Navigating Career Pivots & Boardroom Leadership with Helen Lea

In this episode of Her Tech Circle, we sit down with the accomplished Helen Lea, a leader in business transformation, workforce strategy, and corporate governance. Helen takes us through her diverse career journey, spanning executive roles at MYOB, Telstra, and Seven Group to her current position as a non-executive director at multiple organizations. With a background in organizational psychology, Helen shares insights into the intersection of people, business, and technology, highlighting how businesses are fundamentally "systems of people."

Helen opens up about her transition from executive to non-executive roles, the importance of strategic networking, and how she navigates career pivots with intention. She also provides valuable advice on decision-making, overcoming self-doubt, and the power of following your instincts. Whether you’re an aspiring leader, board director, or simply looking for career inspiration, this conversation with Helen is packed with wisdom and actionable takeaways.

Key Takeaways:

• The role of an organizational psychologist in shaping workplace culture and leadership.
• Why digital businesses are fundamentally intellectual property businesses driven by people.
• The key differences between executive and non-executive roles on a board.
• How Helen transitioned into non-executive positions and her strategies for staying relevant.
• The importance of networking and maintaining a personal "career CRM."
• A pivotal moment in Helen’s career that expanded her perspective on business strategy.
• Lessons learned from making a career misstep and the importance of knowing when to walk away.
• Advice for younger professionals: "Be bold, count yourself in, and don’t assume something isn’t for you."

Notable Quotes:

• "Every business is a system of people. Understanding talent, leadership, and team dynamics is critical to success."
• "In digital businesses, we don’t make widgets. We create and manage intellectual property—our people are our greatest asset."
• "Be bold, count yourself in. If something doesn’t feel right now, it won’t feel right tomorrow."
• "Your gut feeling is pattern recognition—listen to it, but also interrogate it with facts and emotions."
• "Networking is key—always ask for three things when you meet someone, and maintain your connections."

Episode Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Helen Lea’s career and achievements
01:26 - Helen’s background in organizational psychology
02:13 - The role of an organizational psychologist vs. a clinical psychologist
04:20 - Why digital businesses are fundamentally IP businesses
04:37 - Helen’s transition into a non-executive portfolio career
06:44 - Executive vs. non-executive roles on a board
09:25 - How Helen approaches continuous learning and industry trends
10:59 - A pivotal moment that shaped Helen’s career trajectory
15:41 - How Helen evaluates career decisions and opportunities
18:56 - Learning from a career misstep and knowing when to walk away
20:20 - The role of networking and Helen’s personal CRM system
25:41 - Advice to Helen’s younger self: "Be bold and don’t count yourself out."
29:01 - The power of listening to your instincts in career decisions
31:07 - Helen’s vision for the next five years of her career