Celebrating 8 Years of Leaders Change Room – What I’ve Learned About Leadership, Growth & Trust

Celebrating 8 Years of Leaders Change Room – What I’ve Learned About Leadership, Growth & Trust

March 2024 marks eight years since Leaders Change Room was founded, and as I reflect on this milestone, I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. What started as a vision has grown into a thriving community of leaders transforming how leadership is practiced in organisations across Australia.

When I first launched Leaders Change Room, I knew one thing for sure: leadership isn’t just about skills and strategies—it’s about relationships. The best leaders aren’t those who have all the answers, but those who build trust-filled workplaces, empower their teams, and lead with strength and kindness.

What started in my lounge room with my then 9-month-old crawling around my feet has grown to be a team passionate about working with purpose-driven organisations to ensure relationship-centred leadership (and psychologically safe workplaces) is their superpower. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this business and work with incredible people.

Lessons from 8 Years in Leadership Development

1. Trust is Everything

Over the past eight years, one lesson has stood out above all others: leadership starts with trust. Without trust, leadership falls apart. Whether it’s trust in your team, trust in your organisation, or even trust in yourself, it’s the foundation that everything else is built upon.

I’ve seen brilliant leaders struggle because they focused on performance over relationships. But I’ve also seen struggling leaders thrive the moment they started building genuine connections with their teams. Trust is the currency of leadership, and the more you invest in it, the richer your leadership becomes.

2. Strength and Kindness Can Coexist

One of the biggest myths in leadership is that kindness is a weakness. I hear it all the time: "If I'm too kind, people will walk all over me." But the reality is, kindness is one of the greatest strengths a leader can have.

Kind leaders aren’t pushovers. They set clear expectations, provide constructive feedback, and hold people accountable. The difference? They do it in a way that builds people up rather than tearing them down. Strength and kindness aren’t opposites—they are essential partners in leadership.

3. Leadership Can Feel Lonely (But It Shouldn’t Be)

Even the most experienced leaders can feel isolated at times. Who do you turn to when you’re expected to have all the answers? Who supports you when you’re leading a major change or making tough decisions?

That’s why Leaders Change Room exists. It’s not just about developing leadership skills; it’s about creating a community where leaders support each other. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when leaders connect, share their experiences, and realise they’re not alone.

4. Workplace Experiments Drive Change

One of the most effective ways to implement meaningful change is through workplace experiments. Leaders who create small, low-risk experiments to test new ideas and leadership strategies see faster, more sustainable improvements.

Experimentation allows teams to adapt, refine, and integrate new ways of working without the pressure of making immediate large-scale changes. I’ve seen countless organisations thrive because they gave themselves permission to test, learn, and iterate, rather than waiting for the “perfect” solution. Leaders who embrace this mindset foster innovation and continuous growth in their teams.

5. Neuroscience Helps Us Understand People Better

In the last eight years, my understanding of leadership has been profoundly influenced by neuroscience. Learning how our brains work—how we respond to stress, build habits, and navigate change—has helped me better understand people and, in turn, support leaders more effectively.

By applying insights from neuroscience, I help leaders develop strategies that align with how people naturally think, learn, and grow. Whether it’s helping someone move past fear, build resilience, or shift their mindset, understanding the brain has been a game-changer in leadership development.

A Huge Thank You to Our Community

This milestone wouldn’t be possible without the incredible managers, leaders, and purpose-driven organisations who have been part of our journey so far. Leaders Change Room—and my coaching—have been shaped and influenced by you. Your commitment to growing as leaders, investing in your teams, and fostering trust-based workplaces has been the driving force behind everything we do. Thank you for your dedication, insights, and belief in what’s possible.

I also want to acknowledge the challenges that leadership brings. Leadership isn’t always easy—it requires resilience, self-awareness, and a willingness to adapt. Every leader I’ve worked with has brought unique strengths and perspectives, and it’s through these shared experiences that we continue to learn and grow together. Whether you’ve engaged in coaching, participated in a workshop, or simply followed along on our journey, your presence has helped shape Leaders Change Room into what it is today.

What’s Next for Leaders Change Room?

While I celebrate this milestone, I’m also looking forward to the next chapter. I’m excited to introduce something new that will make ongoing leadership support even more accessible:

📢 A new way to access continuous leadership growth 📢

Leadership isn’t something you master in a single workshop. It’s a daily practice. This new learning experience will offer ongoing, practical leadership support, including micro-learning modules, so leaders can continue to grow without feeling overwhelmed or alone.

We’ll be offering monthly leadership insights, live coaching, and a strong community of like-minded professionals so that every leader has access to the support and strategies they need.

If you’ve been part of our journey over the last eight years, thank you. Your trust, commitment, and passion for leadership have made Leaders Change Room what it is today. Here’s to the next eight years!