Light the Fire. Igniting Leadership Conversation.: Recent Episodes
Jon Lasenby
Conversations with great leaders and great teams in business across Te Tauihu New Zealand.Lighting up good practice to inspire and inform.
Kylie and her business partner Michele Wilson founded and lead a successful indigenous brand that is changing the way people manage their periods, AND which is contributing to ending period poverty in Aotearoa.
Kylie's leadership story consists of seeing an opportunity to make things better for her children, and being determined that she could create a groundbreaking small business that could do things right.
Now their small business is leading the way by revolutionising the way wahine can manage their periods, is leading the way in real sustainable business practice, and is looking to expand globally.
This is a powerful example of how a person can lead with their values, their beliefs and their view that "failure is not an option".
Paul Morgan leads the largest Māori Incorporation in Te Tauihu the Top of the South, was the long time CEO of the Federation of Māori Authorities, and is instrumental in Te Pae Tawhiti the Intergenerational Vision of Wakatū Incorporation.
In this episode he talks about some of his formative experiences growing up in Wellington in the 50's and 60's, his early exposure to Māori land rights and treaty settlement; about leadership in te ao Māori as well as in everyday social institutions; about the different priorities of Māori business and pākehā business; and the long term thinking required to actually address the pressing issues facing the world such as te mana ō te wai the protection of freshwater.
This is a 500 year view of leadership from someone who has dedicated much of their life to that goal.
The reputation of Hortus as an organisation with a great culture is legendary in Te Tauihu. Aaron is the original source of that culture.
He talks here about the purpose of the business being to help it's people achieve their long term success...and he actually means it; about frightening people with sincerity; and about how his dyslexia actually is a superpower which drives his performance in this exceptional Blenheim based business.
Rachel is one of the most recognised and celebrated business leaders of Te Tauihu. Here she talks frankly about her experience of leadership. Topics range from Sustaining your own energy as a leader; Connected team; Loving your team; and Servant Leadership, to Rachel's own path into leadership; Vulnerability; Reflection and Growth; Handling conflict; Clarity of purpose; and Being your self at work.
The Tasman Mako rugby team won the Mitre 10 cup in 2019, winning every game they played.
In this episode, former All Black and Crusader Wyatt Crockett who was a crucial member of the winning team, and CEO of the Tasman union, Tony Lewis talk about the leadership and team work behind the scenes and in the preceding years that allowed the team to perform so well throughout 2019.
They talk about hiring "great human beings"; balancing humility at all levels of the organisation with real commitment and pride in the team; leadership at all levels; the importance of a great culture; and using "themes" to unite a team around values.
This is a story about a sports team that has ideas and inspiration for leaders and teams in any business.
Host Jon Lasenby describes the what and the why of Light the Fire Podcast, setting the scene for a tour of the Top of the South Island, talking with great leaders and great supporters of teamwork across a range of businesses and organisations.
This glimpse into Jon's own background is the prelude to a series of insightful and uplifting conversations where the talent in Te Tauihu is lit up for others to see, to learn from and to be inspired by.
Mauri ora!