Work Savvy

Why do two equally capable leaders follow the exact same routine, yet one thrives while the other burns out?
In this episode of Work Savvy, Karen is joined by executive performance advisor and author Alessandra Edwards to explore the core concepts behind her book, The DNA of Performance: Your Blueprint for Leading with Unstoppable Energy and Resilience. Together, they unpack why generic advice on time management, sleep, and exercise often falls short - and why understanding your unique biology is the missing link to sustainable high performance.
Alessandra shares how the latest science in genomics, nutrition, and neuroscience can help leaders identify their "DNA Energy Signature" and build a customized blueprint for focus, resilience, and vitality. They discuss practical ways to work with your biology instead of against it, allowing leaders to sustain peak energy without risking burnout.
To learn more about optimizing your executive performance and building sustainable team engagement, explore our leadership development solutions at Corporate Dojo
Connect with Karen Gately on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karengately/
Connect with Alessandra Edwards on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alessandraedwards/
Tune in now, and don’t forget to Work... savvy!

How does your relationship with money impact your leadership, your capacity for risk-taking, and your decision-making under pressure?  
In this episode of Work Savvy, Karen sits down with Lou Syphers, an accomplished Mortgage Strategist, Mentor, and the Founder of Melbourne-based financial services firm Abundance & Beyond. The discussion dives into the fascinating intersection of finance, self-worth, and leadership capability. Lou shares her expertise on how financial confidence directly influences the way we show up, guide our teams, and navigate high-stakes choices.
They discuss how navigating major life and identity transitions can act as a catalyst for financial reinvention, and why building genuine financial confidence can completely shift your leadership style. Whether you are leading a corporate team through times of economic uncertainty or seeking to master your own relationship with wealth and risk, this conversation offers practical strategies and human-centered wisdom to help you lead differently.
Level up your leadership capability: Discover how we help leaders build high-performing cultures at Corporate Dojo.
Connect with Karen: LinkedIn
Connect with Lou Syphers on LinkedIn
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How do leaders navigate unprecedented disruption, changing workforce expectations, and rapid technological shifts without getting caught in a cycle of reactive chaos?
In this episode of Work Savvy, Karen sits down with Chris Power, founder of Power Projects and author of the whitepaper Inflection Leadership. Together, they explore what it takes to lead ahead of the curve during critical turning points - or "inflection points" - where external pressures like AI, market instability, and shifting employee expectations demand a new approach to strategy and culture. Chris shares key insights on why most workers now cite "hope" as their most needed leadership trait and how leaders can provide an optimistic, clear vision to galvanise their teams.
They dive into the core framework of Inflection Leadership and offer practical guidance for stepping out of the operational grind, creating alignment, and building resilient operating systems. If you’re ready to stop scrambling to survive change and start turning complexity into growth, this episode is a must-listen.
To learn more about strengthening your leadership capability and aligning your team for sustainable growth, explore our training and coaching solutions at Corporate Dojo.
Connect with Karen Gately on LinkedIn
Connect with Chris Power on LinkedIn
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Why do even the most talented teams stall when pressure reaches a peak?
In this episode of Work Savvy, Karen is joined by Errol Amerasekera, leadership specialist, author, and Director of Bluestone Edge, to unpack the principles behind his new book, From Fear to Flow: The Adaptive Safety Revolution. Together, they explore why high-performing teams default to defensive, fear-driven behaviours during high-stakes moments and how leaders can shift their culture toward true connection, deep learning, and resilience under pressure.
Errol shares actionable insights into "Adaptive Safety" - a framework designed to go beyond basic psychological safety to help teams speak candidly and adapt swiftly as conditions change. They discuss the micro-behaviours that subtly impact culture, how to maintain high standards without sacrificing trust, and practical strategies for embedding sustainable habits into everyday work.
To learn more about how to build resilient, high-performing teams and elevate your organisation's culture, explore our leadership programs at Corporate Dojo.
Connect with Karen Gately on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karengately/
Connect with Errol Amerasekera on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/errol-amerasekera-a254154/
Tune in now, and don’t forget to Work... savvy!

Research shows that up to 80% of workers feel disengaged, leaving many people stuck, exhausted, or simply going through the motions at work and in life. This week, Karen is joined by performance consultant, podcast host, and founder of The Better Life Lab, Andrew Horsfield, for a practical conversation about how to avoid becoming one of them.
In this episode, they unpack why so many capable people lose momentum, how burnout quietly takes hold, and what it really takes to reset your direction, rebuild energy, and perform at your best — both professionally and personally.
Drawing on two decades of experience working across business, education, and elite sport, Andrew shares practical insights into navigating the “messy middle,” overcoming self-doubt, aligning your time and energy with what matters most, and turning struggle into genuine growth.
If you are ready to reset your direction and move forward with clarity, confidence, and purpose, this conversation is your ultimate playbook.
Connect with Karen on LinkedIn: Karen Gately LinkedIn
Elevate your team's performance: Discover our tailored leadership and cultural programs at Corporate Dojo.
Connect with Andrew Horsfield on LinkedIn now! Andrew Horsfield LinkedIn
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This week on Work Savvy, Karen is joined by international speaker, innovation expert, and author Dom Thurbon to explore the power of honesty in leadership, workplace culture, and high performance.
In this conversation, they unpack why the best teams are the ones willing to face reality, challenge assumptions, and have the conversations others avoid. From performance issues and emerging risks through to innovation and decision making, Dom shares why truth is not just a moral ideal — it’s a practical driver of learning, trust, growth, and better business outcomes.
Drawing on insights from his new book To Be Honest, Dom explores how leaders can move beyond “polite silence” to create cultures where people feel safe to speak openly, challenge ideas, and contribute honestly.
If you’re ready to build a culture where truth thrives and performance follows, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss.
Connect with Karen: LinkedIn
Level up your leadership: Explore our latest programs and workshops at Corporate Dojo
Connect with Dom Thurbon: LinkedIn
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While much has been said about traditional workplace bullying, there is an under-recognised but growing behavior that is quietly eroding modern organizations: Upward Bullying. This week, Karen is joined by Maureen Kyne, a global authority on workplace culture, to discuss how staff undermining or intimidating those in authority can cripple a team's success.
Maureen shares her straight-talking approach to rebuilding authority and restoring trust within boards and executive teams. We dive into her "Tranquil Leadership" framework, designed to help leaders move beyond mere compliance to create cultures of genuine accountability and respect.
If you are looking to strengthen your leadership presence and stop the cycle of workplace conflict, this conversation is essential listening.
Connect with Karen: Karen Gately LinkedIn
Rebuild your team's culture: Explore our leadership advisory services at Corporate Dojo.
Connect with Maureen Kyne on LinkedIn now! Maureen Kyne LinkedIn

Leadership has never been harder, and with 47% of managers reporting severe stress, burnout has become the new norm rather than a looming risk. This week, Karen is joined by Graeme Cowan—founding director of R U OK? and author of the new book Great Leaders Care—to discuss why care is a competitive leadership advantage, not a "soft" skill.
In this episode, we explore how the best leaders deliver sustainable results by prioritizing wellbeing alongside performance. We unpack Graeme’s evidence-based framework for building safe, resilient teams that can perform under pressure without burning out.
If you want to become the leader your people want to follow while still hitting your organizational targets, this conversation is for you.
Connect with Karen: LinkedIn
Level up your leadership: Discover how we help teams thrive at Corporate Dojo.
Connect with Graeme Cowan on LinkedIn now! Graeme Cowan LinkedIn

In a world defined by AI disruption, global conflict, and constant workplace pressure, the most critical capability isn’t a new piece of technology - it’s the human skill of communicating well under pressure. This week, Karen sits down with communication specialist and acclaimed author Leah Mether to unpack how leaders can navigate high-stakes conversations without damaging relationships or culture.
Leah shares her "Five C’s" model to help teams shift from knowing what to do to actually doing it. We discuss why avoiding hard conversations is damaging your team’s performance and why "clarity is kindness" when it comes to reducing workplace conflict.
If you’re ready to move past personality clashes and lead with more courage and control, this episode is a must-listen.
Connect with Karen: LinkedIn
Master the human skills of leadership: Check out our latest training at Corporate Dojo.
Connect with Leah Mether on LinkedIn now! Leah Mether LinkedIn

In this powerful episode of Work Savvy, Karen catches up with Vinisha Rathod again. Vinisha is an accomplished keynote speaker, advisor, and author. Together they discuss a critical issue that often remains hidden in the workplace: The role organizations play in reducing domestic violence. Vinisha sheds light on the reality of coercive control and explains why a workplace is often the only safe haven for those experiencing abuse.
This episode is essential for leaders who want to move beyond basic policy and build a culture of genuine safety and resilience. By taking these steps, companies don't just manage risk; they gain a competitive advantage through higher engagement and deep-seated loyalty.  And frankly, we think it’s the right thing to do.
Connect with Karen: Follow Karen on LinkedIn for more insights on building high-performance, human-centric cultures.
Strengthen Your Culture: At Corporate Dojo, we help leaders master the emotional intelligence and leadership skills needed to navigate complex workplace challenges. Explore our leadership development programs at www.corporatedojo.com.
Connect with Vinisha: Find Vinisha Rathod on LinkedIn to learn more about her work in social impact and organizational responsibility. Her article can be found here: https://ceoworld.biz/2025/09/03/how-organizations-can-play-a-bigger-part-in-reducing-domestic-violence/
Tune in now, and don’t forget to Work... savvy!