Today I’m joined by the wonderful and inspiring Jo Gaines, a seasoned professional who has worked in the technology and media sector for over two decades. Jo's career journey has seen her work for high-profile companies including CBS, Krux, Yahoo and more recently, as Area Vice President of Salesforce. Jo is also a dedicated mother-of-two and a fierce advocate for equality, lending her support as an ambassador for women's shelters. She shares with us her journey through hardship to finding resilience and how changing her mindset helped reshape her story.

Through facing a challenging turning point in her career due to redundancy, Jo embarked on a transformative journey of self-discovery that saw her turn to practices such as weight training, breathwork and meditation. She shares the new mindset she adopted through these practices, and how her determination to thrive in the face of uncertainty led to a completely new outlook on life.

In our conversation, Jo shares the grief she experienced when her role at Salesforce came to an end, and how lost she felt when it came to her future. However, she notes there are two choices we can make when it comes to facing adversity. Either we can see it as a downfall, or treat it as an opportunity to expand. Jo chose the latter, and decided to view this new path as one she was destined to be on.

Resilience can often be misunderstood as a suppression of emotions or ignoring our problems. However, we define what resilience really is and discuss its ability to help effectively manage our thoughts and feelings. Jo believes that releasing control and trusting everything will eventually work out can free us from fear and the temptation to give up.

We talk about how navigating through our own life challenges produces empathy, and when we view others through this lens, we become more effective leaders. Recognising that everyone experiences change, particularly in a post-pandemic world, we’re able to rally with our team and prioritise their wellbeing. How can we communicate in a way that resonates for each individual? How do we lead in a way that not only gets them through, but also builds resilience?

Jo also shares her shift in perspective that inspired her to live more fully in the present and pursue the passions that had been sitting on the backburner for too long. She talks about the bucket list she created and the importance of making time and space in life to achieve each goal.

Jo's story is a powerful testament to the transformation resilience can create, and the potential for growth when we embrace change with gratitude. I just know you’ll be as inspired as I was by Jo’s incredible wisdom, and hope you find confidence to implement strategies for a full and rewarding life in leadership and beyond.

LINKS

Connect with Jo Gaines

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/jogaines

Instagram: @gogaino

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today I’m joined by Shivani Gopal, the founder and CEO of Elladex, to talk about the importance of inclusion in the workplace. Shivani has won the 2022 New South Wales Excellence in Women's Leadership Award and the Top 50 Small Business Leaders Award. She's recognised as a leading feminist and business thought leader, helping women navigate through their careers, businesses, and financial success.

In our conversation, Shivani talks about the invisible barriers that prevent people from diverse backgrounds from reaching their full potential. She notes that organisations must prioritise inclusion and create a psychologically safe environment where people can speak up, take risks, and innovate.

We discuss the differences between diversity and inclusion, how they are often confused with each other, and why it is important for businesses to have both. Shivani emphasises that diversity and inclusion must go hand-in-hand for organisations to benefit from a diverse workforce. She explains that inclusion is the mechanism that ensures diverse voices are heard and respected, and it is the key to unlocking the potential of diversity.

Shivani also talks about the importance of visibility and representation in leadership roles. She believes that seeing diverse leaders in visible positions creates a greater sense of belonging and permission for others to strive for leadership roles. Shivani asserts that diversity happens from the bottom up, but inclusion must come from the top down, as people in positions of power and authority are crucial to removing barriers to inclusion.

Shivani shares a personal story where she questioned a board member about the company's commitment to inclusion and diversity at the executive and board levels. She highlights the importance of asking these questions respectfully and with a solution-oriented approach.

I absolutely loved talking to Shivani. She is such a passionate advocate for the power of inclusion and works tirelessly to help people succeed in their lives, careers, and finances.

There’s so much wisdom in this episode that I know you’ll love, so sit back, relax, and enjoy!

LINKS

Connect with Shivani Gopal

Elladex: https://elladex.com/

Get the Elladex App: https://elladex.com/get-the-app-0?hsCtaTracking=24de9d61-bce0-4634-9442-77aad9f950f4%7Ca885e408-b2bb-4f51-9ac6-c0df018cdc7d

Instagram: @shivani_gopal

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.