Mary Wooldridge, the outgoing chief executive of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, worked for the media tycoon in the late 1990s. 

While her time at Kerry Packer's company, Consolidated Press Holdings, taught her some invaluable skills, Wooldridge found it unmotivating.

On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten finds out why the former politician traded a Packer deal-making role for public policy.

Mary Wooldridge, the outgoing chief executive of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, worked for the media tycoon in the late 1990s.&nbsp;
While her time at Kerry Packer's company, Consolidated Press Holdings, taught her some invaluable skills, Wooldridge found it unmotivating.
On this week&rsquo;s episode, <a href="https://www.afr.com/boss">BOSS</a> editor Sally Patten finds out why the former politician traded a Packer deal-making role for public policy.

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

All the latest episodes from all of the AFR's podcasts. 

All the latest episodes from all of the AFR's podcasts.&nbsp;

Latest episodes 

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.

What this executive learnt from working for Kerry Packer

When Sharon Pickering’s husband died, she realised she needed to choose where she directed her energy and focus on what mattered to her.

After years of being a dedicated scholar, the academic made a decision that would set her on a path to becoming the vice chancellor of Monash University.

On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with the university boss to find out how a new role shifted Pickering’s career to one of leadership.

Further reading:

‘I’d lost my identity.’ How this exec recovered from redundancy

A new coach, hypnotist and Hollywood movie helped Allison Rossiter tackle one of her biggest fears. Now, the Novartis president shares how they can help you too.

Meet the researchers tackling big problems

Combining knowledge and expertise across disciplines is the new face of successful research in the university sector.

The move this MD calls ‘extremely hard, but I’ve never looked back’

T2 Tea managing director Christelle Young finds that by cutting out reading, writing and talking first thing in the morning, it sets up her day in the right way.

When Sharon Pickering&rsquo;s husband died, she realised she needed to choose where she directed her energy and focus on what mattered to her.
After years of being a dedicated scholar, the academic made a decision that would set her on a path to becoming the vice chancellor of Monash University.
On this week&rsquo;s episode, <a href="https://www.afr.com/boss">BOSS</a> editor Sally Patten sits down with the university boss to find out how a new role shifted Pickering&rsquo;s career to one of leadership.
Further reading:
<a href="https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/leaders/novartis-alison-rossiter-leadership-public-speaking-20260501-p5zsxf?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=15_minutes_with_the_boss&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">&lsquo;I&rsquo;d lost my identity.&rsquo; How this exec recovered from redundancy</a>
A new coach, hypnotist and Hollywood movie helped Allison Rossiter tackle one of her biggest fears. Now, the Novartis president shares how they can help you too.
<a href="https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/education/meet-the-researchers-tackling-big-problems-20251113-p5nfag?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=15_minutes_with_the_boss&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">Meet the researchers tackling big problems</a>
Combining knowledge and expertise across disciplines is the new face of successful research in the university sector.
<a href="https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/leaders/what-this-ceo-took-away-from-a-10-day-silence-retreat-20250807-p5ml4v?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=15_minutes_with_the_boss&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">The move this MD calls &lsquo;extremely hard, but I&rsquo;ve never looked back&rsquo;</a>
T2 Tea managing director Christelle Young finds that by cutting out reading, writing and talking first thing in the morning, it sets up her day in the right way.

 How grief powered this executive’s move into leadership 

Procter & Gamble’s Australian chief executive, Neal Reed, has been with the global manufacturer for 30 years.

The company behind household brands such as Pampers nappies, Gillette razors and Pantene and Head & Shoulders shampoos has long been committed to finding and developing top talent.

But as the CEO has discovered, the strategy presents a temptation to push high performers too hard. 

On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten finds out how this P&G boss learnt he was overburdening senior leaders.

Further reading:

Why this CEO gets his advice from the 20-somethings in the office

As Gen Z swells to a third of the workforce, P&G’s Australia-New Zealand CEO Neal Reed says reverse mentorship keeps him connected, skilled up and relevant.

‘I didn’t realise how far gone I was’: How this CEO survived burnout

Jess Saxby, chief executive of Banjo’s Bakery Cafes, couldn’t stop. She was always chasing the next thing. Until she couldn’t any more.

‘Do you have five?’: This CEO’s trick for managing staff requests

Stefan Leitl, vice president for Australia and New Zealand at Cisco, has to juggle family with fitting into the working hours of the US. Here’s how he does it.

Procter &amp; Gamble&rsquo;s Australian chief executive, Neal Reed, has been with the global manufacturer for 30 years.
The company behind household brands such as Pampers nappies, Gillette razors and Pantene and Head &amp; Shoulders shampoos has long been committed to finding and developing top talent.
But as the CEO has discovered, the strategy presents a temptation to push high performers too hard.&nbsp;
On this week&rsquo;s episode,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.afr.com/boss">BOSS</a> editor Sally Patten finds out how this P&amp;G boss learnt he was overburdening senior leaders.
Further reading:
<a href="https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/leaders/why-this-ceo-gets-his-20-something-grads-to-mentor-him-20260312-p5o9qn?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=15_minutes_with_the_boss&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">Why this CEO gets his advice from the 20-somethings in the office</a>
As Gen Z swells to a third of the workforce, P&amp;G&rsquo;s Australia-New Zealand CEO Neal Reed says reverse mentorship keeps him connected, skilled up and relevant.
<a href="https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/leaders/how-this-ceo-survived-burnout-20260326-p5zitx?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=15_minutes_with_the_boss&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">&lsquo;I didn&rsquo;t realise how far gone I was&rsquo;: How this CEO survived burnout</a>
Jess Saxby, chief executive of Banjo&rsquo;s Bakery Cafes, couldn&rsquo;t stop. She was always chasing the next thing. Until she couldn&rsquo;t any more.
<a href="https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/leaders/how-this-ceo-prepares-for-his-2am-work-calls-20260513-p5zwg0?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=15_minutes_with_the_boss&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">&lsquo;Do you have five?&rsquo;: This CEO&rsquo;s trick for managing staff requests</a>
Stefan Leitl, vice president for Australia and New Zealand at Cisco, has to juggle family with fitting into the working hours of the US. Here&rsquo;s how he does it.

How this CEO changed his leadership style for the sake of top performers

He’s one of Australia’s most influential chefs and restaurateurs.

But when Neil Perry was faced with the closure of his restaurant, Song Bird, he realised he’d broken his most important rule.

“You've always got to be prepared to walk away," Perry says.

On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten finds out what went wrong with the Double Bay restaurant, and what he’s learnt as the culinary giant prepares to open Pizzeria Spotto.

He&rsquo;s one of Australia&rsquo;s most influential chefs and restaurateurs.
But when Neil Perry was faced with the closure of his restaurant, Song Bird, he realised he&rsquo;d broken his most important rule.
&ldquo;You've always got to be prepared to walk away," Perry says.
On this week&rsquo;s episode, <a href="https://www.afr.com/boss">BOSS</a> editor Sally Patten finds out what went wrong with the Double Bay restaurant, and what he&rsquo;s learnt as the culinary giant prepares to open Pizzeria Spotto.

What this executive learnt from working for Kerry Packer

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