Hey Friend,
Have you ever walked into a conversation expecting the usual surface-level exchanges, only to be surprised by something deeper, richer, and truly meaningful?
Recently, I had the privilege of attending a leadership conference in Sydney, where I participated in an interactive workshop led by Shannon Finch, General Counsel for Westpac Group. Like many, I anticipated a session full of corporate jargon, strategic buzzwords, and a lack of emotional depth. But what I experienced was something entirely different—and incredibly inspiring.
Shannon shared her approach to building a high-performing, connected executive leadership team. Every quarter, she brings her leaders together for an offsite. Nothing groundbreaking about that, right?
But here’s the twist: they spend significant time connecting as humans.
They focus on trust, empathy, and understanding—laying a foundation that allows for fearless, productive conversations about the business. When disagreements or challenges arise, they navigate them without fear of offending or stepping on toes. This safe space, as Shannon described it, is wrapped in both strength and warmth.
So, how does she create this connection?
She begins with two powerful questions:
What are you bringing to the room? (Life-related stuff)
What are you currently being challenged by? (Work-related stuff)
During the session, Shannon asked us to explore these questions in pairs. Within moments, I built a connection with the person next to me—deep, fast, and genuine. It reminded me of the work I’ve been doing with leaders this year: encouraging them to show up fully in conversations, hold space, and connect meaningfully.
Hearing this approach applied by an executive team in one of Australia’s leading banks was a refreshing affirmation - that leadership is moving in the right direction.
💯 Why This Matters for You
If you’re like many of the leaders I work with—motivated, ambitious, and determined—you probably find yourself struggling to balance your drive for results with your desire for genuine connection. You want to succeed without sacrificing your well-being or relationships, but you’re often frustrated by:
A constant flow of work and shifting priorities.
A lack of clarity around expectations.
Negative self-talk and imposter syndrome that leave you doubting your worth.
Low engagement from your team and a sense of burnout creeping in.
The truth is, leadership can feel overwhelming when you’re always in reactive mode. But imagine this instead:
Having the confidence to lead with clarity and calm.
Setting boundaries that protect your time while empowering your team.
Building a culture of trust and accountability where people step up, contribute, and grow.
It starts with intentional conversations—just like the ones Shannon modelled.
⏱️ Ready to Lead with Clarity and Confidence?
I work with leaders like you to help move from overwhelm to calm, from frustration to clarity, and from reactive leadership to strategic focus. My programs are designed to:
Create strong work/life boundaries without losing kindness or approachability.
Build teams that take ownership, engage, and drive results.
Help you reclaim the space to think, plan, and lead intentionally.
If this resonates with you, let’s have a conversation. Together, we can explore how to help you lead with confidence and build a team that moves forward with you.
👉 Book a free discussion here.
Here’s to connecting meaningfully and leading with strength and warmth,
Shelley 😁
