About this podcast
The Inner Chief is a leadership podcast for managers and leaders who want to accelerate their career and build high performing teams. Every episode is dedicated to helping leaders rise above the pressure of work to establish a more meaningful career and life. Through a series of CEO interviews and minisodes, listeners are guided through practical leadership strategies, executive performance habits, career tips and business advice.
https://www.chiefmaker.com/connect
Episodes
The newest 50 of 486 episodes
- 396. Getting out of his own way, leading with 'we', and nailing a pitch, with Simon Mainwaring, CEO of We First [Best of Series] · 58 min · Season 1 Episode 396"What does working at your company say about me? And do you embody the badge value that I want to say about myself when I tell someone where I work?" In this Best of Series…
- Mini Chief: Ensuring post-deal integration success, with Natasha Mandie, Founder & CEO of EM Advisory · 10 min · Season 1"Bake integration into the term sheet negotiations right up front when you're presenting to the acquirers. The better you can crystallise that for them, the more you can take…
- 395. The 4 Rs of M&A transactions, guiding high-stakes negotiations, and post-deal integration success, with Natasha Mandie, Founder & CEO of EM Advisory · 1 h 0 min · Season 1 Episode 395"Understand there's no zero-risk option in a transaction, but there is a lot of upside, particularly if you can get everyone aligned." In this episode of The Inner Chief podcast…
- 394. GTFG (Get the F*n Gold): Five Principles for focus, alignment and nailing goals [Minisode] · 18 min · Season 1 Episode 394" Simplicity scales, complexity fails." Chief, in today's Minisode I walk you through strategic focus for maximum performance impact, and why you should align your team to go in…
- 393. Leading at the right level (and why it's actually three levels) [Minisode] · 20 min · Season 1 Episode 393"To be highly effective and be a true Chief, you actually have to work at three levels: your level, the level below you and the level above you." Chief, in today's Minisode I…
- Mini Chief: Running a powerful 360 feedback process, with Tracey Burton, Executive Director of Uniting [Best of Series] · 8 min · Season 1"The important thing about 360 feedback is to sit down with the people who gave you the feedback and be brave and transparent about what you learnt and what you'll do with it."…
- 392. The Executive's Guide to Organisational Value Creation and Protection [Minisode] · 24 min · Season 1 Episode 392" Value is not always profit; it's the outcome the organisation is designed, funded, trusted or judged to produce. And if your track record aligns to that, the more valuable you…
- 391. Experiential learning, 360 degree feedback and the future of the health industry, with Tracey Burton, Executive Director of Uniting [Best of Series] · 47 min · Season 1 Episode 391"I was attempting to be the smartest person in the room, trying to add value to somebody else's work. It was not facilitating others' greatest contributions. In fact, it shuts…
- Mini Chief: The keys to a perfect night's sleep with sleep guru Dr Carmel Harrington [Best of Series] · 10 min · Season 1"When we sleep, a spinal fluid washes over our brain and gets rid of a peptide called beta-amyloid which is implicated in the Alzheimer dementia process. So if we're not getting…
- 390. The Ultimate Guide to conducting Annual Performance Reviews like a true Chief [Minisode] · 23 min · Season 1 Episode 390"The best annual performance reviews are built all year long." Chief, in today's Minisode I run you through how to run Annual Performance Reviews really well, so much so that…
- Mini Chief: Building human bridges in an AI world, with Nick Lissette, Founder & CEO of Blackpearl Group · 7 min · Season 1"Sales and marketing just seems to be like a lost skill so you have to learn to be the differentiator as the human bridge." This is a special episode only available to our…
- 389. Reducing dementia risk, optimising sleep and unlocking health, joy and performance with Dr Carmel Harrington [Best of Series] · 49 min · Season 1 Episode 389"When we sleep, a spinal fluid washes over our brain and gets rid of a peptide called beta-amyloid which is implicated in the Alzheimer dementia process. So if we're not getting…
- 388. Driving data into dollars, building human bridges in an AI world, and his "win or die" attitude, with Nick Lissette, Founder & CEO of Blackpearl Group · 56 min · Season 1 Episode 388"Is your customer winning from using your product? Are they making or saving money from you? If so, how much and how is that measurable to your product?" In this episode of The…
- Mini Chief: Building alliances with your enemies to get things done, with David Borger, Executive Director for Business Western Sydney and former NSW Politician · 6 min · Season 1"If you've got good relationships and you're building alliances around ideas and issues, you can get things done." This is a special episode only available to our podcast…
- 387. The 5 pillars of building a High Performance Team [Minisode] · 13 min · Season 1 Episode 387"This framework is the core of what we do at Chief Maker. We join leaders' intuitive abilities with a framework and a process they can follow and repeat and really make it their…
- 386. Building alliances with your enemies, finding your executive courage, and championing legacy projects with David Borger, Executive Director for Business Western Sydney and former NSW Politician · 38 min · Season 1 Episode 386"I remember being a young bloke as Lord Mayor and I was almost reticent to ask my small team to do the job. I felt guilty. Over time I realised that delegating is actually giving…
- 385. I AM GREAT: The exact framework you need for executive mastery [Minisode] · 34 min · Season 1 Episode 385"What I noticed was that a lot of the self-help material out there really just didn't give you a sense of how to build the high performance system in order to achieve excellence…
- Mini Chief: Using AI to price your products competitively, with Jamie Kristow, CEO of Cotswold Outdoor Group · 6 min · Season 1"Consumers are rightly demanding more transparency from retailers on price, so we're using AI pricing tools and the results have been pretty instant in terms of uptick on where…
- 384. Optimising the retail value chain, adapting your pace of leadership, and championing AI innovation, with Jamie Kristow, CEO of Cotswold Outdoor Group · 55 min · Season 1 Episode 384"Understanding how the customer journey is changing and how you adapt is going to radically change retail in the coming years." In this episode of The Inner Chief podcast, I…
- Mini Chief: Adapting to shorter strategy cycles, with Paula Martin, Executive Director, Regional NSW and Visitor Economy at Business NSW · 10 min · Season 1" When we talk strategy, we mean let's get through the next 12 months. Have a three year outlook, but be prepared to change it in six months' time if we have to." This is a…
- Mini Chief: The 3Ps of building an insanely valuable network, with Paul Nicolaou, Executive Director of Business Sydney · 10 min · Season 1" I want people to walk away from any engagement they have with me saying that I'm not a bad bloke, that I was keen to listen, and that I wanted to help." This is a special…
- 383. Learning from everyone, adapting to shorter strategy cycles, and genuinely receiving feedback with Paula Martin, Executive Director, Regional NSW and Visitor Economy at Business NSW · 53 min · Season 1 Episode 383"Imagine if you could. You need to imagine a future. You need to imagine growth. You need to imagine what success looks like." In this episode of The Inner Chief podcast, I speak…
- 382. Executive Director of Business Sydney, Paul Nicolaou, on the 3Ps of building an insanely valuable network, daring to be different, and making people happy · 57 min · Season 1 Episode 382" It's never about Paul Nicolaou; it's about other people, because you want to appreciate and show your passion towards them and helping them achieve an end result." In this…
- 381. Doing damage to darkness together in 2026 [Minisode] · 11 min · Season 1 Episode 381" Let's create an army of light and just get out there and be a positive force in the world." Chief, welcome to 2026. In today's Minisode I am going to share with you my tips…
- Mini Chief: Psychometrics Guru Justin McNamara on acing a psychometric test in a job interview [Best of Series] · 9 min · Season 1"It all starts with a good night's sleep. There is very clear research that cognitive performance declines when we're sleep-deprived." This is a special episode only available…
- Mini Chief: Setbacks are simply a road to the next opportunity, with Rupert Guinness, author and ultra-endurance cyclist · 11 min · Season 1" A setback is that reinforcement that this is your opportunity to be the best of yourself. That's really exciting. It's the next step, the next day, the next week, the next…
- 380. Psychometrics Guru Justin McNamara on improving recruitment selection, performance prediction and acing psychometric tests [Best of Series] · 1 h 4 min · Season 1 Episode 380"Resumés don't actually have that much useful information; your experience as a candidate can vary wildly based on the environment that you're in and your motivations to…
- 379. A practical 5-step Annual Review Process for senior executives [Minisode] · 16 min · Season 1 Episode 379" The key here is not perfection, it's all about just doing the very best we can in the current state of our life." Chief, in our last episode of 2025, I'm going to share with…
- Mini Chief: Tim Oberg, former CEO of parkrun Australia on building a vibrant community [Best of Series] · 7 min · Season 1"It's now obvious to me that it's harder to maintain that sense of community unless you've got things like parkrun that are driving that connection." This is a special episode…
- 378. Rupert Guinness, legendary sports writer and ultra-endurance cyclist, on choosing growth and opportunity and discovering untapped physical and mental capacity through extreme adversity · 1 h 1 min · Season 1 Episode 378"As human beings we have a lot more physically and mentally than we give ourselves credit for. When we think we're done, I don't think we're near." In this episode of The Inner…
- Mini Chief: The 5 Ps of a perfect investor pitch, with James Schofield of Insight Investor Relations · 6 min · Season 1"Start telling your story really early. By the time the actual capital raise comes around, you can create something that's oversubscribed." This is a special episode only…
- 377. Tim Oberg, Former CEO of parkrun Australia, on escaping the rat race, building a vibrant community and managing anxiety [Best of Series] · 1 h 1 min · Season 1 Episode 377"It's now obvious to me that it's harder to maintain that sense of community unless you've got things like parkrun that are driving that connection." In this Best of Series…
- 376. Pitching your business, raising capital and winning investor trust, with James Schofield, Founder of Insight Investor Relations · 55 min · Season 1 Episode 376"The best founders are constantly pitching – for customers, recruits, suppliers and capital." In this episode of The Inner Chief podcast, I speak to James Schofield, Founder of…
- 375. Decision Clarity Matrix: Mastering a Clear Mind for high-impact decisions [Minisode] · 14 min · Season 1 Episode 375"You can't make good choices from a cluttered mind." Chief, today I'm going to introduce you to one of the most powerful tools in leadership: The Decision Clarity Matrix. Every…
- Mini Chief: Neil Craig, Former AFL Head Coach on how to elicit the best decisions through knowing your North Star [Best of Series] · 9 min · Season 1"Your values and philosophy about why you do things are your North Star; without them your decisions will be wishy-washy." This is a special episode only available to our…
- 374. Fix, Reset, Grow, Change the Game: The Four Stages of Business Transformation [Minisode] · 27 min · Season 1 Episode 374"Chiefs who take a one-size-fits-all approach to leadership will ALWAYS end up failing." Chief, today I'm diving into one of the most powerful models in business performance and…
- 373. Neil Craig, Former AFL Head Coach on high performance environments, your North Star and decision-making under pressure [Best of Series] · 48 min · Season 1 Episode 373"It's not about you, but it's all about you. If you're able to think that way, you'll get feedback when you need it without asking for it and you'll be amazed how many problems…
- 372. Operating Rhythm: Tips and challenges [Minisode] · 16 min · Season 1 Episode 372"Building an operating rhythm and sticking to it requires energy and fortitude." Chief, today I'm going to talk about three important tips to help you bring your operating…
- Mini Chief: George Hunt, former CIO of the Year, on Winning hearts and minds in technological change [Best of Series] · 10 min · Season 1"To win your people's hearts and minds, you have to have a compelling vision or proposition to offer them." This is a special episode only available to our podcast subscribers…
- Mini Chief: AI in the workplace: enabling curiosity and capability, with Kate Newey · 14 min · Season 1"If you think your people aren't using AI, you would be in denial." This is a special episode only available to our podcast subscribers, which we call The Mini Chief. These are…
- 371. George Hunt, former CIO of the Year, on Winning hearts and minds, technology as a strategy, and the little things of leadership [Best of Series] · 52 min · Season 1 Episode 371"The one analogy I use for technology change programs is that we're trying to upgrade an aircraft whilst it's in flight. This allows people to understand the risk profile." In…
- Mini Chief: Building culture through trust and humour, with Linda Carroll of G8 Education · 12 min · Season 1"It's really important to keep a sense of humour, especially if you're in a stressful environment. Show people that you're human." This is a special episode only available to…
- 370. The secret life of HR professionals, having it all, and AI in the workplace, with HR Chief of Adaptalift Group, Kate Newey · 1 h 3 min · Season 1 Episode 370"HR is such a diverse role. At any given time we see people at their worst, and people at their best. We're expected to be lawyers and are constantly making commercial…
- 369. Driving business success through the development of your people, with Linda Carroll, Chief People Officer of G8 Education · 51 min · Season 1 Episode 369"HR has shifted towards partnering with the business as a trusted advisor to the executive team, as people have started to realise the value of human capital." In this episode of…
- Mini Chief: Balancing career, parenting and guilt, with Nicolette Rubinsztein AM [Best of Series] · 11 min · Season 1"There's work guilt because you worry that you're not delivering 100%. There's guilt that you're not being the best mum possible. So, it really is guilt on all fronts if you're…
- 368. Becoming Bulletproof: The 3 Cs of Success [Minisode] · 12 min · Season 1 Episode 368"When you develop all three traits, you become bulletproof. You create momentum, confidence, and long-term impact." Chief, today we dive into what I consider to be a core…
- Mini Chief: Being sale-ready and art of timing your exit, with Dean Salakas · 9 min · Season 1"You've got to get yourself in a position to exit, and then give yourself the time to exit properly. The biggest advice I give sellers is to not be in a rush to sell." This is a…
- 367. Nicolette Rubinsztein AM, Board member and author, on Removing guilt, building female confidence, and overcoming busy-ness [Best of Series] · 45 min · Season 1 Episode 367"There's work guilt because you worry that you're not delivering 100%. There's guilt that you're not being the best mum possible. So, it really is guilt on all fronts if you're…
- 366. Being sale-ready, Forecasting like a CFO, and Selling confidently on your terms, with former Party People CEO, Dean Salakas · 1 h 6 min · Season 1 Episode 366"You've got to get yourself into a position to exit and then put time on your side. Don't be in a rush to sell, but when you are ready, put a deadline in place for buyers to make…
- Mini Chief: Navigating AI & an uncertain future, with Professor Joel Pearson, Director of Future Minds Lab · 13 min · Season 1"Imagine any city with 50% job losses, it's a completely different place. I don't see governments getting things ready. It's going to take time." This is a special episode only…
