The Secret Life of Great Leaders

Leadership as a Living System

In this thought-provoking episode of The Secret Life of Great Leaders, Michael Bunting speaks with organisational psychologist and systems thinker Bryn Edwards about why psychology may be failing to address many of today’s most pressing leadership, workplace, and mental health challenges. Drawing on his background in psychology and management consulting, Bryn argues that human beings and organisations are living systems that cannot be understood by examining isolated parts alone.  Together, they explore the limitations of traditional approaches to leadership and organisational development, why toxic cultures and dysfunction persist despite good intentions, and how leaders can better understand the deeper patterns driving behaviour. The conversation also examines the role of self-awareness, systems thinking, and organisational design in creating healthier, more adaptive workplaces.  If you’re interested in leadership, organisational psychology, culture change, or the future of human development, this episode offers a fresh and challenging perspective on what it takes to create sustainable performance, learning, and wellbeing in complex organisations.

The Hard Truth About Leadership & Culture

In this thought-provoking episode of The Secret Life of Great Leaders, Michael Bunting speaks with UK consultant and author Paul Sweeney about the hidden dysfunctions, fashionable management trends, and “corporate nonsense” that quietly shape modern organisations. Drawing on experience from frontline operations to the C-suite, Paul challenges many common assumptions about organisational culture and leadership change. Together, they explore why so many culture initiatives fail, how fear and image management drive reactive leadership behaviours, and why genuine transformation requires far more than new frameworks or slogans. The conversation also unpacks the importance of self-awareness, accountability, and vertical development in creating healthy, high-performing workplaces. If you’re interested in leadership, organisational psychology, behavioural change, or building more authentic organisations, this episode offers a refreshingly honest and insightful perspective on what truly drives sustainable performance and trust.

Treat People Uniquely, Not Equally: Paul Hutton on Building a #1 Great Place to Work

What does it take to lead a hospitality company of mostly immigrant, entry-level workers to the #1 spot on Australia's Great Place to Work list — six years in a row? According to Paul Hutton, Area Vice President of Hilton Australasia, the answer isn't complicated: treat people uniquely, not equally. In this episode, Michael Bunting sits down with one of the most people-centred leaders in the business to unpack the philosophy and practical habits behind Hilton's extraordinary workplace culture. Paul shares how radical accessibility, authenticity, and genuine human connection — not salary or bonuses — drive loyalty, retention, and ultimately, guest experience. They explore the fine line between psychological safety and a "decaying country club," how Hilton turned guest satisfaction into a commercial metric, and why Paul's famous four-minute speech to 1,400 APAC leaders came down to five simple words: care, passion, integrity, genuine interest, and kindness. Whether you're a frontline team leader or a senior executive, this conversation is a masterclass in what it means to lead with heart — and why that's not soft, it's the most powerful business strategy there is.

The Joy of Leading: Building Cultures People Never Want to Leave

What does it really take to build a workplace culture people are truly proud of? In this episode, host Michael Bunting speaks with Søren Brogaard, CEO of TrackUnit, about the beliefs and lessons behind one of the most intentional culture-building journeys in global tech. Søren shares how a simple desire to have fun at work evolved into a sophisticated philosophy of leadership and growth. They explore the universal ingredients that put people into a state of flow, why engagement without results is just as dangerous as results without engagement, and why following the flag rather than the leader is the secret to sustaining culture through rapid growth.

The Power of "I Don't Know": Transforming Leadership Through Vulnerability

What separates leaders who genuinely transform from those who stagnate or regress under pressure? In this episode of The Secret Life of Great Leaders, host Michael Bunting speaks with Dr Alis Anagnostakis, founder of the Vertical Development Institute, about the research behind adult development. They explore edge emotions, the awareness-action gap, why curiosity is the contrasting emotion that enables growth, and the distinction between insights that fade and transformations that last.