Make it meaningful - why real-time recognition is a corporate culture building block

Do good, make a difference and have fun while doing it - that’s Susie Walford’s leadership philosophy and it serves her well as General Manager Federal Self Insurance at EML (Employers Mutual Limited). A veteran of the claims management industry, Susie was thrust into people leadership with little tools or training, using her innate people skills and commitment to her clients to create a corporate culture of shared ownership… and a little bit of silliness. Susie shares her refreshing leadership principles for creating happy, productive teams, silencing the inner critic and seeking out constructive counsel.

Why you should listen: leadership strategies for high performing teams

• How healthy tensions help create corporate culture
• Having fun as a leadership mindset
• Leadership principles for discovering ‘superpowers’

We explore a leadership framework for self-belief:

• Building a leadership sounding board
• A leadership strategy for seeking counsel
• Honing leadership instincts around relationships and trust

👉🏼 Want to share your experience? Ask a question? Share a resource? Jump on our podcast Facebook page here.

Shownotes: www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-principles-susie-walford

About Susie Walford:

Susie Walford is the General Manager Federal Self Insurance at EML (Employers Mutual Limited) managing personal injury claims for Government and private employers. She has been a leader in personal injury claims management, working for large insurers to manage workers compensation and personal injury claims, for 30 years.

Susie’s teams have been consistently recognised as high performing, and as the highest engaged in the organisations she has worked for.  For Susie, next-level customer service and highly engaged teams go hand in hand.

Susie has worked with Zoe as a coach and confidante for over 20 years, and Zoe knows all of her secrets!

Recommendation:

Susie’s taking a break from reading and getting leadership inspiration from the TV show Ted Lasso instead.

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About our sponsor, Innerplicity:

Innerplicity is an innovative online professional development and leadership training provider with courses and community to support ‘wisdom in the workplace’. There’s so much to choose from, from leading through uncertainty to inner wellness and Innerplicity is offering $100 off its programs to our podcast listeners. Follow the link below to find out more and use code ZOE100 at checkout to claim your discount.

www.innerplicity.com/ref/zoerouth

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Related episodes on leadership principles:

200 A great leadership mindset begins with meaning and purpose

168 The importance of kindness in leadership with Rory Byrne

135 Craig Dower puts his leadership effectiveness down to focussing on people first

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About your host,  Canberra leadership expert Zoë Routh:

Zoë Routh is one of Australia’s leading experts on people stuff - the stuff that gets in our way of producing results, and the stuff that lights us up. She works with the growers, makers, builders to make people stuff fun and practical.

Zoë is the author of four books: Composure - How centered leaders make the biggest impact,  Moments - Leadership when it matters most, Loyalty - Stop unwanted staff turnover, boost engagement, and build lifelong advocates, and People Stuff - Beyond Personalities: An advanced handbook for leadership. People Stuff was awarded Book of the Year 2020 by the Smart WFM Australian Business Book Awards.

Zoë is also the producer of The Zoë Routh Leadership Podcast.

www.zoerouth.com