line. We also reflect on the deeper work behind his mission with Hands Across the Water, and what two decades of service has taught him about purpose, resilience and perspective. This is a conversation about going further than you think you can - and what leaders can learn when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 12, 202636 min

Clarity Over Noise - The Practice of Intentional Leadership

In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I’m joined by Christina Howard, a former Fortune 100 HR leader and founder of Intently, to explore what it really means to lead with intention. Christina’s career spans large corporate environments, executive leadership, and coaching senior leaders through complexity and change. Along the way, she’s built a reputation for helping leaders move beyond theory and into practical, human-centred leadership. We discuss how leaders can build self-awareness as a foundation for better decision-making, why values only matter when they are translated into everyday behaviours, and how to create cultures that are designed with purpose rather than left to chance. We also explore the realities leaders are facing today. Navigating difference within teams, creating space for diverse perspectives, and leading with empathy without losing clarity or direction. Christina shares the distinction between intellectual and emotional empathy, and why that gap will matter even more as AI becomes embedded in the workplace. This is a thoughtful and practical conversation for leaders who want to lead with intention, stay grounded in their values, and build organisations that are both high performing and deeply human. https://www.intentlyco.com/about-usSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.