In this transformative episode of We Are Human Leaders, we sat down in Sydney with Wendy Smith—renowned expert on paradox and co-author of Both/And Thinking—to explore how shifting from either/or decision-making to both/and thinking can unlock deeper clarity, resilience, and creativity in leadership and life.

Wendy walks us through the concept of paradox: the ongoing, often uncomfortable tensions between seemingly opposing forces (such as stability and change, profit and purpose, or control and flexibility). She shares how these tensions aren't problems to be solved, but dynamics to be navigated, and how ancient wisdom, modern psychology, and business innovation all point to the transformative power of holding space for complexity.

In this conversation, hosts Alexis Zahner and Sally Clarke asked Wendy to unpack:

• The difference between tensions, dilemmas, and paradoxes
• Why binary thinking is limiting—and often harmful
• How leaders and teams can cultivate a paradox mindset
• Practical strategies like the ABCD framework for both/and navigation
• Real-world case studies from IBM, Unilever, and Patagonia
• The link between paradox thinking and ancient Eastern and Indigenous philosophies

This is a conversation that challenges your assumptions and offers tools to lead with greater compassion, nuance, and confidence, especially in times of uncertainty.

Ready to reframe your next challenge not as a dilemma—but as an opportunity? Tune in now, and access the show notes at: www.wearehumanleaders.com/podcast/paradox-thinking-wendy-smith

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Welcome to Brain Snacks: bite sized learning moments from We Are Human Leaders.

In today’s brain snack, Morra Aarons Mele shares with us How to Turn Your Anxiety into a Superpower.

For more, check out the full conversation with Morra right here https://www.wearehumanleaders.com/podcast/rethinkinganxiety

For now, enjoy!

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In this incredible episode we’re discussing The Power of Mattering with Zach Mercurio. We admire Zach’s work, so much so he’s officially our first repeat guest on We Are Human Leaders! His poignant new book The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance is arguably one of the most needed in the world right now!

In this conversation Zach shares with us the damning data on the state of work–despite the billions of dollars of investment made in employee engagement, retention, wellbeing, belonging, you name it–we’re more disengaged and unhappy than ever before. Why? Well because despite it all, we still don’t feel like we truly matter. And this is an innate human need that can’t be overlooked.

Zach shares that “honing the skills to create a culture of significance is at the heart of revitalizing the health of our workplaces and workers.” We couldn’t agree more. Mattering is much more than a means to create productivity and engagement at work. It’s a way of making sure everyone knows that they are innately needed, unique and what they do matters to others. Mattering is a fundamental human needs for all of us, and for that reason alone should be motivation to prioritise it.

Learn more about Zach Mercurio, and find his latest book here:

Find Zach Mercurio on LinkedIn.

Get your copy of The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance from Harvard Business Review Press here.

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