How much of ourselves do we give up just to fit in? And what happens when we finally find the courage to be ourselves?

In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I speak with Premila Jina, CEO, board leader, transformation specialist and author of The Leader Unwritten and The Trusted Operator.

Born in India, raised in Kenya, and having built a career in London's investment banking and technology sectors before moving to Australia, Premila shares the personal and professional cost of constantly adapting to belong.

From changing her accent and appearance to fit into corporate environments, to finding the courage to wear a sari at a major technology event, her journey is one of reclaiming identity, confidence and voice.

We explore why highly capable people are often overlooked for leadership, the difference between being a trusted doer and a trusted leader, and why organisations need to stop fixing people and start addressing the systems holding them back.

Premila also shares her perspective on the global backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion, what that means for Australian workplaces, and the risk of artificial intelligence reinforcing existing bias.

In this conversation, we explore:


The hidden personal cost of fitting in and the importance of belonging.


Why technical excellence doesn't automatically translate into leadership.


The systemic barriers facing women of colour.


What genuine inclusion looks like beyond policies and corporate statements.


Why trust, courage and human-centred leadership matter more than ever.

This is a candid conversation about identity, ambition, the courage to challenge expectations and what it will take to build workplaces where people don't have to change who they are to succeed.

Because perhaps the future of leadership isn't about teaching people how to fit in. It's about creating workplaces where they no longer have to.

How much of ourselves do we give up just to fit in? And what happens when we finally find the courage to be ourselves?
In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I speak with Premila Jina, CEO, board leader, transformation specialist and author of The Leader Unwritten and The Trusted Operator.
Born in India, raised in Kenya, and having built a career in London's investment banking and technology sectors before moving to Australia, Premila shares the personal and professional cost of constantly adapting to belong.
From changing her accent and appearance to fit into corporate environments, to finding the courage to wear a sari at a major technology event, her journey is one of reclaiming identity, confidence and voice.
We explore why highly capable people are often overlooked for leadership, the difference between being a trusted doer and a trusted leader, and why organisations need to stop fixing people and start addressing the systems holding them back.
Premila also shares her perspective on the global backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion, what that means for Australian workplaces, and the risk of artificial intelligence reinforcing existing bias.
In this conversation, we explore:
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
The hidden personal cost of fitting in and the importance of belonging.
</li>
<li>
Why technical excellence doesn't automatically translate into leadership.
</li>
<li>
The systemic barriers facing women of colour.
</li>
<li>
What genuine inclusion looks like beyond policies and corporate statements.
</li>
<li>
Why trust, courage and human-centred leadership matter more than ever.
</li>
</ul>
This is a candid conversation about identity, ambition, the courage to challenge expectations and what it will take to build workplaces where people don't have to change who they are to succeed.
Because perhaps the future of leadership isn't about teaching people how to fit in. It's about creating workplaces where they no longer have to.

Welcome to Future Fit Leadership a podcast for emerging and experienced leaders to learn, grow and become future fit! 

There has been a global shift in how we lead people. Traditional models are being challenged, and our workplaces are now dynamic. 


In this podcast you will hear and connect with leaders, CEO’s and change makers who will challenge the status quo and share their future ready strategies to unlock your growth. 


No matter where you are on your leadership journey this podcast will give you practical ideas and tools to help you think outside the square and become a change maker in your industry. 

Future Fit leadership is your place for bite sized learning, for time poor executives.

Contact Sadhana Smiles via email: sadhanasmiles@realchange.com.au

Or connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasmiles/

Welcome to Future Fit Leadership a podcast for emerging and experienced leaders to learn, grow and become future fit! 
There has been a global shift in how we lead people. Traditional models are being challenged, and our workplaces are now dynamic. 
 In this podcast you will hear and connect with leaders, CEO’s and change makers who will challenge the status quo and share their future ready strategies to unlock your growth. 
 No matter where you are on your leadership journey this podcast will give you practical ideas and tools to help you think outside the square and become a change maker in your industry. 
Future Fit leadership is your place for bite sized learning, for time poor executives.
Contact Sadhana Smiles via email: <a href="mailto:sadhanasmiles@realchange.com.au">sadhanasmiles@realchange.com.au</a> 
Or connect on LinkedIn <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasmiles/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasmiles/</a>

Future ready leadership strategies to unlock your growth

Future Fit Leadership

'Future Fit Leadership — practical ideas for leaders on AI, the future of work, wellbeing, psychological & psychosocial safety, resilience and inclusive leadership.' 

There has been a global shift in how we lead people. Traditional models are being challenged, and our workplaces are now dynamic. 

In this podcast you will hear and connect with leaders, CEO’s and change makers who will challenge the status quo and share their future ready strategies to unlock your growth. 

No matter where you are on your leadership journey this podcast will give you practical ideas and tools to help you think outside the square and become a change maker in your industry. 

Future Fit leadership is your place for bite sized learning, for time poor executives.

Contact Sadhana Smiles via email: sadhanajsmiles@gmail.com

Or connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasmiles/ 

We are excited to announce our partnership with Future Leadership and this podcast will sit in their Future Exchange Community where as leaders, CEO's, Directors and executives you can access content, events, live streams and connect with your peers. To join the community click on the following link, membership is free. 

https://community.futureexchange.global/groups/official

**Future Fit Leadership acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we record this podcast and we pay our respect to elders - past, present and emerging. We extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

-- 

This is a Guide Your Light Network Production | Podcasts with Purpose

www.guideyourlightnetwork.com 

'Future Fit Leadership &mdash; practical ideas for leaders on AI, the future of work, wellbeing, psychological &amp; psychosocial safety, resilience and inclusive leadership.'&nbsp;
There has been a global shift in how we lead people. Traditional models are being challenged, and our workplaces are now dynamic.&nbsp;
In this podcast you will hear and connect with leaders, CEO&rsquo;s and change makers who will challenge the status quo and share their future ready strategies to unlock your growth.&nbsp;
No matter where you are on your leadership journey this podcast will give you practical ideas and tools to help you think outside the square and become a change maker in your industry.&nbsp;
Future Fit leadership is your place for bite sized learning, for time poor executives.
Contact Sadhana Smiles via email: <a href="mailto:sadhanajsmiles@gmail.com">sadhanajsmiles@gmail.com</a>
Or connect on LinkedIn&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasmiles/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasmiles/</a>&nbsp;
We are excited to announce our partnership with Future Leadership and this podcast will sit in their Future Exchange Community where as leaders, CEO's, Directors and executives you can access content, events, live streams and connect with your peers. To join the community click on the following link, membership is free.&nbsp;
<a href="https://community.futureexchange.global/groups/official" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://community.futureexchange.global/groups/official&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1683848489703000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2f0TqhapHFy9zLTwwgyebz">https://community.futureexchange.global/groups/official</a>
**Future Fit Leadership acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we record this podcast and we pay our respect to elders - past, present and emerging. We extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
--&nbsp;
This is a Guide Your Light Network Production | Podcasts with Purpose
<a href="http://www.guideyourlightnetwork.com">www.guideyourlightnetwork.com</a>&nbsp;