As I wrap up Season 6 of the podcast, I want to thank everyone who has been part of the conversation this year - my guests, listeners, contributors, and the leaders who reached out to share how these ideas are landing in their workplaces.
Throughout the year the conversations have come back to two consistent themes:
- being strong and kind (without trading one off for the other), and
- building awareness - of how we lead, where we’re making unsustainable trade-offs, and how those choices shape our effectiveness, health, relationships and long-term impact.
Across conversations on sustainable success, sacrifice and resentment, wellbeing, stillness, productivity versus effectiveness, AI, high-value thinking, leadership presence, listening, generational leadership and the future of work, one idea kept emerging:
👉 If your version of success isn’t sustainable for the whole of you, it isn’t really success.
Season 6 has been about gently challenging outdated leadership approaches - busy as a strategy, long-hours as proof of value, and constantly being on as commitment - and opening up space for a more human, future-focused way of leading.
🎧 Take a listen: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/shelley-flett/episodes/271--Season-final-with-Shelley---reflections-on-2025-and-aspirations-for-2026-e3cdvj3
As we head into Season 7, the podcast will shift to fortnightly episodes, with a much sharper focus.
The theme for next year is The Art of Defiance - exploring what it looks like to challenge norms, question assumptions, unlearn what no longer serves us, and lead with clarity, courage and intention in any environment.
If you’re a senior leader who wants to lead in a way that is aligned to your true value and without sacrificing yourself in the process, I hope you’ll join me for what’s coming next.
Thank you again for being part of this year’s journey.
Be kind to yourself. Stay strong. And I’ll see you in Season 7.
Leave a comment (all fields required)