We’ve been taught that success means doing more, being more, and having more. But what if the key to leading and living better is actually doing less?

In this episode of Leading You, Julie sits down with bestselling author, speaker, and productivity expert Donna McGeorge to explore her latest book Red Brick Thinking. Donna shares why we’re all addicted to “more” – more meetings, more systems, more commitments – and how this addition bias is fuelling overwhelm and burnout.

Together, they unpack how to recognise your red bricks (the things weighing you down), why subtraction is the real productivity strategy, and how letting go can create space for clarity, creativity, and calm.

If you’ve ever felt buried under too much to do, too much to manage, or too much pressure to perform, this conversation will give you the permission – and practical steps – to simplify.

Key Themes
Why our instinct is to add, not subtract, when facing problems
How to identify your personal and professional red bricks
The emotional, cultural, and structural weights that keep us stuck
How leaders can model strategic subtraction for their teams
Why letting go creates the space your future self will thank you for

 

Episode Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction – Donna’s mission to help leaders work smarter, not harder
03:30 What inspired Red Brick Thinking and the research behind “addition bias”
08:15 How strategic subtraction works in real life
13:20 The emotional, cultural, and structural red bricks we carry
18:45 The unconscious contracts we sign at work and home
24:10 Letting go of obligation and people-pleasing
28:30 How leaders can model red brick thinking for their teams
34:00 Practical steps to start removing your own red bricks
38:45 Donna’s final message – why today’s decisions are gifts to your future self

 

Links:

Learn more about my upcoming group coaching program here

 

Connect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram:@juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

 

Connect with Donna:
Website: https://www.donnamcgeorge.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dmcgeorge/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnamcgeorge

We&rsquo;ve been taught that success means doing more, being more, and having more. But what if the key to leading and living better is actually doing&nbsp;less?
In this episode of&nbsp;Leading You, Julie sits down with bestselling author, speaker, and productivity expert&nbsp;Donna McGeorge&nbsp;to explore her latest book&nbsp;Red Brick Thinking. Donna shares why we&rsquo;re all addicted to &ldquo;more&rdquo; &ndash; more meetings, more systems, more commitments &ndash; and how this&nbsp;addition bias&nbsp;is fuelling overwhelm and burnout.
Together, they unpack how to recognise your&nbsp;red bricks&nbsp;(the things weighing you down), why subtraction is the real productivity strategy, and how letting go can create space for clarity, creativity, and calm.
If you&rsquo;ve ever felt buried under too much to do, too much to manage, or too much pressure to perform, this conversation will give you the permission &ndash; and practical steps &ndash; to simplify.
Key Themes
<ul>
<li>Why our instinct is to add, not subtract, when facing problems</li>
<li>How to identify your personal and professional&nbsp;red bricks</li>
<li>The emotional, cultural, and structural weights that keep us stuck</li>
<li>How leaders can model strategic subtraction for their teams</li>
<li>Why letting go creates the space your future self will thank you for</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Episode Time Stamps
00:00 Introduction &ndash; Donna&rsquo;s mission to help leaders work smarter, not harder 03:30 What inspired Red Brick Thinking and the research behind &ldquo;addition bias&rdquo; 08:15 How strategic subtraction works in real life 13:20 The emotional, cultural, and structural red bricks we carry 18:45 The unconscious contracts we sign at work and home 24:10 Letting go of obligation and people-pleasing 28:30 How leaders can model red brick thinking for their teams 34:00 Practical steps to start removing your own red bricks 38:45 Donna&rsquo;s final message &ndash; why today&rsquo;s decisions are gifts to your future self
&nbsp;
Links:
Learn more about my upcoming group coaching program <a href="https://juliehyde.com.au/leadher-mastermind/">here</a>
&nbsp;
Connect with Julie: LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/" data-href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/</a> Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/juliehydeleads/" data-href="https://www.instagram.com/juliehydeleads/"> @juliehydeleads</a> Website: <a href="https://juliehyde.com.au">https://juliehyde.com.au</a>
&nbsp;
Connect with Donna: Website:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.donnamcgeorge.com/">https</a><a href="https://www.donnamcgeorge.com/">://www.donnamcgeorge.com/</a> Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dmcgeorge/">h</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/dmcgeorge/">ttps://www.instagram.com/dmcgeorge/</a> LinkedIn:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnamcgeorge">https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnamcgeorge</a>

Want to know the secret to confident and successful leadership?

Every week, Leading You showcases leadership of all kinds and you get the scoop on how to be an effective, modern leader who makes an impact.

There’s one thing we all have in common. We’re all leaders. First and foremost, you’re a leader of you. You don’t need a title to be a leader. Leadership is a mindset which anyone can adopt to create influence. The more leaders the world has, the better it will be.

I'll let you into something I know to be true - You can’t be a leader of others unless you’re a leader of self first. So if you want to have impact that leads to prosperity and happiness, it all starts with you. With your mindset and personal leadership toolbox, which Leading You will help you build up.

Leading you is hosted by Julie Hyde, an entrepreneur, corporate drop out and passionate leader. Julie knows one thing: you can’t control what happens to you but you can control how you respond. It’s why Leading You is important.

Each week, guests share their secret sauce. They reveal their roadmaps to success. How they’ve stayed anchored to who they are, insights into their courage and resilience and how to be emotionally and behaviourally agile. It’s a conversation, not an interrogation, and you’ll hear the human side of household names.

Want to know the secret to confident and successful leadership?
Every week, Leading You showcases leadership of all kinds and you get the scoop on how to be an effective, modern leader who makes an impact.
There’s one thing we all have in common. We’re all leaders. First and foremost, you’re a leader of you. You don’t need a title to be a leader. Leadership is a mindset which anyone can adopt to create influence. The more leaders the world has, the better it will be.
I'll let you into something I know to be true - You can’t be a leader of others unless you’re a leader of self first. So if you want to have impact that leads to prosperity and happiness, it all starts with you. With your mindset and personal leadership toolbox, which Leading You will help you build up.
Leading you is hosted by Julie Hyde, an entrepreneur, corporate drop out and passionate leader. Julie knows one thing: you can’t control what happens to you but you can control how you respond. It’s why Leading You is important.
Each week, guests share their secret sauce. They reveal their roadmaps to success. How they’ve stayed anchored to who they are, insights into their courage and resilience and how to be emotionally and behaviourally agile. It’s a conversation, not an interrogation, and you’ll hear the human side of household names.

A Podcast dedicated to business owners and leaders to inspire you to make it count

Leading You

Want to know the secret to confident and successful leadership?
Every week, Leading You showcases leadership of all kinds and you get the scoop on how to be an effective, modern leader who makes an impact.
There’s one thing we all have in common. We’re all leaders. First and foremost, you’re a leader of you. You don’t need a title to be a leader. Leadership is a mindset which anyone can adopt to create influence. The more leaders the world has, the better it will be.
I'll let you into something I know to be true - You can’t be a leader of others unless you’re a leader of self first. So if you want to have impact that leads to prosperity and happiness, it all starts with you. With your mindset and personal leadership toolbox, which Leading You will help you build up.
Leading you is hosted by Julie Hyde, an entrepreneur, corporate drop out and passionate leader. Julie knows one thing: you can’t control what happens to you but you can control how you respond. It’s why Leading You is important.
Each week, guests share their secret sauce. They reveal their roadmaps to success. How they’ve stayed anchored to who they are, insights into their courage and resilience and how to be emotionally and behaviourally agile. It’s a conversation, not an interrogation, and you’ll hear the human side of household names.

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