Corporate disruptor, mentor, and cancer fighter Julie Hyde aims to empower “leaders to live and lead intentionally” by way of her book (Busy?), podcast (Making it Count), workshops, and engaging keynote speeches.
For more than 20 years, the inspirational Aussie entrepreneur has worked with multi-million-dollar corporations and helped transform “toxic businesses” into ones “at the top of their game”. Verve sat down with her and began by asking what she’s taken from the podcasts so far.
“The podcasts have taught me to embrace my uniqueness and share the power of my story – not something I’ve always been good at,” she says. “Also, we often see so much bad in the world, from wars to pandemics to destructive weather events – sometimes all at the same time. Yet, there is so much beauty in humanity, and so many people out there working hard to make a difference for others. You only have to change your lens of view to find light in darkness.”
Are there any podcasts that have particularly stood out?
“It’s a tough one to answer because although each episode has an inspiring and interesting message, they are very different. The most recent, with Louise Baxter of Starlight Foundation, is certainly up there. She discusses having 100% trust in her employees, rather than them having to earn it – an approach I love – along with the value of ‘Shine’ which grounds her organisation to its purpose and her modern way of leading. Another super-inspiring episode is ‘Stop Playing a Small Game’ in which Dr Amy Silver talks about embracing fear and how we can’t have courage without it.”
Aside from your own podcast – and book – any others you’d recommend aspiring leaders check out?
“There are so many, but I among the most empowering for modern times are Dare to Lead by Brené Brown, Turn the Ship Around by L David Marquet, and Stephen R Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I generally listen to podcasts that enable me to learn through others’ stories, rather than specifically about leadership.”
Julie cites her respect for leaders with “the courage of their conviction”, naming the likes of Rosa Parks, Michelle Obama, Jacinda Ardern, and Winston Churchill as among her most inspirational. Though some are innately born leaders (“such as Nelson Mandela”), Julie believes that others “can be made”, having personally witnessed “many people transition into influential leaders through learning strong leadership skills and building strong leadership foundations”.
“Leadership is a mindset and a choice… you can’t be a leader of others before you’re able to lead yourself.”
I ask when she realised her leadership potential.
“Reflecting back on my life, I believe I had leadership qualities from a young age. I was always very sporty, played a lot of netball and was either captain or coach – I also umpired. I was always one to step forward and take on more responsibility. As I progressed through my career, my leaders could see leadership qualities in me, so I was promoted into leadership roles quite quickly.”
In 2021, Julie was diagnosed with stage three melanoma, with the doctor telling her she’s “in the fight of her life”. Julie’s not the type to back down from a fight.
“My diagnosis quickly put into perspective what was truly important and is building my resilience,” she says. “Leadership requires great resilience and unprecedented levels of behavioural flexibility and adaptability. I don’t believe that to be a great leader you must have experienced adversity or trauma, though such experiences can certainly contribute to personal growth and your empathy and resilience levels.”
Emotional intelligence and well-tuned self-awareness are essential traits for successful leadership, says Julie, as well as an understanding of the power of one’s words and actions and knowing “what’s critical and what’s a distraction”.
“Leadership is a mindset and a choice,” she adds, “and that you can’t be a leader of others before you’re able to lead yourself.”
You’ve previously said that you’d like to live to 103, is there any meaning behind this number, and what would you hope will have been the biggest changes in the business landscape by then?
“No, there’s no meaning behind 103! I hope there are many changes, particularly around leadership hierarchies and business models. These are aspects of the corporate world that must be replaced by broader structures that are more empowering, kind and enable people to shine. My hope is that we understand at a deep level that it’s the people who make business successful. That leaders understand that for people to be at their best, self-care and workplace wellbeing must be routine rather than an agenda item. That we have far more equal workplaces where gender equality isn’t an issue.”
You believe women generally offer a different approach?
“Absolutely – and I’m not saying it’s better or worse. Women just lead in a different way to men. How differently will depend on their mindset, self-confidence, and capabilities. How effectively is down to the individual. I have experienced great female leaders, but also really rotten ones!”
What have been the biggest changes in the landscape during your career so far?
“The biggest change is the ability for people to work flexibly, from anywhere in the world, and provide outstanding value. It’s so empowering and enabling for people to be given the opportunity to produce their best work at a time they work best. Organisations that embrace this are the winners. I hope it improves the ability for working mums to progress further and allow businesses to retain amazing women in their workforce. Gradually leaders are realising people are the power of their business and are becoming kinder and more heart led – at least, a lot more so than when I started working! I’m excited about the younger generations coming through, they think differently and will achieve amazing things.”
Tell us about your workshops?
“Importantly, they’re both interactive and fun! Few things are more boring than having someone simply talk at you for a couple of hours – I consider that a lecture. Getting participants involved helps embed learning, too. I’m also a big believer in accountability so there are always commitments made at the end of the workshop in terms of what participants plan to stop, start, change, and continue.”
Julie says she’s had plenty of great mentors along her corporate journey, beginning with her parents who were “wonderful role models”.
“Advice that’s always stuck with me is to walk your talk and always deliver on promises. Your personal brand is your strongest currency, taking a lifetime to build, but can be destroyed in seconds. Your legacy is the culmination of all your actions, and non-actions.”
And managing your time away from the desk is just as important as you manage your time at it.
“Our brains need downtime and rest, we’re not made to go, go, go all of the time,” says Julie. “Exercise and meditation are my biggest mental health supports, along with the movies and the occasional indulgence of a lovely glass of wine and cheese platter! Also, reading good fiction book before sleeping is said to reduce stress by as much as 60%.”
As for the future, Julie says she’s putting the finishing touches to her signature Keynote, designed to “inspire people to be leaders of their own lives”.
“We all have a choice in how we respond to whatever is thrown at us – we can be the victim or the victor, we can adapt or die, and we can build a mindset that is our superpower. But it is a choice. And I’m really looking forward to sharing this with audiences all over the world.”
Find out more about Julie, including details of her book, her workshops, and her podcast, at juliehyde.com.au.
