Exceptional Leadership
The weekly podcast for Emerging Leaders everywhere, this show will arm you with the knowledge you need to ensure you too can lead in an exceptional manner.
Mathew is an experienced people leader and holds an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business.
Episodes
51 episodes
#51 Imposter Syndrome No More: How to Own Your Success as a New Leader
Stepping into a new leadership role can feel exciting — and overwhelming. For many high achievers, promotion brings not just new responsibilities but also the shadow of imposter syndrome: the nagging belief that you don’t deserve your su...
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Episode 51
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23:28
#50 Authority vs. Approachability: Finding the Sweet Spot in Leadership
In this milestone 50th episode of The Exceptional Leadership Podcast, I tackle a powerful question: “How do you balance being approachable with maintaining authority?”It’s a challenge every leader faces. Lean too far in...
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Episode 50
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15:16
#49 From Pay Check to Portfolio: Leading by Example in Personal Finance
In this episode of The Exceptional Leadership Podcast, we take a fresh look at leadership through the lens of personal and family finance. I break down the power of index funds—why they’ve become one of the most accessible, low-cost, a...
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Episode 49
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29:03
#48 Why Salary Isn’t Enough: How Purpose and Meaning Drive Long-Term Employee Retention
The latest Hays Salary Guide reveals a deeper story: while competitive pay and great conditions are essential, they’re no longer enough to keep top talent engaged long-term. Employees are searching for something more—a sense of meaning, purpose...
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Episode 48
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23:25
#47 The Courage to Call It Out: Leadership Lessons from The Emperor’s New Clothes
In this episode of The Exceptional Leadership Podcast, we explore the timeless story of The Emperor’s New Clothes and the critical leadership lesson it holds: the importance of having the courage to speak the truth, even when ...
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Episode 47
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27:43
#46 Handling Colleague Jealousy After Your Promotion – Turning Tension into Trust
Getting promoted is a career milestone worth celebrating—but it can also create friction with colleagues who feel overlooked. In this episode of The Exceptional Leadership Podcast, we tackle the all-too-common challenge of navigating c...
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Episode 46
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20:58
#45 You Are the Company You Keep: How Great Leaders Guard Against Toxic People and Protect Organisational Health
Your leadership potential is directly influenced by the people you surround yourself with. In this episode of The Exceptional Leadership Podcast, we explore why great leaders must be intentional about their inner circle—both...
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Episode 45
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23:27
#44 The Titan Tragedy: When Leadership Silences Truth
In this episode, we unpack the leadership dynamics behind the OceanGate Titan submersible disaster — a tragedy not just of engineering, but of ego, culture, and silenced dissent.We explore the stark contrast between OceanGate ...
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Episode 44
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29:09
#43 Stuck in the Middle? Why Middle Managers Face the Toughest Job in Leadership
Middle management is often the most demanding layer of leadership—caught between frontline realities and executive expectations. In this episode, we explore why middle managers have one of the toughest jobs in any organisation.
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Episode 43
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21:58
#42 Why Great Leaders Learn to Fail: Mastering the Art of Failing Forward
Failure isn’t the opposite of success — it’s part of it. In this episode, we explore why exceptional leaders don’t just accept failure, they learn how to fail well. From reframing setbacks to building resilience and extracting the ri...
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Episode 42
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16:36
#41 When Employees Bypass the Chain of Command
In this episode of The Exceptional Leadership Podcast, we dive into a common but complex workplace challenge: when an employee skips their direct supervisor and takes a complaint or concern straight to the next level.I share a...
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Episode 41
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20:07
#40 Positive Disruption: Leading Change Without Waiting for Permission
In this episode of Exceptional Leadership, we explore the powerful concept of positive disruption — and why the ability to lead change without waiting for permission is a defining skill of exceptional leaders.You’ll learn why ...
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Episode 40
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16:37
#39 Overcoming Decision Paralysis in Leadership: How Great Leaders Make Confident Choices
In this episode of Exceptional Leadership, we tackle a challenge that holds many leaders back: decision paralysis. Using Kodak’s infamous failure to embrace digital photography as a real-world example, we explore how overthinking and...
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Episode 39
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14:31
#38 Why Critical Thinking Is Every Leader’s Edge in 2025
In this episode of The Exceptional Leadership Podcast, we explore why critical thinking is one of the most important leadership skills in 2025—and why its value now extends far beyond the boardroom.With endless information, co...
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Episode 38
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21:22
#37 Why Real Leaders Don’t Do It All
If you’re trying to do everything yourself, you’re not leading — you’re surviving. In this episode, we break down why real leadership means stepping back, zooming out, and mastering the art of delegation.You’ll learn why effec...
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Episode 37
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16:04
#36 Hesitation is Fatal: Take Charge
What stops people from taking action when it matters most? In this powerful episode, we explore the psychological phenomenon of pluralistic ignorance—and how it can paralyse even the most capable individuals in critical moments.<...
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Episode 36
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17:14
#35 Leadership Without The Title
In this episode, we explore what it truly means to lead without having an official leadership title. Longevity in an organisation often builds trust and expertise — and people naturally start turning to you for answers. While that’s ...
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Episode 35
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14:39
#34 Three Tips to Help You Manage Team Budgets Effectively
Struggling to stay on top of your team’s budget? In this episode, I share three practical tips to help leaders improve budget management, reduce surprises, and make better financial decisions.You’ll learn:
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Episode 34
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21:58
#33 Leadership Approach: Five Focus Points for the First 30 Days
In this episode of the Exceptional Leadership podcast, we explore five practical leadership strategies that will set you up for success in your first 30 days in a new leadership role. Whether you’re an emerging leader, newly promoted...
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Episode 33
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19:24
#32 From Chaos Comes Opportunity
Chaos can be frightening, but it can also present opportunities for courageous leaders to implement positive change. However, like most things in life, there is a flip side, and that is that chaos can also create leadership vacuums w...
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Episode 32
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23:56
#31 Build Good Culture to Drive Performance
Good culture is the foundation for organisational success, and as leaders, we’re responsible for building and maintaining it. What are the consequences of poor culture and how can you correct it? Better still, how can we avoid toxic ...
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Episode 31
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18:57
#30 Self Optimisation
What techniques can we utilise to optimise ourselves as leaders? Perhaps more importantly, why do we need to ensure we’re optimised, and what’s at stake if we aren’t approaching the issue seriously? It’s not just about getting the be...
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Episode 30
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16:50
#29 Who Are You?
Understanding your personality type, and the personalities of those we lead can be enormously valuable in helping us harness our strengths, mitigate our weaknesses, and communicate more effectively with those around us.Use thi...
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Episode 29
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21:29