So you want to be a leader... Really? By Defy Expectations

We’re here to explore the highs and lows of leadership today with our guests and help you navigate the complexity of being a leader. From every aspect, from the sublime to the ridiculous and everything in between. With weekly guests from all levels of the organisation.

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Episodes

Thursday Dec 04, 2025

Helen speaks to actor-turned-leadership expert Dominic Colenso about his new book 'Cut-Through: The Pitch and Presentation Playbook', and how leaders can use the power of story, communication and messaging to huge advantage.
Dominic's new book is available now, here
You can find out more about Dominic on his website and YouTube channel

Thursday Dec 18, 2025

In this episode, Helen speaks to Bernadette Smith about the challenges and societal shifts in DEI, the significance of an inclusive 360 approach, and the barriers to achieving true diversity.

Thursday Jan 15, 2026

In this episode, host Helen Honisett discusses the intricacies of leadership and personal branding with guest Lirone Glickman.

Thursday Jan 29, 2026

Helen is joined by Willy Kuhne, to discuss the intricacies of leadership, the importance of consistency, and how self-awareness shapes great leaders.
Willy shares his journey from East Germany to Google, and discusses the role of standards, structure, and ongoing development in building high-performing teams.

Thursday Feb 12, 2026

Helen is joined by Susan M Barber, who delves into the essentials of leadership visibility. Susan shares her personal journey - from being overlooked to becoming an advocate for self-promotion and visibility.

Thursday Feb 26, 2026

Helen speaks to Matt Light, a passionate advocate for people development and leadership in the bids and proposals industry. They discuss the crucial role of bid and proposal teams in generating significant organisational revenue, the challenges of ensuring team wellbeing under high-pressure deadlines, and the importance of breaking out of traditional perceptions to foster leadership qualities within the profession.

Thursday Mar 12, 2026

In this episode, host Helen Honisett speaks with Sean P Shannon about his passion for building high-performing sales teams. They cover Sean's experiences in solution sales, the importance of curiosity and integrity, and the challenges of transitioning from sales to leadership.

Thursday Mar 26, 2026

In this episode, guest Debbie Plager shares her passion for empowering leaders, and discusses the impact of coaching, and the importance of holistic development to drive organisational success.

2 days ago

In this episode of So You Wanna Be a Leader, Really Helen talks with Mark McBride-Wright about rethinking inclusion by engaging the majority. Together they explore how men’s mental health, vulnerability, and the SAFE leadership model can reshape what truly inclusive leadership looks like today.

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