Claim OwnershipThe Balanced Leader Podcast
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The Balanced Leader Podcast tackles the biggest challenge facing today's leaders: how to drive exceptional results without burning out. Host Rob Hills, a leadership and wellbeing expert, combines proven leadership principles with sustainable performance strategies to help you lead more effectively.
Each episode delivers practical insights on building high-performing teams while creating healthier work environments. Whether you're exploring fundamental leadership concepts, learning from experts guests or discovering new approaches to sustainable success, you'll gain actionable strategies to elevate both your leadership impact and your team's wellbeing.
Join us to discover how the best leaders achieve outstanding results while maintaining balance - because sustainable high performance is the future of leadership.
42 Episodes
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Send us a text In this episode of The Balanced Leader Podcast, I sit down with Chelsea Pottenger, an internationally recognised speaker and expert on resilience, mindfulness, and mental fitness. Chelsea shares her powerful personal journey and the lessons she’s learned from helping leaders and organisations build a culture of wellbeing without compromising on results. We explore how leaders can create space for mental recovery, build resilience in high-pressure environments, and model sustain...
Send us a text In this episode of The Balanced Leader Podcast, I share a simple but powerful phrase that came home with my son one afternoon: “If you’re sinking, change your thinking.” At first, I thought it was just a helpful tool for him — but it quickly became something my wife and son were reminding me of when I slipped into negative thinking. And honestly, they were right. This saying might sound lighthearted, but it has incredible staying power when life or leadership feels overwhelming...
Send us a text What if I told you that 97.5% of what drives your stress, overwhelm, and leadership challenges is completely unconscious? In this eye-opening conversation with Andrew Rooke, we explore how the most successful leaders aren't just managing stress—they're eliminating it at the source by mastering their inner world. Andrew's journey from burnt-out executive to transformational coach offers a roadmap for any leader feeling trapped in cycles of overwhelm and reactivity. We dive into ...
Send us a text Do you find yourself trapped in analysis paralysis, spending hours or even days on decisions that should take minutes? In this episode, I share my personal struggle with being a "maximizer"—someone who needs to make the perfect decision every time. Using psychologist Barry Schwartz's research, I break down the difference between maximizers (who exhaust themselves seeking the best option) and satisficers (who happily choose "good enough" and move on). I'll reveal why satisficers...
Send us a text What if I told you that the changes you're experiencing as a leader in your 40s and 50s aren't signs of decline, but the emergence of extraordinary leadership superpowers? In this eye-opening conversation with executive coach Aneace Haddad, I explore the fascinating science behind midlife leadership transformation. Aneace, who exclusively coaches leaders over 40, reveals how our brains literally rewire during this period—creating new capabilities for wisdom, emotional empathy, ...
Send us a text Every day feels like another AI breakthrough announcement, and as leaders, we're caught between excitement and terror about what this means for our work. I've been experimenting with AI tools for years, and I'm convinced that leaders who don't start dabbling now risk getting left behind. But here's the thing: AI isn't about replacing your leadership, it's about amplifying it without losing what makes you uniquely human. In this episode, I'm sharing the promise and pitfalls of A...
Send us a text In this thought-provoking episode, I explore one of life's most powerful metaphors: what happens when we realise the ladder we've been climbing is leaning against the wrong wall? Many of us work tirelessly toward goals we set years ago, only to discover that our values and desires have shifted along the way. Drawing from Stephen Covey's wisdom, I dig into why achievement can sometimes feel hollow despite "doing everything right." I share practical strategies for pausing to reas...
Send us a text In this week’s episode, I sit down with Alfred Chidembo to explore the transformative power of Ubuntu—an ancient African philosophy that emphasizes our interconnectedness and collective humanity. Alfred shares his extraordinary journey from a small Zimbabwean village to becoming a thought leader on compassionate leadership in Australia. His powerful insights on leading with empathy, gratitude, and genuine human connection offer a refreshing alternative to the individualistic le...
Send us a text Employee engagement is declining—and in this solo episode, I’m sharing why a regular, human check-in could be the most underrated leadership tool you’re not using. I’ll walk you through how a 30-minute chat over coffee can make all the difference, how I track my team’s wellbeing with a simple 1 to 10 scale, and why noticing the trend is more important than any one-off answer. If you’ve ever wondered how to lead with more empathy without adding another thing to your already-pack...
Send us a text In this episode of The Balanced Leader Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Jodie Lowinger, a clinical psychologist and anxiety mindset expert who shows us how anxiety can actually be our superpower. Dr. Jodie shares her four-step Mind Strength Method to help leaders curb anxiety, conquer worry, and build resilience. We explore what anxiety really is, how it impacts leadership, and practical strategies to transform anxiety from a limitation into a strength. If you're someone who experi...
Send us a text Every interaction you have as a leader creates waves that extend far beyond what you can see. In this episode, I explore the science behind emotional contagion and mirror neurons, revealing how your mood as a leader directly impacts team performance and wellbeing. Discover why checking your emotional state before entering the workplace is a non-negotiable leadership skill. Through a famous compelling case study, I illustrate how seemingly small leadership moments can alter some...
Send us a text In a world where busyness is worn like a badge of honour, leadership expert Brendon Le Lievre is challenging the status quo. As an executive coach and advocate for unbusy leadership, Brendon shares powerful insights on how leaders can move beyond the frantic, always-on culture and instead focus on impact, effectiveness, and wellbeing. In this conversation, we explore why so many leaders are burning out, the hidden costs of constant busyness, and practical strategies for creatin...
Send us a text In this episode of The Balanced Leader Podcast, I explore the power of letting go and shifting focus from controlling others to managing our own responses. We introduce the Let Them Theory, popularised by Mel Robins, which helps leaders reduce stress, navigate challenges, and create more balance in their lives. By embracing this approach, leaders can build resilience, improve relationships, and focus on what truly matters. To wrap up the episode I challenge listeners to reflect...
Send us a text In this final episode of 2024, I explore why taking proper holidays isn't just a luxury—it's a biological necessity. Drawing from leading research, including the Framingham Heart Study and findings from Ernst & Young, I reveal how extended breaks significantly impact our health, wellbeing and professional performance, with evidence showing that even small increases in holiday time can improve performance ratings by 8%. The science is clear: taking regular holidays once or t...
Send us a text In today's episode of The Balanced Leader Podcast, we dive deep into the journey from burnout to brilliance with leadership expert Trudy MacDonald. Trudy shares fascinating insights about why 38% of Australian workers are experiencing burnout. Drawing from her own experience of burnout as a CEO, and her extensive work with organisations, Trudy reveals practical strategies for building psychological safety, resetting team dynamics, and creating sustainable high performance. ...
Send us a text In this episode, we explore how setting clear intentions can transform your leadership journey and daily life. Building on insights from Dr Adam Fraser about The Third Space, we examine how different segments of your day require unique energy and presence. You'll discover how this practice can help you transition more effectively between your various roles - whether as a leader, parent, or partner - allowing you to show up as your best self in each situation. We dive into the f...
Send us a text In today's episode, we're diving into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of wellbeing - our financial health. I'm joined by financial coach Sloan Wilkins, who shares powerful insights into how financial stress impacts both our personal lives and workplace performance. We explore why nearly 3 million Australian employees are experiencing financial stress, and how this affects everything from productivity to workplace safety. Sloan brings a unique perspective, having exp...
Send us a text In this week's episode of The Balanced Leader Podcast, we explore the transformative power of awe and its profound impact on leadership and personal wellbeing. Awe, that feeling of wonder and reverence experienced when encountering something vast or beyond our understanding, isn't limited to grand natural spectacles or cosmic revelations. We discuss how awe can be found in everyday moments - from acts of kindness to the intricate details of nature - and how consciously cultivat...
Send us a text In this weeks episode of The Balanced Leader Podcast I sat down with Dr Adam Fraser. Adam is a peak performance researcher, author and keynote speaker. We talked about his research and why he takes on the projects he does, we talked about his book The Third Space and strategies for increasing wellbeing, and he gave some amazing practical advice on how you can shut down your inner critic, who he affectionately calls Kevin. I loved every minute of my conversation with Adam,...
Send us a text In this episode of The Balanced Leader Podcast, I explore the pervasive challenge of uncertainty and its impact on our lives and leadership. I share my personal experiences with anxiety stemming from uncertainty and discuss an intriguing study that reveals how uncertainty can be more stressful than a guaranteed negative outcome. To help listeners understand their own coping mechanisms, I introduce six common archetypes for dealing with uncertainty. Recognising the potent...
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