Better, Not Perfect
The Executive Edge
Episode 238 Released July 23, 2026 This week on Episode 238 of The Executive Edge, I talk to , founder of , CEO of healthcare content agency , and author of . Christy has built her business around an idea that rarely appears in a strategy document but shapes everything she does: kindness. Together, we explore why so many younger employees arrive at work technically capable but lacking the interpersonal skills employers quietly assume they already possess. We discuss why this isn’t a character flaw or a generational weakness—it’s a gap in how we’ve prepared people for work. With AI...
info_outline
The Reputation Advantage
The Executive Edge
Episode 237 Released July 9, 2026 This episode of my podcast sits a little outside my usual territory. Most weeks I’m here talking about the psychology behind performance, leadership and how we show up. However, this week I’m taking you somewhere more practical: my guest is of Solomon Turner PR. We talk about public relations, and how getting it right builds your reputation over time. It still fits everything I care about on this show, giving you an edge in life and business. Reputation is one of the quietest advantages you can have, so I think there’s plenty here worth your time. Steve...
info_outline
Lead With Clarity, Courage and Curiosity
The Executive Edge
Episode 236. Released June 25, 2026 This week I’m joined by , a global executive advisor, board member and author of . Louisa has spent more than two decades at the heart of some of the world’s biggest businesses, including Diageo, Maersk and Google. Change is everywhere right now, and Louisa sees it for what it really is. A genuine opportunity to add another valuable piece to your business. The encouraging part is that it starts with something you already have. Clarity about who you are, what you do well, and where you want to go. What we cover Why change is an invitation rather...
info_outline
Momentum Has Two Parts. Most Businesses Only Chase One
The Executive Edge
Episode 235 Released June 11, 2026 Everyone wants momentum. Move faster, scale quicker, get ahead. Yet very few businesses actually have it. This week I talk with , author of The Bizzics Way. Chip took one equation from physics, mass times velocity, and turned it into a refreshingly practical model for growth. His point is simple: we pour everything into velocity and ignore mass. You need both. Mass is weight, not size. A volleyball and a bowling ball can be the same size with very different mass. In business, your mass is your density. The calibre of your team, the clarity of your...
info_outline
Dealing with your inner critic (and what actually works!)
The Executive Edge
Episode 234 Released May 28, 2026 You know the feeling. You've read the books, done the therapy, tried the positive thinking. And yet. Same patterns. Same reactions. Same stuck points — just in slightly different circumstances. In this episode, Sue talks with — a psychotherapist and leadership coach with 30 years of experience and the creator of the Mind Method. Joanna's work starts from a simple but radical premise: you can't change your conditioned mind. But you can stop letting it run the show. This is a conversation about why high achievers often feel the least fulfilled, why the...
info_outline
The Gap Between Good and Great Isn't Technical
The Executive Edge
Released May 14, 2026 Episode 233 Fourteen years working with NBA players teaches you something most leadership books miss: the gap between good and great is almost never technical. It's psychological. This week I sit down with — 40+ years coaching elite athletes and business leaders, co-author of an Amazon bestseller with Joe Montana, and author of the new book Embrace Your Inner Coach. Tom’s central argument is deceptively simple: the gap between good and great is almost never technical. It’s psychological. And the tools that work in a locker room work just as well in a boardroom. ...
info_outline
Why Your Employer Brand Is Already Defined — Whether You Realise It Or Not
The Executive Edge
Episode 232 Released April 29, 2026 This week on The Executive Edge, I'm joined by , founder of and an employer brand strategist based in Melbourne. Sri works with leaders to close the gap between what their organisation says it stands for — and what talent actually experiences. It's a conversation that will make you look at your hiring process very differently. The big idea: Your employer brand is already being defined — by what you prioritise, what you fund, and what you tolerate. Whether or not you're paying attention to it. Three things that stood out for me: The talent...
info_outline
Executive Presence — How to Command, Connect and Close with Dr. Laura Sicola
The Executive Edge
Episode 231 Released April 16, 2026 About this episode You know what you want to say. So why doesn't it land? I'm joined by executive communication expert and author to unpack the real meaning of executive presence — and why it could be the single biggest factor holding talented leaders back. We discuss: The gap between brain and mouth The biggest communication challenge isn't knowledge or expertise — it's the three inches between what you think and what comes out. If your message isn't clear, concise, and compelling to your audience, it doesn't matter how brilliant you are. The Three Cs...
info_outline
Breathing Easy: The Antiviral Technology That Could Change the Way You Work and Live
The Executive Edge
Episode 230 Released April 2, 2026 In this episode, I sit down with Gemma Borgert — a medical device specialist with over 20 years of industry experience and a deeply personal reason for championing this technology. Gemma introduces the e4life personal, a groundbreaking portable antiviral device that uses electromagnetic waves to inactivate airborne viruses in real time. Whether you're protecting a vulnerable family member, supporting staff reluctant to return to the office, or simply wanting an extra layer of defence against seasonal illness, this conversation will make you think...
info_outline
The Uncertainty Advantage: How Smart Leaders Turn Volatility into Growth
The Executive Edge
Episode 229 Released March 19, 2026 Guest: Rebecca Homkes (Economist, Growth Strategist, Lecturer at London Business School & Duke University) Episode Overview In this episode, I am joined by economist and growth strategist Rebecca Homkes for a conversation about leading through uncertainty. With macro volatility showing no signs of letting up, Rebecca shares a practical, no-nonsense framework for how executives can stop reacting to the noise — and start growing through it. Key Themes & Takeaways Build internal predictability You can't control the macro environment, but...
info_outlineReleased September 4, 2025 | Episode 216
Episode Summary
In this episode of The Executive Edge, host Sue Firth sits down with leadership and strategic change advisor Dan Roberts to explore the critical human element of organizational transformation. Drawing from extensive experience in change management and organizational development, Dan shares practical strategies for helping companies navigate change successfully while maintaining team engagement and momentum.
Guest Bio
Dan Roberts is a leadership and strategic change advisor with a background in behavioral psychology and business. His career has focused on helping companies achieve genuine growth through effective change management. Dan is the founder of Impactful Performance and author of "Optimize Your Leadership: An Impactful and Healthy Way to Lead in the New Age."
Key Takeaways
The Foundation of Successful Change
- Change management is fundamentally about the people side of change, not just technology and processes
- Companies often know what they want to achieve but struggle with how to get there
- Success requires asking the right questions rather than having all the answers
The "Slow Down to Speed Up" Principle
- Organizations need to be intentional and strategic about change implementation
- Creating a structured plan and process optimizes conditions for success
- Avoiding the rush to implement prevents setting up for failure
Essential Elements of Change Management
- Clear Communication: Explain the "why" behind changes, not just the "what"
- Resource Assessment: Ensure people, processes, and technology are in place
- Risk Management: Identify barriers and resistance points early
- Roadmap Creation: Develop step-by-step plans people can understand
- Training & Support: Provide adequate preparation and ongoing assistance
Making Change Less Scary
- Connect changes to existing pain points that employees recognize
- Frame changes to show "what's in it for them" (WIIFM)
- Use peer-to-peer champions rather than top-down mandates
- Introduce changes in digestible, bite-sized chunks
- Pilot programs can help problem-solve before full rollout
Leadership in Uncertain Times
- Focus on what you can control vs. the macro environment
- Create a calm, even-keeled leadership presence amid chaos
- Use the "win the day" approach: plan the work, work the plan
- Think in project-based cycles rather than rigid long-term plans
- Maintain focus on immediate, actionable steps while keeping the vision clear
The Power of Language
- How you phrase messages determines how they're received
- Use softer language (e.g., "fluid" instead of "volatile")
- Ensure consistent messaging across all leadership
- Balance transparency with avoiding unnecessary alarm
Memorable Quotes
- "It's not about having the answers. It's are we asking the right questions?"
- "You have to slow down to speed up"
- "Plan the work, work the plan, don't plan the results"
- "Looking too far in the future is anxiety, and looking in the past is depression"
Action Items for Leaders
- Conduct strategic planning sessions focused on your unit's value to the organization
- Develop clear, consistent talking points for all leaders to use
- Identify and empower peer champions within teams
- Break large changes into manageable monthly and quarterly goals
- Focus on "winning the day" rather than obsessing over long-term outcomes
Resources Mentioned
- Website: impactfulperformance.com
- Book: "Optimize Your Leadership: An Impactful and Healthy Way to Lead in the New Age" (available on Amazon)
- LinkedIn: Dan Roberts
Final Thoughts
Change is inevitable in today's business environment, but with the right approach focused on people, clear communication, and manageable implementation, organizations can navigate transformation successfully. The key is remembering that while you can't control the macro environment, you can control how your team responds to and moves through change.
The Executive Edge with Sue Firth provides practical skills for success in life and business. Subscribe on all major podcast platforms for more insights from leading experts.