Leadership and Culture First

Axis Culture Group

We believe leadership and culture come first if teams and organisations are to thrive. But it is not simple. We discuss the complexities of leadership and culture but also offer solutions to aspiring, new and experienced leaders. We invite guest to share their knowledge and experience and ask those challenging questions. As coaches we aim to provide real insights, enable reflection and challenge thinking. Join us on our mission to unleash your leadership potential.

Episodes

  1. 2D AGO

    Global Leadership, Local Impact: Building a Healthcare Excellence Movement in Mauritius

    In this episode of the Leadership and Culture First podcast, Sharon and Nichola are joined by transformational leader and social impact strategist Edyta Ozbek, whose work spans Europe, Africa, Asia and the Pacific. Edyta shares her leadership journey from banking and finance into international healthcare recruitment, where she built and scaled teams across nine countries. She reflects openly on the realities of entrepreneurship, the weight of responsibility, leading through political change, and the emotional resilience required when difficult decisions affect people’s livelihoods. The conversation explores what it truly means to shape culture as a leader. Edyta speaks about creating psychological safety, welcoming constructive disagreement, and building confidence through self awareness tools such as Myers Briggs and CliftonStrengths. She discusses the challenge of balancing passion with structure, especially when leading highly accomplished professionals, and how humility and integrity underpin sustainable leadership. A central focus of the episode is Nou Zetwals Mauritius, a nonprofit movement founded by Edyta to recognise and celebrate health and social care professionals. Meaning “our stars” in Mauritian Creole, the initiative aims to raise morale, inspire national pride, and shine a light on the unseen dedication of nurses and care workers across the country. This episode is a powerful reflection on: • Leading with values across cultures• Building remote teams while maintaining engagement• The realities of starting and scaling a business• Recognition as a tool for cultural change• Resilience, peer support and emotional intelligence in leadership Whether you are an established leader, an aspiring entrepreneur, or working within health and social care, this conversation offers practical insight and honest reflection on leading with courage, compassion and purpose. If you enjoy the episode, please like, subscribe and share. New episodes are released weekly.

    39 min
  2. JAN 12

    Leadership and Neurodiversity: Creating Space for Authentic Leaders

    Summary In this episode, Dr. Sharon Black and Dr. Nichola Ashby engage with Jules Crowther, an executive coach specializing in neurodiversity. They explore the complexities of leadership, the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals, and the importance of psychological safety in the workplace. Jules shares her personal journey of discovering her neurodivergent identity and how it shapes her coaching practice. The conversation emphasizes the need for inclusivity, understanding, and support for neurodiverse individuals in leadership roles, as well as practical strategies for organizations to foster a more inclusive environment. Takeaways Coaching is about listening and creating a safe space.Isolation is a significant challenge for leaders.Perfectionism can lead to burnout, especially for neurodivergent individuals.Understanding neurodiversity is crucial for effective leadership.Psychological safety allows for open discussions about needs and challenges.Leaders should embrace their unique strengths and experiences.Flexibility in the workplace can enhance productivity for neurodivergent individuals.Communication should be clear and non-ambiguous to reduce anxiety.Personal experiences shape professional identity and coaching practices.Building peer support networks can combat feelings of isolation. Keywords leadership, neurodiversity, executive coaching, female leaders, psychological safety, authenticity, perfectionism, inclusion, coaching strategies, personal growth Sound bites "Perfectionism is not attainable." "Authenticity is key in leadership." "Burnout is not a badge of honor." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Neurodiversity 02:52 The Journey into Executive Coaching 05:57 Challenges in Leadership: Isolation and Perfectionism 08:43 Understanding Neurodiversity in Leadership 11:52 The Impact of Personal Experience on Professional Identity 14:37 Creating Inclusive Work Environments 17:49 Practical Strategies for Supporting Neurodiversity 21:21 Pivotal Moments in Leadership 24:44 Navigating Barriers and Biases 27:34 Advice for Aspiring Female Leaders 29:19 The Future of Executive Coaching 32:33 Final Thoughts and Key Messages

    42 min

About

We believe leadership and culture come first if teams and organisations are to thrive. But it is not simple. We discuss the complexities of leadership and culture but also offer solutions to aspiring, new and experienced leaders. We invite guest to share their knowledge and experience and ask those challenging questions. As coaches we aim to provide real insights, enable reflection and challenge thinking. Join us on our mission to unleash your leadership potential.