Stories aren’t just for Hollywood—they’re the key to better leadership, communication, and culture in the workplace. In this episode, I sit down with Shawn Callahan, storytelling expert and author of Putting Stories to Work, to unpack the power of business storytelling. Shawn shares why the traditional hero’s journey doesn’t work in business, how to naturally weave stories into your communication, and why the stories we tell shape company culture. If you think storytelling isn’t for you, think again—this conversation will change the way you connect, influence, and lead.

[00:00:00] Intro – Why storytelling is a game-changer

[00:02:00] Shawn Callahan on business storytelling and why the hero’s journey is overrated

[00:04:00] Why business stories should feel natural, not scripted

[00:07:00] How leaders can use stories to drive strategy and inspire teams

[00:12:00] The biggest mistake people make when telling stories at work

[00:18:00] How storytelling shapes company culture and drives change

[00:27:00] The power of listening—how to draw out meaningful stories

[00:35:00] Real-world examples of storytelling transforming businesses

[00:44:00] Three key takeaways from today’s conversation

[00:46:00] How to learn more about business storytelling

Shawn Callahan is the founder of Anecdote, one of the world’s leading business storytelling consultancies. As the author of Putting Stories to Work, he helps leaders and teams craft and share compelling stories to drive business impact. With decades of experience in organizational storytelling, Shawn has worked with major brands to build cultures of influence, engagement, and trust. He also co-hosts the Anecdotally Speaking podcast, where he shares powerful business stories that can be retold to inspire action.

🔗 Resources & Links:

• Shawn Callahan’s website & blog: anecdote.com
• Shawn’s book – Putting Stories to Work: Grab a copy
• Follow Tim on LinkedIn: Tim Newbold on LinkedIn

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In this episode of Strategy Candy, Tim Newbold dives into one of the most debated topics in business leadership—should OKRs be tied to performance management? Tim breaks down the benefits and risks of linking these two critical processes, offering a fresh perspective on how to drive results without stifling creativity or stressing your team out. With practical tips on creating accountability, tracking progress, and fostering a culture where failure is safe and learning is key, this episode is packed with actionable insights for leaders who want to get the most out of their teams.

Timestamps:

[00:00] – Intro: Why Linking OKRs and Performance Management is a Hot Topic

[01:00] – Understanding the Difference: Performance Management vs. OKRs

[03:20] – Why Traditional Goal-Setting Might Be Holding Your Team Back

[04:50] – Can Bonuses really drive better performance?

[06:00] – Team-Based OKRs: Why They’re the Secret to Success

[08:30] – The Magic of Stretch Goals: Creating Safe Space for Failure

[11:00] – How to Measure Success: It’s Not About Hitting the Target

[14:00] – The 5 Key Behaviors Every Leader Should Look for in Their Team

[16:30] – Celebrating Wins: Why Thanking Your Team is a Game-Changer

[18:00] – Wrapping Up: How to Make OKRs and Performance Reviews Work Together

Check the OKR Quickstart website: okrquickstart.com

https://okrquickstart.com/

Follow Tim Newbold:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/timnewbold/

https://www.instagram.com/okr.tim/

In this episode of Strategy Candy, Tim Newbold sits down with Samantha McIntyre, a seasoned CIO who’s held leadership roles at powerhouse companies like L’Oreal, Woolworths, and Suzanne Group. Samantha shares her unique journey from starting on a help desk to becoming a major player in Australia’s corporate world. She’s got a knack for authentic, people-first leadership, and in this conversation, she breaks down how leaders at any level can use similar strategies to build connected, resilient teams. Samantha also dives into what it takes to create more gender equity in traditionally male-dominated fields, offering practical tips for supporting women in leadership and helping everyone achieve their potential.

Tim and Samantha discuss actionable career-boosting moves, the art of navigating work-life balance, and the surprising power of resilience, teamwork, and culture in transforming organizations. If you’re looking for straightforward, inspiring advice on climbing the career ladder and leading with empathy, this episode is a must-listen.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] – Intro to the episode and Samantha’s impressive background.
• [02:11] – Samantha’s journey from help desk to the C-suite: saying "yes" to opportunity and pushing herself forward.
• [06:15] – Breaking into male-dominated fields: Samantha’s experience as a woman in tech and leadership.
• [10:59] – Seeing the gaps: How Samantha realized there was a need to empower women in senior roles.
• [12:30] – The reality of gender bias: Why fewer women hold P&L positions and why that matters.
• [17:00] – Practical tips for building gender diversity: How leaders can create a more inclusive culture.
• [23:55] – Samantha’s top strategies for fast-tracking your career, starting from where you are.
• [31:05] – The impact of accountability: How to keep career goals on track.
• [33:56] – What to avoid in leadership: Busy culture, lazy leadership, and saying “I’m too busy.”
• [36:38] – Lessons from a challenging year: Building resilience and adapting to remote leadership.
• [39:30] – The importance of mutual support and building strong connections with your team.
• [43:05] – Book recommendations: Untamed by Glennon Doyle and other titles on Samantha’s reading list.
• [44:26] – Wrapping up: Tim shares final takeaways and Samantha’s advice for staying true to your goals.

Guest Bio:

Samantha McIntyre is a highly respected CIO and executive who has led technology and business transformation at iconic brands like L’Oreal, Woolworths, and Suzanne Group. Known for her people-centered approach to leadership, Samantha brings a wealth of experience in creating inclusive, high-performance cultures. A champion for women in leadership, she actively mentors and advocates for gender diversity in traditionally male-dominated fields, especially in tech. Samantha is passionate about empowering the next generation of leaders and sharing practical, real-world insights on career progression and personal growth.

Check the OKR Quickstart website: okrquickstart.com

https://okrquickstart.com/

Follow Tim Newbold:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/timnewbold/

https://www.instagram.com/okr.tim/

Summary: In this episode, Tim sits down with Peter Forbes, founder of HR Onboard, which he grew from a startup into a thriving business acquired by Elmo Software. Peter shares his path from a young developer to a tech entrepreneur, offering insights into what it takes to create a purpose-driven, people-first company. This conversation goes beyond typical startup advice to reveal why a strong company culture is the real game-changer in any business journey. Whether you’re an early-stage founder or a seasoned leader, you’ll learn powerful tips for creating a high-performing team and positioning a business for acquisition. Plus, Tim and Peter dive into how OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) can help pinpoint focus, avoid distractions, and accelerate growth.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] – Tim introduces Peter Forbes and the journey of HR Onboard.
• [00:02] – Peter’s early days: From developer to entrepreneur.
• [00:07] – The importance of freedom, independence, and building a team.
• [00:14] – Navigating through a diversified business: Why focus matters.
• [00:19] – How to choose your business path based on passion, not profit.
• [00:24] – Building a values-driven company: The “Robot, Monkey, Spaceman” framework.
• [00:30] – Real talk on hiring and firing: Why alignment with core values is critical.
• [00:38] – The power of strategic agility: Adjusting direction without losing focus.
• [00:45] – Lessons learned from burnout and the struggle of “doing it all.”
• [00:55] – Peter’s next venture: Ensuring payroll compliance across industries.
• [00:57] – Tim’s top takeaways and the significance of customer-centered problem-solving.

Guest Bio: Peter Forbes is the founder of HR Onboard, a company he scaled into a successful acquisition by Elmo Software. With a background in software development and deep experience in HR tech, Peter built his business on a foundation of strong company values, customer-centered design, and a relentless focus on culture. A firm believer in keeping things simple, Peter’s journey demonstrates how clarity, purpose, and team alignment can drive sustained growth and long-term success. Now taking a sabbatical, he’s exploring new projects with a focus on payroll compliance tools.

Check the OKR Quickstart website: okrquickstart.com

https://okrquickstart.com/

Follow Tim Newbold:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/timnewbold/

https://www.instagram.com/okr.tim/

Summary:

In this episode of Strategy Candy, Tim Newbold sits down with Mike Ilczynski, former CEO of Seek Asia and Redbubble, for a deep dive into leadership, OKR, and building a purpose-driven culture in high-growth companies. Mike shares his personal journey from strategic roles to CEO, including the wins, challenges, and lessons learned. Together, Tim and Mike discuss the importance of aligning incentives, creating a culture of productive paranoia, and empowering teams through clear strategy and purpose. Mike also opens up about his own leadership evolution, the influence of mentors, and how he learned to pivot his leadership style to serve his teams effectively. If you're interested in real-world insights on how OKR can be a game-changer and what it takes to scale a business with heart, this conversation is packed with practical advice and candid reflections.

Timestamps:

• [00:00:00] Introduction to Mike Ilczynski’s journey and leadership story
• [00:02:04] From McKinsey to Seek: Mike’s entry into strategy and leadership
• [00:04:00] Early experiences at Seek and betting on big opportunities in China
• [00:07:07] Growth journey: From 150 employees to 3,000+ at Seek
• [00:11:35] Building purpose and aligning culture during rapid scale-up
• [00:15:40] Productive paranoia: How Seek maintained competitive vigilance
• [00:22:00] Strategy essentials: Purpose, clear communication, and the role of the board
• [00:24:49] Aligning incentives with long-term goals for sustainable growth
• [00:30:00] Leadership behaviors and consistency during organizational change
• [00:31:48] OKR at Seek: Origins, implementation, and lessons learned
• [00:35:40] Embracing learning OKR and experimentation within product teams
• [00:38:10] Overcoming top-down leadership and enabling bottom-up innovation
• [00:44:00] Personal leadership growth: Lessons from executive coaching
• [00:46:21] Book recommendations: The Hard Thing About Hard Things and Man’s Search for Meaning
• [00:48:54] Final thoughts: Adapting leadership to serve teams and foster trust

Guest Bio:

Mike Ilczynski is an accomplished business leader with an impressive career-spanning strategy and executive roles. As former CEO of Seek Asia Pacific and Redbubble, Mike has driven growth and innovation in some of Asia-Pacific’s most successful tech companies. Known for his people-centered approach and strategic insight, Mike led Seek through rapid international expansion and played a key role in embedding a purpose-driven, results-focused culture. Today, Mike is passionate about helping leaders build organizations that are both high-performing and fulfilling for their teams. His leadership philosophy emphasizes purpose, strategic clarity, and the power of OKR to unify teams and drive measurable impact.

Check the OKR Quickstart website: okrquickstart.com

https://okrquickstart.com/

Follow Tim Newbold:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/timnewbold/

https://www.instagram.com/okr.tim/

In the debut episode of Strategy Candy, host Tim Newbold dives deep into the essentials of OKRs (Objectives and Key Results). Discover why this game-changing framework has powered companies like Google and LinkedIn to incredible growth and how you can implement it to unlock focus, alignment, and measurable progress. Tim shares the foundational steps, the most common pitfalls, and practical insights to set OKRs that work. Whether you're new to OKRs or looking to refine your process, this episode is packed with actionable advice to take your strategy to the next level.

Timestamps:

• [00:00:00] Welcome to Strategy Candy: Exploring OKRs
• [00:01:00] What Are OKRs and Why Do They Matter?
• [00:02:50] The Origins of OKRs: From Intel to Silicon Valley
• [00:05:24] The Power of Alignment: Connecting Teams Through OKRs
• [00:06:15] Common Mistakes When Setting OKRs
• [00:08:49] Why Weekly Check-ins Drive Success
• [00:10:53] How to Set an OKR: The Step-by-Step Process
• [00:13:00] Writing Inspiring Objectives That Motivate Teams
• [00:14:44] Key Results: Metrics That Define Success
• [00:15:39] Championing OKRs and Building Accountability
• [00:16:14] Reflecting, Learning, and Resetting for Continuous Improvement
• [00:17:02] Where to Find More Resources on OKRs

Check the OKR Quickstart website: okrquickstart.com

https://okrquickstart.com/

Follow Tim Newbold:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/timnewbold/

https://www.instagram.com/okr.tim/

In the debut episode of Strategy Candy, host Tim Newbold introduces the podcast that’s all about strategy, high-performing product teams, and achieving bold goals using the OKR (Objectives and Key Results) framework.

In this episode, you’ll get a glimpse of what's coming up—foundational insights on strategy, change management tips, and inspiring interviews with top industry leaders. Whether you’re leading a startup, a delivery team, or an executive navigating big organizational shifts, this podcast is packed with practical advice and compelling stories to help you level up.

Timestamps:

[00:00] – Intro: Welcome to Strategy Candy!

[00:19] – Meet Your Host: Tim Newbold and His Background

[01:20] – What’s in Store: OKRs, High-Performing Teams, and Strategy

[02:30] – What You Can Expect from the Podcast

[03:40] – OKRs and Strategy: The Power of Focus and Team Alignment

[04:52] – Why Most Strategies Fall Flat (and How to Fix It)

[06:00] – OKRs: What They Are and Why Big Tech Companies Swear By Them

[07:20] – A Sneak Peek at Upcoming Interviews

[08:10] – How You Can Get the Most from Strategy Candy

[09:00] – Coming Up Next: What to Expect in Future Episodes

[10:00] – Closing Remarks: Join Us on This Journey!