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• 30. Letting Others Shape the Vision, Curiosity Over Certainty, and Why Leadership Isn't About You | Andrew Little

  What if the most courageous leadership decision you ever make isn't about charging forward, but about stepping aside? And what if the key to authentic influence isn't having all the answers, but mastering the paradox of deep confidence paired with genuine curiosity?This episode explores the delicate balance between ego and humility that defines transformational leadership. We dive deep into how brutal self-honesty can become your greatest strength, why emotional intelligence is no longer optional for leaders, and how creating space for others to contribute might be the missing piece in your leadership approach.Andrew Little is a figure who redefined political courage in New Zealand by making one of the gutsiest calls in the country's political history: resigning as Labour Party leader just weeks before an election to make way for Jacinda Ardern. A former union leader turned politician, Andrew brings a unique perspective on leadership forged through decades of navigating complex stakeholder relationships, from representing workers to serving as a cabinet minister. His journey from a conservative household to progressive leadership offers profound insights into how our views can evolve while our core values remain steadfast.You'll discover:How to balance confidence with "wonderance": the art of remaining curious while holding firm convictionsWhy reading your opponents' views strengthens rather than weakens your positionHow to create psychological safety where no viewpoint is considered "dumb" and everyone has access to leadershipWhy the phrase "you're either there to make decisions or make friends" misses the point of collaborative leadershipHow to process significant setbacks without letting them derail your purpose or self-worthWhy showing appropriate emotion in leadership is a superpower rather than a weaknessHow to navigate opposing views by finding shared values and common groundWhy the question "what is the why?" becomes your most powerful tool for building understandingTimestamps:(00:00) - The Paradox of Leadership(11:18) - The Decision to Step Aside(14:39) - Processing Emotions in Leadership(20:44) - The Role of Collective Leadership(26:00) - Navigating Opposing Views(30:33) - The State of Leadership TodayOther references:1981 Springbok Tour in New ZealandAndrew Little resignation as Labour LeaderEngineering, Printing and Manufacturing UnionAndrew Little to run for Wellington MayoraltyYou can find Andrew at:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewlittle-nz/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/andrewlittlenz/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewlittlenzBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/andrewlittlenz.bsky.socialX :

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• 29. Meeting ‘Em Where They're At: Connection Before Content

  Have you ever found yourself speaking at cross purposes with someone, searching for that elusive connection point that might unlock meaningful progress?What if the most powerful leadership practice isn't about getting straight to business, but about genuinely meeting people where they're at first?In this solocast episode, I share a story from Papua New Guinea that changed how I think about building trust and connection. When a head of HR literally threw my 360-degree feedback report in the bin, I had a choice: push harder or find another way in.What happened next taught me something profound about what I call "I-matter conversations" - those moments when someone feels truly seen and heard, not for what they can deliver, but for who they are.You'll discover:Why connection before content transforms resistance into opennessHow to recognise when someone needs to feel they matter before they'll engageThe power of patience and genuine curiosity when building relationshipsWhy investing time in "I-matter conversations" is leadership, not just nicenessHow small moments of authentic listening can unlock breakthrough conversationsWhether you're facing resistance from a team member, trying to build trust quickly, or simply wanting to create more meaningful connections in your leadership, this story will change how you approach those challenging relationship moments.Sometimes the longest route to getting things done is actually the shortest.Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

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• 28. Claiming Your Space, Breaking Free from ‘Should’ Stories, and the Courage to Be You | Nicola Nation

  What if the very thing you think makes you qualified to lead is actually limiting your impact? And what if the version of leadership you've been trying to perfect isn't even yours to begin with?This episode explores how authentic leadership begins with claiming your own space to be you, rather than becoming a caricature of someone else's approach. We discover why recognising your agency isn't about gaining permission from others, but about remembering the power you already possess and learning to wield it with intention.Nicola Nation is the former CEO of the Ākina Foundation, a leader who at age seven wrote to her parish priest demanding girls be allowed to serve on the altar, with aspirations of becoming the first female pope. Her journey from that bold seven-year-old to a purpose-driven executive offers profound insights into how we can break free from the "should" and "have to" stories that constrain us. You'll discover:How shifting from obligation to desire transforms your leadership effectivenessWhy creating space for yourself actually creates space for others to thriveHow to recognise when you're operating from over-responsibility versus empowered choiceWhy being a "ruthless prioritiser" is essential for sustainable leadershipHow to identify and move through the fear that keeps you playing smallWhy "hell yeah, within a container" becomes your framework for big decisionsHow small friction changes (like logging out of LinkedIn) can reclaim your attentionWhy curiosity about others becomes a pathway to unexpected wisdomTimestamps:(00:00) - Introduction(10:24) - Transforming Leadership: From Should to Want(12:23) - Creating Space for Others and Yourself(14:42) - The Scary Journey of Being Yourself(26:40) - Navigating Life's Hell Years(30:07) - Embracing Fear and Opportunity(33:11) - The Journey to Purpose-Driven LeadershipOther references:Derek Sivers: https://sive.rs/n“Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down: https://www.amazon.com/Things-Only-When-Slow-Down/dp/0241298199Kaitoke Regional Park: https://www.gw.govt.nz/parks/kaitoke-regional-park/Andrew Maffet: https://dig-deeper.captivate.fm/episode/4-the-power-of-being-unhurried-what-happens-when-you-dial-up-curiosity-and-what-leadership-is-really-about-andrew-maffett/Simon Dowling: https://dig-deeper.captivate.fm/episode/18-why-creating-space-matters-more-than-efficiency-simon-dowling-on-intentional-leadership/You can find Nicola at:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-nation/Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn

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• 27. Keep Showing Up: How Consistency Creates Connection and Opens Opportunities

  What if the secret to finding your place in any new situation isn't about making a big first impression, but about the quiet power of simply showing up, again and again? And what if the discomfort you feel when you're the outsider is actually the gateway to genuine connection?This solocast explores the profound simplicity of consistency – how regular presence creates familiarity, familiarity builds trust, and trust opens doors you didn't even know existed. Through personal stories from a new neighbourhood café and a windsurfing beach in New Zealand, you'll discover why being a reliable presence comes before becoming a significant one.Drawing on the psychological principle of the ‘mere exposure effect’, I'll show you how exposure over time naturally creates preference and connection. This isn't about networking tactics or forced relationship-building – it's about the patient art of becoming part of the energy of what's already happening around you.You'll learn:Why the discomfort of being "new" is actually where real connection beginsHow consistency creates opportunity in ways that one-off efforts never canThe difference between being a reliable presence and a significant one – and why sequence mattersHow the mere exposure effect works in boardrooms, communities, and anywhere you want to belongWhy authentic persistence beats impressive entrances every timeThe art of joining the flow rather than forcing your way inHow to bring your authentic self into spaces regularly without being overbearingWhy patience with the process is essential for real connectionWhether you're starting a new job, joining a new team, moving to a new community, or trying to create change in your organisation, this episode will shift how you think about showing up and finding your place.Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

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• 26. Breaking Out of ‘Answer Mode’, Building Collective Wisdom, and the Village That Raises Leaders | Kirsten Patterson

  What if the question isn't "Where are all the leaders?" but "Where are all the responsible adults?"Today I'm joined by Kirsten Patterson, better known as KP, CEO of the Institute of Directors New Zealand and chair of the Global Network of Directors Institutes.She had an auspicious start by getting suspended from school at five for challenging the system. Yet she went on to become one of New Zealand's most respected governance leaders. In 2025 she was awarded the New Zealand Royal Honour, Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to governance and women in leadership, She’s also known for her work founding multiple diversity initiatives including Chapter Zero New Zealand, which focuses on climate governance.KP's background includes growing up in a funeral home, giving her a unique perspective from observing how humans show up during challenging times, and what actually matters when the chips are down. She's built her reputation on asking the curly questions others avoid in a world that’s chasing answers.We explore how wonder and curiosity might be the antidote to our crisis-driven world, why asking questions we don't know the answers to is a lost art, and how creating space for reflection isn't a luxury – it's essential for responsible leadership.Whether you're wrestling with uncertainty or seeking to lead with more depth and authenticity, this conversation will challenge how you think about what it means to be a grown-up in today's world.Timestamps:(00:00) - The Chocolate Fish Test: Questioning Leadership(02:10) - Where Are the Responsible Adults?(10:53) - Balancing Confidence and Wonderance(21:00) - The Role of Wonder in Leadership(34:28) - Personal Journey: From Funeral Home to Leadership(41:54) - Collective Responsibility in Developing LeadersOther references:Institute of DirectorsSusan Cain - TED TalkSusan Cain - “Quiet” bookWellington Homeless Women’s TrustWellington City MissionCranlaner FoundationKate Christiansen - The Answer Trap Book - Not yet releasedJames Miller EpisodeYou can find Kirsten at:Website: https://www.iod.org.nz/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattersonkirsten/Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

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