In this episode of Lead the Shift Conversations, I sit down with Chale Dodge, a Business Analysis Practice Lead and passionate advocate for professional communities, to explore the experiences that have shaped his approach to career growth, leadership, and service. Chale's journey into business analysis wasn't one he originally planned. An unexpected opportunity opened the door to a career that would eventually see him move from Business Analyst to Senior BA, Lead and Practic

In this episode of Lead the Shift Conversations, I sit down with Dr Victoria Lister, a researcher, workplace coach, and organisational practitioner, to explore the journey behind her remarkable career. From hospitality and advertising to consulting, coaching, and academia, Victoria shares how every career transition, planned or unplanned, contributed to her understanding of voice, purpose, and meaningful work. This conversation is a reminder that we don't always need to have

After I submitted my PhD, I realised something I hadn't expected; I had become so good at doing that I'd forgotten how to simply be.

I recently attended a parent-teacher conference at my son's school. His school had introduced something interesting. Students are now asked to self-assess their progress against set learning criteria, with no prior input or correction from the teacher. These self-assessments are then shared with parents during a one-on-one conference. My son scored himself quite well in some areas; confident, clear, and honest. But in other areas, I noticed something familiar. He marked himse

An international student in Australia recently reached out to me, feeling discouraged and overwhelmed. Before coming to Australia, they had built years of professional experience and a solid career. Yet after almost a year of applying for jobs, they had been unable to secure work, even in roles well below the level they had previously held. The repeated rejections were starting to erode their confidence and make them question their worth. We arranged a time to talk. During ou

You might think you need a title, a corner office, or all the authority to create change. The truth? Leadership starts right where you are, with the actions you take and the courage to speak up. Whether at home, at work, or in your community, your influence is already there, waiting for you to claim it. I used to tell myself that I couldn’t make change because of the level I held. I wasn’t a CEO, I wasn’t in the executive suite, and I didn’t wield all the power in the world.

A few days ago, I read something that really struck a chord with me: “ Let your light shine... Leave any place you find yourself better than you met it .” It reminded me of the quiet power we all carry; the ability to influence the spaces we live and work in, no matter how small. Feeling Stuck That idea made me reflect deeply on my own journey. Have you ever felt stuck, like you weren’t enough? I have. For a long time, I carried the weight of constant negativity. There was no