Adapt with Danette FM
‘Adapt with Danette F-M’ is a podcast by Danette Fenton-Menzies; speaker, business coach, and a leader in the adaptability space for the over a decade. In this podcast Danette chats to different adaptable leaders from across different sectors to break down how they have adapted to get where they are, and what tips you can utilise to keep up with changing environments.
This is a companion podcast to the amazing new book “The Adaptable Leader” by Danette Fenton-Menzies. You can buy it in paperback or digital edition here.
Listen to all episodes on Spotify Here
Season 2 - Collaboration and Problem Solving
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How do you start up your own creative business with just your own capital, and transition that from hobby to part-time work with employees under you? Well, luckily today’s guest has that blueprint worked out.
In today’s Season Finale, Danette chats with Founder of the zine More Than Melanin, as well as being the associate producer of Melbourne’s Emerging Writer’s Festival. And she is also the social media manager for Magical Learning.
They chat about how siblings and cousin can teach us to be better collaborators, how building a platform to amplify people actually gives you more opportunities, and how we can all manage difficult conversations a bit better.
To chat to Kanika or get a copy of the Zine:
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What do the Rolling Stones have to do with understanding collaboration? And how can we all master collective intelligence?
In today’s awesome chat, Danette and friend of the podcast Ann Braithwaite chat about the power we all can harness through collective intelligence. Ann is a Collective Intelligence expert, speaker and coach from New Zealand who helps people navigate systemic shifts, hone strategic acumen, deliver on the most ambitious ideas, or to elevate leadership impact. We don’t have all the answers, so learning to harness others’ ability to use their lens on a problem to help you out.
They also chat about why we have collaboration backwards, how to make sure your team knows how to work together, and how we can look at the difference between the Rolling Stones and a cover band to understand how collaboration really works.
To find out more about Ann:https://www.annbraithwaite.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/annbraithwaite/?originalSubdomain=nz
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We would all like a bit of Mindset Mastery, but how do we actually achieve it? Well who better to ask then the man that literally wrote the book on it; Darren Fleming!
In today’s fantastic conversation, Danette is joined by Darren to talk all things mindset, focus and getting yourself, your thoughts and actions under your own control. Darren is a speaker, author and executive mentor who wrote the book Mindset Mastery: Do Less. Achieve More. The conversation emphasises the importance of self-awareness, understanding internal versus external problems, and practical strategies for effective problem-solving. They also share tips for listeners encouraging embracing obstacles as opportunities for growth and developing a mindset that fosters adaptability and collaboration.
To find out more about Darren:
https://www.darrenfleming.com.au/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenfleming?originalSubdomain=au
And to grab a copy of Darren’s book Mindset mastery: Do Less. Achieve More:
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How can dealing with animals in a crisis give us insights into how to best deal with all crises?
Well in today’s amazing conversation with Dr. Hayley Squance, Danette and her break down some of the key issues that emerge in real emergencies that many of us may not expect. Dr Hayley Squance is Speaker, Innovator, Senior Lecturer at Massey University and expert in emergency and disaster management, but looking at disaster management through a veterinarian’s eyes.
In this awesome episode, Danette and Dr Hayley break down disaster management, the effect on people and their pets during this time, and how we can use people’s pets to connect with them. They also break down how many of us may already be experts in a topic and we may not even know it using the story of a firefighter that learnt he had valuable information for many people.To get in contact with Dr Hayley Squance:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-hayley-squance-phd-em-a3468021/Resources mentioned:
Published paper on the Strategies for implementing a one welfare framework in emergency management. They are strategies to help with collaboration that could be utilised anywhere.
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/11/3141
This is a link to my animal emergency management facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082531851111
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What happens when we actually facilitate collaboration with every team member, and not just the loudest voice in the room? Well, the power can be quite extraordinary.
Today, Danette chats to Simi Rayat. Simi is the founder and Principal Psychologist of Wellbeing Face, a thriving Psychology Coaching and Consulting Practice. With 20 years of business psychology consulting, Simi is a sought after Executive Leadership Coach and Psychologist, working with leaders and founders to elevate and transform leadership brilliance. The conversation delves into the pitfalls of poor collaboration, characterized by ego, energy, and echo chambers, while also providing practical tips for enhancing collaboration skills. Simi shares why we should all embrace experimentation and adaptability in our personal and professional lives.To find out more about Simi:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simirayatbusinesspsychologist/And Simi's book Productivity Joy:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Productivity-Joy-Energised-Effective-Minutes/dp/1394282214 -
We are all asked to collaborate with others as part of our work, but it can be ineffective, slow and sometimes you end up worse off because of it. But what if I told you that you aren't bad at it, but that you may not have been properly trained in it (if you even were at all)?
Luckily, to make the challenge of collaboration seem as easy it sounds, we are joined by the amazing Dr Rebecca Sutherns. Dr. Rebecca Sutherns is a practical and dynamic speaker, facilitator and trusted advisor. She is also a bestselling author, whose insight is grounded in over 25 years of experience helping networks, organizations and individuals reimagine their next chapter with clarity and energy.
She and Danette chat about why collaboration is so hard, how we can all get better, and what bad collaboration looks like.To find out more about Dr Rebecca Sutherns:
https://rebeccasutherns.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccasutherns/ -
How did the Allies achieve so much during the second world war, and how can we use some of the lessons from that to run our businesses in the 2020's? How can we utilise the concept of the perfect pineapple to highlight how collaboration can be a tricky issue?
Well, luckily we are joined by friend of the podcast Bernie Kelly to chat about all of this and more. Bernie is a Transformation Partner, Speaker, Author, Mentor and has worked with some amazing companies guiding them through transformation. In his time he has seen some good (and not so good) examples of how collaboration has been handled, and what signs there are that your collaboration may not be working.
He also shares with us the challenge of "The Perfect Pineapple" and how some problems may have some very tricky solutions.You can get in contact with Bernie here:
https://www.berniekelly.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/berniekelly100/?originalSubdomain=au -
Ever wondered why the same companies aren't the top companies forever? Why is it so hard to stay at the top over time? The answer; because that is not just a problem to solve, but it is a problematic problem with constantly changing objectives.
But what does that really mean, and how can you get a handle on problematic problems? Well, in today's episode, Danette chats to Dr Richard Hodge to break it all down. Dr. Richard has had a unique career, but now is a Thought Leader educator, adviser, and mentor helping organisations through fundamental challenges of breaking with reductionist and linear thinking and practice that dominated the 20th Century to build capabilities and capacity fit for the 21st Century.
They discuss the importance of adaptability and the need to focus on possibilities rather than problems. They also explore the concept of transformation and the importance of taking a broader perspective when approaching problems. He emphasises the importance of asking the right questions and considering the broader context when solving problems. In this conversation, they discuss the importance of collaboration and experimentation in solving complex problems. Dr. Hodge also highlights the value of Indigenous thinking and the importance of respecting and connecting with communities when addressing their problems.For more on Dr Richard Hodge:
https://www.drrichardhodge.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrichardhodge/Resources:
'Sand Talk' by Tyson Yunkaporta - https://www.textpublishing.com.au/books/sand-talk
'Creative Experience' by Mary Parker Follett - https://pqm-online.com/assets/files/lib/books/follett.pdf -
Join us for an insightful episode as we explore the art of collaboration and conversation with Emma Gibbons; friend of the show, and amazing conversation facilitator.
In this conversation, Emma shares her journey from grassroots political campaigns to leading high-impact initiatives across continents. She talks about her insights on fostering effective collaboration, overcoming challenges, and the importance of creating safe, open spaces for diverse perspectives. Emma offers practical tips for enhancing your collaboration skills, backed by real-world examples and her own experiences. Whether you're leading a team or navigating complex projects, this episode provides valuable strategies for making your collaborative efforts more successful and impactful.
Danette and Jez also chat about why Australia has so many athletes at the olympics, and some tips for public speaking, from Danette, who is a trainer and facilitator, and Jez, who is a comedian.For more on Emma:
https://www.emmagibbens.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-gibbens/?originalSubdomain=au
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Adaptability can look like many things, but I bet a lot of you wouldn't think it looked like having fun at work.
Today Danette chats with Colin Ellis about why good team cultures actually create much better businesses. Colin is a workplace culture expert, as well as an award-winning speaker and best-selling author. But most of all he is a friend of the show. Danette and Colin break down some of the damage and trauma of bad workplaces, why you should ask "why?" more, and how to grow and foster a great workplace culture.If you want to find out more about Colin:
https://www.colindellis.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/colindellis/ -
Technical problems have a solution, and once it is reached, the problem is no longer an issue. Adaptive problems have no end goal, and the goals and rules may adjust as time moves along.
How do you prepare for the adaptive problem of living in the 2020's?
Well, luckily, Danette is joined to break it all down by Graham Winter. Graham is a former Chief Psychologist for three Australian Olympic Teams, Founder of Think One Team Consulting, and author of the business best seller, Think One Team, and co-author of Toolkit for Turbulence.
They chat about Graham coming from a sporting background to becoming a psychologist, and some great examples of problem solving and collaboration. This is a conversation that was just an absolute blast.
To find out more about Graham:
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How can you use data to help bring a team together? How can data be fun for people who don't get it?
Well, luckily today Danette is joined by Dr Selena Fisk, data storyteller, to break down the power of data and numbers on influencing action by humans.
They discuss the importance of collaboration and problem-solving in data storytelling. Dr. Fisk emphasises the need to involve multiple perspectives and allow individuals to come up with their own insights when analysing data. They also highlight the negative impact of poor collaboration, where data is simply dumped on people without giving them the opportunity to digest and explore it. The conversation concludes with tips for developing problem-solving and collaboration skills, including the use of the double diamond model and creating opportunities for curiosity.To find out more about Dr Selena Fisk:
https://www.selenafisk.com/ -
Today's guest is Winitha Bonney OAM. The conversation with Winitha covered topics such as the importance of diversity and inclusion in problem-solving and collaboration, the need for awareness and consciousness in addressing global problems, and the qualities of effective managers. Winitha shared the story of Madam CJ Walker, a black woman who overcame adversity and became the first self-made millionaire in the US, highlighting the importance of representation and diverse narratives. Key takeaways include the need to invite diverse voices to the table, create psychological safety, be transparent and curious, and celebrate diversity and strengths.
If you want to reach out to Winitha, you can visit:
https://www.winitha.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/winitha-bonney-oam-ma-mmktg-bbm-di-a-dip-intl-5132a87a/ -
Today’s episode is with Paul McGregor. Paul is a speaker, author and facilitator who loves to start with questions, and use them to find answers.
In this episode, Danette and Paul break down how to learn important lessons from your everyday experiences. They also chat about how to ask questions (something that can sometimes be scarier than it should be) and how to bring those important lessons from life into your work.
Skip to about the 2-minute mark to hear the interview.
You can reach out to Paul here:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/paul-mcgregor/
To listen to Paul's Magical Learning Podcast:
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In today's podcast, we are lucky enough to be joined by Dr. Mike Smith. Dr Mike is a speaker, author, coach and industry leader and expert. He also was a part of the U.S Air Force for 26 years and has a PhD in Industrial & Organisational Psychology, with a specialisation in Leadership Development and Coaching, from Walden University.
After retiring from active duty, Mike transitioned into the civilian sector where he became a corporate leader in a Berkshire Hathaway Energy company working for Warren Buffet and Greg Able. In that role he provided leadership, mentorship and guidance to company employees at all levels, including senior corporate leaders. So if there was anyone ever to give a holistic and well rounded view on the power of leadership, adaptability and working in teams, Dr. Mike has the answer.
For more of Dr. Mike Smith:
https://docmikesmith.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/doc-mike-smith/For our Magical Learning Chat with Dr. Mike Smith, head here:
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Today’s episode is with Lisa Carlin. Lisa guides visionary CEOs, Executives and Directors to accelerate their transformation to a “Unicorn” organisation. Those working with Lisa have the sounding board and expert guidance they need to navigate success with speed and precision, so they can deliver growth and business value.
In this episode, Danette and Lisa chat about how to make your business more human centered, how collaboration looks when it is functioning vs not functioning and how to make your workplace one where everyone contributes
You can find out more about Lisa and get in contact here:
https://www.futurebuildersgroup.com/
https://www.futurebuildersgroup.com/resources/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/futurebuilders-group/
Season 1 - Adaptability Case Studies
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Episode description: Today’s final episode of the season is with old friend of Danette’s; Yash Varma. Yash Varma is a seasoned tech founder, investor, high performance coach and lover of life. He is a global citizen having lived and worked in Australia, UK and Switzerland. Yash has a Bachelor of Information Technology on Scholarship from the University of Technology, Sydney. He has also been studying Artificial Intelligence at Stanford University as part of their continuing education program. He has a strong career background in technology and innovation having founded and exited global software consultancy Spaarks with offices in London, Glasgow and Canberra. Yash believes in building businesses based on hard work and values. This is reflected in all businesses he has been involved with, including most recently, Empress Capital. Yash is a certified high-performance coach working with business founders and teams to develop a high-performance culture in everything they do in and out of work.
In today’s conversation, Yash talks not only about his journey, but also about how he uses values to influence all of his business decisions. He talks about using failure as a model for adapting, how to work with other companies around a shared purpose, and why good people can be a major asset when you don’t know all of the facts.
To find out more about Yash, or to get in contact:
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Episode description: Today’s episode is with Sophie Krantz. Sophie Krantz is an advisor, coach and speaker on internationalisation, global strategic expansion, and international leadership development. In over 20 countries, Sophie has worked with private public sector leaders to develop and implement international business strategies. Sophie has done this at Global Fortune 500 and ASX100 companies as well as with startup founders and CEOs of SMEs and scaleups. Sophie has held internationalisation strategy roles, including at the International Trade Centre (agency of the UN/WTO) in Geneva and at Swiss Re in Zurich. Enabling her clients to adapt to global opportunities and risks associated with the Digital Era and Fourth Industrial Revolution, Sophie applies the Exponential Organisation framework, designed by Salim Ismail, in her work. Sophie runs workshops and masterclasses for international business leaders. Her work centres on creating the connections, content and conversations for business leaders and companies to succeed on the world stage.
In today’s podcast, Sophie discusses not only how she got to where she is, but also how to adapt to a more globalised world. She breaks down how standing still can be as dangerous as trying something new, why your friends should be changing, and how to develop globalised networks.
To find out more about Sophie, or to get in contact:
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Episode description: Today’s episode is with Mark Butler. Mark Butler is a mental health expert and strategist in sustainable performance, mental well-being, and psychological safety at work. A clinical mental health expert with over 25 years of experience as a workplace strategist, psychotherapist, and clinical director, he helps organisations and teams worldwide achieve peak performance by promoting psychological safety and well-being through a compassionate, personable approach. Mark holds two masters degrees in mental health and is recognised as a clinical leader in psychotherapy. As a renowned speaker, published researcher, and best-selling author, he is a sought-after subject matter expert guest in webinars, podcasts, team-offsites, and conferences.
In today’s conversation, Mark talks not only about his background, but also about the importance of sustainability excellence and how to not burnout, responding to self-criticism, and why caring leaders don’t get accused of bullying.
To find out more about Mark, or to get in contact:
https://www.markbutler.com.au/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-butler/
And you can find his new book here:
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Episode description: Today’s episode is with Kirsten Peterson Phd. Kirsten is an experienced performance psychologist, coach, and group process facilitator who helps leaders with effective and pragmatic strategies. After a 22-year sport psychology career working in elite sport, through both the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Australian Institute of Sport, Kirsten has integrated expertise and experience in performance psychology, mindfulness, and neuroscience to help people who are aspiring or struggling to reach their potential -- in sport, in business, in life.
In this episode, Kirsten talks about her background, the power of pausing (and why it is hard), questioning the motives of your inner critic and how to apply self-compassion
You can find out more about Kirsten and get in contact here:
https://www.kirstenpetersonconsulting.com/
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Episode description: Today’s Click here to listenepisode is with Kayelene Snowden. Kaylene is the General Manager for Operations & Transformations at Tabcorp. She is also a performance focused senior executive with well-established team building and leadership talents, including the ability to champion and manage change in dynamic and competitive businesses. But beyond all that, she has been good friends with Danette for over 2 decades.
In this episode, Kaylene not only talks about how she got to where she is, but also how she makes decisions about projects that aren’t doing as well as once thought, how failure builds resilience, and how to make decisions before they are made for you.
You can find out more about Kaylene here:
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Episode description: Today’s episode is with Chris Mamarelis. Chris is the CEO of Whiddon; an award-winning, not-for-profit organisation that has been caring for older Australians across NSW and QLD for over 70 years. Whiddon is a decorated organisation known for not only it’s amazing service, but also for being on the cutting-edge when it comes to trialing new technologies and techniques to give retirees the best and most comfortable time.
In this episode, Chris talks not only about his journey, but also how he and his business adapted to COVID, how failure can actually be success, and the power of purpose with passion.
You can find out more about Chris and get in contact here:
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Episode Description: Today’s episode is with Cherie Mylordis. Cheri is a world-class transformation and innovation coach, future of work expert and international speaker. Cherie inspires forward-thinking leaders and organisations to transform for purpose, impact and growth.
In this episode, Cheri not only talks about how work is evolving, but also some stories from her past, like working on the 2000 Olympics.
To contact Cheri:
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Episode description: Are you struggling to keep up with the pace of change? As a leader how do you stay on top of rapidly changing workplaces and work culture?
Today’s episode is with Callum McKirdy. Callum is a speaker, facilitator, coach and podcaster that lives with both ADHD and Dyslexia. However, his approach is not just about making the workplace better for those of us who may not be 100% neurotypical; he also shows how to utilise and harness the amazing power and potential of these people in the workplace.
In this episode, we talk about Callum’s journey, but also how to gain trust from other leaders, how to harness the potential of everyone at your office, and why some some leaders may behave strangely around very specific things.
To find out more about Callum:
Season 3 - Experimenting
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This week we are joined by the amazing Sophie Krantz to chat about how global networks can help during uncertain times. In this episode, Danette chats with Sophie Krantz to explore the theme of experimentation in leadership and organisations, particularly in the context of economic uncertainty in Australia. They discuss the importance of adaptability, the power of global networks, and share case studies of successful experimentation. The conversation also addresses the challenges organisations face when trying to innovate and the significance of fostering a culture that encourages experimentation. Ultimately, the episode emphasises the relationship between ambition, agency, and the need for leaders to embrace a mindset of exploration and creativity.
To reach out to Sophie:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiekrantz/
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The kickoff of Season Three introduces the theme of experimentation in organizations, setting the stage for a deep dive into the topic. The conversation covers the definition of experimentation in leadership and organizations, the impact of long-term experimentation, and a detailed conversation with Brent Forrester. Key takeaways include positive reinforcement leadership, generative and critical thinking in experimentation, the importance of process and improvisation, and the challenges of getting the right people involved in experimentation. The importance of fun in learning and adaptability was also highlighted, along with personal experiences with incorporating fun into workouts. Dr. Hodge's expertise and insights provided valuable takeaways for listeners, emphasizing the need for a more flexible approach to policy and the significance of an experimental mindset in engagement and negotiation.
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Season three of Adapt with Danette FM kicks off with a focus on experimentation and its impact on leadership and organizations. Cherie Mylordis, a work futurist and expert in leadership and business transformation, joins the conversation to discuss the power of experimentation and its essential role in driving adaptability and growth. The conversation delves into the challenges and benefits of experimentation, the impact of AI on creativity and adaptability, and the importance of embracing uncertainty in a safe and intentional manner. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including play, AI, emerging technologies, experimentation, adaptability, and language learning. The guests share insights on the importance of play, the impact of AI on business, the 3D model for work, and the benefits of learning multiple languages. They also discuss the role of leaders in fostering a culture of experimentation and the value of staying adaptable in a rapidly changing world.
To contact Cheri:
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Episode description: Brent Forrester is an award-winning writer, producer and director, who has written for 6 Emmy Award-winning television comedies. He’s written on some of the biggest sitcoms ever such as the Office, The Simpsons, The Ben Stiller Show, Space Force, King of the Hill, Love, and Super Fun Night.
The conversation with Brent Forrester delves into the art of creativity and experimentation, highlighting the importance of positive reinforcement leadership, encouraging creativity through space and play, the impact of collaboration on creativity, and the significance of relaxation and presence in creativity. The discussion emphasizes the role of fun and playfulness in creativity and the importance of experimentation and volume in the creative process. The conversation delves into the importance of creativity and experimentation in fostering adaptability, the role of positive reinforcement and leadership in creating a safe and creative environment, and the impact of language and culture on adaptability.
To reach out to Brent:
https://www.brentforrester.com/
Brent has a Writing the Pilot course starting Feb 1: