The Balanced Leader Podcast
The Balanced Leader Podcast tackles the biggest challenge facing today's leaders: how to drive exceptional results without burning out. Host Rob Hills, a leadership and wellbeing expert, combines proven leadership principles with sustainable performance strategies to help you lead more effectively.
Each episode delivers practical insights on building high-performing teams while creating healthier work environments. Whether you're exploring fundamental leadership concepts, learning from experts guests or discovering new approaches to sustainable success, you'll gain actionable strategies to elevate both your leadership impact and your team's wellbeing.
Join us to discover how the best leaders achieve outstanding results while maintaining balance - because sustainable high performance is the future of leadership.
Episodes
42 episodes
Resilient Leadership: Mental Fitness and Wellbeing with Chelsea Pottenger
In this episode of The Balanced Leader Podcast, I sit down with Chelsea Pottenger, an internationally recognised speaker and expert on resilience, mindfulness, and mental fitness. Chelsea shares her powerful personal journey and the le...
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Season 2
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Episode 42
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43:41
If You’re Sinking, Change Your Thinking: Cognitive Reframing for Leaders
In this episode of The Balanced Leader Podcast, I share a simple but powerful phrase that came home with my son one afternoon: “If you’re sinking, change your thinking.” At first, I thought it was just a helpful tool for him —...
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Season 2
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Episode 41
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7:22
Leading from Within: Eliminating Stress at the Source with Andrew Rooke
What if I told you that 97.5% of what drives your stress, overwhelm, and leadership challenges is completely unconscious? In this eye-opening conversation with Andrew Rooke, we explore how the most successful leaders aren't just managing stress...
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Season 2
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Episode 40
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43:17
Maximizers vs Satisficers: Overcoming Decision Fatigue for Perfectionists
Do you find yourself trapped in analysis paralysis, spending hours or even days on decisions that should take minutes? In this episode, I share my personal struggle with being a "maximizer"—someone who needs to make the perfect decision every t...
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Season 2
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Episode 39
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8:50
Beyond the Midlife Crisis: How Leaders Evolve as they Age with Aneace Haddad
What if I told you that the changes you're experiencing as a leader in your 40s and 50s aren't signs of decline, but the emergence of extraordinary leadership superpowers? In this eye-opening conversation with executive coach Aneace Haddad, I e...
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Season 2
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Episode 38
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37:29
Leading with AI: How to Harness Technology Without Losing Your Human Edge
Every day feels like another AI breakthrough announcement, and as leaders, we're caught between excitement and terror about what this means for our work. I've been experimenting with AI tools for years, and I'm convinced that leaders who don't ...
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Season 2
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Episode 37
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8:53
Is Your Ladder Against the Wrong Wall? Avoiding Life's Biggest Regrets
In this thought-provoking episode, I explore one of life's most powerful metaphors: what happens when we realise the ladder we've been climbing is leaning against the wrong wall? Many of us work tirelessly toward goals we set years ago, only to...
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Season 2
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Episode 36
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7:53
Ubuntu: Cultivating Compassion and Connection with Alfred Chidembo
In this week’s episode, I sit down with Alfred Chidembo to explore the transformative power of Ubuntu—an ancient African philosophy that emphasizes our interconnectedness and collective humanity. Alfred shares his extraordinary journey from a s...
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Season 2
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Episode 35
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41:09
Check In Before They Check Out: The Power of Connection
Employee engagement is declining—and in this solo episode, I’m sharing why a regular, human check-in could be the most underrated leadership tool you’re not using. I’ll walk you through how a 30-minute chat over coffee can make all the differen...
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Season 2
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Episode 34
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7:15
Mastering Anxiety: The Mind Strength Method with Dr. Jodie Lowinger
In this episode of The Balanced Leader Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Jodie Lowinger, a clinical psychologist and anxiety mindset expert who shows us how anxiety can actually be our superpower. Dr. Jodie shares her four-step Mind Strength Method ...
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Season 2
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Episode 33
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44:38
The Ripple Effect: How Your Leadership Creates Waves of Impact
Every interaction you have as a leader creates waves that extend far beyond what you can see. In this episode, I explore the science behind emotional contagion and mirror neurons, revealing how your mood as a leader directly impacts team perfor...
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Season 2
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Episode 32
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7:20
The Unbusy Leader: Escaping the Busyness Trap with Brendon Le Lievre
In a world where busyness is worn like a badge of honour, leadership expert Brendon Le Lievre is challenging the status quo. As an executive coach and advocate for unbusy leadership, Brendon shares powerful insights on how leaders can move beyo...
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Season 2
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Episode 31
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41:09
Let Them: How Letting Go Makes You Feel More In Control
In this episode of The Balanced Leader Podcast, I explore the power of letting go and shifting focus from controlling others to managing our own responses. We introduce the Let Them Theory, popularised by Mel Robins, which helps leaders reduce ...
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Season 2
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Episode 30
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10:10
Rest & Reset: The Neuroscience of Taking Time Off
In this final episode of 2024, I explore why taking proper holidays isn't just a luxury—it's a biological necessity. Drawing from leading research, including the Framingham Heart Study and findings from Ernst & Young, I reveal how extended ...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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6:28
From Burnout to Brilliance with Trudy MacDonald
In today's episode of The Balanced Leader Podcast, we dive deep into the journey from burnout to brilliance with leadership expert Trudy MacDonald. Trudy shares fascinating insights about why 38% of Australian workers are experiencing burnout. ...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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50:32
The Power of Intention: Living on Purpose
In this episode, we explore how setting clear intentions can transform your leadership journey and daily life. Building on insights from Dr Adam Fraser about The Third Space, we examine how different segments of your day require unique energy a...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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8:10
Breaking the Money Silence: Financial Wellbeing with Sloan Wilkins
In today's episode, we're diving into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of wellbeing - our financial health. I'm joined by financial coach Sloan Wilkins, who shares powerful insights into how financial stress impacts both our personal lives...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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49:55
Awe on Demand: Simple Strategies to Infuse Your Life with More Wonder
In this week's episode of The Balanced Leader Podcast, we explore the transformative power of awe and its profound impact on leadership and personal wellbeing. Awe, that feeling of wonder and reverence experienced when encountering something va...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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8:49
Navigating Life with Peak Performance Researcher Dr Adam Fraser
In this weeks episode of The Balanced Leader Podcast I sat down with Dr Adam Fraser. Adam is a peak performance researcher, author and keynote speaker. We talked about his research and why he takes on the projects he does, we talked about his b...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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56:49
Embracing the Unknown: Strategies for Leading Through Uncertainty
In this episode of The Balanced Leader Podcast, I explore the pervasive challenge of uncertainty and its impact on our lives and leadership. I share my personal experiences with anxiety stemming from uncertainty and discuss an intriguing study ...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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8:31
Key Fitness Strategies for Busy Leaders with Lachlan Rowston
In today’s episode of The Balanced Leader podcast, I sat down with Lachlan Rowston, co-owner of the Lockeroom Gym, a podcast host and a personal trainer. This episode is all about how leaders can integrate regular exercise and healthy habits in...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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47:24
Unlock Your Purpose: Discover the Japanese Secret of Ikigai
Are you stuck in a job that feels like a daily grind? You're not alone. In this weeks episode of The Balanced Leader Podcast, I dive into the fascinating Japanese concept of Ikigai - your reason for being. I'll show you how this powerful idea c...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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9:35
Transforming Workplace Wellbeing with Dr Tom Hammond
In this episode of The Balanced Leader podcast, I got the chance to interview my colleague Dr. Tom Hammond, a clinical and sports psychologist with extensive experience in organisational wellbeing. Tom shares insights from his journey, which be...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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44:28
Hindsight to Insight: The Gibbs Cycle (Part 2)
In part two of this two-part special episode of the Balanced Leader podcast, I introduce the Gibbs Cycle as a formal tool which can help listeners go deeper in their reflective practice. I explain how the model can enhance reflective practice b...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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10:46
Hindsight to Insight: Reflective Practice for Leaders (Part 1)
In this first part in a two part series of The Balance Leader Podcast, I introduce you to reflective practice, a powerful tool I've used for years in leadership development and in my personal life. I explain how reflective practice involves loo...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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9:05
