The Leaders of Influence Podcast with Anton Guinea

Anton Guinea
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Welcome to ”Leaders of Influence Podcast,” the podcast dedicated to helping you uncover and harness the power of your unique voice. Whether you’re a leader, an entrepreneur, a parent, or someone looking to make a difference, this podcast will guide you through strategies and insights to amplify your influence. Join us as we explore stories, tips, and actionable advice from industry experts and thought leaders to help you step into your full potential and leave a lasting impact on the world around you. Tune in and start leading with influence today!

  1. 3d ago

    How Can Leaders Build Confidence and Develop Emerging Leaders? With Damian Harris

    Damian Harris shares how he went from leaving school at 14 to leading a growing industrial services business, showing how experience and self-belief can open doors without a university degree. He reflects on his father's influence, lessons learned across industries, and the value of staying open to new ways of working. Damian explains how he supports emerging leaders by encouraging ownership, learning from mistakes, and asking for help early. He also discusses leading with vulnerability, keeping communication open, and knowing when to say no to work that could overextend a team. His advice to young leaders: back your ability, ask questions, and seek opportunities to learn across industries. Quotes “You always employ people better than you, because they will always teach you something that you don’t know.” “Don’t be afraid to fail… Put your hand up, take that ownership, and we’ll get through it.”  “As a leader, you have to be prepared to be vulnerable.”  Takeaways Back your ability and keep learning. Confidence, curiosity, and cross-industry experience can create leadership opportunities even without formal qualifications.  Help emerging leaders grow by making it safe to learn. Support people, encourage them to own mistakes, and remind them they don’t have to solve every problem alone.  Protect your team’s capacity. Saying no to work that isn’t the right fit can help preserve your people, culture, and ability to deliver well. Timestamp 00:00  Introducing Damian Harris 04:17  From Apprentice to Executive 08:58  Lessons from His Father 13:37  Learning Across Industries 17:09  Developing Emerging Leaders 21:21  Making It Safe to Learn 24:25  Leading with an Open Door 27:36  The Importance of Vulnerability 30:13  Knowing When to Say No 37:34  Advice for Young Leaders Conclusion Damian Harris’s journey shows that strong leadership can grow from hands-on experience, curiosity, and confidence, not just formal qualifications. The lessons he learned from his father and across different industries continue to shape how he supports and leads his teams. By giving emerging leaders room to learn, ask for help, and own mistakes, he helps build capability for the future. He also reminds leaders to protect their people and business by saying no when the work isn’t the right fit. His closing advice is simple: back your ability, ask questions, and keep learning. Want to become a more confident leader and help your team grow?  Seek experience across different industries, and remember that strong leadership is earned through learning and action, not just formal qualifications. 📧 Email: damoharris76@gmail.com   💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damian-harris-62197389/    🌐 Visit: https://iteroaustralia.com.au/our-team/

  2. 5d ago

    Why Your Biggest Failures Are Actually Your Biggest Wins with Stella Petrou Concha

    Stella Petrou Concha, CEO of Reo Group and co-founder of HiveQ, joins Anton Guinea to discuss what influence means in leadership. She explains how understanding the context or “container” and considering yourself, others, and the wider system can help you influence effectively without losing your own perspective. Stella also shares how her father introduced her to mindset mastery and how that early experience shaped her interest in pattern intelligence. Drawing on her experience rebuilding her business after COVID, she reflects on failure, resilience, and the growth that can follow adversity. Her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is to embrace the turbulence of ambition, build a strong relationship with failure, and take radical accountability for the inner patterns shaping their outcomes. Quotes “Your inner world will govern your outer world, and if you want to change your outer world, you’ve got to work on your inner world.” “If you cannot accept or welcome tragedy and failure, then you’re probably not going to get the new growth and the new opportunity on the other end.” “I’m not proud. I’m just maybe more grateful that I haven’t lost myself.” Takeaways Influence begins with understanding the context. Consider your perspective, others', and the wider system before trying to shape an outcome. Balance empathy with a clear sense of self. Understanding others matters, but effective leadership also requires holding your own position and considering what best serves the situation. Growth requires accountability and a healthy relationship with failure. Reflect on your role in outcomes, learn from setbacks, and treat challenges as potential openings for new growth. Timestamp 00:00 — Introducing Stella Petrou Concha 03:14 — Influence and Understanding the Context 06:21 — The Three Perspectives of Leadership 08:32 — A Father’s Gift: Mindset Mastery 11:08 — Purpose, Pattern Intelligence, and Inspiration 14:19 — Resilience, Failure, and New Growth 19:03 — Radical Accountability in Leadership 22:16 — Developing Influence and Empathy 28:49 — Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs Conclusion Stella Petrou Concha’s perspective shows that influence starts with understanding the people and systems around us. Strong leadership also means balancing empathy with a clear sense of self and taking responsibility for our impact. Her story illustrates how failure can lead to new opportunities and growth. By recognizing the patterns that shape our choices, we can respond to challenges with greater awareness. Ultimately, embracing growth and learning from adversity can help us build a more resilient path forward.   Want to understand how the patterns in your mind shape your leadership, business, and future growth?  Connect with Stella Petrou Concha to explore pattern intelligence, self-mastery, and leadership and learn how to meet challenges with greater awareness and resilience. 📧 Email: stella@reogroup.com.au   💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stellapetrouconcha/    🌐 Visit: https://reogroup.com.au/    📖 Explore her book: Stoneheart, Light Heart: The Intelligence of Self Mastery

  3. Oct 18

    What Does It Take to Create Psychological Safety and Help Teams Learn From Failure? Donelle Brooks

    FinanZor CEO Donelle Brooks shares how courage, vulnerability, and curiosity can help people build influence without making leadership about themselves. She reflects on her grandfather's example, her husband's support, and the value of a personal “board of directors.” A long-running mentoring relationship with a former netball player shows how consistent, honest support can shape someone’s path over time. Donelle also explains why psychological safety matters, how leaders can respond constructively to mistakes, and why accountability should focus on learning and solutions. Her closing advice encourages listeners to build meaningful relationships, ask for help, challenge the status quo thoughtfully, and learn from setbacks.   Quotes “It is okay to fail, but do not be a leader who says it's okay to fail and then not create an environment where it's safe to do so.” “Don't tell them what they want to hear. They've come to you for a reason, and I think it's important that you know… they're coming to you because they want you to be honest.”  “Just because you're in a small area doesn't mean that your impact won't be huge.”    Takeaways Treat resilience as a chance to learn. Reflect on why a setback happened, what helped you recover, and what you can do differently next time. Build your own “board of directors.” Keep trusted people close who can offer support and perspective in different areas of life. Deliver difficult conversations thoughtfully. Be honest and direct, while helping people feel safe enough to take accountability and work toward a solution. Timestamps  00:00  Meet Donelle Brooks  03:24  Defining Influence  08:54  The People Who Shape Us  13:45  Mentorship That Makes a Difference  20:09  How to Build Influence  24:04  Leadership, Courage, and Fear  26:24  Creating Psychological Safety  29:46  Turning Mistakes Into Learning  35:32  Donelle’s Closing Advice  38:49  Resilience and Lasting Impact   Conclusion Donelle Brooks shows that influence is less about being in charge and more about helping others find their courage and potential. Meaningful impact grows through curiosity, honesty, and deep relationships built over time. Leaders can turn failure into a learning opportunity by creating psychologically safe environments and guiding people toward accountability and solutions. True resilience means reflecting on setbacks, learning from them, and choosing a wiser way forward. Start small, ask for help when you need it, and remember that even one supportive relationship can make a lasting difference.   Looking for flexible funding to improve cash flow and support your business’s growth?  FinanZor helps SMEs explore receivables-backed funding solutions designed around their needs. Donelle is also passionate about building a more connected, confident, and inclusive commercial finance industry through the Women’s Commercial Finance Forum.   ✉️ Email: jadeconsultingservices@gmail.com   💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donelle-brooks-ba475114/    🌐 Visit : https://finanzor.com.au/

  4. Oct 16

    How Can Leaders Coach, Mentor, and Bring Out the Best in Their Teams? George Spink

    George Spink reflects on a career spanning the military, global infrastructure, and a sustainable mining startup, sharing why people have been the common thread throughout his work. He describes influence as a two-way process: first, understand another person’s perspective, then share your own. George also discusses reading body language, observing behavior, and using thoughtful feedback to support others’ growth. Drawing on ideas from The Untethered Soul, he explores how to recognize emotional triggers and avoid letting difficult experiences define you. He closes with a practical leadership message: invest time in your team, earn trust, and focus on leading people rather than simply managing tasks.   Takeaways: Influence works both ways: Seek to understand others first; their perspective may change your own. Invest in your people: Make time for regular conversations, give thoughtful feedback, and learn what matters to your team. Lead, don’t just manage: Focus not only on getting tasks done correctly, but on guiding and developing people.   Quotes: Fortune favors the brave. Trust yourself. Trust instincts. Look after your team. People do business with people. Influence is a two-way street: seek to understand first, and be open to changing your own perspective.   Timestamp:  00:00 George Spink’s Career and Introduction 02:58 Reflecting on a Career of Experience 05:21 People as the Common Thread 09:17 Defining Influence as a Two-Way Street 12:01 Influence as a Leadership Superpower 14:10 Learning from Leaders and Role Models 17:38 Reading Body Language and Behavior 22:43 Letting Experiences Pass Through 27:00 Choosing Courage and Career Change 30:48 Recognizing and Managing Emotional Triggers 31:25 Setting the Ground Rules for Mentoring 36:45 Helping People See Their Own Strengths 38:24 Investing Time in Your Team 44:25 The Difference Between Leading and Managing 51:27 George’s Closing Advice Conclusion: George Spink’s career shows how experience, curiosity, and care for people can shape a thoughtful approach to leadership. He sees influence as a two-way exchange built on listening, understanding, and a willingness to reconsider your own perspective. His approach to mentoring emphasizes trust, honest feedback, and investing time in each person’s growth. George also encourages leaders to recognize their triggers and choose how they respond to life’s challenges. His closing advice is simple: trust yourself, look after your team, and lead rather than merely manage. Want to become a more influential leader and build a team that thrives? I believe it starts with understanding people, investing time in them, and being open to learning from one another. Connect with George Spink to explore his perspective on leadership, mentoring, and developing people. 📧 Email: gwspink@gmail.com  💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-spink-7761b05/ 🌐 Visit: https://decoda.com/assets/

  5. Oct 13

    Why You Should Lead With Care, Not Just Authority With Kaine Ogden

    Kaine Ogden described influence as earning people’s buy-in and said it grows when leaders take risks and make difficult decisions. He reflected on nearly eight years in the Australian Army, where both strong and poor leaders shaped the leader he wanted to become. One senior leader initially seemed abrasive, but Kaine came to understand that his approach was rooted in genuine care and experience, which led Kane to advocate for him. A 2016 podcast by Tom Bilyeu sparked Kaine’s interest in personal development, entrepreneurship, and reading. Since leaving the military, Kaine has built a jet ski training business and works in leadership development. Takeaways: Influence takes courage: Leaders can earn their team’s trust by taking risks and making difficult decisions. Learn from leadership—good and bad: Kaine’s military experience helped him identify the kind of leader he wanted to become. Care builds buy-in: Authority matters, but people are more likely to follow leaders when they believe those leaders genuinely care about them. Timeline: 00:00 Influence, risk, and lonely leadership 00:39 Podcast introduction 04:13 Defining influence 05:01 Influence and risk 07:05 Kaine’s path to the military 09:54 Lessons from poor leadership 11:43 Authority, trust, and leadership 13:08 The leader behind the harsh exterior 15:07 Trust and vulnerability 16:57 Care as a leadership principle 18:01 Influences after military service 18:41 Tom Bilyeu and personal growth 20:40 Quest Nutrition and Bruce Cardenas 22:18 Closing remarks Conclusion: Leadership influence grows when people take responsibility for difficult choices and earn trust through courage and genuine care. Kaine’s experience shows how learning from both positive and poor leadership can guide a more supportive, credible approach. Connect with Kaine Ogden: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaine-ogden/  Email kaine.ogden@icloud.com  Website https://www.standleadership.com/

  6. Oct 11

    Leadership Lessons: Why Struggle Makes Us Stronger with Elena Chirich

    Elena Chirich reflects on the leaders who shaped her journey, from astronaut Valentina Tereshkova to Margaret Thatcher and Jacinda Ardern. She explains how embracing authentic leadership led her from corporate transformation work to supporting children’s growth. Her approach centers on helping people feel capable through safe challenges, trust, and room to learn from mistakes. Elena also discusses psychological safety and why leaders and parents should praise effort and decision-making rather than results alone. She closes with a call for servant leadership that helps others grow and go further. Takeaways: Help people feel capable, not merely comfortable. Offer safe challenges that stretch team members and children just beyond their comfort zones, supporting growth without overwhelming them. Make mistakes safe to learn from. Responding to mistakes with curiosity rather than punishment encourages people to take initiative, try new things, and improve. Praise effort and decisions, not just outcomes. Recognizing the choices and work behind a result helps people build confidence without tying their self-worth solely to achievement. Quotes: Don’t make them feel comfortable, but make them capable Struggle makes us stronger When you see them making good decisions. Praise that, not the results Timestamp: 00:00 The Power of Influence 00:46 The Leaders Who Shaped Elena 03:46 Discovering Authentic Leadership 06:28 Finding Purpose Beyond Corporate Life 09:13 Rethinking Leadership 13:53 Creating Safe Challenges 15:00 Psychological Safety and Learning from Mistakes 18:42 Praising Effort and Decisions 25:23 Servant Leadership Conclusion: Elena Chirich’s experiences show how leadership can evolve from rigid expectations toward authenticity, empathy, and purpose. Her approach helps people grow through safe challenges rather than keeping them comfortable. When mistakes are treated as opportunities to learn, people are more willing to take initiative and grow. Praising effort and thoughtful decisions builds confidence beyond results alone. Ultimately, servant leadership means helping others go further and achieve more than they could on their own.   Ready to help children and teams grow into their full potential? Connect with Elena Chirich to explore authentic, supportive leadership and ways to help others thrive. 📧 Email: elena@miniboss-school.com.au  💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-chirich/ 🌐 Visit: https://au.miniboss-school.com/founders-welcome/

  7. Oct 8

    What Does It Mean to Lead Through Influence, Trust, and Consistency? with Kaushik Sridhar

    Dr. Kaushik Sridhar, founder of Orka Advisory, shares how his experiences in sport, sustainability, and education shaped his understanding of influence. He explains why influence comes from impact, trust, credibility, and consistency, not job titles or authority. Drawing on his personal journey, he reflects on resilience and the lessons that helped him grow. You’ll also hear practical ways to navigate resistance to change, influence senior leaders, and build support without formal authority. His closing message is simple: true influence is measured by how much better people are because you were part of their journey.   Takeaways: Influence is about impact, not authority. Build it through trust, credibility, consistency, and a positive effect on others. Meet resistance with curiosity. Listen to understand its source, clarify the purpose, reduce uncertainty, involve people, and lead by example. Influence is built through everyday actions. Listen deeply, communicate clearly, act consistently, and aim to leave people better than you found them.   Quotes: For me, influence isn't measured by how many people know your name. For me, influence is measured by how many people are better off because you were a part of their journey. Influence is not about control; it's about helping people see the value of moving in a particular direction and making it easier for them to say yes. Listen deeply, communicate clearly, and act consistently.   Timestamp: 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Kaushik Sridhar 04:01 Defining Influence 07:17 Personal and Professional Influences 10:17 Kaushik’s Tennis Journey 12:04 Overcoming Childhood Trauma 17:14 The Art of Winging It 19:24 Influencing Without Authority 23:38 Navigating Resistance to Change 26:44 Teaching, Coaching, and Sustainability Advisory 30:51 Managing Up and Challenging with Respect 35:23 Building Everyday Influence 42:50 Storytelling and Public Speaking 44:18 A Life of Positive Influence   Conclusion: Dr. Kaushik Sridhar’s perspective shows that influence is built through positive impact, not titles or authority. Trust, credibility, and consistency help people move forward together. When change meets resistance, curiosity, clear communication, and genuine involvement can turn uncertainty into ownership. His journey also reminds us that hardship can shape resilience and open new paths for growth. Ultimately, meaningful influence is measured by whether others are better off because you were part of their journey. Ready to turn sustainability into strategic advantage and create a more positive impact? Connect with Dr. Kaushik Sridhar, founder and CEO of Orka Advisory, to explore sustainability and ESG advisory, executive coaching, teaching, and speaking, focused on helping people and organizations move forward. 📧 Email: kaushik@orkaadvisory.com 💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaushiksridhar83/ 🌐 Visit: https://www.orkaadvisory.com/

  8. Oct 6

    The Hard Truth About Career Growth with David Neal

    David Neal, veteran and CEO of Eighth Mile Consulting, shares a practical perspective on influence, leadership, and management. He explains why leaders need to adapt their approach to the context, shifting between clear protocols, operational trade-offs, and strategic contradictions. The conversation explores how facilitation can help people learn how to think rather than simply follow fixed rules. Drawing on his work with ex-incarcerated veterans, Neal discusses building rapport, accountability, and lasting behavior change. He closes with a challenge for aspiring leaders: take responsibility and accept risk on behalf of others to grow your influence.   Takeaways: Influence depends on context. Effective leaders adapt their approach to the situation rather than relying on a single leadership style or fixed rule. Leadership and management serve different functions. Leadership focuses on people and change; management creates systems and order. Strong leaders know when to shift between them. Influence grows through responsibility. Neal argues that leaders build trust by accepting risk on others' behalf and taking responsibility when things go wrong.   Quotes: People’s influence is directly proportional to the level of personal risk they’re willing to accept on others' behalf. If you want more influence, accept more risk and when it goes wrong, take the hit. It’s a very dangerous game to teach people what to think in leadership. It’s a game of how to think.   Timestamp: 00:00:23 Welcome to the Leaders of Influence Podcast 00:03:38 Defining Influence 00:04:58 Leadership and Management 00:11:18 Facilitation Over Presentation 00:13:23 Why Context Matters 00:17:25 Leadership at Different Levels 00:20:48 Navigating Leadership Paradoxes 00:30:48 Learning from Experience 00:33:46 Information Overload and Decision-Making 00:39:24 Building Rapport and Accountability 00:45:50 Growing Eighth Mile Consulting 00:51:47 Responsibility, Risk, and Influence Conclusion: David Neal’s insights show that influence is built through understanding context and adapting how you lead. Leadership and management require different approaches, and effective leaders know when to shift between them. Rather than relying on rigid rules, leaders can help people learn how to think through complex situations. Neal also emphasizes that lasting change calls for both meaningful goals and personal accountability. Ultimately, influence grows when leaders take responsibility and accept risk on behalf of others. Want to build stronger leadership and a culture where people can thrive? Connect with David Neal at Eighth Mile Consulting to explore practical leadership development, coaching, and culture change designed around your organization’s context and goals. 📧 Email: david.neal@eighthmile.com.au 💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-j-neal/ 🌐 Visit: https://www.eighthmile.com.au/

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Welcome to ”Leaders of Influence Podcast,” the podcast dedicated to helping you uncover and harness the power of your unique voice. Whether you’re a leader, an entrepreneur, a parent, or someone looking to make a difference, this podcast will guide you through strategies and insights to amplify your influence. Join us as we explore stories, tips, and actionable advice from industry experts and thought leaders to help you step into your full potential and leave a lasting impact on the world around you. Tune in and start leading with influence today!

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