Strategy, Leadership and Impact

Psychosocial hazards are hazards that arise from or about the design or management of work, the working environment, and workplace interactions or behaviours and may cause psychological and physical harm. ​ These hazards can lead to conditions such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep disorders, musculoskeletal injuries, chronic diseases, and physical injuries following fatigue-related workplace incidents. ​ The body's reaction to these hazards is stress, which can have physiological and psychological effects. ​ While stress is not an injury, frequent, prolonged, or severe stress can cause harm. ​It is essential to manage psychosocial hazards to protect workers' health and safety, reduce costs and disruptions associated with injuries, and improve overall organisational performance and productivity. ​

Understanding financial metrics is essential and can empower CEOs, senior executives, and board members. It's the key to unlocking an organisation's success. In this episode, we will demystify some crucial financial metrics that every business leader should be well-versed in. This will give you the control and confidence to steer your company towards prosperity. By understanding and tracking these key financial metrics, you can make informed decisions to help your business grow and thrive.

Leading by example is an effective way to inspire and motivate others to follow your lead. When you lead by example, you set a positive and influential precedent for those around you. Here are some steps to help you lead by example:  1. Define your values: Clarify your values and the principles that guide your actions. Identify the qualities and behaviours you want to exemplify as a leader. 2. Be authentic: Authenticity is crucial when leading by example. Stay true to yourself and your values. People are more likely to trust and respect a genuine and consistent leader.  3. Demonstrate integrity: Act honestly, fairly, and ethically in all your interactions. Uphold high standards of integrity and be transparent in your decision-making processes.  4. Exhibit professionalism: Maintain a professional demeanour and approach to work. Be punctual, reliable, and organised. Take your responsibilities seriously and demonstrate dedication to your role.  5. Show empathy and respect: Treat others with compassion and respect. Listen actively to their perspectives, value their contributions, and show genuine care for their well-being. Create a supportive and inclusive environment.  6. Take initiative: Proactively take on tasks and responsibilities without waiting to be asked. Show initiative, be self-motivated, and demonstrate a strong work ethic. Your willingness to take the lead can inspire others to do the same.  7. Communicate effectively: Practice clear and open communication. Share information, goals, and expectations openly with your team. Be a good listener, offer constructive feedback, and encourage open dialogue.  8. Embrace accountability: Hold yourself accountable for your actions and decisions. Admit and learn from mistakes and take ownership of the outcomes. When others see you taking responsibility, they will be likelier to do the same.  9. Continuously learn and grow: Cultivate a growth mindset and commit to lifelong learning. Stay updated on industry trends, seek opportunities for self-improvement, and encourage others to develop their skills and knowledge.  10. Inspire and motivate: Stay positive, enthusiastic, and motivated to inspire others. Celebrate achievements, recognise your team's efforts, and provide encouragement when challenges arise.  Remember, leading by example is an ongoing process. Consistently demonstrate the qualities and behaviours you wish to see in others; your actions will positively impact those around you over time.

Corporate responsibility, also known as corporate social responsibility (CSR) or corporate citizenship, refers to a company's commitment to addressing and managing its impact on society and the environment. Integrating social, environmental, and ethical considerations into a company's business practices and decision-making processes. Corporate responsibility extends beyond the pursuit of profit and encompasses a broader set of responsibilities towards stakeholders, including employees, customers, communities, suppliers, and shareholders. It recognises that businesses have a role in contributing to sustainable development, fostering positive social outcomes, and minimising negative environmental impacts. Critical areas of corporate responsibility often include:  1. Environmental Sustainability: Companies are expected to adopt practices that minimise their environmental footprint, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving resources, promoting renewable energy, and implementing waste management and recycling initiatives.  2. Ethical Business Practices: Conducting business with integrity, transparency, and fairness. Companies must adhere to ethical standards, combat corruption and bribery, and ensure responsible governance. 3. Social Impact and Community Engagement: Companies are encouraged to engage with and positively contribute to the communities in which they operate. This can include supporting local initiatives, investing in education and healthcare, promoting diversity and inclusion, and respecting human rights throughout their supply chains.  4. Employee Well-being and Development: Ensuring employees' well-being, safety, and fair treatment is an essential aspect of corporate responsibility. This involves providing a safe working environment, fair wages, equal opportunities, and supporting employee development and work-life balance.  5. Stakeholder Engagement and Dialogue: Companies must engage in open and transparent dialogue with their stakeholders, including customers, investors, employees, and communities. This helps build trust, allows for feedback, and enables companies to understand and respond to societal expectations and concerns. 6. Responsible Supply Chain Management: Companies ensure that their supply chains operate ethically and sustainably. This includes monitoring suppliers for compliance with labour and environmental standards and addressing any issues.  Corporate responsibility is not only driven by ethical considerations but also by the recognition that responsible business practices can lead to long-term financial success. It can enhance a company's reputation, attract and retain talented employees, strengthen customer loyalty, and mitigate risks associated with environmental and social issues. Many companies now publish sustainability reports or CSR reports to communicate their commitments, goals, and progress in these areas, allowing stakeholders to assess their performance and hold them accountable. Additionally, various frameworks and standards, such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the United Nations Global Compact, and the new IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) Sustainability Disclosure Standards S1 are the general requirements for the disclosure of sustainability-related financial information and S2 climate-related disclosures which came into effect 1 January 2024.

The power of collaboration lies in its ability to leverage diverse perspectives, skills, and resources to achieve common goals more effectively and efficiently than individuals working alone. In this episode, we explore these key aspects: 1. Synergy 2. Shared Resources 3. Enhanced Learning 4. Increased Efficiency 5. Risk Sharing 6. Improved Decision Making 7. Building Relationships 8. Fostering Innovation Through collaboration, individuals and organizations can achieve greater impact, innovation, and success than they could on their own.

Ethical leadership plays a pivotal role in fostering organisational success and societal well-being. In this episode we explore the concept of ethical leadership, its significance, and the key characteristics and behaviours associated with ethical leaders. We also delve into the importance of trust, integrity, and social responsibility in ethical leadership and highlight the potential benefits and challenges faced by ethical leaders in various contexts. Additionally, we share some real-world examples and practical strategies for developing and promoting ethical leadership in organisations. Ultimately, the goal is to highlight the transformative power of ethical leadership in creating sustainable and morally upright environments.

In this episode, we discuss leadership, and leading, during times of crisis. Leadership in times of crisis is a critical and challenging task that requires a unique set of skills and qualities. Crises can come in various forms, such as natural disasters, economic downturns, pandemics, or social and political unrest. During these difficult times, effective leadership becomes even more crucial to navigate uncertainties, provide guidance, and inspire confidence among individuals and communities. Here are some key principles and qualities that are important for leadership in times of crisis that we discuss further in the episode: 1. Calmness and Composure 2. Clear Communications 3. Decisiveness 4. Empathy and Support 5. Adaptability and Flexibility 6. Collaboration and Teamwork 7. Ethical and Values-based Leadership 8. Resilience and Optimism 9. Learning and Adaptation 10. Long-term Vision As mentioned in the show, see episode 25 - What is Resilience to learn more about this topic.

Starting a new job, whether in your current career field or a new one, can be rewarding and daunting. Understanding the benefits and challenges can help you to smooth the transition.

In this episode, we discuss the difference between organisations and leaders that focus only on compliance and those that focus on gaining commitment from their team.  There is a big difference between the two and one is definitely better than the other. 

In this episode, we discuss 25 things that can help you to create a growth mindset.   A growth mindset is one where you believe that your talents, skills and abilities can be developed through things such as experience and learning.  Do you have a growth mindset?

In this episode, we discuss why trying to get everything perfect can keep you from achieving.  Some of us place a requirement on ourselves, both in our professional and private lives, that things have to be perfect and that you have to be perfect before you can do certain things.  Being perfect is subjective and more than likely things will never be perfect.  However, things don't have to be perfect to be right and you don't have to be perfect to be successful. 

In this episode, we explore the topic of managing up.  We talk about what managing up means and some strategies you can use to successfully manage up.  Whether you have an incompetent supervisor or want to help your boss be as successful as they can be, there is a way to manage up.  

In this episode, we explore unconscious bias (also known as cognitive bias), the various types, how to recognise them, and address them in yourself and the workplace.   Link to the article Bias Blind Spot: https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/pdf/10.1287/mnsc.2014.2096 Link to the Harvard Implicit Association Test (IAT): https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html

One of the things that can move us forward to our goals is accountability.  Allowing others to hold us accountable along the way may be uncomfortable but it is definitely worth it.  

In this episode, we discuss 3 key ingredients that you need in order to have a successful business.  Of course, there are many things that need to happen along the way to creating your business but if you have these three things, your business will rocket to success. The 3 Key ingredients that will propel any business forward are: 1. Addressing a need or solving a problem. 2. Passion. 3. The right mix of skills and personalities. Feel free to connect with me: https://www.blakerepine.com.au/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakerepine/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blake_repin... Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/strategylead...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Katie Tebbatt and Ben Groth to talk about their new company 360 View.  Katie and Ben, along with Janelle Davey, established 360 View to help people achieve their highest level of potential.  The 360 View concept addresses the wholistic person and multiple aspects of their lives. In this episode, Katie and Ben share with us why they founded 360 View, what they hope to achieve and how they're overcoming challenges along the way.   If you'd like to connect with 360 View they can be found: https://www.360view.co/ https://www.instagram.com/360view.co/ https://www.facebook.com/360view.co If you would like to connect with me: https://www.blakerepine.com.au/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakerepine/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blake_repin... Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/strategylead...

In this episode, we discuss the phenomenon of imposter syndrome.  We talk about what imposter syndrome is and how common it is.  We also offer four steps to address imposter syndrome.  The four steps are: 1. Recognise that you are not alone, it is not uncommon 2. Remove self-doubt, have confidence in yourself and your abilities 3. Keep learning and improving your skills and knowledge 4. Realise that something doesn’t have to be perfect to be right Connect with me - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakerepine/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blake_repin... Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/strategylead...

Over the years, I've heard and believed many myths about leadership.  For this episode, I've shared 4 myths of leadership that I've probably heard the most.  While I've only shared 4, I do recognise that there are many more.  Here are the 4 I've shared: 1. You are a leader because of your job or title. 2. Once you're in a senior/leadership position, everyone will do exactly what you say. 3. Once you're in a senior/leadership position, you can do whatever you want and the rules won't apply to you anymore. 4. You'll have more time to relax; your work will get easier. I'd love to hear about some of the myths you're familiar with.  Feel free to share them with through one of the platforms below. Connect with me - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakerepine/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blake_repin... Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/strategylead...

Building a tribe means creating a following of people who respect you, believe in you, support you, and want you to succeed. Anyone can have a tribe of like-minded people; these tribes can be good and bad. There are 7 and a half billion people in the world, there are bound to be people who think like you or have similar values to you. Like attracts like. Once you’ve identified who you are, what your values are, then you can develop your personal brand, key messages and start to build your tribe.  It may not be easy but they’re out there, you just have to find them. 4 Steps to building your tribe – 1. Understand who you are 2. Be genuine, open and true 3. Be consistent 4. Value and be loyal to your follower; build trust Connect with me -  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakerepine/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blake_repin... Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/strategylead...

Starting and growing a business can be stressful.  However, there are some things that you can do to alleviate your stress.  In this video, I share four tips on what you can do to reduce your stress when you're starting or growing your business.   Tip 1 - Get Expert Advice/Help Tip 2 - Learn to let go and allow others to make decisions Tip 3 - Find a sounding board Tip 4 - Find time for yourself Connect with me -  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakerepine/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blake_repin... Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/strategylead...