Thriving Leaders Podcast

In a world where remote work and high-performance teams are no longer optional, how do leaders build trust, accountability and culture without control?

I’m joined by Ryan Griffin, Managing Director of Chunky Duck (remote‑first digital agency), where empowerment, transparency and asynchronous communication aren’t just buzzwords, they are the backbone of a thriving team built for growth and adaptability. Ryan’s leadership approach champions process thinking, psychological safety, and outcomes-focused autonomy. This episode speaks directly to leaders that want to thrive across any geography or structure, without micromanagement.

In this episode, we cover:
– What process thinking really is and why it matters for remote teams
– How psychological safety fuels trust, creativity and team performance
– The remote-first model at Chunky Duck
— and what leaders everywhere can learn about asynchronous communication, empowerment, and autonomy – How to move thinking from billable utilisation to effective utilisation and outcomes
– Why marginal gains matter more than perfection, and how small cultural shifts compound into big impact
– Practical ways leaders can build alignment, clarity of roles, and accountability frameworks
– Where AI enhances internal workflows without replacing people or culture

This episode crystalised for me the importance of designing culture intentionally, not accidentally. The way Ryan describes empowerment and autonomy isn’t abstract; it’s a strategic leadership lever that aligns closely with how organisations build leadership capability and high-trust cultures. Leaders who invest in psychological safety, clear process frameworks, and autonomy see not just performance gains, but sustainable engagement, ownership and innovation.

Leading well means trusting people with clarity, not controlling every action.

About Ryan Griffin
Ryan Griffin is Managing Director of Chunky Duck — a fully remote Australian-owned digital agency specialising in strategy, creative and performance marketing services. Their approach emphasises independence, transparency, asynchronous communication and empowerment, showing how distributed teams can deliver exceptional results without office-centric structures.

Link/s:
Website: https://chunkyduck.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealchunkyduck/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffinryan/

If you lead teams, build culture, or support leaders, share this episode with someone shaping remote or hybrid work environments.

Follow the Thriving Leaders Podcast for more insights on building psychologically safe, high-performing teams that thrive through trust, clarity and purpose.

Visit thrivingculture.com.au to explore leadership development, team alignment programs, coaching and strategic culture design.

What if your leadership message could be clear, memorable, and deeply human—all in under 60 seconds?  In this episode, we’re joined by Erin O’Dwyer, award-winning journalist, narrative strategist, and founder of Good Prose Studio. With a career spanning major mastheads like The Guardian, Vogue, and Australian Geographic, Erin now works with leaders, founders and authors to shape stories that influence and inspire.  This conversation is a masterclass in practical storytelling for leaders. Erin breaks down what makes a great elevator pitch, why your origin story matters more than your resume, and how clear communication can elevate trust, credibility , and connection within your team.  Whether you’re speaking to a board, running a team meeting, or introducing yourself at a conference, this episode will help you articulate who you are, what you stand for, and why it matters.  In this episode, we cover:  – How to distil your elevator pitch into one post-it note  – The difference between storytelling and strategy (and why leaders need both)  – Why origin stories are powerful even when they feel “ordinary”  – The storytelling structures that help leaders communicate with impact  – Why clarity and simplicity should guide your communication style  – The risks of internal and external narrative misalignment  – How storytelling fosters trust, alignment, and performance  What stayed with me most was Erin’s belief that every leader has a story worth telling. And not just any story—but one that signals what you care about, what you stand for, and how you show up. When we share that story with clarity and courage, we build the kind of trust that teams thrive on.  Would love to hear what you go out of this podcast.

Ever feel like the pace of leadership is pulling you in a hundred directions, leaving no space to reflect or recharge? You're not alone. In this episode, I explore what it truly means to lead with presence, impact, and a sustainable rhythm that fuels both your purpose and your wellbeing—with the thoughtful and wise Digby Scott. Digby is a leadership coach, speaker, author, and host of the Dig Deeper Podcast. Known for his ability to create high-trust, deep-learning environments, he’s worked across sectors and continents, guiding leaders to grow with clarity, courage, and integrity. He’s also the author of Change Makers and Out There, and a passionate advocate for redesigning work and life around what matters most. In this energising and deeply reflective conversation, Digby and I unpack what it means to lead sustainably in a world that glorifies busyness. We explore how leaders can create space, stay grounded in their purpose, and build thriving teams by asking better questions and taking a systems view. This episode is a masterclass in shifting from reactive leadership to creative, lasting impact. In this episode, we cover: – The critical difference between reactive and creative leadership – How to cultivate unhurried productivity for sustainable impact – Why 'legacy' leadership needs a rebrand – What it really takes to influence a system as a leader – The four-question framework that unlocks deeper team conversations – Letting go of ego and embracing host leadership over hero leadership – Creating lasting impact through trust, curiosity, and shared purpose What really stayed with me from this conversation was Digby's phrase "high intention, low attachment." It's such a powerful reminder that leadership isn't about controlling outcomes but about creating the conditions for others to thrive. When we lead from that place, we unlock something truly generative. I also loved his four-question framework, which he has so generously shared here: https://digbyscott.com/thoughts/the-four-questions-that-change-everythingLink/s: – The Four Questions That Change Everything: https://digbyscott.com/thoughts/the-four-questions-that-change-everything– Questions Toolkit: https://digbyscott.com/questionstoolkit – Digby’s website: https://digbyscott.com/– Digby’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

Some people walk into a room and instantly connect. Others? They lose the room without even realising it. What makes the difference isn’t just charisma—it’s storytelling.

In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Gabrielle Dolan, a global authority on strategic storytelling who’s helped leaders at Amazon, Salesforce, and the Obama Foundation communicate with impact. Gabrielle’s work centers on real, jargon-free communication—and she’s just released her newest book Story Intelligence: The Craft of Authentic Storytelling Made Smarter with AI.

Together, we unpack how storytelling goes far beyond “engagement.” It’s how leaders build trust, inspire change, and lead with clarity. You’ll hear real-world examples of how storytelling transforms leadership, from shaping values to guiding teams through uncertainty, and how we can use AI to support storytelling without losing our voice.

In this episode, we cover:
– Why storytelling is the most underused leadership superpower
– How personal stories (not just work ones) create deep human connection
– Four types of stories every leader should master
– How storytelling can make company values and strategy stick
– The right way to use AI as a storytelling coach, not a crutch
– What makes a story sound “braggy,” and how to avoid it
– How to create culture and psychological safety through narrative

My biggest takeaway? You can choose communication that’s easy, or communication that’s effective. And storytelling is what makes communication not only effective, but unforgettable. What stood out to me most is Gabrielle’s reminder that a personal story, told with purpose, doesn’t just convey information, it builds connection. It’s how we create meaning. And in leadership, meaning is everything.

What’s one story only you can tell? And what might shift if you told it?

What happens when you combine clinical depth, corporate wisdom, and a passion for thriving teams? 
In this powerful conversation, we explore the idea of relational intelligence and why it’s emerging as the next evolution beyond emotional intelligence. From psychological safety and the hidden signs of burnout to the real human impact of AI on our teams, Mark shares a refreshing take on what leadership truly demands today. This is one of those conversations that will stick with you. 

In this episode, we cover: 
(00:00) – Introduction
(04:48) – Why relational intelligence is more than emotional intelligence with a makeover
(13:04) – How to tune into the emotional soundtrack of your team
(21:15) – Why success for a team is ultimately a feeling, not a number
(22:37) – Simple ways to create a culture of trust, mattering, and safety
(33:06) – The leadership mindset shift from rescuing to holding space
(37:15) – How shadow AI use is eroding team conversations and coaching moments
(48:07) – The link between burnout and suppressed emotions (and how to spot it early)
(54:41) – Final Thoughts

Thriving teams aren’t just smarter—they’re more connected. 

What really stayed with me from this episode is Mark’s beautiful metaphor: "Don’t just look at the dancers, pay attention to the dance." As leaders, we often get caught up in individual behaviors, but it's the collective rhythm of our teams—the unspoken soundtrack—that tells the real story. Our role isn’t to rush in and rescue, but to hold space with curiosity and care, especially in moments of change, fear, or disconnect. That’s what makes a team thrive.