Host Sadhana Smiles talks with Robyn Djelassi about fractional leadership and what it means for businesses navigating growth, change or reset. Learn how fractional people leadership balances human-centred and commercial priorities, why fundamentals like clarity and accountability still matter, and who can benefit from fractional executives. Ideal for leaders updating people strategies during change.

 

Show notes:

Guest: Robyn Djelassi
Topic: Fractional leadership, organisational capability, leadership fundamentals

Listen and subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/future-fit-leadership/id1665791866

Host Sadhana Smiles talks with Robyn Djelassi about fractional leadership and what it means for businesses navigating growth, change or reset. Learn how fractional people leadership balances human-centred and commercial priorities, why fundamentals like clarity and accountability still matter, and who can benefit from fractional executives. Ideal for leaders updating people strategies during change.
&nbsp;
Show notes:
Guest: Robyn Djelassi Topic: Fractional leadership, organisational capability, leadership fundamentals
Listen and subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/future-fit-leadership/id1665791866

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;

Fractional People Leadership for Growth, Change & Reset — Human & Commercial Focus with Robyn Djelassi

What happens when the workplace that is meant to support you becomes the very thing that breaks you?

In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I sit down with Jane Phipps, author of The Heart-Centered Leader, to explore a topic that affects more people than we often realise: toxic workplace cultures and the lasting impact they can have on our wellbeing, confidence, and sense of self.

Drawing on her own experiences of workplace bullying, narcissistic leadership, and growing up in an environment shaped by control and fear, Jane shares how those experiences influenced her leadership philosophy and ultimately led her to a very different way of leading.

Together, we discuss psychological safety, emotional intelligence, accountability without fear, and why trust remains one of the most important foundations of leadership. Jane also shares the moment her body told her something was wrong before her mind was ready to acknowledge it, and how that experience changed the way she views work, leadership, and personal responsibility.

We explore why many people stay in unhealthy workplaces longer than they should, the hidden cost this can have on women, carers, and those who cannot simply walk away, and what leaders can do to create environments where people feel safe to contribute, challenge ideas, and bring their whole selves to work.

This is an honest conversation about courage, recovery, self-awareness, and the kind of leadership the future requires. One built not on control, but on trust, kindness, and humanity.

Guest: Jane Phipps
Book:The Heart-Centered Leader: Transformation and Healing from Narcissistic Abuse to Self-Empowerment

What happens when the workplace that is meant to support you becomes the very thing that breaks you?
In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I sit down with Jane Phipps, author of The Heart-Centered Leader, to explore a topic that affects more people than we often realise: toxic workplace cultures and the lasting impact they can have on our wellbeing, confidence, and sense of self.
Drawing on her own experiences of workplace bullying, narcissistic leadership, and growing up in an environment shaped by control and fear, Jane shares how those experiences influenced her leadership philosophy and ultimately led her to a very different way of leading.
Together, we discuss psychological safety, emotional intelligence, accountability without fear, and why trust remains one of the most important foundations of leadership. Jane also shares the moment her body told her something was wrong before her mind was ready to acknowledge it, and how that experience changed the way she views work, leadership, and personal responsibility.
We explore why many people stay in unhealthy workplaces longer than they should, the hidden cost this can have on women, carers, and those who cannot simply walk away, and what leaders can do to create environments where people feel safe to contribute, challenge ideas, and bring their whole selves to work.
This is an honest conversation about courage, recovery, self-awareness, and the kind of leadership the future requires. One built not on control, but on trust, kindness, and humanity.
Guest: Jane Phipps Book: The Heart-Centered Leader: Transformation and Healing from Narcissistic Abuse to Self-Empowerment

The Physical Toll of a Toxic Workplace with Jane Phipps 

Leaders as Creators, Not Controllers

In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I sit down with Matt Hart, founder of Better Ideas Faster, innovation strategist, and creative thinker who has worked with some of the world's most recognised brands across media, technology, education, and entertainment.

At the heart of this conversation is a challenge to the way many of us think about leadership.

For years, leadership has been built around expertise, experience, and control. But as AI takes over more of the knowledge-based work, Matt argues that the leaders who thrive will be those who can create, not just direct.

We explore why creativity is no longer a skill reserved for artists, designers, or marketers. It is a human capability that exists in all of us. The challenge is that many of us have stopped trusting it, using it, or even recognising it in ourselves.

Matt shares why curiosity, empathy, collaboration, and resilience are becoming the defining capabilities of future-fit leaders, how organisations unintentionally suppress creative thinking, and what leaders can do to create environments where people feel confident contributing ideas and solving problems together.

We also discuss the opportunities and risks of AI, the importance of maintaining critical thinking in an age of cognitive offloading, what younger generations are teaching us about identity and work, and why leadership today requires far more range than it did a decade ago.

This is a conversation about human potential, the future of work, and why reconnecting with our creativity may be one of the most important leadership skills of the next decade.

If you've ever wondered how to unlock better thinking, stronger cultures, and more innovative teams, this conversation is for you.

Bought to you with Saxton Speakers 

Leaders as Creators, Not Controllers
In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I sit down with Matt Hart, founder of Better Ideas Faster, innovation strategist, and creative thinker who has worked with some of the world's most recognised brands across media, technology, education, and entertainment.
At the heart of this conversation is a challenge to the way many of us think about leadership.
For years, leadership has been built around expertise, experience, and control. But as AI takes over more of the knowledge-based work, Matt argues that the leaders who thrive will be those who can create, not just direct.
We explore why creativity is no longer a skill reserved for artists, designers, or marketers. It is a human capability that exists in all of us. The challenge is that many of us have stopped trusting it, using it, or even recognising it in ourselves.
Matt shares why curiosity, empathy, collaboration, and resilience are becoming the defining capabilities of future-fit leaders, how organisations unintentionally suppress creative thinking, and what leaders can do to create environments where people feel confident contributing ideas and solving problems together.
We also discuss the opportunities and risks of AI, the importance of maintaining critical thinking in an age of cognitive offloading, what younger generations are teaching us about identity and work, and why leadership today requires far more range than it did a decade ago.
This is a conversation about human potential, the future of work, and why reconnecting with our creativity may be one of the most important leadership skills of the next decade.
If you've ever wondered how to unlock better thinking, stronger cultures, and more innovative teams, this conversation is for you.
Bought to you with Saxton Speakers&nbsp;

Moving From Execution to Creation Is The New Leadership Role : with Matt Hart 

In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I sit down with Kirsten Taylor Martin from Grant Thornton to unpack one of the biggest leadership and economic shifts facing Australian business today.

Over the next 20 years, more than $3.5 trillion is expected to transition from one generation to the next in family businesses. But as Kirsten explains, succession is not just a financial process. It’s emotional, deeply personal, and far more complex than many families expect.

We discuss why succession planning has become the number one challenge facing family businesses, the growing tension between incumbent leaders and the rising generation, and why many experienced successors are still waiting well into their 40s, 50s, and beyond to take over leadership.

Kirsten shares insights from Grant Thornton’s 2025 Family Business Survey, including the clash in priorities between generations. While founders are focused on business performance, economic pressure, and protecting what they’ve built, the next generation is increasingly focused on family relationships, communication, and creating a future that works for everyone involved.

We also explore why retirement feels so confronting for many founders, the emotional weight of stepping away from a business that has shaped their identity, and the risks that emerge when families avoid difficult conversations for too long.

This is a practical and human conversation about leadership transition, legacy, governance, and the future of family business in Australia.

If you lead a family business, work in one, or expect to inherit one someday, this conversation will give you a clearer understanding of what’s at stake, and why starting early matters more than ever.

In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I sit down with Kirsten Taylor Martin from Grant Thornton to unpack one of the biggest leadership and economic shifts facing Australian business today.
Over the next 20 years, more than $3.5 trillion is expected to transition from one generation to the next in family businesses. But as Kirsten explains, succession is not just a financial process. It&rsquo;s emotional, deeply personal, and far more complex than many families expect.
We discuss why succession planning has become the number one challenge facing family businesses, the growing tension between incumbent leaders and the rising generation, and why many experienced successors are still waiting well into their 40s, 50s, and beyond to take over leadership.
Kirsten shares insights from Grant Thornton&rsquo;s 2025 Family Business Survey, including the clash in priorities between generations. While founders are focused on business performance, economic pressure, and protecting what they&rsquo;ve built, the next generation is increasingly focused on family relationships, communication, and creating a future that works for everyone involved.
We also explore why retirement feels so confronting for many founders, the emotional weight of stepping away from a business that has shaped their identity, and the risks that emerge when families avoid difficult conversations for too long.
This is a practical and human conversation about leadership transition, legacy, governance, and the future of family business in Australia.
If you lead a family business, work in one, or expect to inherit one someday, this conversation will give you a clearer understanding of what&rsquo;s at stake, and why starting early matters more than ever.

Fractional People Leadership for Growth, Change & Reset — Human & Commercial Focus with Robyn Djelassi

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