33. FLEUR HEAZLEWOOD

Discover the Power of Resilience and Well-being in Leadership I'm thrilled to share with you the latest episode of the Courage to Lead Interview Series, where I had the pleasure of hosting Fleur Heazlewood, an award-winning author and founder of the Blueberry Institute. Fleur's journey is a testament to resilience and well-being in leadership. She shared her experiences as a young female leader in a male-dominated industry, facing adversity, bullying, and even manipulation. Yet, she stood her ground, advocating for herself and others, and setting a new standard for leadership. Here are some key takeaways from our conversation: Leadership and Well-being: Fleur's first true experience of leadership was during the global financial crisis. She made a bold decision to prioritise her employees' well-being over commercial requirements, proving that doing right by people is also right for business. The Importance of Psychological Safety: Fleur emphasised the need for a safe and supportive work environment. She believes that no one should be treated poorly because of differences or needing help. The Power of Resilience: Fleur's personal journey of resilience is inspiring. She faced burnout, recovered, and used her experiences to educate others about the importance of well-being in the workplace. Well-being as a Business Strategy: Fleur demonstrated that investing in well-being is also an investment in business performance. She shared a case study where a company saw significant improvements in engagement, reduced absenteeism, and safety incidents after implementing a well-being and resilience training program. The Role of Books: Fleur sees her books as an act of service, sharing the strategies and techniques she teaches in her programs. She prefers speaking and facilitating over writing, valuing the dialogue and interaction with people. I'm grateful for the opportunity to share Fleur's wisdom with you. Her story is a reminder that resilience and well-being are not just personal pursuits but essential elements of effective leadership. I encourage you to listen to the full episode and discover more about Fleur's inspiring journey. Until next time, keep leading with resilience and well-being.