• REPUBLISHED 124 Unmasking Leadership —Dan Silberberg
    Dec 23 2025
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    27 m
  • Mystery Shopping: CX Secrets—Michelle Pascoe
    Dec 16 2025
    In this episode with Michelle Pascoe, we lift the lid on mystery shopping and what it really reveals about leadership, service, and customer experience. From why traditional surveys fail, to how insight-based mystery shopping exposes what leaders never see when they are not present, this conversation explores how organisations can turn observation into improvement. We also look at generational expectations, the role of robotics, and why human connection still matters more than ever. SOUNDBITES Mystery shopping explained beyond the myths.Why surveys fail when feedback goes nowhere.What leaders miss when they are not on site.How insight-based reports outperform tick-box scores.The role of human connection alongside robotics.What Gen Z expects from seamless service.Why Net Promoter Score needs context to matter.Turning customer data into real improvement. ABOUT MICHELLE PASCOE Contact: https://www.michellepascoe.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellepascoe/ Renowned for her expertise in the hospitality industry and backed by over three decades of experience, Michelle Pascoe is a Mystery Shopping expert, a Certified Speaking Professional delivering conference keynotes on the Customer Experience as well as workshops on Customer Service Excellence to frontline teams. ABOUT PODCAST HOST, NINA SUNDAY Nina Sunday’s latest book, ‘’Manage Self, Lead Others: Constructive Conversations, True Self-Leadership, and Culture You Can’t Fake’’ now on Amazon - paperback, Kindle or audiobook. Amazon USA ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://a.co/d/3WaplI9⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amazon Australia ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.asia/d/0KwghaM⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you would be willing to leave a review so others know it’s a good read, Nina would appreciate it. === Brainpower Training Australia To learn more about face-to-face training programs with Nina Sunday or one of her experienced Facilitators from Brainpower Training Pty Ltd in Australia Pacific, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/signature-programs/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ === Speaking site: NinaSunday.com To visit Nina Sunday's speaker site for global in-person speaking bookings visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ninasunday.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ === LinkedIn: Connect with Nina Sunday on LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ === Blog To subscribe to Nina Sunday's blog go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and scroll to bottom of page to register. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    25 m
  • REPUBLISHED Ep 137 Constructive Conversations—Andrew Bryant
    Dec 9 2025
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    32 m
  • 175 AI ROI: Cutting Edge in AI Today—Mahesh Thakur
    Dec 2 2025
    Mahesh M. Thakur is a former executive with Microsoft, Amazon, Intuit, and GoDaddy, and brings battle-tested experience from Silicon Valley. In this episode, Mahesh M. Thakur explains: how companies are getting AI adoption wrong why boiling the ocean fails why every organization needs a Chief AI Officer (CAIO) to align data, models, and leadership vision into one cohesive strategy. Youtube video link: https://youtu.be/m3S1KxBQmgk TALKING POINTS [1:55] Why every organisation now needs a Chief AI Officer (CAIO). [1:55] Why companies fail at AI adoption (“boiling the ocean”). [5:25] How to get AI ROI fast using a test-and-learn method. [8:46] Why alignment and culture matter more than technology. [15:02] Why internal data + internal models = long-term competitive advantage. [4:41] How AI exposes leaders with fixed mindsets [14:46] How Silicon Valley thinking influences AI leadership. [9:55] Why RPE (revenue per employee) is the new metric. [5:25] Why AI is a “force multiplier” for leaders. ABOUT MAHESH M. THAKUR https://maheshmthakur.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maheshmthakur/ MORE ABOUT Mahesh M. Thakur is a globally recognised Master Certified Coach and former tech leader with Microsoft AI, Amazon, Intuit, and GoDaddy. With over 10,000 hours of executive coaching for the C-Suite, Mahesh M. Thakur is named in the Top 100 Executive Coaches worldwide. Before dedicating his career to coaching, Mahesh managed and grew a $600M+ P&L and helped shape cultures of innovation, having worked alongside industry icons, including Bill Gates and Satya Nadella. His insights and thought leadership have been featured in Forbes, Yahoo Finance, and Business Newswire. ABOUT PODCAST HOST, NINA SUNDAY Nina Sunday’s latest book, ‘’Manage Self, Lead Others: Constructive Conversations, True Self-Leadership, and Culture You Can’t Fake’’ now on Amazon - paperback, Kindle or audiobook. Amazon USA ⁠⁠⁠https://a.co/d/3WaplI9⁠⁠⁠ Amazon Australia ⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.asia/d/0KwghaM⁠⁠⁠ If you would be willing to leave a review so others know it’s a good read, Nina would appreciate it. === Brainpower Training Australia To learn more about face-to-face training programs with Nina Sunday or one of her experienced Facilitators from Brainpower Training Pty Ltd in Australia Pacific, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/signature-programs/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ === Speaking site: NinaSunday.com To visit Nina Sunday's speaker site for global in-person speaking bookings visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ninasunday.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ === LinkedIn: Connect with Nina Sunday on LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ === Blog To subscribe to Nina Sunday's blog go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and scroll to bottom of page to register. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    25 m
  • Ep174 Innovation is a Game of Inches—Nigel Collin
    Nov 18 2025
    Want to know how small, consistent steps can drive big results? How bottom-up ideas with top-down strategy create lasting innovation? This episode features Nigel Collin, an innovation and adaptability expert helping leaders build teams that make improvement a daily habit. Experience our episodes in a whole new way and watch every video version on our YouTube channel HERE Subscribe to catch each episode release. Soundbites [00:00] Adaptive mindset through curiosity and continuous learning. [00:44] Innovation, creativity, AI, and workplace culture. [01:08] Adaptive teams that make innovation a daily habit. [02:00] Motorbike journey launched grassroots innovation research. [05:00] Indigenous Australians transforming dialysis care. [07:00] Innovation as iterative improvement. [08:20] Operational and relational innovation. [09:00] Communication and inclusion. [10:15] Unlearn creativity – insights from George Land’s NASA test. [12:30] Small wins create confidence and momentum for innovation. [13:45] Psychological safety and permission as drivers of innovation. [14:30] One small improvement saving six figures. [15:10] Grassroots ideas with organisational purpose and vision. [18:45] Three actions – give permission, clarify goals, make people feel heard. [19:20] Growth mindset opens curiosity and adaptability. [20:00] Replace “yes but” with “yes and” to keep ideas alive. CONTACT NIGE|L COLLIN Website: https://www.nigelcollin.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigelcollin/ ABOUT PODCAST HOST, NINA SUNDAY Nina Sunday’s latest book, ‘’Manage Self, Lead Others: Constructive Conversations, True Self-Leadership, and Culture You Can’t Fake’’ now on Amazon - paperback or kindle. Amazon USA ⁠⁠https://a.co/d/3WaplI9⁠⁠ Amazon Australia ⁠⁠https://amzn.asia/d/0KwghaM⁠⁠ You can read the Kindle version on your PC, laptop or phone; you don’t need a Kindle device. Feel free to leave a review so others know it’s a good read. === Brainpower Training To learn more about face-to-face training programs with Nina Sunday or one of her experienced Facilitators from Brainpower Training Pty Ltd in Australia Pacific, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/signature-programs/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ === NinaSunday.com To visit Nina Sunday's speaker site for global in-person speaking bookings visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ninasunday.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ === LinkedIn: Connect with Nina Sunday on LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠ === Blog To subscribe to Nina Sunday's blog go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and scroll to bottom of page to register. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    25 m
  • Ep173 Reinventing Innovation—Nils Vesk
    Nov 4 2025
    Want to know the secret to leading with creativity, driving innovation, and making AI your competitive edge? Nils Vesk, founder of Ideas with Legs and author of The Reinvention Spirit and Innovation Archetypes, shares how leaders can turn ideas into impact. Experience our episodes in a whole new way and watch every video version on our YouTube channel HERE Subscribe to catch each episode release. Soundbites [01:44] How AI shifts the role of human imagination [03:08] Moving past fear and resistance to AI adoption [03:27] Three essentials of behavior change [06:49] The four phases of innovation [08:37] Behavioural science, data, and futurist thinking [09:31] Innovation behaviors across organizations [12:44] Continuous improvement vs. Innovation [14:40] Why leaders should ask big-picture questions [15:07] Making innovation a habit – why five minutes is enough [16:35] Psychological safety vs. stopping ideas [17:04] The “20 ideas” muscle technique [19:33] Overcoming a mental blank and strengthening creative neuroplasticity CONTACT NILS VESK Website: https://nilsvesk.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nilsvesk/overlay/contact-info/ ABOUT PODCAST HOST, NINA SUNDAY Nina Sunday’s latest book, ‘’Manage Self, Lead Others: Constructive Conversations, True Self-Leadership, and Culture You Can’t Fake’’ now on Amazon. Amazon USA ⁠⁠https://a.co/d/3WaplI9⁠⁠ Amazon Australia ⁠⁠https://amzn.asia/d/0KwghaM⁠⁠ === Brainpower Training To learn more about face-to-face training programs with Nina Sunday or one of her experienced Facilitators from Brainpower Training Pty Ltd in Australia Pacific, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/signature-programs/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ === To visit Nina Sunday's speaker site for global in-person speaking bookings visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ninasunday.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ === LinkedIn: Connect with Nina Sunday on LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠ === Blog To subscribe to Nina Sunday's blog go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and scroll to the bottom of the page to register. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    25 m
  • REPUBLISHED Ep136 Difficult Conversations—Lisa McInnes-Smith
    Oct 28 2025
    Lisa McInnes-Smith is in the top echelon of corporate speakers, having presented live to more than 2½ million people across 30 countries. This episode we explore: How do we deal with conflict? How do we build trust? How do we get rid of dysfunctional behaviors in a team? How do we build a sense of unity and community when the company works in silos? Here's the link to the video version on YouTube: ⁠https://youtu.be/uRfmpAd8cW8 ⁠ Ask yourselves, "Is it them, or is it how we're feeding them the information? Do they feel like they're not trusted? Are our expectations not clear?" You can say to them, "These are the expectations that we had of you when you came into this position. This is what we're observing. Can you explain to me why you agreed to these behaviors but now are not demonstrating them in this environment?" TALKING POINTS [5:31] You can't trust people you don't know and if you don't know them and know the way they work, the way they think, then you can't work well together. Teaching people how to build trust is an initial thing. [7:05] It's not the person, it's just something they've got into the habit of doing and maybe they need to get out of that habit. [9.30] We all have bad habits, but there's one right now that's driving us crazy and we need to talk about it. [15:42] You can have a third person in the conversation, an observer who doesn't participate. And when we're going to talk about something that's really tough, hen it might be good to have somebody there witnessing it. [18:19] I'm trying to build better people, I'm trying to build better teams and I'm trying to teach leaders how to build those teams by having the conversations that need to be had without people feeling like they're being demeaned or disrespected. [19:00] It's really good to turn up at a meeting where there's a chance of conflict with your notepad and things that you need to say. And when they say, “These are some of my reasons”, then you write them down. Say, “So let me just capture that.” [20:00] What sort of biases should someone self-reflect to check if they’re operating under a false bias? [22:44] Finding team players versus kingdom builders. [23:00} Find colleagues who can coach each other. The wisdom we need is usually already in the organization. We just don't know each other well enough to be able to trust each other with our problems.   ABOUT LISA McINNES-SMITH Lisa McInnes-Smith is in the top echelon of corporate speakers, having presented live to more than 2½ million people across 30 countries. The first Australian inducted into the International Speaker Hall of Fame, Lisa is a TEDx Melbourne speaker. Her presentation is called “Winning Words: the phrases that pay”. CONTACT: Website: https://www.lisaspeaks.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaspeaks/ ABOUT PODCAST HOST, NINA SUNDAY To learn more about training programs in your workplace with Nina Sunday (or one of her experienced Facilitators from Brainpower Training Pty Ltd) in Australia Pacific, visit: https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/signature-programs/ Nina Sunday's speaker site for global in-person speaking bookings: https://www.ninasunday.com/ Connect with Nina Sunday on LinkedIn HERE: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninasunday/ To subscribe to Nina Sunday's personal blog go to https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/ and scroll to bottom of page to register. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    29 m
  • 172 The C-Suite Network Ecosystem—Tricia Benn, CEO
    Oct 21 2025
    Guest is Tricia Benn, CEO of C-SUITE NETWORK™ and General Manager of The Hero Club. Tricia Benn has created a powerful ecosystem of executives, industry leaders, and investors focused on integrity, transparency, and meaningful business success. Host of C-Suite Success podcast: https://c-suitenetwork.com/c-suite-success-with-tricia-benn-2/ SOUNDBITES [00:00] The Four R’s framework for creating meaningful connection – Relevancy, Reach, Reciprocity, and Respect. [02:05] The impact of announcing a woman-led business and authentic leadership representation. [03:10] How conversations between peers become mutual coaching for growth and learning. [04:00] Lessons from martial arts leader Elliot Marshall – learning to coach others as themselves, not as you. [05:15] Leadership as developing champions by embracing difference. [06:10] Healthy versus destructive ego – why collaboration wins over competition. [07:05] How the Four R’s guide community culture at the C-Suite Network. [08:00] Building diversity and inclusivity through respect and genuine curiosity. [08:45] Language shapes culture – from “networking” to “connecting” and “yes, and…” mindsets. [09:30] Storytelling as a bridge for influence and authenticity in leadership. [11:20] Success stories – Evan and Rachel Dash of Dash Appliances and leadership resilience. [12:00] Authenticity over image – the end of the “perfect package” era in business. [12:35] Vulnerability Vs. self-indulgence – when sharing becomes service, not therapy. [14:02] Oversharing, poor coaching, and the importance of serving the audience. [15:10] Trusting intuition on stage – sharing one-minute stories that serve a purpose. [16:05] Working with Geoffrey Hayzlett – mutual challenge and respect in leadership partnership. [17:00] The power of people who challenge you to elevate your best self. [17:40] Managing a fully remote global team – creating unity through mission and clarity. [18:20] Why remote work can be as real and effective as in-person connection. [19:10] Defining success, appreciation, and trust across distributed teams. [20:00] Scaling from 120 to now 600 events per year through adaptability and technology. [20:45] Reinventing enterprise value and profitability through collaboration models. [21:15] Lessons from COVID – transformation and connection through disruption. [22:10] Gratitude and closing reflections – leadership as service and shared humanity. ABOUT TRICIA BENN Tricia Benn is CEO of the C-Suite Network, an invitation-only membership organization for CEOs, founders, and investors and CEO of the Hero Club. ⁠⁠https://c-suitenetwork.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠https://heroceoclub.com/⁠⁠ Podcast C-Suite Success: https://c-suitenetwork.com/c-suite-success-with-tricia-benn-2/ LinkedIn:⁠⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/triciabenn/⁠⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/triciabenn/⁠⁠ ABOUT PODCAST HOST, NINA SUNDAY Contact: https://www.ninasunday.com/contact Nina Sunday’s book, ‘’Manage Self, Lead Others: Constructive Conversations, True Self-Leadership, and Culture You Can’t Fake’’ on Amazon. Amazon USA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://a.co/d/3WaplI9⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amazon Australia ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.asia/d/0KwghaM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To learn more about Nina Sunday's face-to-face training programs in Australia Pacific region visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/signature-programs/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To visit Nina Sunday's speaker site visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ninasunday.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Nina presents in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and globally === LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninasunday/ Subscribe to Nina Sunday's blog: https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and scroll to bottom of the page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    26 m