Teams, Culture & You: The Psychology Behind Growth

Josephine Palermo

Dr. Josephine Palermo's superpower is to create business cultures that transform organizations team by team. With a PhD in Organisational Psychology, and from working with big corporates and government, to small and large businesses, Josephine is a wellspring of knowledge and experience. On top of that, she owns three enterprises and is a sought after speaker. To join our newsletter sign up here http://eepurl.com/hc4CFb

  1. Sep 10

    Why Values-Driven Organisations Still Get Stuck with Jayo Macasaquit (Episode 87)

    What does it take to lead change without relying on control? Jayo Macasaquit, Chief People Officer at The 19th News, joins Josephine Palermo and Iain to explore organizational adaptability, psychological safety, distributed leadership, and the hidden assumptions that keep teams stuck. They discuss the “immunity to change” framework, moving from “hero to host” leadership, the challenge of delegation, and how reflection, coaching, and experimentation can help organizations thrive in uncertainty. Chapter index 00:00 — Introduction 02:45 — Jayo’s journey into HR and people strategy 06:42 — The 19th News and equity-centered leadership 13:10 — When mission and internal culture don’t align 16:05 — Why leaders struggle to delegate 19:02 — Understanding “immunity to change” 22:41 — Using community and accountability to create change 25:22 — Moving from “hero” to “host” leadership 28:27 — Hierarchy, attention, and distributed decision-making 32:45 — Reflection, coaching, and courageous conversations 34:35 — Building operational resilience in a changing world 41:10 — Psychological safety, failure, and imposter syndrome 46:38 — Balancing self-belief with openness to feedback 48:52 — Clarity over certainty 50:44 — Jayo’s closing reflections: from blamestorming to brainstorming Contact Josephine www.josephinepalermo.com.au Share your views with us at josephine@gearedforgrowth.biz Watch on Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL18BTBLfckRwwraLZMvbpNj-MjHHy-cSH&si=pXJAR_mmTGGEcO2q

  2. Aug 24

    Project Land Goes to the Movies with Dawn Mahan (Episode 86)

    Dawn Mahan returns to talk about her latest book, a movie-themed anthology that uses film as a practical way to explain project management lessons. The conversation covers how the book came together, why metaphor makes complex work easier to grasp, and how teams can use movie moments to improve communication, leadership, and delivery. Dawn also shares what it was like working with co-editor Jerry Manis, why the book includes internationalperspectives, and how AI may support project managers without replacing the human side of the work.   Chapters 00:00 - Welcome back and introduction to the new movie-themed project management book 03:16 - Why the concept moved from animals to movies 04:00 - How the author casting call and contributor selection worked 06:28 - Why the book’s chapter structure is designed for the reader 08:10 - Using movie metaphors in real project conversations 09:31 - How clips can help before, during, and after project pressure points 10:26 - Making complex project ideas accessible for non-project managers 12:54 - Why the right movie can lighten stress inside a project “pressure cooker” 14:45 - Why metaphor is central to Dawn’s work 15:19 - Dawn’s early love of metaphor and simplifying complexity 16:43 - How the term “Project Land” was created 19:21 - Why project management is really about problem solving 20:32 - Balancing business, writing, and a year-long editing process 22:50 - Working with expert authors and setting clear roles 24:47 - How local PMI chapters can help people network and grow 27:13 - Sneak peek at Jerry Manis’s next leadership fable 30:19 - Dawn’s next possible book for executive sponsors and leaders 31:45 - Why the audiobook format may be the strongest version of the book 34:08 - Dawn’s view on AI and whether it threatens project managers 36:25 - Using AI as a strategic thinking partner rather than a replacement 40:57 - Why poor project outcomes are often about people, not process 41:41 - Closing thoughts and what’s next Get Dawn's latest book: Project Management Consulting & Training | PMOtraining.com Here's the link to the post where you can hear the audiobook trailer and Eric's voice talent...would love to know what you think!  PMI page where you can find yourlocal chapter to network with project managers in your area: https://www.pmi.org/membership/chapters

  3. Apr 20

    From Corporate to Fractional: A New Work Paradigm with Jag Jassel (Episode 84)

    In this conversation, Josephine Palermo and Jag Jassel explore the journey of transitioning from traditional corporate roles to fractional work models. Jag shares his personal experiences, the challenges of navigating uncertainty, and the benefits of adopting a fractional approach for both individuals and organizations. They discuss the impact of AI and automation on the workforce, the importance of establishing standards in fractional work, and the shift in responsibility towards owning outcomes rather than tracking hours. The conversation concludes with insights into the future of fractional work and the role of FractionalPractice.com in setting industry standards.    Chapters  00:00 Revisiting the Past: A Journey of Growth  04:42 Navigating Uncertainty: Finding Direction in Career Transitions  09:12 Understanding the Fractional Model: A New Approach to Work  14:04 The Benefits of Fractional Work for Organizations  18:36 AI and Automation: Shaping the Future of Work  23:06 Establishing Standards: The Role of FractionalPractice.com  27:56 Owning Outcomes: The Shift in Responsibility  32:23 Looking Ahead: The Future of Fractional Work    Contact Jag  www.fractionalpractice.com    ContactJosephine  www.josephinepalermo.com.au   Share your views with us at ⁠josephine@gearedforgrowth.biz⁠    Watch on Youtube: ⁠https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL18BTBLfckRwwraLZMvbpNj-MjHHy-cSH&si=pXJAR_mmTGGEcO2q⁠    Read myblog: https://gearedforgrowth.biz/business-blog/

  4. 12/29/2025

    2025 Unplugged: A Candid Look at the Year That Was (Episode 80)

    "We need a new hamster wheel for 2026."   Dive into '2025 Unplugged: A Candid Look at the Year That Was' for an insightful reflection on the year's pivotal moments, societal changes, and personal stories that shaped our world.  Iain and I reflect on significant global events, the impact of place and community, and the role of technology in shaping society.   We discuss personal growth, professional identity, and the importance of critical thinking in today's world. We look bacl on our favourite podcast moments and guests, emphasising the need for advocacy and understanding in a rapidly changing environment.    Chapters  00:00 Reflections on a Year of Change  05:10 The Impact of Place and Tragedy  10:43 Navigating a Complex Global Landscape  16:06 Personal Highlights and Collaborations  21:31 Technology, AI, and the Future of Work  31:15 The Impact of Technology on Identity and Vulnerability  33:05 Advocacy for Digital Safety and Regulation  34:58Personal Growth and the Third Act  36:31 Decolonization and Community Engagement  38:42 Upcoming Book Launch and Community Involvement  40:27 Exploring Literature and Audiobooks  41:29 Television and Cultural Reflections  51:26 The Beatles and Cultural Impact  56:59 Reflections on Meaningful Conversations and Future Endeavors    Share your views with us at josephine@gearedforgrowth.biz  Watch on Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL18BTBLfckRwwraLZMvbpNj-MjHHy-cSH&si=pXJAR_mmTGGEcO2q

About

Dr. Josephine Palermo's superpower is to create business cultures that transform organizations team by team. With a PhD in Organisational Psychology, and from working with big corporates and government, to small and large businesses, Josephine is a wellspring of knowledge and experience. On top of that, she owns three enterprises and is a sought after speaker. To join our newsletter sign up here http://eepurl.com/hc4CFb