Exceptional Leadership: Practical Advice for First Time and Emerging Managers

Mathew Hamilton
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Exceptional Leadership is the podcast for first-time and emerging managers who want practical guidance on leading people with confidence. If you’ve recently stepped into leadership and find yourself managing former peers, handling difficult conversations, running meetings, or trying to earn trust from your team - this show is for you. Each fortnight we breakdown the real challenges new managers face: giving feedback, setting expectations, building trust, and dealing with underperformance. Mathew is an experienced people leader and holds an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business.

  1. FEB 8

    #59 How Michael Jordan and Andy Murray Handle Failure - The Ritual of Elite Performers

    How do elite performers respond to failure and what can leaders learn from it? In this episode, we examine how some of the world’s greatest competitors—Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Serena Williams, and Andy Murray—respond to loss, mistakes, and setbacks. Rather than avoiding failure, these elite performers follow deliberate failure response rituals that allow them to extract lessons, reset emotionally, and return sharper. We then bring those insights out of elite sport and into the boardroom, exploring how leaders can build their own failure response rituals to improve decision-making, resilience, and performance under pressure. Importantly, this episode challenges the idea that rumination is always bad. We discuss why you don’t want rumination eliminated completely, how short, structured reflection can be productive, and where the line is crossed into unhelpful mental looping that damages confidence and leadership presence. If you’re a leader, executive, or high performer who wants to fail better, recover faster, and lead more effectively, this episode provides practical, transferable lessons you can apply immediately.

    16 min

  2. JAN 16

    #58 David Goggins’ Cookie Jar Theory: Building Mental Strength & Calm Leadership in Times of Change

    In this episode, we break down David Goggins’ Cookie Jar Theory and why it’s such a powerful mental framework for leaders navigating stress, uncertainty, and organisational change. The Cookie Jar Theory is about deliberately storing past wins, hard moments, and personal proof of resilience — then drawing on those experiences when pressure rises. For leaders, this isn’t about motivation or hype. It’s about maintaining calm clarity, emotional control, and long-term vision when others are looking to you for direction. We’ll explore how this concept helps leaders: Build mental strength and emotional resilienceStay grounded and focused during high-stress periodsLead with clarity and stability instead of reactivityMaintain confidence and perspective when change feels overwhelmingIf you’re leading a team through uncertainty, transformation, or sustained pressure, this episode offers a practical way to strengthen your internal leadership — so you can show up with calm, consistency, and conviction when it matters most.

    16 min

  3. 12/03/2025

    #57 2025 in Review: Hiring Smarter, Developing Leaders, Managing Stress & Protecting Culture

    We wrap up 2025 with a recap of the year’s most important leadership lessons. This episode brings together four critical themes every modern leader needs to master if they want to build high-performing teams and sustain long-term success. We start by unpacking how great leaders interview effectively, including how to look past nerves, ask the right behavioural questions, and identify key red flags. You’ll learn why a conflict-management question is non-negotiable and how to create an interview environment where candidates can genuinely show their best selves. Next, we explore the importance of properly appointing and developing new leaders. We outline why motivation matters, what happens when organisations promote without training, and how poor leadership appointments can erode performance, culture, and morale. We then revisit our conversations on self-optimisation and stress management, discussing why leaders must avoid “red lining” and how unmanaged stress can damage decision-making, wellbeing, and relationships outside of work. Finally, we dive into the role leaders play in protecting organisational culture, highlighting why you can never avoid difficult conversations with problematic employees—and how timely, honest dialogue preserves standards, performance, and team trust. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, this episode offers practical insights to help you hire better, lead smarter, operate sustainably, and strengthen your workplace culture.

    25 min

  4. 10/24/2025

    #56 The Fire Within - Turn Adversity into Fuel

    In this episode of The Exceptional Leadership Podcast, we explore how strong leaders turn adversity, suffering, and challenge into growth, resilience, and purpose. Adversity is inevitable — but great leaders use it as fuel. Drawing powerful lessons from Neil Danaher’s inspiring response to his MND diagnosis, this episode dives into how to build resilience, lead through hardship, and develop a mindset of strength and determination. Learn how adversity can become your greatest teacher, why resilience is a core leadership skill, and how to cultivate perseverance, emotional intelligence, and courage when everything feels against you. Perfect for anyone interested in leadership development, personal growth, overcoming adversity, motivation, mindset, and resilience, this episode will help you turn life’s toughest challenges into your greatest leadership advantage.

    25 min

  5. 10/18/2025

    #55 Sometimes You Have to Let Them Fail — A Hard Truth About Leadership

    As leaders, our instinct is to step in, protect our people, and prevent failure. But sometimes, the most powerful growth happens when we don’t intervene. In this episode of The Exceptional Leadership Podcast, we explore why great leaders must occasionally let their team members fail — and how those moments can lead to deeper accountability, resilience, and long-term success. You’ll learn: Why protecting people from failure can actually hold them backHow to recognise when to step in — and when to step backThe psychology of learning through mistakesHow to turn failure into lasting growth within your team If you’ve ever struggled with watching someone make a mistake you could’ve prevented, this episode will challenge your instincts and strengthen your leadership mindset. 🎧 Tune in to The Exceptional Leadership Podcast for practical leadership insights every week — built for modern leaders who want to grow, inspire, and perform at their best. 🔗Links to Socials: Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/exceptional_leadership_podcast?igsh=MXh0bWk1ZGgyMXduaA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/1Adr7WJa8o/?mibextid=wwXIfr LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathew-hamilton-35a392ba?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app YouTube https://youtube.com/@exceptionalleadershippodcast?si=pYEO5MjAJ4xwV-6v Mathew Hamilton leads a high performing team of professionals and has worked across numerous industries in both the public and private sector.  He holds an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business.

    16 min
  6. #54 Direct vs Indirect Leadership: Applying Sun Tzu’s Energy Principle to Business

    10/05/2025

    #54 Direct vs Indirect Leadership: Applying Sun Tzu’s Energy Principle to Business

    Send us a text In this episode of The Exceptional Leadership Podcast, we explore Sun Tzu’s “Energy” chapter from The Art of War — and how its ancient wisdom applies to modern corporate leadership. Discover how mastering the balance between direct and indirect energy can transform the way you lead your team, make decisions, and drive results. We’ll unpack what “energy” means in a business context — from the direct approach of leading meetings, negotiating deals, and having tough conversations, to the indirect approach of delegation, influence, and strategic empowerment. Learn how great leaders know when to act and when to guide from behind the scenes, using momentum and leverage instead of force. If you’ve ever wondered how to lead with precision, efficiency, and strategic intent, this episode offers practical insights drawn from Sun Tzu’s timeless leadership philosophy — reimagined for today’s fast-moving corporate world. 🔗Links to Socials: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/exceptional_leadership_podcast?igsh=MXh0bWk1ZGgyMXduaA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/1Adr7WJa8o/?mibextid=wwXIfr LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathew-hamilton-35a392ba?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app YouTube https://youtube.com/@exceptionalleadershippodcast?si=pYEO5MjAJ4xwV-6v Mathew Hamilton leads a high performing team of professionals and has worked across numerous industries in both the public and private sector. He holds an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business.

    21 min
  7. #53 Think Before You Leap: Leadership Lessons on Avoiding Impulsivity and Costly Assumptions

    09/29/2025

    #53 Think Before You Leap: Leadership Lessons on Avoiding Impulsivity and Costly Assumptions

    Send us a text In this episode of The Exceptional Leadership Podcast, we explore one of the most common traps leaders and professionals fall into: the dangers of impulsivity and jumping to conclusions. From business deals and partnerships to personal relationships and team dynamics, the urge to act fast or assume motives without evidence can cost us dearly. We’ll unpack how rushed decisions can backfire — whether it’s assuming staff know exactly what you want without clear communication, failing to properly assess finances before making a major purchase, or misjudging intentions in a business relationship. Through real-world examples and practical takeaways, you’ll learn why patience, curiosity, and due diligence are essential traits of strong leadership. If you’ve ever found yourself regretting a snap judgment or an impulsive choice, this episode will give you tools to slow down, think clearly, and lead with intention. 🔗Links to Socials: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/exceptional_leadership_podcast?igsh=MXh0bWk1ZGgyMXduaA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/1Adr7WJa8o/?mibextid=wwXIfr LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathew-hamilton-35a392ba?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app YouTube https://youtube.com/@exceptionalleadershippodcast?si=pYEO5MjAJ4xwV-6v Mathew Hamilton leads a high performing team of professionals and has worked across numerous industries in both the public and private sector. He holds an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business.

    18 min
  8. #52 How Leaders Can Use the 5 Languages of Appreciation to Inspire and Motivate Teams

    09/22/2025

    #52 How Leaders Can Use the 5 Languages of Appreciation to Inspire and Motivate Teams

    Send us a text In this episode of The Exceptional Leadership Podcast, we explore how Dr. Gary Chapman’s famous 5 Love Languages can be adapted into the workplace to help leaders communicate more effectively, build trust, and inspire their teams. Known in the corporate world as The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, this framework gives leaders practical tools to recognise, motivate, and connect with their people in ways that truly resonate. You’ll discover how words of affirmation, acts of service, tangible gifts, quality time, and appropriate physical touch translate into powerful leadership practices that boost employee engagement, improve team dynamics, and create a culture of belonging. Whether you’re leading a small team or a large organisation, understanding these languages can help you unlock higher performance and stronger relationships. Tune in to learn how to adapt appreciation to individual team members, avoid the “one-size-fits-all” trap of recognition, and lead with empathy that drives results. 🔗Links to Socials: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/exceptional_leadership_podcast?igsh=MXh0bWk1ZGgyMXduaA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/1Adr7WJa8o/?mibextid=wwXIfr LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathew-hamilton-35a392ba?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app YouTube https://youtube.com/@exceptionalleadershippodcast?si=pYEO5MjAJ4xwV-6v Mathew Hamilton leads a high performing team of professionals and has worked across numerous industries in both the public and private sector. He holds an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business.

    13 min
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About

Exceptional Leadership is the podcast for first-time and emerging managers who want practical guidance on leading people with confidence. If you’ve recently stepped into leadership and find yourself managing former peers, handling difficult conversations, running meetings, or trying to earn trust from your team - this show is for you. Each fortnight we breakdown the real challenges new managers face: giving feedback, setting expectations, building trust, and dealing with underperformance. Mathew is an experienced people leader and holds an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business.

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