Michael Frantl - Building a Strong Workplace Culture
The Legendary Leaders Podcast
Get ready for a thoughtful and down-to-earth conversation with our host, Cathleen O’Sullivan and guest is Michael Frantl, Global Lead for Culture, Engagement, and Performance Solutions at Novo Nordisk about what really shapes strong leadership and why culture matters more than ever. With a career that’s taken him across the US, UK, and Scandinavia, Michael shares his real-world experience of building workplace cultures that go beyond posters and buzzwords. Together, they talk about leading with trust, creating space for belonging, and the small, everyday actions that bring values to...
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Cathleen O'Sullivan - How Leaders Can Reclaim Space for Strategic Thinking and Reflection
The Legendary Leaders Podcast
Are you constantly busy? In this solo episode of Legendary Leaders, Cathleen O’Sullivan explores a powerful but often overlooked leadership principle: the importance of creating space. Drawing from her experience coaching leaders worldwide, Cathleen unpacks how stepping away from constant busyness and perfectionism can unlock greater clarity, impact, and presence. She introduces her signature SPACE method, offering practical ways to build in reflection, set boundaries, and lead with intention. A must-listen for anyone looking to lead with more focus, energy, and purpose, at work or at home....
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Joe Zentmyer - Reinventing Success and Passion-Driven Leadership
The Legendary Leaders Podcast
What if your biggest career breakthrough came from breaking your own rules about what “success” is supposed to look like? On this episode of Legendary Leaders, Cathleen O’Sullivan sits down with serial entrepreneur Joe Zentmyer for an honest, wide-ranging exploration of pivots, reinvention, and leading with genuine passion. With over two decades of experience spanning Fortune 500 sales, food manufacturing, rock climbing gyms, and now a thriving aquarium supply business, Joe’s unconventional story is living proof that authentic curiosity and adaptability trump following “the...
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Nyree Ambarchian – Rewriting the Rules of Work
The Legendary Leaders Podcast
What if the working world wasn’t designed for you, and following the rules held you back from the leadership and life you actually want? In this episode of Legendary Leaders, Cathleen welcomes Nyree Ambarchian, co-founder of purpose-led communications agency Jack & Grace, for a bold and honest conversation about ditching outdated workplace norms and rewriting the “rules” of work. Nyree shares her journey from diligently following the rules to challenging and rewriting them, both in her own career and in building her business. This episode is a must-listen for...
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Kelly Swingler – Burnout Isn’t a Badge of Honour
The Legendary Leaders Podcast
What if burnout wasn’t a personal failure, but a sign that something bigger at the system level needs to change? In this episode of Legendary Leaders, host Cathleen O’Sullivan sits down with Kelly Swingler, the renowned “burnoutologist” and founder of the Burnout Academy, to uncover the truth behind today’s burnout epidemic. With candour and compassion, Kelly challenges the norms that glorify stress and exhaustion, exploring why real burnout is so much more than long hours. It’s about broken systems, shame, and outdated definitions of success. Together, Cathleen and Kelly...
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Nick Peel - Human-First Leadership
The Legendary Leaders Podcast
What if your greatest legacy isn’t what you build, but who you build with along the way? In this episode of Legendary Leaders, your host, Cathleen O’Sullivan, invites you into a candid conversation with Nick Peel, a leader whose career spans some of the world’s most ambitious projects, from Arsenal Football Club to the cutting-edge NEOM "Line" project in Saudi Arabia. You’ll hear how Nick’s human-first approach to leadership has empowered teams to thrive under pressure, transcending titles and status in favour of authenticity, humility, and genuine impact. Together, they explore why...
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Clare Freshwater-Turner & Annabelle Richards - The Power of Job Sharing
The Legendary Leaders Podcast
Is leadership about going it alone, or could sharing the load lead to even greater success? In this episode of Legendary Leaders, host Cathleen O'Sullivan welcomes the dynamic duo Clare Freshwater-Turner and Annabelle Richards to explore how job sharing could be the key to enhanced leadership and personal fulfilment. Clare and Annabelle, senior managers in sustainable business at Lloyds Banking Group, have mastered the art of job sharing, proving that two heads can indeed be better than one. Join us to learn about the unique partnership they’ve built over nine years, sharing insights into...
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Rachel McGill - Exploring Resilient Leadership
The Legendary Leaders Podcast
Are you merely enduring tough times, or are you truly thriving through them? In this episode of Legendary Leaders, army veteran and leadership expert Rachel McGill joins Cathleen to explore the nuanced art of resilience. Rachel unveils the clear difference between merely bouncing back and proactively moving forward. She shares her journey, from breaking a world record to creating Resilient Leaders Elements, a framework designed to help leaders like you build genuine resilience. Discover why true resilience is not about muscling through challenges but about adapting, making better decisions...
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Keisha Hickson - Living Fully and Moving Beyond Fear
The Legendary Leaders Podcast
What if you stopped waiting for the right time and started living fully right now? In this episode of Legendary Leaders, Cathleen O'Sullivan welcomes the inspiring Keisha Hickson, a transformative thought leader and resilience advocate. Diagnosed with a rare incurable cancer multiple myeloma at a young age. Keisha's story isn't just about survival; it's about thriving and leaving a legacy on her own terms. She explores her experiences of overcoming fears and embracing authenticity daily, all while battling a rare incurable disease. Keisha also shares her insights on ‘daring to change’ and...
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Nancy Ho - Overcoming the Professional Paradox
The Legendary Leaders Podcast
Are you still chasing the wrong kind of success? In this episode of Legendary Leaders, Nancy Ho joins host Cathleen O'Sullivan to discuss the hidden struggles of high-performing professionals and the paradox of success. Nancy shares how defining success externally can lead to a void of stress and unfulfillment. She talks about turning pain into gain, redefining what you truly want, and the importance of being authentic rather than conforming to societal pressures. Discover how your thoughts shape your reality and the power of self-reflection in transforming your life. Tune in for a...
info_outlineGain insights on how to be a mentally strong leader with your host Cathleen and her guest Scott Mautz. Scott is a former Procter & Gamble executive and renowned author, to explore the profound concepts of mental strength and resilience in leadership. Join them as they dissect the tools and strategies outlined in Mautz's latest book The Mentally Strong Leader, offering practical advice on overcoming self-doubt, managing negative emotions, and fostering a culture of authentic leadership. From the significance of self-assessment to the necessity of vulnerability, every minute is packed with actionable insights that can transform your approach to leading with mental prowess. Discover how mentally strong leaders can inspire confidence, drive organisational success, and leave an indelible positive impact on the world around them.
Episode Timeline:
05:32 Balancing authenticity and corporate expectations is challenging.
12:08 Chasing approval distorts identity and fulfillment.
20:38 Great leaders prioritise others over themselves.
26:58 Mental strength involves six key skills: fortitude, confidence, boldness, decision-making, goal focus, and positive messaging.
29:34 Self-regulation is crucial for resilience and confidence.
34:07 Quiz assesses mental strength through honesty.
42:27 Habits bolster confidence and resilience in vulnerability.
48:19 Use the "redirect rhythm" tool to manage emotions during setbacks and maintain effective messaging.
52:42 Mentally strong leadership drives organizational success.
55:58 Maintain supportive habits when confidence weakens.
Key Takeaways:
Self-Regulation Is Key: Scott Mautz emphasises that mental strength in leadership hinges on the ability to self-regulate emotions, thoughts, and behaviours, particularly in challenging situations.
Tool for Resilience: Mautz introduces "the 4 lenses of Adversity in Resilience," which includes the "perspective lens" tool, encouraging leaders to broaden their perspective to better understand and meet their resilience needs.
Authenticity Over Approval: Mautz advises leaders to "chase authenticity, not approval," stressing that true mental strength involves being genuine and focusing on personal growth rather than seeking external validation.
ABOUT Scott Mautz
Scott is the author of The Mentally Strong Leader and the founder and CEO of Profound Performance™, a keynote, training, and coaching company. Mautz is a former Procter & Gamble executive who successfully ran four of the company’s largest multi-billion dollar businesses, he is also the multi award-winning author of Leading from the Middle, Find the Fire, and Make It Matter. Mautz has been named a “CEO Thought-leader” by The Chief Executives Guild and a "Top 50 Leadership Innovator" by Inc.com, He is faculty on reserve at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business for Executive Education and is a top instructor at LinkedIn Learning.
Connect with Scott:
Website: www.scottmautz.com.
Social Media Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmautz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScottMautzPP/
YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCESjWJrnWegel9lAlhXDS3A
Connect:
Find | Cathleen O’Sullivan
Business: cathleenmerkel.com
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathleen-merkel/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendary_leaders_cathleenos/
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