Slicing Through The Noise
This exciting channel dives into real leadership stories from Australia, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges, setbacks, and triumphs of business leaders.
Hear firsthand how they navigated adversity and turned obstacles into success. Even more special, our guests are past clients of Integrity and Values who have been deeply influenced by our programs.
Be part of an exciting new journey with our founder and podcast host, Jennifer Elliott.
Slicing Through The Noise
Episode 5: Building Leaders, Not Just Teams: The Power of Authentic Leadership
In this insightful and deeply human episode, host Jennifer welcomes Mitch Birt, Managing Director of Pure Fishing Asia Pacific, for a raw, honest, and inspiring conversation about modern leadership. From humble beginnings as a supermarket checkout clerk to leading a multi-national organization, Mitch shares the real story behind his rise—and the leadership lessons learned through both triumphs and costly mistakes.
With warmth and candor, Mitch unpacks the evolution of his leadership style, the critical importance of empathy, and why building culture and growing people are non-negotiables for sustainable success. This episode isn’t just a conversation—it’s a leadership masterclass filled with actionable insights for anyone striving to lead with authenticity, resilience, and heart.
🧩 Episode Breakdown:
00:00 – Introduction
Jennifer sets the stage with a personal intro to Mitch Birt and the episode’s focus on purposeful leadership.
03:00 – Mitch's Early Journey
From Woolworths checkout kid to national executive—how early roles built his foundation in people and execution.
08:00 – Retail, Fishing, and Accountability
Lessons from the ground: why execution and customer focus became Mitch’s core principles.
13:00 – Leadership Style Evolution
From command-and-control to servant leadership—Mitch gets real about past mistakes and mindset shifts.
17:00 – Empathy at the Core
The surprising role Mitch’s wife played in shaping his emotional intelligence and leadership depth.
21:30 – Navigating Tough Conversations
How emotional maturity and preparation shape crucial leadership moments and team restructures.
27:00 – Culture as a Competitive Advantage
Rebuilding Pure Fishing’s culture during a pivotal transition and why clarity is everything.
31:00 – Mistakes That Matter
A COVID-era overinvestment gone wrong—and the million-dollar lesson it delivered.
36:00 – Strategic Detachment
Why stepping back from the day-to-day “scrum” is vital for long-term leadership.
40:00 – Building Legacy Through People
Mitch celebrates those who’ve risen through the ranks—and why that’s his proudest achievement.
44:00 – Street Smarts Over Theory
Real talk: why direct experience with customers beats any strategy deck.
47:00 – Life Integration Over Balance
Rejecting the myth of work-life balance and choosing values-alignment instead.
49:00 – Final Words for Aspiring Leaders
Mitch’s closing advice: Work hard, stay humble, and never stop learning.
✨ Why Listen?
Learn how authentic leadership is built—not born
Hear how empathy, humility, and hard lessons can shape successful executives
Discover practical strategies for building culture, leading teams, and owning mistakes
Be inspired by a real-world story of resilience and purpose-driven leadership
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Stay tuned for more episodes of Slicing Through the Noise—where we uncover what it really takes to lead in today’s world.
#Leadership #EmpathyInBusiness #CultureFirst #MitchBirt #PureFishing #SlicingThroughTheNoise #LeadershipPodcast
Thank you for listening to 'Slicing Through The Noise' the podcast that uncovers real stories behind impactful leadership in Australia and around the world.
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