This week I’m joined by the remarkable Helen Young-McLaughlin, CEO and founder of the Leverage Academy and a leadership coach based in Maryland, USA. Helen opens up about her personal battle with burnout and the transformative power of empathetic communication in the workplace. Her story is a testament to the resilience and adaptability required of leaders today. Helen is passionate about mindful middle management, and moving beyond the hustle culture hangover with a leadership framework built around intention, growth and impact so that everyone can grow and thrive without the burden of burnout.

Shownotes

See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-framework-helen-young

Key Moments

Planet Human: SpaceX's Starship and its monumental leap towards lunar and Martian missions. As someone deeply fascinated by the prospects of a permanent human presence in space, I also touch upon my novel, Olympus Bound which explores this very theme.

Planet Zoë: Leadership in the Wild - Currently, I'm in the rugged terrains of Western Australia, collaborating with Outback Initiatives on a leadership development program. Here, we're pushing boundaries through caving and bushwalking.

Understanding burnout and communication (00:04:00) Zoe and Helen discuss the link between burnout and communication, sharing personal experiences and insights.

Effective communication for middle management (00:12:36) Helen shares her perspective on effective communication, emphasising the importance of connectedness, clarity, and curiosity.

Empowering through curiosity (00:19:40) The conversation explores the challenge of staying curious and avoiding the urge to solve problems, emphasising the importance of empowering others through communication.

Collaboration in the Workplace (00:24:29) Challenges and solutions for effective collaboration among individuals of different status and influence.

Obstacles to Collaboration (00:25:49) Identifying and addressing the obstacles to collaboration in the current work environment, including remote and hybrid work setups.

Reactivity as an Indicator (00:29:25) Understanding reactivity as a red flag, using curiosity to diagnose and address issues before making changes.

Future Technology and Workplace Wellness (00:32:44) Discussion about the potential benefits of technology for workplace wellness, including the concept of "pods" for virtual breaks.

Leadership Book Recommendation (00:35:42) Recommendation of the book "Dare to Lead" by Brené Brown, emphasising vulnerability and courage in leadership.

The Future of Work (00:37:24) Envisioning a future workplace where mental health, learning, and well-being are top priorities for all individuals.

Workplace Burnout and Values Alignment (00:38:53) Highlighting the impact of workplace burnout and the importance of aligning values with work to create a positive environment.

Speaking Up as a Leader (00:41:51) Encouragement to speak up as a leader, overcoming biological urges for connection and safety to steer towards fulfilling potential.

Do you think fun has a place at work? I do! I think it’s vital in fact and in this episode we are exploring the power of fun with my guest Dr Mike Rucker, author of The Fun Habit.

Mike has spent much of his career in service to workplace wellbeing and performance, as an organisational psychologist, behavioral scientist, and charter member of the International Positive Psychology Association. He’s a big believer that in our our overprescribed lives we need to seek fun where we can. We’re not talking about zany fun here, it’s finding pleasure in the everyday. It's not about the big milestones, but the small moments that build our rich tapestry of life. As leaders, creating an environment where fun is woven into the fabric of work can transform well-being and productivity. It's serious business to ensure our teams genuinely enjoy their work.

Shownotes

See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-fun-mike-rucker

Key Moments

Planet Human: A big win for carbon neutral cattle here in Australia.

Planet Zoë: Olympus Bound has launched! It is out now, the advance reviews have been fantastic and I’m excited to see it getting in readers’ hands. Order your signed copy from my site, or get the paperback and ebook options on Amazon. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

The Importance of Fun at Work (00:03:28)

Introduction to the concept of fun at work and its significance for workplace well-being.

The Beginning of Fun as a Focus (00:04:38)

Guest Dr. Mike Rucker shares how fun became a focus for him and its connection to positive psychology.

Challenges with Pursuing Happiness (00:09:32)

Discussion on the problematic pursuit of happiness as an outcome and its impact on emotional flexibility and comparison to others.

The Role of Agency and Autonomy in Fun (00:14:10)

Exploration of the importance of agency and autonomy in creating positive experiences and avoiding habituated routines.

The Fun Habit Book Premise (00:18:30)

Explanation of the premise of the book "The Fun Habit" and the importance of breaking habitual routines to incorporate joy into life.

Defining and Incorporating Fun (00:21:40)

Discussion on defining fun for oneself and strategies for incorporating it into the workday.

The Valence of Fun (00:21:57)

Mike explains the psychological concept of valence and its association with pleasure and enjoyment.

The Misunderstood Concept of Fun at Work (00:24:17)

Zoe and Mike discuss the misconception of fun at work, addressing the negative connotations and the need for a redefined understanding.

Creating an Enjoyable Work Environment (00:29:11)

Mike delves into the connection between meaningful work and enjoyment, emphasising the importance of creating an enjoyable environment.

Future Technology and Work-Life Balance (00:33:44)

Mike discusses a technology concept related to work-life balance and the potential benefits of AI in managing work communications.

Transition Rituals in the Workplace (00:36:42)

Mike highlights the need for transition rituals in the workplace to separate work and leisure life, promoting a healthier work-life balance.

Parity and Reward for Work (00:38:35)

Zoe and Mike touch on the topic of parity and reward for work, expressing their views on the unequal distribution of abundance resulting from labour.

Reclaiming Control and Enjoying Work (00:41:42)

Mike emphasises the importance of reclaiming control at work and finding enjoyment, particularly by reclaiming lunch breaks and other breaks in the workday.

Enjoyment and Productivity (00:42:32)

Focusing on the importance of enjoyment in pocket moments for increased productivity and creativity.

Leadership and Interpersonal Dynamics (00:49:00)

An excerpt from the novel Terra Blanca: Insurrection highlighting interpersonal dynamics in leadership.

I’m just back from a two-week epic hike along the Australian Alpine Walking Track and reflecting on the fact that the heart of any expedition is its people. Drawing on these recent experiences for this solo episode, I explore the importance of nurturing relationships, understanding individual drives, and creating a supportive environment that empowers your team. We had some tough times on the trek; challenging terrain and brutal weather. But we also had lots of joy; laughter, dancing and gratitude in the bush! And much like life and leadership, when things get too much we simply focus on putting one foot in front of the other.

Shownotes

See more at: http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-adventure-zoe-routh

Key Moments

Planet Human: A biotech breakthrough that has the potential to transform lives with the ability to grow a ‘mini liver’ in lymph nodes, rather than relying on a transplant.

Planet Zoë: 200km in two weeks - Zoë reflects on an amazing experience in the Australian bush.

**Challenges and experiences during the trek (00:02:39)**

Zoë shares the physical and emotional challenges faced during the bushwhack, including navigating off-track and encountering feral animals.

**Leadership dynamics in the bush (00:04:52)**

Zoë explores the leadership dynamics and decision-making processes involved in the intense bushwhack experience.

**Factors contributing to successful teamwork (00:13:11)**

Zoë discusses the factors that contributed to the successful teamwork during the trek, including shared responsibilities and collective decision-making.

**Lessons for applying to the workplace (00:15:11)**

Zoë draws parallels between the bush walking experience and workplace projects, highlighting the importance of a meaningful "why" and an energiser for the team.

**Key points for project success (00:16:18)**

Zoë emphasises the importance of relationships, setting parameters, and adapting as you go for project success.

**Adapt as you go (00:20:25)**

Importance of flexibility and adaptability in facing unexpected challenges during the adventure.

**Practice appreciation and gratitude (00:21:32)**

The significance of acknowledging and expressing gratitude for the experiences, company, and moments during the journey.

**Have fun along the way (00:22:35)**

Emphasising the necessity of incorporating enjoyment and fun into the leadership journey, even during challenging times.