Intro: Listener Q&A with Helen McCabe 

Meet Nicole Scurrah

Realising you're in charge 

Lessons from Anna Bligh

Nicole's superpower: Stubbornness

Hiring for culture and ambition 

How to interview for work ethic 

The reality of being an entrepreneur 

Leading when you don't love people 

Managing conflict and limited empathy 

How a leader receives harsh feedback 

The reality of running a business 

The 'nana' common sense test 

Bonus: Helen on how to fire someone properly 

What if your least favourite part of leading people is errr the people? 

Nicole Scurrah is an accomplished and widely-respected leader. She was Chief of Staff to Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, Telstra Health’s Chief Operating Officer and a partner at Sayers Group.Today, Nicole is founder and executive chair of Create Advisory. In this episode she talks to FW founder Helen McCabe about how to be a great leader when people are your least favourite part of the job.

Plus, this season Helen McCabe is answering YOUR leadership questions. Wait to the end of the episode to hear her take on job interviews. If you have any leadership dilemmas, conundrums and pet peeves for Helen, send them her way by emailing hello@futurewomen.com. 
Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW member today.
Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if your least favourite part of leading people is errr the people?&nbsp;
Nicole Scurrah is an accomplished and widely-respected leader.&nbsp;She was Chief of Staff to Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, Telstra Health&rsquo;s Chief Operating Officer and a partner at Sayers Group.Today, Nicole is founder and executive chair of Create Advisory.&nbsp;In this episode she talks to FW founder Helen McCabe about how to be a great leader when people are your least favourite part of the job.
Plus, this season Helen McCabe is answering YOUR leadership questions. Wait to the end of the episode to hear her take on job interviews. If you have any leadership dilemmas, conundrums and pet peeves for Helen, send them her way by emailing <a href="mailto:hello@futurewomen.com">hello@futurewomen.com</a>.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Join the movement to fast-track your professional development.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.futurewomen.com/home/welcome-fw-membership/">Become an FW member today</a>.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Keep up with @futurewomen on<a href="https://instagram.com/futurewomen"> Instagram</a>,<a href="https://www.facebook.com/FutureWomen"> Facebook</a>,<a href="https://au.linkedin.com/company/future-women"> LinkedIn</a> and <a href="https://www.threads.net/@futurewomen">Threads</a></li>
</ul>
See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Leadership takes courage and resilience. Host and founder of Future Women, Helen McCabe shares insights from some of the most influential women on the sometimes complex challenges faced by women on the path to senior leadership. Leadership thought-leaders will inform and at times challenge your thinking on what it means to be leader and advise you on how to build respect and loyalty from your team members. Future Women is a club for women to connect, learn and lead. To find out more go to futurewomen.com

Leadership takes courage and resilience. Host and founder of Future Women, Helen McCabe shares insights from some of the most influential women on the sometimes complex challenges faced by women on the path to senior leadership...

Future Women Leadership Series

Nicole Scurrah on leading when people aren't your thing 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/7ee65a02-928f-4406-b830-b418001310cf/transcript

Introduction: FW Leadership Series 

Meet Laura Kane

A day in football operations 

From lawyer to sports administrator 

The easiest parts of leadership 

Decision making under public scrutiny 

Basic leadership self care 

Staying informed without the noise 

The power of consistent leadership 

Learning to celebrate the wins 

Data versus anecdotal evidence 

AI in the AFL 

Advice: Invite yourself to the table 

Bonus: Engaging Gen Z in meetings 

Bonus: Managing workplace burnout 

How would intense public scrutiny impact your leadership style? 

Laura Kane is one of the most closely watched leaders in the nation. At just 33, she became the first woman to serve as the AFL's top football official. Today she continues to hold one of the most prestigious football operating roles, and will lead the AFLW competition into the 2026 season. In this episode, she speaks with FW Founder Helen McCabe about how she learned to navigate scrutiny as a leader. 

Please note: This episode was recorded the week before Laura Kane's new role at the AFLW was announced. 

Plus, this season Helen McCabe is answering YOUR leadership questions. Wait to the end of the episode to hear her take on burnout and Gen Z employees. If you have any leadership dilemmas, send them her way by emailing hello@futurewomen.com. 
Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW member today.
Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How would intense public scrutiny impact your leadership style?&nbsp;
Laura Kane is one of the most closely watched leaders in the nation. At just 33, she became the first woman to serve as the AFL's top football official.&nbsp;Today she continues to hold one of the most prestigious football operating roles, and will lead the AFLW competition into the 2026 season. In this episode, she speaks with FW Founder Helen McCabe about how she learned to navigate scrutiny as a leader.&nbsp;
Please note: This episode was recorded the week before Laura Kane's new role at the AFLW was announced.&nbsp;
Plus, this season Helen McCabe is answering YOUR leadership questions. Wait to the end of the episode to hear her take on burnout and Gen Z employees. If you have any leadership dilemmas, send them her way by emailing <a href="mailto:hello@futurewomen.com">hello@futurewomen.com</a>.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Join the movement to fast-track your professional development.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.futurewomen.com/home/welcome-fw-membership/">Become an FW member today</a>.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Keep up with @futurewomen on<a href="https://instagram.com/futurewomen"> Instagram</a>,<a href="https://www.facebook.com/FutureWomen"> Facebook</a>,<a href="https://au.linkedin.com/company/future-women"> LinkedIn</a> and <a href="https://www.threads.net/@futurewomen">Threads</a></li>
</ul>
See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Laura Kane's guide to navigating scrutiny 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/f0838d40-b963-4440-ac71-b41f002acaf1/transcript

FW’s own deputy managing director Jamila Rizvi has spent her career as what she calls a “perennial number two” – from the Prime Minister’s office to media empires. She’s made bold pivots, survived life-altering health scares, and discovered that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is admit: I don’t want to do this alone. In this episode, Jamila chats with Briana Blackett about resignations feeling like break ups, fear masquerading as excitement, and how professional co-dependence has been key to her success.
Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and explore a career with Victoria Police.
Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development.
Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

FW&rsquo;s own deputy managing director Jamila Rizvi has spent her career as what she calls a &ldquo;perennial number two&rdquo; &ndash; from the Prime Minister&rsquo;s office to media empires. She&rsquo;s made bold pivots, survived life-altering health scares, and discovered that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is admit: I don&rsquo;t want to do this alone. In this episode, Jamila chats with Briana Blackett about resignations feeling like break ups, fear masquerading as excitement, and how professional co-dependence has been key to her success.
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and <a href="https://www.police.vic.gov.au/police-officer-careers?utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_source=fw_au&amp;utm_campaign=rec-jan_2025-mfm">explore a career with Victoria Police</a>.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Become an<a href="http://futurewomen.com/"> FW member</a> to join the movement and fast-track your professional development.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Keep up with @futurewomen on<a href="https://instagram.com/futurewomen"> Instagram</a>,<a href="https://www.facebook.com/FutureWomen"> Facebook</a>, and <a href="https://au.linkedin.com/company/future-women">LinkedIn</a>.</li>
</ul>

BONUS FW series: Jamila Rizvi was "too co-dependent"

She was winning Olympic gold and World Championships. But at 23, Giaan Rooney was burned out. She retired from swimming, became a television presenter, then pivoted again – to a career you’d never expect. Giaan tells Briana Blackett how, at each turn, being “too invested” has seen her succeed. And how putting aside ego has given her the courage to change lanes – and have a crack at something new. 
Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and explore a career with Victoria Police.
Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development.
Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

She was winning Olympic gold and World Championships. But at 23, Giaan Rooney was burned out. She retired from swimming, became a television presenter, then pivoted again &ndash; to a career you&rsquo;d never expect. Giaan tells Briana Blackett how, at each turn, being &ldquo;too invested&rdquo; has seen her succeed. And how putting aside ego has given her the courage to change lanes &ndash; and have a crack at something new.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and<a href="https://www.police.vic.gov.au/police-officer-careers?utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_source=fw_au&amp;utm_campaign=rec-jan_2025-mfm"> explore a career with Victoria Police</a>.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Become an<a href="http://futurewomen.com/"> FW member</a> to join the movement and fast-track your professional development.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Keep up with @futurewomen on<a href="https://instagram.com/futurewomen"> Instagram</a>,<a href="https://www.facebook.com/FutureWomen"> Facebook</a>, and<a href="https://au.linkedin.com/company/future-women"> LinkedIn</a>.</li>
</ul>

Nicole Scurrah on leading when people aren't your thing

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