In this episode of the Leadership Odysseys leadership podcast, James Rhee, private equity investor, former CEO of Ashley Stewart, Harvard Law graduate and author of red helicopter, shares a powerful redefinition of leadership in business.

This is a conversation about kindness in business, corporate leadership, culture transformation and high performance. James challenges traditional finance and management thinking, arguing that goodwill is a measurable asset and that kindness, when paired with disciplined math, becomes a competitive advantage.

From leading a distressed retail turnaround to teaching leadership at MIT, Howard and Duke, James explains why systems fail when they ignore belonging, dignity and agency. He also shares what modern leaders must understand about trust, long-term value creation and the future of capitalism.

If you care about leadership development, organisational culture, private equity, entrepreneurship or building human-centred systems, this episode will shift your perspective.

How a childhood moment shaped James’s philosophy on agency, belonging and leadership long before titles and capital entered the picture.

James shares how he rebuilt a bankrupt retail company by centring trust, transparency and accountability instead of fear-based management.

Why kindness is not softness. How goodwill compounds like capital and drives measurable performance, innovation and resilience.

Why traditional economic models fail to account for human dignity, and what leaders must redesign inside their organisations.

How psychological safety, agency and trust create sustainable growth in companies and communities.

Leadership is not about control. It is about stewardship.

James Rhee reminds us that long-term performance does not come from pressure alone. It comes from systems that centre humans, leaders who tell the truth, and organisations that measure what truly matters.

Kindness plus math is not a slogan. It is a leadership operating system.

And in a world facing disruption, burnout and distrust, this conversation is not optional. It is necessary.

Connect with James C.Rhee: LinkedIn | Website | Instagram

This episode is brought to you by: Cell Wellness Co

Connect with Kirsty Gee: LinkedIn | Instagram | Website

Leadership is not built in the spotlight. It is built in the quiet decisions that shape who you become when no one is watching. In this episode of Leadership Odysseys, I sit down with Tory Archbold to explore what real leadership looks like when you stop performing and start leading from truth. This conversation moves beyond titles and success to examine voice, self-belief, connection, and the inner work required to lead with clarity and impact.

Tory is a global brand strategist, founder of Powerful Steps, and author of Self-Belief Is Your Superpower. She has spent two decades inside rooms where power and influence are shaped, advising founders, CEOs, and leadership teams across Sydney, Riyadh, and Los Angeles. What makes this conversation powerful is not her résumé, but the depth and honesty she brings to how leadership is actually lived.

• From performance to power Tory shares what shifts when leaders stop proving themselves and start leading from who they truly are. This is a conversation about identity, not optics.
• Why self-belief is a leadership skill We explore how self-belief is built through experience, choice, and courage, not confidence theatre or external validation.
• The role of story in leadership Tory breaks down how owning your story creates trust, authority, and connection, and why not every detail needs to be shared to be authentic.
• The 45 Second Rule A simple but powerful framework for decision-making that helps leaders avoid sitting in fear, overthinking, or old patterns.
• Connection as a strategy, not a soft skill From coffee dates to boundaries, Tory explains how intentional connection shapes opportunity, influence, and long-term impact.

This episode is a reminder that leadership is not about becoming someone new. It is about returning to who you already are, with clarity and intention. If you are navigating a transition, questioning your direction, or redefining what leadership means for you, this conversation will meet you where you are.

Listen in, take a pause, and reflect on this question: Who are you when your story, not your title, leads your life?

If this episode resonated, share it with someone who is in their own messy middle. And as always, keep leading with courage, clarity, and heart.

Connect with Tory Archbold: LinkedIn | Instagram | Website

This episode is brought to you by: Naturally Glutenfree

Connect with Kirsty Gee: LinkedIn | Instagram | Website

Lucy Lin on Leadership, Curiosity, and Building a Non-Linear Career in Technology

Lucy Lin didn’t follow a straight line. She followed her curiosity.

In this episode of Leadership Odysseys, Lucy Lin, award-winning innovation leader, founder of Forestlyn, and host of the Emerging Tech Unpacked podcast, shares her leadership odyssey across technology, STEM, and education. Her path spans startups, corporates, universities, and national tech bodies, shaped by curiosity, clarity, and a deep commitment to ethical leadership.

This is a leadership conversation about navigating fear, building trust, and learning to translate complexity without losing humanity. Lucy reflects on the highs and the quieter lows of building a portfolio career, the mindset shifts required to step beyond corporate structures, and the responsibility that comes with visibility and influence in tech.

At its core, this episode explores what leadership looks like over time. Not just in moments of recognition. But in the choices made when the path is unclear.

• Leadership through curiosity, not conformity Lucy shares how following curiosity became her leadership compass, shaping a non-linear career across five countries and multiple industries in technology and STEM.
• Translation as a leadership skill Why the ability to make complex technology human is one of the most under-valued leadership capabilities in today’s organisations.
• From corporate leadership to a portfolio career An honest look at the mindset, pace, and identity shifts required when transitioning from corporate roles to a portfolio-based leadership path.
• Fear, isolation, and the unseen weight of leadership Lucy speaks openly about the emotional realities behind visible success, naming fear, self-doubt, and isolation, and how she learned to keep moving forward.
• Building platforms that create access From Forestlyn to Emerging Tech Unpacked, Lucy explains why leadership means creating space for others, particularly women and diverse voices in STEM.

Lucy’s leadership odyssey reminds us that meaningful careers are built through courage, reflection, and sustained contribution. Leadership is not about mastering every technical detail. It is about clarity, trust, and staying human as complexity grows.

This episode will resonate with anyone navigating leadership, career transition, emerging technology, STEM pathways, or a portfolio career built on purpose rather than titles.

Connect with Lucy Lin: LinkedIn | Instagram | Website

Emerging Tech Unpacked: Instagram | You Tube | Website

This episode is brought to you by: Naturally Glutenfree

Connect with Kirsty Gee: LinkedIn | Instagram | Website

Western Sydney University Launch Pad: Website