Women Who Lead Change

Hosted by Michelle Johns

Business Management

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Episodes

193

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

This is the podcast for women who want to change the world. If you have that deep desire to see things change in your organisation, your community, or from the inside out, then this is for you. Here, we explore ideas and practical ways to lead change. You will hear stories of women who are making a difference, to energise and equip you on your own path. Think of this as your weekly source of inspiration and strategy for the journey.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 15, 2026Episode 1415 min

Navigating Corporate Life

Corporate language is full of phrases that mean something other than what they say. And honestly? Sometimes you just have to laugh.But beneath the humour, there are real challenges that women in corporate life face every day. Gender bias. Difficult personalities. Workplace bullying. Unhealthy conflict.In this episode, we explore both. The memes that make us smile and the strategies that help us navigate what's genuinely hard. Because when you can see the absurdity and the seriousness, you become a much more grounded, effective leader.Join the Masterclass

June 9, 2026Episode 1310 min

The value of a mentor

In this episode Michelle provides a life update with some key takeaways:Apply Perato’s principle of 80/20 Do you have any family triggers you’d like to conquerMentors: can just find you and sometimes you want to be intentional Self-compassion: are you more hard on yourself than you are to others? Negativity bias is a real human thing

May 25, 2026Episode 1218 min

Habits, Rituals and Rhythms

In this episode, I update you on my morning and evening rituals and other habits. Creating new habits or making changes is hard, so I hope to inspire you to keep experimenting and making incremental changes for a long and healthy life.

May 18, 2026Episode 1119 min

What I've Learned About Leadership, Perfection, and Being Human

This week, consider:What "cloak" are you wearing? What version of yourself are you performing?What would it cost you to take it off? What might you gain?Who holds space for you? If no one, who could you reach out to?Share your thoughts: DM me on Instagram @womenwhochange.official

May 11, 2026Episode 1021 min

What I've Learned Leading Change for 15 Years

Michelle shares some key lessons from 15 years of working in change:You Cannot Out-Strategise Human EmotionsEvery Person Responds to Change DifferentlyYou Must Lean In, Listen, and Empathise to UnderstandYour Change Plan Must Address the Human SideYou Must Meet Organisations Where They AreChange Projects Always Have Challenges—That's NormalChange Is a Journey, Not an Event

May 4, 2026Episode 919 min

Sustainable Leadership

Michelle talks about exhaustion and how to be more sustainable in your leadership.The quiet, creeping depletion that so many high-achieving women carry around. The constant low-level hum of tiredness that we've normalised to the point where we barely notice it anymore.This week's reflection:On a scale of 1 to 10, how sustainable is your current pace? Not how productive you are. Not how much you're achieving. How sustainable.What's one change you could make this week—not a grand overhaul, just one thing—that would move the needle toward more sustainable leadership? Maybe it's a boundary. Maybe it's a conversation. Maybe it's saying no to something. Maybe it's asking for help.Check on someone else. Who around you seems to be running on empty? Could you reach out? Could you normalise the conversation about exhaustion by naming it in yourself?Come find me on Instagram @womenwhochange.official. Tell me what sustainability means to you. Tell me what gets in the way. Tell me what helps.

April 6, 2026Episode 813 min

The Sponsor Gap in Leadership

In this episode, we talk about Sponsorship.A mentor is someone who gives you advice. They meet with you periodically. They share their wisdom, help you think through challenges, and offer guidance based on their experience. Mentors are valuable. A sponsor, on the other hand, is someone who uses their political capital on your behalf. They advocate for you in rooms you're not in. They put your name forward for stretch assignments. They defend you when you're not there to defend yourself. They stake their reputation on your potential.Mentors talk to you. Sponsors talk about you.

March 30, 2026Episode 717 min

Leading Through Uncertainty

Leading Through Uncertainty: The Psychology of ChangeEach stage of the Change Curve needs something different from you.In denial: People need information, repeated calmly.In anger: People need to be heard, not corrected.In bargaining: People need boundaries, gently held.In depression: People need support and hope.In acceptance: People need direction and tools.

March 23, 2026Episode 614 min

The Confidence Question

The confidence conversation isn't wrong. Many of us do need to back ourselves more. But it's incomplete. It places responsibility on individuals while leaving systems untouched.So this week, I invite you to reflect:Where have you seen the "confidence gap" narrative play out in your career—in ways that helped, or in ways that obscured deeper issues?What's one thing your organisation could do differently to create a level playing field—not just for confident women, but for all women?And if you're willing to share: When have you stretched into something you didn't feel ready for, and surprised yourself?Come find me on Instagram @womenwhochange.official. Send me a DM. Let's continue this conversation.

March 16, 2026Episode 516 min

Redefining Strong: The Jacinda Ardern Leadership Lesson

I invite you to reflect:Where have you been told—explicitly or implicitly—that your natural way of leading isn't "strong enough"?What would it look like to bring more of your whole self to your leadership this week?And if you're comfortable, I'd love to hear: Who is a leader—maybe not famous, maybe someone you know—who has shown you a different way to be strong?Come find me on Instagram @womenwhochange.official and share your thoughts. Let's keep this conversation going.