Thriving in Complexity Podcast

023: Strategic Communication in a Complex World with Dr Libby Mitchell

At the core of every successful business lies the importance of good organisational communication. It’s the thread that connects teams, departments, and stakeholders and helps them make sense of their context.    However, when communication isn’t clear, people can get messages that cause confusion and distract them from what’s most important.    In this episode of Thriving in Complexity, Susanne Le Boutillier talks to Dr Libby Mitchell, a specialist in stakeholder engagement and strategic communication with experience in consulting, working in corporates and academia across the globe and in multiple sectors.  Dr Libby shares insights about the impact of effective communication, the pitfalls of storytelling and why using clear, concise, jargon-free communication in complex situations is essential.    Don’t miss this episode as Dr. Libby helps us understand the value of strategic communication and how doing it well can help us thrive in complexity.             WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:                      * Analysing communication challenges effectively (03:11) * Recognizing the significance of good organisational communication (08:25) * Tailoring actions to suit the intended audience (12:20) * Typical challenges faced by organisations Dr. Libby works with (13:45) * The impact of decision-making to avoid short-term losses (15:10) * Engaging the audience through storytelling (16:49) * Focusing on the receiver's interpretation of messages (18:39) * The power of a strong and supportive communications team (23:15) * Understanding an organisation's non-negotiables and potential workarounds (26:50) * Value of central coordination and setting the right tone (29:39) * Tips for effectively sharing essential information (33:20)  * Dr. Libby's interpretation of thriving in complexity (41:45)  * Advice to her 25-year-old self (43:48)            Quotes                  "Strategic communications is very influential, it can be used for both good and evil. And it's a responsibility that should not be taken lightly." -Dr Libby Mitchell    "A communications expert would save you from sending out some bland bit of jargon-laden babble that won't help you achieve your objectives." -Dr Libby Mitchell    "It's not about what you think the audience needs, you need to test and retest the messaging to figure it out." -Dr Libby Mitchell    "You need to understand that less is more, focus on who the audience is, and leave out everything they don’t need." -Susanne Le Boutillier     "As a leader, you need to get up off your chair, walk the floor and have conversations with people. This gives valuable insight about how people are interpreting what they're hearing." -Susanne Le Boutillier      Resources      Thinking, Fast and Slow [https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Fast-Slow-Daniel-Kahneman/dp/0374533555]    Break Your Own Rules: How to Change the Patterns of Thinking that Block Women's Paths to Power [https://www.amazon.com/Break-Your-Own-Rules-Patterns-ebook/dp/B005HF2WI6]    The Efficiency of Constructed Week Sampling for Content Analysis of Online News [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/107769900708400410]         WHERE TO FIND DR LIBBY MITCHELL               LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbykmitchell/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbykmitchell/]

022: Coaching for Relentless Forward Progress and Potential with Liz Mackevicius

Organisations aren’t the only ones who can go from good to great – people can too. Coaching helps empower individuals to tap into their hidden reserves of passion and talent so they can grow. Having the right coach can help individuals become more resilient, adaptable, and capable of dealing with complex situations.                                                                                                                                                        In this episode of Thriving in Complexity, Susanne Le Boutillier speaks with Liz Mackevicius, an accredited organisational coach who brings lessons learned from ultra marathon running into her coaching.     With nearly two decades of experience in public and private planning, Liz discovered her true passion: empowering individuals to translate aspirations into real breakthroughs by building client confidence, resolve and satisfaction.                                                                                                                                         In our conversation Liz shares her expertise on facilitating transformative journeys, where she guides clients towards becoming the person they aspire to be. Liz emphasises the significance of relentless forward progress, encouraging individuals to focus on the present and embrace the journey rather than being overwhelmed by long-term goals.    Drawing from her experience, Liz unveils the power of shifting perspective and unearthing ingrained stories, beliefs, and assumptions that shape our self-perception.     Join us as we delve into Liz’s expertise to facilitate relentless forward progress for making work (and life) fulfilling and rewarding, going from feeling good to great.   WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:                    * Liz’s shift to professional coaching and how it made an impact on her life (01:39)  * What ultra-marathon running teaches us about professional development (03:40)  * How to move towards the person you want to become (06:59)  * The value of changing your context (10:35)  * Coaching approaches to help people unlock their potential (12:25)  * Liz's personal anecdotes about the value of coaching approaches (19:20)  * The importance of having a curiosity skill set (23:30)  * How to become more aware of the behaviours holding you back (27:00)  * The best ways to alter habits of mind and patterns of behaviours (29:57)  * Coaching frameworks Liz uses with clients (34:18)  * Using a shift in perspective to move beyond feeling stuck (37:38)  * Tips and advice for people wanting to do meaningful work (40:52)  * What does thriving in complexity mean for Liz? (44:11)  * Advice to Liz’s 25-year-old self (45:25)  * One thing Liz wants you to remember (46:31)            Quotes                "The coaching process that you go through can help organise your thinking. So you have clear purpose and ideas about what you want, how you're going to get it, and the decisions become a lot easier."- Liz Mackevicius    "Observing how other people approach situations can be quite powerful." -Liz Mackevicius    "You need to be sure your mindset is serving you rather than undermining what you're about." -Liz Mackevicius    "A coach can help someone notice when they're holding on to something that is getting in the way of becoming who they need to become next." -Susanne Le Boutillier     Resources    Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us [https://www.amazon.com/Drive-Surprising-Truth-About-Motivates/dp/1594484805] Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones [https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits] Tim Ferriss [https://tim.blog/] Waking Up [https://www.wakingup.com/]  WHERE TO FIND LIZ MACKEVICIUS                * Website: https://sentier.com.au/ [https://sentier.com.au/]   * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-mackevicius-coach/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-mackevicius-coach/]     * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sentier_consulting/ [https://www.instagram.com/sentier_consulting/]

021: How One Woman Helped Transform Lives And Challenge Systems Over Twenty Years with Cath Bartolo

Navigating the intricate landscape of non-profit service provision in a world of escalating social complexities necessitates innovation, holistic approaches, and person-centeredness.    In this episode of Thriving in Complexity, Susanne Le Boutillier is joined by Cath Bartolo, CEO of YFS, whose pioneering work in Logan and surrounding areas is a testament to these principles.    Honoured as a Member of the Order of Australia, Cath brings to the table two decades of experience working tirelessly with vulnerable populations. Throughout the conversation, she underlines the pivotal role of integration and partnership among service providers, communities, and a wide spectrum of stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes for individuals and families facing adversity.    During our conversation, Cath talks about YFS’ transformative journey. From her early days to her commitment to rigorous, evidence-based programs and outcome measurement, she underscores the evolution and significance of case managers working with people as navigators or coaches. Cath also highlights the tremendous influence of initiatives like Logan Together, Thriving Families and Substation33 in opening up opportunities to do things differently.    Cath brings to light the multifaceted challenges inherent to service provision amidst the increasing social complexities of our times. She emphasises the necessity for flexibility, understanding, and above all, empathy in service providers. Additionally, she explores the profound impact of establishing a bedrock of trust between the community and organisations like YFS in combating systemic harm.    Join us as we explore the dynamic landscape of non-profit service provision, the power of a holistic approach, and the significance of innovation, empathy, and collaboration in addressing social complexities and improving lives.      WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:                  * An interesting trivia about Cath (02:59) * Complex community challenges in YFS (05:08)  * The importance of assessing outcomes (09:50) * The value of knowing the constants for long-term case management (12:45) * What is Case Management and how has it improved over the years (14:20) * How does YFS deal with the complexities of different case scenarios (16:45) * What Thriving Families are about and how they help young struggling families (24:33) * Why is the theory of change so significant for YFS? (32:10) * Why it’s essential to use evidence-based interventions (35:00) * Two creative programs Cath carried through at YFS (41:18)  * The benefits of disciplined dialogue processes (46:07) * What does Thriving in Complexity mean for Cath (48:55) * A complex situation she could’ve handled differently (49:55)  * What is Cath most proud of in her work? (52:20) * Advice to her 25-year-old self (54:27)          Quotes              "If we want to create change in people's lives, we've got to do more than patch up a crisis." -Cath Bartolo  "It takes a lot of sophistication, and even stepping back reflecting what we're doing, how we can continually improve it." -Cath Bartolo  "It's not about directing, it's very driven by who we're working with and their goals." -Cath Bartolo  "Shift from feeling like you're doing good to actually knowing the impact you're having." -Susanne Le Boutillier       WHERE TO FIND CATH BARTOLO              * Website: https://www.yfs.org.au/ [https://www.yfs.org.au/]   * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/yfs-ltd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/yfs-ltd/]   * Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/yfslogan/ [https://www.facebook.com/yfslogan/]   Twitter: https://twitter.com/yfslogan?lang=en [https://twitter.com/yfslogan?lang=en]   CONNECT WITH SUSANNE Connect on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanneleboutillier/] Connect on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/susanne.leboutillier.1]

020: Why Complexity And Procurement Can Go Hand In Hand with Sharon Bailey

Have you ever considered how procurement approaches have evolved to tackle the intricacies of our modern world? It's time to challenge the common assumption that procurement acts as a blocker rather than an enabler. In fact, there's a remarkable alignment between procurement and complexity, where context, active listening, and engagement pave the way for exceptional outcomes. In this episode of Thriving in Complexity, my guest is Sharon Bailey, the Chief Procurement Officer of the Queensland government. Sharon is not your typical head of government procurement and brings a diversity of experience and fresh perspectives to the table. From her early days as a social worker to her current role, Sharon has a deep understanding of how to achieve the best procurement outcomes in complex situations. During our interview, Sharon opens up about typical procurement challenges and how to tackle them. Whether it's commissioning infrastructure projects for the highly anticipated Brisbane 2032 or providing vital services to support individuals experiencing vulnerability, she offers diverse strategies to help you commission what is needed for the context. Join us as we delve deeper into the fascinating world where procurement and complexity intertwine, guided by the expertise of Sharon Bailey. She challenges the misconception that the procurement team is out to stifle your flexibility and adaptability in the face of emerging situations. Get ready to unlock the true potential of procurement in this thought-provoking episode of Thriving in Complexity with Sharon Bailey.

019: Predictive Analytics and Person-Centred Approaches with Andrea Danes

In this episode of Thriving in Complexity, our guest is Andrea Danes, EY’s Global Human Services Leader, with nearly 30 years of experience in both public and private sectors with program expertise in Medicaid, Child Welfare, and other Human Services programs. Andrea shares her experience working with government leaders and communities to design and implement programs that address the specific needs of vulnerable populations. Throughout the conversation, we'll explore the challenges of navigating complex systems, the promise of predictive analytics and the importance of building strong partnerships to overcome these obstacles. Andrea emphasizes the importance of a person-centred approach why it is essential to focus on people, families, and communities rather than just on programs.  We also discuss the importance of transforming the safety net and using data and intuition to enable resilience and recovery in the delivery of Human Services. Andrea shares the personal experiences that drive both her perspective and passion for supporting individuals and families in need. Join us in this episode of Thriving in Complexity to learn more about the complexities of the human and health services landscape and the importance of a person-centred approach in providing quality care and support to people experiencing vulnerability.   WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:                * One thing most people don’t know about Andrea (01:11) * Andrea’s favourite experience working in complexity (03:19) * Why did Andrea become an advocate for human services? (08:57) * The challenges leaders face in the human and health services system (14:44) * What is predictive analytics and how can it improve individual outcomes (21:31) * Aggregation of data in different cultural contexts (27:45) * How to start with social programs (31:15) * The role of community-controlled organisations (37:06) * Pitfalls of predictive analysis (41:19) * Thriving in complexity, according to Andrea (44:39)         Quotes            “If you are going to use data of people on their own behalf, you must be transparent about what data and the purpose.” - Andrea Danes “Success is not when the system is changed. It's as individual minds are changed.” - Anthony, Andrea Danes’ Uber Driver   “The top three are workforce, digitalisation and compounded need.” - Andrea Danes  “We're continually tasked with measuring the impact based on bad things that didn't happen.” - Andrea Danes      Resources        Radical Help By Hilary Cottam [https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Help-relationships-between-revolutionize/dp/0349009074]     WHERE TO FIND ANDREA DANES     * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asdanes [https://www.linkedin.com/in/asdanes]  * Twitter: https://twitter.com/asdanes?lang=en [https://twitter.com/asdanes?lang=en]  CONNECT WITH SUSANNE Connect on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanneleboutillier/] Connect on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/susanne.leboutillier.1]