Forks in the Road: A podcast exploring dilemmas in everyday leadership

Today we are joined by Dr. Yacine Hadjiat, Head of Innovations at Dubai Health. His career has crossed clinical practice, medical research, and senior leadership in the pharmaceutical and digital-health sectors. He earned medical degrees through Paris Medical University and McGill University, specializing in pain management and supportive care, and holds an MBA in Health Management. Along the way, he worked in roles spanning medical affairs and leadership across Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America, including positions at Sanofi, Grünenthal, and Mundipharma, before leading digital-health work at Biogen.His career to date raises questions at the heart of this podcast: What prompts someone to move between medicine, industry, and innovation? Which choices open new possibilities, and what do the difficult turns teach us?Let’s dive in.Key moments in the podcast:00:00 – Teaser clip: Dr. Yacine on forgetting business school tuition fees and securing pharma sponsorship00:54 – Podcast intro by hosts Stephen Berkeley and Anne Boland01:14 – Guest introduction: Dr. Yacine Hadjiat’s background in medicine, neuroscience, and innovation02:01 – Welcome & Dr. Yacine opens with his current role in Dubai and career summary03:02 – Yacine’s multicultural upbringing in Algeria and France04:12 – Curiosity as a lifelong driver for making “irrational, good decisions”05:15 – How Fatherhood Reshapes Decision-Making07:44 – The Energy and Boldness of the Middle East11:24 – Early studies and career choices11:58 – Training as an MD specializing in pain management and neuroscience12:50 – Realizing at age 25 that a predictable 40-year clinic routine wasn’t enough14:02 – The Fork in Clinical Medicine: Heading to Business School15:35 – Opening the door to a 15-year career across global life sciences while keeping academic ties17:42 – Childhood roots of curiosity and Respectful rebellion22:42 – The Leap to Asia: “We Haven’t Unpacked Yet!”27:14 – A Lesson in “Sincere Arrogance”31:47 – The Rise of HealthTech & Making the Dubai Decision36:44 – Separating Signal from Noise in Healthcare Innovation39:46 - Building Teams from Zero: Vision vs. Execution45:00 – Reflecting on cause vs. consequence and trusting the path46:17 Golden Nuggets: Three Takeaways for Navigating Forks in the Road49:38 –Episode Wrap-Up & OutroHere is what stays with us from this conversation:The World Is an Open Playground When Driven by Curiosity* Embracing Unconventional Choices: Allowing an innate sense of wonder to guide career moves and life decisions beyond traditional, linear pathways.* Reframing Irrationality as Opportunity: Recognizing that non-traditional choices can lead to richer growth than safe, purely logical trajectories.* Living Without Boundaries: Viewing new environments, cultures, and global shifts as invitations to learn rather than obstacles.True Growth Begins Where Arrogance Ends and Humility Takes Over* Overcoming ‘Sincere Arrogance’: Unlearning the assumption that centralized expertise applies universally, opening space for true collaboration.* The Power of Listening First: Entering new global markets and cultural settings with active listening rather than immediate instruction.* Building Genuine Cultural Agility: Adapting to local nuances and respecting diverse methods of problem-solving across borders.Clarity Emerges by Separating Signal from Noise amid Rapid Transformation* Cutting Through Market Hype: Staying grounded in evidence, core values, and tangible outcomes amidst rapid industry and technological shifts.* Thriving in High-Energy Ecosystems: Seeking out forward-thinking environments that celebrate bold execution and welcome a “why not?” attitude.* Mastering Complex Transformations: Navigating intricate organizational shifts from zero to one by focusing on meaningful, long-term impact.Courage Means Following Intuition and Moving Forward with No Regrets* Trusting the Inner Compass: Relying on deep-seated intuition as a true North Star when facing complex decision points.* Building Complementary Teams: Surrounding oneself with diverse, brilliant collaborators rather than relying on familiar safety nets.* Evolving Through Shared Growth: Balancing personal ambition with family alignment, recognizing that personal growth evolves alongside loved ones.Connect with Yacine HadjiatThis is an original podcast by Flyntrok. We help organisations, communities and individuals change and adapt to a new world. You will find Flyntrok on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.Listen to this podcast on Substack, Spotify or Apple. We would love it if you would leave us a comment, screenshot the episode and tag us on social, and share this episode with your community so that they can better navigate their forks in the road.Hosted by Stephen Berkeley and Anne BolandProduced by Rajeev Nedumaran of Studior.Music by Damian Smith of Bespoke Music.Art work by Ben Tibbin of Mozmo Creative andSocial Media Creations by Alana Rauert of Muse Communications.Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode were those of the hosts and the guest, not of any entity they work for or with. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit flyntrok.substack.com

Today, we’re joined by Dr Noel Yeo, a physician turned healthcare CEO with more than two decades of experience building and transforming healthcare platforms across Southeast Asia.Dr Yeo earned his MBBS and Executive MBA from the National University of Singapore. His career has spanned Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia, including leadership roles across hospitals, specialist services and integrated healthcare networks. At Mount Elizabeth Hospital and IHH Healthcare Singapore, he helped lead operations across four hospitals, a network of clinics and more than 5,000 staff. He also guided frontline operations through COVID-19 and led major redevelopment and digital transformation initiatives.Today, as President Director and CEO of Bali International Hospital, he’s building a new greenfield hospital into a regional healthcare destination. We’ll explore the pivotal choices behind his journey, and what it takes to build, transform and grow healthcare platforms across the regionKey moments in the podcast:00:00 Introduction & Podcast Overview 1:21 Guest Introduction: Dr. Noel Yeo2:18 Rapid fire Questions & Personal Life5:25 Book Recommendation: *Winning with People7:05 Choosing Medicine: Motives and Honesty10:07 Medical School Realities & Continuous Learning13:38 The First Night Call: Overcoming Failure19:26 Transition from Clinical Practice to Management27:00 The Financial & Professional Leap into Hospital Management33:10 Driving EMR Adoption Across 500+ Doctors35:40 Stepping Up During Crisis: Becoming Acting CEO45:34 Advisory Work with Bain & Strategic Investments48:15 Building Bali International Hospital (SEZ)54:02 Three Golden Nuggets for Leaders59:10 Episode Wrap-Up & Next Episode PreviewHere is what stays with us from this conversation:Key Themes & Sub-ThemesTrue Strength Lies in the Courage to Admit What You Don’t Know* Learning never actually stops: Realizing early on that no one knows everything, and that real personal growth begins when you stay open to being a student for life.* Raising your hand early: Letting go of pride and having the humility to say “I don’t know” before a minor struggle turns into a major setback.* Surrounding yourself with wise voices: Intentionally choosing teammates who bring different strengths so you can lean on each other’s expertise.Growth Requires Taking Big Leaps and Embracing Temporary Sacrifice* Knowing when to change direction: Having the heart to step away from a familiar, expected path when a new, meaningful door opens up.* Investing in your future self: Being willing to take a pay cut or put in long, grueling hours when you know you’re building foundational skills.* Leaning on the people who believe in you: Staying deeply grounded and grateful for the family and mentors who step up to back your dreams.Real Influence Comes from Genuine Human Connection, Not Authority* Growing from capable to connected: Moving beyond just being good at your job to truly listening, building warmth, and bringing people along with you.* Speaking to the heart, not just the head: Helping people navigate big changes by using simple, relatable stories rather than overwhelming them with technical facts.* Building bridges between divided worlds: Serving as a calm mediator between disconnected groups to find common ground around a shared legacy.Unexpected Crises Can Become Our Greatest Opportunities to Grow* Stepping up when life gets messy: Finding your footing and leading with heart when sudden heartbreak or unexpected shifts leave a massive void.* Reframing the hardest moments: Learning to see career disruptions not as threats, but as powerful training grounds for resilience and character.* Finding balance in the unknown: Learning how to keep steady and take the next right step, even when you feel completely out of your depth.Our Deepest Roots Help Us Connect with People Anywhere* Carrying your roots with you: How growing up in a rich, multicultural community softens your perspective and helps you appreciate different cultures.* Navigating new waters with respect: Stepping into unfamiliar countries and spaces by listening first and honoring local ways of doing things.* Finding peace in everyday trade-offs: Realizing that leadership isn’t about chasing perfection, but gracefully balancing competing needs in the real world.Connect with Noel YeoBook Reference: Winning with People, John MaxwellThis is an original podcast by Flyntrok. We help organisations, communities and individuals change and adapt to a new world. You will find Flyntrok on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.Listen to this podcast on Substack, Spotify or Apple. We would love it if you would leave us a comment, screenshot the episode and tag us on social, and share this episode with your community so that they can better navigate their forks in the road.Hosted by Stephen Berkeley and Anne BolandProduced by Rajeev Nedumaran of Studior.Music by Damian Smith of Bespoke Music.Art work by Ben Tibbin of Mozmo Creative andSocial Media Creations by Alana Rauert of Muse Communications.Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode were those of the hosts and the guest, not of any entity they work for or with. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit flyntrok.substack.com

Today we’re joined by Dr Alex Markwell, an emergency physician, health leader, educator and advocate whose career has been shaped by expertise, service and the courage to change direction.Alex completed her Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Queensland before undertaking specialist training at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. She became a Fellow of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine in 2011.Alex is a Past President of the Australian Medical Association Queensland, former Chair of the Queensland Clinical Senate, and was deeply involved in Queensland’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.Alex shares candid insights on standing up against systemic injustices, navigating unexpected health challenges, leveraging peer mentorship, and redefining professional identity when life forces a change in direction. While Alex is passionate about emergency medicine, today we hear the personal health reasons that led her to reconsider her career path.Let’s dive into our conversation with Dr Alex Markwell.Key moments in the podcast:00:00 Mentor Nudge Moment00:38 Podcast Welcome Setup01:14 Meet Dr Alex Markwell02:43 Queensland Roots04:19 Books That Shaped Her05:59 Self Care Reality Check07:45 Choosing Medicine Path11:56 Mentors And Peer Support14:32 Advocacy Nudge To AMA18:59 New Career Direction21:35 Speaking Up For Justice24:01 Leadership In Emergency27:21 Gender Bias And Harassment31:43 Calling Out Bad Behavior34:09 Health Crisis After COVID39:59 Clinician And Patient Lens44:34 Three Golden Nuggets47:39 Closing Credits FarewellHere is what stays with us from this conversation:Leadership is born from showing up and calling out injustice.* Grassroots Advocacy: Stepping into advocacy roles begins simply by identifying an issue and daring to use your voice, even as a junior professional.* Challenging Normalised Behaviours: True cultural change requires calling out inappropriate behavior in real-time, preventing toxic habits from becoming acceptable norms.* Crisis vs. Collaborative Leadership: High-stakes environments like the emergency room hone rapid crisis leadership, but long-term impact requires shifting to reflective, collaborative governance.Growth thrives in two-way support and peer-to-peer connection.* The Power of Lateral Mentorship: Career development relies heavily on peer support networks and mutual learning rather than traditional top-down hierarchies.* Strategic Encouragement: A gentle nudge from a trusted peer or mentor can provide the exact confidence boost needed to step into unexpected opportunities.* Shared Resilience: Surrounding yourself with trusted colleagues creates a safety net for navigating high-pressure careers.Career detours often reveal new avenues for purpose and impact.* Adapting to Unexpected Pivots: Facing severe health challenges requires stepping back, reassessing capabilities, and embracing alternative career paths like virtual care and board leadership.* Separating Identity from Profession: True resilience comes from uncoupling your personal worth from a single professional title or rigid career trajectory.* Leveraging Lived Experience: Transitioning from clinician to patient offers invaluable perspective for improving patient dignity, safety, and healthcare governance.* Be open to pivots: Don’t be afraid to say yes to new paths; even if your original plan changes, meaningful opportunities will follow.Intuition and clarity guide us through life’s biggest forks in the road.* Trusting Your Instincts: Taking time to listen to your gut helps prevent missteps and provides clarity during difficult choices.* Saying Yes to the Unknown: Remaining open to unexpected opportunities often leads to fulfilling destinations you never originally planned for.Connect with Alex MarkwellThis is an original podcast by Flyntrok. We help organisations, communities and individuals change and adapt to a new world. You will find Flyntrok on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.Listen to this podcast on Substack, Spotify or Apple. We would love it if you would leave us a comment, screenshot the episode and tag us on social, and share this episode with your community so that they can better navigate their forks in the road.Hosted by Stephen Berkeley and Anne BolandProduced by Rajeev Nedumaran of Studior.Music by Damian Smith of Bespoke Music.Art work by Ben Tibbin of Mozmo Creative andSocial Media Creations by Alana Rauert of Muse Communications.Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode were those of the hosts and the guest, not of any entity they work for or with. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit flyntrok.substack.com

Today, we’re joined by Mark Middleton, Global CEO of Icon Group, based in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He is a radiation therapist whose clinical expertise and strategic vision have shaped one of the world’s leading integrated cancer-care providers.Mark began his clincial training in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and early in his career took an opportunity to work in North America and Europe.When he returned to Australia, he became a co-founder of Radiation Oncology Queensland, now part of Icon Group. Since becoming CEO in 2015, he has led Icon’s growth within Australia and expansion internationally.Mark was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2022 for his significant contribution to Australian cancer care.At the heart of his leadership is a simple belief: where people live should not determine whether they live, or the quality of care they receive.Let’s dive in …Key moments in the podcast:00:00 Patient First Mindset00:33 Podcast Welcome01:03 Meet Mark Middleton02:32 Rapid Fire Origins02:57 Farm Work Lessons04:18 First Solo Leap05:49 Choosing A Career08:46 Sport To Radiations12:16 Why Radiation Therapy13:52 Mentors And Nurture18:08 Growing As A Leader22:38 Overseas Career Pivot26:08 Starting The Business29:20 MBA And Learning33:52 Clinical Credibility38:04 Hardest Fork In Life42:05 Golden Nuggets44:18 Closing And CreditsHere is what stays with us from this conversation:* Frontline Experience Fuels Meaningful Leadership* Grounding Strategy in Practical Reality: True credibility comes from understanding the core experience of your workforce and customers firsthand.* Combining Empathy with Execution: Deep clinical or technical domain knowledge, paired with business acumen, creates an unstoppable blueprint for decision-making.* Leading from the Coalface: Staying connected to daily operations ensures long-term strategy never loses touch with human-centered service.2. Ambition Hardens When Urgency Takes Hold* Reframing Pivotal Moments: Personal hardships and unexpected life turns often serve as the ultimate catalyst for clarity and drive.* The Imperative of Relentless Execution: Recognizing that time is finite pushes leaders to step up, make bold moves, and make every opportunity count.* Turning Adversity into Purpose: Transforming major life disruptions into enduring motivation to build something bigger than yourself.3. Don’t Be a Bystander in Your Own Journey* Embracing Boldness Early: Hesitation and overly conservative thinking hold potential back; real growth happens beyond the comfort zone.* Active Ownership: Taking full accountability for career pivots, international leaps, and entrepreneurial risks rather than passively waiting for permission.* Continuous Curiosity: Approaching leadership as a lifetime of learning, reading, seeking out diverse perspectives, and questioning the status quo every day.4. Build an Organisation of Leaders, Not Just a Company* Investing in the Next Generation: True success lies in identifying high-potential talent, nurturing their capabilities, and empowering them to scale new markets.* Relationships over Transactions: Cultivating decades-long professional trust forms the backbone of sustained organizational growth.* Creating Enduring Legacy: Ensuring those around you have access to greater opportunities than the generation before them.Connect with Mark MiddletonThis is an original podcast by Flyntrok. We help organisations, communities and individuals change and adapt to a new world. You will find Flyntrok on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.Listen to this podcast on Substack, Spotify or Apple. We would love it if you would leave us a comment, screenshot the episode and tag us on social, and share this episode with your community so that they can better navigate their forks in the road.Hosted by Stephen Berkeley and Anne BolandProduced by Rajeev Nedumaran of Studior.Music by Damian Smith of Bespoke Music.Art work by Ben Tibbin of Mozmo Creative andSocial Media Creations by Alana Rauert of Muse Communications.Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode were those of the hosts and the guest, not of any entity they work for or with. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit flyntrok.substack.com

In this summary episode, hosts Anne Boland and Stephen Berkeley reflect on their recent conversations across Episodes 50 through 54. Bringing together stories from Australia, New Zealand, and Nepal, they extract powerful lessons on vulnerability, purpose-driven leadership, career pivots, and community co-creation .Featured Guests (Episodes 50–54)* Eps 50 Jude Pemel (Australia) – “Spotting the Clues: When Passion Meets Opportunity”* Eps 51 Surya Bhatta (Nepal) – “Humility-Driven Growth: Scaling with Purpose and Humility”* Eps 52 Lisa Scharoun (Australia / International) – “Design as an Agent of Social Change”* Eps 53 Taimi Allan (Australia/New Zealand) – “Trust the Trajectory of Your Unconventional Career Path”* Eps 54 Andrew Old (New Zealand) – “Stepping Up Long Before You Feel Ready”Key moments in the podcast:00:00 Welcome and Setup01:08 Community and Curiosity03:23 Theme Strong Foundations04:30 Lisa Finding Home06:24 Guiding Others Abroad07:27 Surya Village Roots09:47 Andrew Bold Career Leap13:00 Purpose Led Paths13:43 Jude Following Heart19:33 Taimi Letting Go Regret23:15 Humility Driven Growth28:51 Open Mind Conversations29:40 Diversify Your Network32:00 Wrap Up and CreditsHere is what stays with us from this conversation:1. Solid Foundations Power Bold Risk-Taking“A stable foundation isn’t an anchor that holds you back—it is the safety net that empowers you to take bold leaps into the unknown.”* Rooted Resilience: Having a strong origin—such as a tight-knit hometown community—provides a safe harbor to return to, allowing leaders to take risks globally.* Struggle as a Building Block: Overcoming everyday hardship in youth builds the endurance needed to handle complex professional environments.* Leaping Before You Feel 100% Ready: Saying “yes” to major roles outside your comfort zone and relying on just-in-time learning to bridge knowledge gaps.2. Purpose-Driven & Heart-Led Leadership“When you navigate by your inner compass and passion, every unexpected shift leads to authentic contribution.”* Following the Inner Compass: Prioritizing heart-centered choices over material wealth or rigid career milestones.* Roots of Passion: Allowing early life experiences and family role models to serve as the fuel for your life’s mission.* Human-Centered Service: Approaching complex work with deep empathy, recognizing that those we serve often teach us how to be more human.3. Humility-Driven Growth & Co-Creation“True transformation happens when leaders step off the pedestal of ‘hero’ and walk alongside communities as humble enablers.”* Ordinary People, Collective Impact: Moving away from the hero complex to recognize that effective leaders are ordinary people bringing community wisdom together.* Respecting Pacing Over Forced Scaling: Resisting the urge to rush growth and instead co-creating tailored solutions at a pace the community can sustain .* Open-Minded Connection: Entering every encounter without assumptions, knowing that true collaboration begins with genuine curiosity.4. Portfolio Trajectories & Releasing Regret“Your unique path is your greatest asset—letting go of past regret unlocks the power of your lived experience.”* Shedding Educational or Career Shame: Releasing regret over unfinished traditional paths (such as uncompleted degrees) to appreciate the rich real-world experience gained.* Focusing on ‘Doing’ Over ‘Being’: Concentrating on the tangible work you want to execute rather than fixating on executive titles.* Paying Generosity Forward: Honoring mentors who gave you a chance by backing and mentoring the next generation.5. Intentional Connection & Network Diversity“Actively seeking out diverse worldviews expands our horizons and challenges how we see the world.”* Auditing Your Circle: Conducting an honest inventory of your network to identify gaps in perspectives, cultures, and experiences .* Initiating Open Conversations: Reaching out to people outside your usual bubble simply to listen, learn, and understand their world .Memorable Quotes“I grew up with a really stable foundation, and that changes everything. What helped me take these, what people would consider big risks... was that I always felt like, ‘Okay, if it doesn’t work out, I can go back. I’ll be okay.’” Lisa Scharoun“I’ve always done what my heart wanted to do. To chase the material life has never entered my consciousness. Every major shift came from listening to that inner compass.” Jude Pemel“Leaders are not heroes. I think they are just ordinary people showing up, doing things constantly, improving every day, doing things together, bringing everybody’s ideas together, and driving real change through community.” Surya Bhatta“I’ve learnt very, very slowly and painfully to stop regretting stuff... because the life experience that has given me has probably given me way more than a degree would have at the time.” Taimi AllanWeekly Listener ChallengeTake an inventory of your current personal and professional network. Where are the gaps in terms of diversity, background, or life experience? Challenge yourself to reach out to someone new this week simply to listen and learn about their world .This is an original podcast by Flyntrok. We help organisations, communities and individuals change and adapt to a new world. You will find Flyntrok on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.Listen to this podcast on Substack, Spotify or Apple. We would love it if you would leave us a comment, screenshot the episode and tag us on social, and share this episode with your community so that they can better navigate their forks in the road.Hosted by Stephen Berkeley and Anne BolandProduced by Rajeev Nedumaran of Studior.Music by Damian Smith of Bespoke Music.Art work by Ben Tibbin of Mozmo Creative andSocial Media Creations by Alana Rauert of Muse Communications.Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode were those of the hosts and the guest, not of any entity they work for or with. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit flyntrok.substack.com