“We’ve had a number of years when there was a huge emphasis on people’s work-life balance. Now it’s about performance,” says Chris Karagounis.

The managing director at executive search firm Alex Kaar says working in the office allows budding leaders to contribute to the culture and community, and to keep learning.

And if they're not there, then they risk falling behind.

On this week's episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten finds out from the corporate headhunter what it takes to be a senior leader today, and how aspiring executives should approach issues such as working from home and artificial intelligence.

Further reading:

Four steps to land your first board position

The step into the boardroom is an important milestone, and something many ambitious professionals dream about. But how do you make it happen?

How I convinced Kerry Packer he should hire me

Mary Wooldridge, outgoing CEO of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, worked for the media tycoon in the late 1990s. She’s used some of the skills she learnt ever since.

Why job seekers looking for $200k-plus roles should be worried 

After taking a break from her exec role, Diedre Hosking returned to a market offering $100,000 less, as firms swap veterans for cheaper, AI-literate juniors.

 

&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve had a number of years when there was a huge emphasis on people&rsquo;s work-life balance. Now it&rsquo;s about performance,&rdquo; says Chris Karagounis.
The managing director at executive search firm Alex Kaar says working in the office allows budding leaders to contribute to the culture and community, and to keep learning.
And if they're not there, then they risk falling behind.
On this week's episode, <a href="https://www.afr.com/boss">BOSS</a> editor Sally Patten finds out from the corporate headhunter what it takes to be a senior leader today, and how aspiring executives should approach issues such as working from home and artificial intelligence.
Further reading:
<a href="https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/leaders/4-steps-to-land-your-first-board-position-20251007-p5n0ov?utm_source=omny&amp;amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;amp;utm_campaign=15_minutes_with_the_boss&amp;amp;utm_content=&amp;amp;utm_term=newsroom">Four steps to land your first board position</a>
The step into the boardroom is an important milestone, and something many ambitious professionals dream about. But how do you make it happen?
<a href="https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/leaders/what-this-exec-learnt-from-working-for-kerry-packer-20260508-p5zv4e?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=15_minutes_with_the_boss&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">How I convinced Kerry Packer he should hire me</a>
Mary Wooldridge, outgoing CEO of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, worked for the media tycoon in the late 1990s. She&rsquo;s used some of the skills she learnt ever since.
<a href="https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/careers/why-people-earning-over-200k-should-be-scared-right-now-20260508-p5zv3r?utm_source=omny&amp;amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;amp;utm_campaign=15_minutes_with_the_boss&amp;amp;utm_content=&amp;amp;utm_term=newsroom">Why job seekers looking for $200k-plus roles should be worried</a>&nbsp;
After taking a break from her exec role, Diedre Hosking returned to a market offering $100,000 less, as firms swap veterans for cheaper, AI-literate juniors.
&nbsp;

15 Minutes with the Boss is a podcast that gives listeners exclusive access to some of the top CEOs in the country.

Each week AFR BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with a prominent leader and asks them to share the invaluable advice and wisdom they have accumulated throughout their careers.

For stories of success and failure and everything in-between, search and follow 15 Minutes with the Boss. It’s 15 minutes you can’t afford to miss. 

15 Minutes with the Boss is a podcast that gives listeners exclusive access to some of the top CEOs in the country.
Each week AFR BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with a prominent leader and asks them to share the invaluable advice and wisdom they have accumulated throughout their careers.
For stories of success and failure and everything in-between, search and follow 15 Minutes with the Boss. It’s 15 minutes you can’t afford to miss.

A weekly podcast about  success and failure and everything in-between.

15 Minutes with the Boss

15 Minutes with the Boss is a podcast that gives listeners exclusive access to some of the top CEOs in the country. 

Each week, AFR BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with a prominent leader and asks them to share the invaluable advice and wisdom they have accumulated throughout their careers.

For stories of success and failure and everything in-between, search and follow 15 Minutes with the Boss. It’s 15 minutes you can’t afford to miss. 

15 Minutes with the Boss is a podcast that gives listeners exclusive access to some of the top CEOs in the country. 
Each week, AFR BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with a prominent leader and asks them to share the invaluable advice and wisdom they have accumulated throughout their careers.
For stories of success and failure and everything in-between, search and follow 15 Minutes with the Boss. It’s 15 minutes you can’t afford to miss.