Épisodes

  • 027: Making Way with Will Martin

    027: Making Way with Will Martin
    Dec 12 2023
    What does it mean to make way in leadership? For former Royal Australian Navy Captain Will Martin, progress as a leader has demanded humility, communication savvy, and above all - a commitment to mission.

    In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I speak with Will Martin, a veteran of over 30 years of service in the Royal Australian Navy and a third-generation Naval Officer. With Command of two ships and operational service in the Middle East and on our borders, he also served as the senior Navy representative in the Australian High Commission in London. In his final full-time posting in the Navy, Will was responsible for all aspects of warfare training across the Navy. Along with his wife Helen, he now runs Waterline Leadership - a leadership development practice focussed on senior teams and emerging leaders.

    What I loved about our conversation was Will’s humility and willingness to get down and dirty to discuss some of the leadership challenges of today. His extensive real-world experience isn’t merely retrospective; he’s focused on paying forward hard-won insights through emerging leader development, irrespective of industry.

    Join Will to hear how lessons from the command of two Navy ships have charted his course as a leadership consultant. Gain insights on unifying teams, focusing through crisis, and developing the self-awareness required of those called to command and lead others.


    WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

    • Will’s origin story and joining the Royal Australian Navy (01:08)
    • Leaders that shaped Will's leadership philosophy (02:18)
    • The life of a Navy Warfare Officer and Navigator on the seas (03:50)
    • Why the mission and protecting his sailors always came first (05:26)
    • Strategies for building resilience and preparing for critical moments (15:52)
    • The catalyst for transition and moving on from the Navy (20:34)
    • Valuable skills developed after military service (26:27)
    • Top 3 focus areas for Emerging Leaders (27:51)
    • Rapid fire questions with Will Martin (39:42)


    Quotes

    "Leadership is about inspiring others to action." - Will Martin

    "The leader shouldn’t be in the hub of the wheel, they should put the mission in the hub and just be another one of the team members around the outside of the spokes." - Will Martin

    "If you think about leadership as a spoken hub model, you can have the leader in the middle and all the team members around the outside of the wheel." - Will Martin

    “It's not the leader of the organisation that should be at the top, it's actually the mission. - Martin Brooker

    "There's a leadership responsibility to prepare your team, whatever the circumstance - whether military, corporate, or community. You must get people ready for that big scenario. So when it happens, there is an automatic response, and people aren't looking around for the next leadership command. Instead, they swiftly move into action because they were prepared. Resilience is key." - Martin Brooker


    RESOURCES

    Waterline Leadership Blogs

    What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith

    Around Leadership: Bridging the Scientist-Practitioner Gap by Patrick Vermeren


    WHERE TO FIND WILL...
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    42 min
  • 026: Truths To Lead Yourself with Elizabeth McCormick

    026: Truths To Lead Yourself with Elizabeth McCormick
    Jul 24 2023
    Losing a job you worked so hard to get into and has defined a significant portion of your life can lead to a pervasive sense of loss and confusion. While the struggle to reconcile the person who you once were with the uncertain realities of the present exists, this also serves as an opportunity to discover truths to lead yourself and begin a new journey.

    In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I speak with Elizabeth McCormick, a decorated US Army Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot who flew air assault, command and control, top-secret, intelligence, and VIP transport missions. She served in the 10th Mountain Division, including service in support of the humanitarian mission in Kosovo.

    Elizabeth’s journey into and out of the military is proof that life is indeed filled with opportunities and having the right mindset and courage to go after these will always be rewarded.

    From the moment she decided to join the army, to the crucial decision to join corporate America and eventually ventured out to keynote speaking, these instances showcased that although things may take an unexpected turn, it may just be the transition needed to embark on a new chapter.

    Elizabeth’s captivating story from soaring military success to achieving remarkable professional achievements tells about her commitment to resilient leadership that inspires others to seize the reins of their destiny and carve their own paths to success.


    WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

    • How Elizabeth join the US Army (02:07)
    • Leadership influences and their impact on her values (04:45)
    • The journey to becoming a US Army Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot (07:05)
    • What it's like commanding an aircraft and the challenges that come with it (14:08)
    • The catalyst for her transition out of the military (20:22)
    • Dealing with losing identity after her service in the army (24:40)
    • The passage from military to corporate career to keynote speaking (29:03)
    • What shaped Elizabeth's leadership mindset (37:22)
    • How she inspires people to get their spark and motivation back (40:30)
    • Rapid fire questions with Elizabeth McCormick (45:10)


    Quotes

    "We don't talk enough in society about how much our job creates our identity versus understanding and knowing who we are as a person that creates our identity." -Elizabeth McCormick

    "The hardest part of transitioning from the military to civilian, in addition to the loss of personal identity, was the fact that everyone I met already had friends and they weren't looking to make new friends. It was really hard to not have any kind of support system coming out." -Elizabeth McCormick

    "Since businesses are changing at such a rapid pace your vision has to have flexibility." -Elizabeth McCormick

    "The reality of military services is there is a lot of identity that comes from that unit. You need to be aware of the role you have and the missions that test you personally because they are part of who you are." -Martin Brooker

    "There's so much value in being able to engage in a conversation and connect with people." -Martin Brooker

    “Leadership is influence - nothing more, nothing less." -John Maxwell

    "The art of communication is the language of leadership." -John Maxwell

    Our guest at the Frontline to Boardroom, Elizabeth McCormick, Former US Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot, has offered a F R E E gift! She has an online course, "Master Your Motivation" which includes a module on confidence boosting, 30 ways to be motivated in 30 minutes without spending money, and has upcoming modules on Focus as
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    48 min
  • 025: How Do The Skills Of Acting Turn Up In Leadership with Claire Baldwin

    025: How Do The Skills Of Acting Turn Up In Leadership with Claire Baldwin
    Jun 26 2023
    Acting and leadership seem like entirely separate domains at first glance. Still, upon closer examination, it becomes evident that the skills and qualities of a talented actor can significantly overlap with those of an effective leader.

    In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I talk with Claire Baldwin, a former member of the Royal Australian Navy whose career highlights include deployment in the Middle East, roles in Navy Culture, and key staff positions before she pursued an acting career.

    Throughout the conversation, Claire emphasises that the skills she developed as an actor have served her well in leadership roles. The ability to communicate effectively, inspire and motivate others, and adapt to change has been instrumental in her success.

    This episode of Frontline to Boardroom serves as an inspiring testament to the transformative power of diverse experiences and the valuable lessons they bring to leadership. Let's dive in!

    WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

    • What made Claire join the Navy (02:13)
    • Leadership influences in Claire’s life (07:22)
    • The importance of connections in leadership (11:08)
    • The most important lessons Claire learned in the Navy (12:10)
    • Being a leader - what’s the toughest thing about it? (14:48)
    • The role of self-awareness in leadership (19:37)
    • Why did Claire leave the Navy to pursue acting (24:22)
    • Vulnerability in acting vs. Vulnerability in the military (32:58)
    • How to communicate without saying a word (38:15)
    • The importance of being deliberate as leaders (41:11)
    • Claire’s ultimate advice to those who want to take leadership roles (42:49)
    • Resources Claire has used to her advantage as a leader (44:41)
    • Transitioning from the Navy to the corporate world (46:53)
    • Rapid-fire questions with Claire Baldwin (57:15)


    Quotes

    “Names, titles and ranks don't equate to experience, to subject matter expertise, to having the best idea at the time, to be in the person with the right answer.” -Claire Baldwin

    “People can see through, they can see through fake and they can smell fear. So when you walk in with an armor on and not feeling very confident, and you try and hide it, people generally see it.” -Claire Baldwin

    “The answer is not in your email inbox, and it's not on your to do list. It's in the conversations you have with people and the connections that you make with people.” -Claire Baldwin

    “One of the things that I've learned from acting is that presence is understanding the messages we communicate and how we can communicate, whether that be through body language, or even micro expression. And how we can use that as leaders to our advantage in the moment with other human beings.” -Claire Baldwin


    “In the busy world that leaders live in right now, we so often rush from one thing to the next. We're not actually thinking about how we're turning up.” -Martin Brooker

    “There are real opportunities just to sometimes to slow down, stop, and take notice of how you're turning up.” -Martin Brooker

    “It's challenging to look in the mirror when you realised that your own self-leadership is not attractive to you or to other people.” -Martin Brooker


    RESOURCES

    • Essentialism by Jeff McKeown


    WHERE TO FIND CLAIRE BALDWIN

    • Connect with Claire on LinkedIn.


    SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW THE FRONTLINE TO BOARDROOM...
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    1 h et 1 min
  • 024: With You, With Me – Leadership with Tom Larter

    024: With You, With Me – Leadership with Tom Larter
    Jun 19 2023
    Leadership is an ever-evolving concept that shapes the world we live in. It is a force that drives progress, inspires change, and empowers individuals and communities to achieve extraordinary feats. In leadership, there is a crucial element that often goes unnoticed but holds tremendous power—the power of collective collaboration.

    In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Tom Larter, a former Captain in the Australian Army. Tom had a distinguished 13-year military career before he transitioned to the private sector and became one of the early leaders at WithYouWithMe, one of Asia Pacific’s fastest-growing tech companies.

    Tom shares his insights on the importance of collective collaboration in leadership and how it has shaped his experiences both in the military and the private sector. He also shares the importance of data in making informed decisions and driving organisational success.

    What truly resonated with me during our conversation was the valuable insight into our daily leadership challenges. It reminded me of the importance of pausing and reflecting briefly before leaping into action. This seemingly simple yet powerful habit can give us a fresh perspective and enhance our decision-making process.

    WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

    • Joining the Australian Army - what made Tom do it? (01:48)
    • Tom’s dad - his leadership hero? (02:50)
    • Is military training as effective as it should be? (04:30)
    • Tom’s Leadership lessons deployed in Afghanistan (06:43)
    • How to help others step up and to find their courage (08:18)
    • Knowing your people and their capabilities (10:42)
    • The importance of lived experience in the workplace (14:09)
    • The transition from full-time service to full-time work (17:35)
    • Networking - its role in finding a new or real purpose (20:38)
    • One thing the military did not teach Tom (22:32)
    • How the COVID-19 pandemic has changed business leaders (24:40)
    • How to increase retention rate as a business owner (26:30)
    • Data-led employment - what is it and how it can help you (28:58)
    • Tom’s advice to people planning to take leadership roles (31:40)
    • Top three keys to Tom’s personal success (34:48)
    • Rapid-fire questions with Tom Larter (36:32)


    Quotes

    “You need to trust the people to get on with the job knowing that they've got the training, the ability, and the capability.” - Martin Brooker

    “Keep your eye on things, but don’t make them feel like you're controlling every move.” -Tom Larter

    “The power isn't in thinking critically and making the right decision. It's in constantly making decisions and moving forward.” -Tom Larter

    “The real value in networking is not finding out what people do. It's asking them why they do it.” -Tom Larter

    “Retention is about empowering people to reach their potential in the workforce.” -Tom Larter

    RESOURCES MENTIONED

    • Leadership and Self Deception by The Arbinger Institute


    WHERE TO FIND TOM LARTER

    • Check out Tom’s company website.
    • Connect with Tom on LinkedIn.


    SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW THE FRONTLINE TO BOARDROOM PODCAST

    Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Frontline To Boardroom podcast. If the information in any of our conversations and interviews has helped you in your business journey, please head over to Apple Podcasts, click the 3 dots in the top right corner of your smartphone screen, follow the show, and leave us an...
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    39 min
  • 023: The Scientific Approach to Leadership with Dennis Franklin

    023: The Scientific Approach to Leadership with Dennis Franklin
    Apr 17 2023
    In today's ever-changing world, leaders need to become more innovative in their leadership. It is not enough to rely on traditional methods of leadership that may have worked in the past because the challenges of the modern day are very different. Therefore, what better way to apply science and scientific approaches when leading a team?

    In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Dennis Franklin who served in the Royal Australian Navy for 10 years as a logistic officer before being transferred to the Reserves to continue service in Naval Intelligence, IT Systems, and Business relationships.

    Dennis shares his experience utilizing science-based leadership to successfully resolve key challenges in the Navy. He talks about how science-based leadership can assist in developing a team’s culture of collaboration and interdependence.

    Dennis's insights apply to all types of leaders, from frontline troops to boardroom executives. Listen to this episode now to learn how to lead with a scientific approach and optimize your team’s potential.

    WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

    • Leadership influences Dennis’ life (04:28)
    • The duties of a Maritime Logistics Officer (08:58)
    • Leadership in the Navy (11:16)
    • How culture affects the Navy (14:22)
    • What made Dennis leave the military? (21:29)
    • The career fields Dennis went into (26:06)
    • Leadership lessons Dennis learned in the military (29:34)
    • The moral and ethical part of leadership (33:53)
    • What is strategic leadership? (40:21)
    • Dennis’ ultimate advice to emerging leaders (45:32)
    • Rapid-fire questions with Dennis (54:22)


    Quotes

    “No organization is perfect. It is about correcting leadership.” -Martin Brooker

    “You can't just say, to be a good leader, you need to be a good person.” -Dennis Franklin

    “Unless I understand myself, I can't help anybody else.” -Dennis Franklin

    RESOURCES MENTIONED

    • Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela


    WHERE TO FIND DENNIS FRANKLIN

    • Connect with Dennis on LinkedIn.


    SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW THE FRONTLINE TO BOARDROOM PODCAST

    Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Frontline To Boardroom podcast. If the information in any of our conversations and interviews has helped you in your business journey, please head over to Apple Podcasts, click the 3 dots in the top right corner of your smartphone screen, follow the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver valuable content but will also help us reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

    Guest Bio & headshot

    Dennis Franklin is a highly accomplished individual with a diverse educational background. He earned a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours in Geology from the Australian National University in 1991, followed by a Doctor of Philosophy in Geology from the University of Tasmania in 1998.

    Later in his career, Dennis obtained a Master of Business Administration from the University of Queensland's Mt Eliza Business School in 2006, and a Certificate in Executive Leadership from Cornell University in 2007.

    In addition, he completed the Royal Australian Navy Reserve Staff Course at the Australian Defence Force Command and Staff College in 2004, where he was awarded the Lonsdale Medallion for achieving the
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    49 min
  • 022: Why Failure Is Essential for Success with Ben Seesink

    022: Why Failure Is Essential for Success with Ben Seesink
    Apr 10 2023
    Failure often comes with a negative connotation in our society, but the truth is that it plays an important role in success. In fact, failure is not only necessary for growth; it actually paves the way for achieving greater levels of success and fulfillment both personally and professionally.

    In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Ben Seesink who served in the Royal Australian Engineers, Australian Army. After a post military career in consulting and project management, Ben founded his own business, BOUW, a company that helps businesses win defence contracts and provides bespoke solutioins for the design and operations of shooting ranges and training facilitiesfor the Australian Defence Force and other security agencies.

    Ben shares the leadership lessons from his lived experiences in the military and how they can be applied to business. He talks about how failure is essential for growth and how it can provide insight into the direction you should take to reach your goals.

    Ben's story is an inspiring reminder that failure can often be a learning opportunity, and using those experiences to propel you forward is important. He also speaks about how leaders need to cultivate an environment of trust and understanding for their team members to feel secure enough to take risks and learn from their mistakes.

    If you want to learn how to turn failure into success, this episode of Frontline to Boardroom is a must-listen. Tune in to hear Ben's story and discover failure's vital role in achieving success.

    WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

    • The leadership influences in Ben’s life (02:52)
    • The most challenging part of Ben’s military career (04:16)
    • Creating an environment where people want to stay (08:54)
    • The importance of professionalism (12:19)
    • What made Ben leave the military (18:21)
    • One thing Ben didn’t learn in the military (22:05)
    • How to find your niche (24:13)
    • Ben’s ultimate advice to those taking leadership roles (26:57)
    • The top three keys to success, according to Ben (31:33)
    • Rapid-fire questions with Ben (34:14)


    Quotes

    “Do it right the first time.” -Ben Seesink

    “Always do a 360-degree self-assessment on your strengths and weaknesses because it will help you in later life.” -Ben Seesink

    “Try and mentor people and share your failures with them.” -Ben Seesink

    “Leadership is communication through words, actions, and experience.” -Ben Seesink

    “It doesn't matter how long the career is; the bottom line is people are choosing to serve their country.” -Martin Brooker

    “It's not just a job. It's a vocation.” -Martin Brooker

    “Learning is a continual journey of recognizing what you need to learn to be better in the space you're in.” -Martin Brooker

    RESOURCES MENTIONED

    • What It Takes By Mark Burris


    WHERE TO FIND BEN SEESINK

    • Connect with Ben on LinkedIn.
    • Visit Ben’s website here.


    SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW THE FRONTLINE TO BOARDROOM PODCAST

    Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Frontline To Boardroom podcast. If the information in any of our conversations and interviews has helped you in your business journey, please head over to Apple Podcasts, click the 3 dots in the top right corner of your smartphone screen, follow the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver...
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    37 min
  • 021: Running Deep with Peter Scott

    021: Running Deep with Peter Scott
    Apr 3 2023
    Have you ever wondered what living and working deep under the ocean’s surface would be like? To serve your country uniquely, utilising advanced technology few will ever experience? For Australia's submariners, this is reality.

    In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Peter Scott who served in the Royal Australian Navy and rose to be the professional head of the Navy’s elite: the Submarine Arm. After over three decades in the military, Peter entered the corporate world and became an executive coach.

    Peter shares his lived experiences and how he learned to lead in the most challenging moments from emergencies at depth and leading people. He reflects on how his Navy experience helped him succeed in business, with valuable lessons that apply to any career path.

    His approach to leadership is both relatable and inspiring. As Peter puts it, “Leadership is values in action." Peter's story is an incredible testament to the power of resilience and determination. He proves that a career path doesn't have to be linear; it can involve twists and turns leading back to your true passion.

    If you are looking for inspiration and motivation, you will want to catch this episode. Tune into Frontline to Boardroom as Peter Scott shares his remarkable journey and the valuable lessons he has learned.

    WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

    • Leadership influences in Peter’s life (04:10)
    • The leadership challenges of being a submariner (07:15)
    • Peter’s hardest day in the boat (09:01)
    • How leaders best respond to paradox and complexity (17:52)
    • Why did Peter leave the military? (24:00)
    • Leadership lessons Peter learned from the military (27:54)
    • How to deal with challenging times (30:19)
    • Peter’s ultimate advice when taking more responsibility (35:33)
    • The importance of taking care of your mental health (39:34)
    • Rapid-fire questions with Peter (40:28)


    Quotes“Self care is not selfish. It's a responsibility of a leader to make sure that their mental, physical and spiritual health are being cared for.” - Peter Scott

    “Understanding how, and where, what you are doing, or the organization that you're working with, is relevant and valuable to the world around you.” - Peter Scott

    “As a leader, you've also got to know enough be able to articulate why it's important in any wider sense.” -Peter Scott

    “This will get worse before it gets worse.” -Peter Scott

    “Leadership is values in action.” -Peter Scott

    “The real lesson is about integrity - to speak the truth because people remember that.” -Martin Brooker

    RESOURCES MENTIONED

    • Running Deep: An Australian Submarine Life


    WHERE TO FIND PETER SCOTT

    • Connect with Peter on LinkedIn.
    • Visit Peter’s website here.


    SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW THE FRONTLINE TO BOARDROOM PODCAST

    Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Frontline To Boardroom podcast. If the information in any of our conversations and interviews has helped you in your business journey, please head over to Apple Podcasts, click the 3 dots in the top right corner of your smartphone screen, follow the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver valuable content but will also help us reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like...
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    44 min
  • 020: You Can Lead with Mark Cooper

    020: You Can Lead with Mark Cooper
    Oct 10 2022
    You can give someone all the information they need to be successful, but you can't make them take action. So, how do you inspire someone to take the lead and achieve their goals?

    In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Mark Cooper who served in the Royal Australian Navy as a Seaman Officer and Cryptologic Intelligence Officer for over 20 years before working across a variety of roles, including significant business owner/partnerships in four highly successful Australian "start-up" companies.

    Mark shares some amazing insights into leadership and how to inspire others to achieve their goals. He also shares his experience in making the transition from the military to the civilian workforce and what advice he would give to others thinking about making a similar move.

    Mark’s approach to business that’s less about academic theory and more about practical, pragmatic experience developed through successful "outcome-focused" delivery. This shows through in everything he does, whether it be as an entrepreneur, a business consultant, or a leadership coach.

    If you are looking for some practical advice on how to inspire others and lead them to success, then this is the episode for you!

    WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

    • Leadership influences in Mark’s life (03:16)
    • Lessons Mark learned from the navy (06:03)
    • The highlights of Mark’s career in the military (11:27)
    • Why self-awareness is critical (14:41)
    • One thing in Mark’s service career that didn’t go well (19:06)
    • Why did Mark leave the military? (22:07)
    • Applying military lessons to the corporate world (26:40)
    • Staying true to your values (28:55)
    • How start-ups should be managed(30:04)
    • Keeping things simple as a leader (36:39)
    • Rapid-fire questions with Mark (43:24)


    Quotes“The school of hard knocks, is what accelerates you.” -Mark Cooper

    “There is no greater privilege in life than to lead.” -Mark Cooper

    “Being calm brings confidence to the people around you” -Martin Brooker

    “We need to take stock of what we've learnt and where we've come from, and the lessons we learnt along the way. -Martin Brooker

    RESOURCES MENTIONED

    • You Can Lead by Mark Cooper and Daryl Bates



    WHERE TO FIND MARK COOPER

    • Connect with Mark on LinkedIn.
    • Visit Mark’s website here.


    SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW THE FRONTLINE TO BOARDROOM PODCAST

    Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Frontline To Boardroom podcast. If the information in any of our conversations and interviews has helped you in your business journey, please head over to Apple Podcasts, click the 3 dots in the top right corner of your smartphone screen, follow the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver valuable content but will also help us reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

    ABOUT MARK COOPER

    Mark Cooper served in the Royal Australian Navy as a Seaman Officer and Cryptologic Intelligence Officer for over 20 years. That included service with the US Navy and operational service in Bougainville.

    On leaving full time service, Mark has worked across a variety of roles from Executive Leadership all the way through to Business Owner/Partnerships in four...
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    48 min