Leadership isn’t just about what you achieve — it’s about how you achieve it. For leaders, ethics can sometimes feel like a big, abstract concept. In reality, your ethics show up in everyday decisions: what you say when someone isn’t in the room, whether you speak up when something doesn’t feel right, how you treat and work with people with less power than you, and whether your actions match your values. As your leadership influence grows, people will watch what you do more closely than what you say. And this is where it gets interesting!

Your reputation is built through hundreds of small choices, particularly the difficult ones where there isn’t an obvious right answer. So your reputation is often based around what you do and how you behave rather than the position you hold or what you say.

“Ethical leadership means having the courage to act with integrity, even when doing so is inconvenient, slow, unpopular or even comes at a personal cost.” – Jo Eady

It also means recognising that you won’t always have all the answers or know what to do. Welcome to the world of leadership. In these situations, I encourage you to ask questions, seek different perspectives and stay open to changing your mind when new information emerges. This is definitely not the time to withdraw or close down.

Here are 5 ways you can become more aware of ethics in leadership and use these to develop yourself as well as those you lead.

1. Know what you stand for – Identify three or four values that genuinely guide your workplace / organisation leadership decisions. When things get complicated, your own values and that of your organisation and team become your compass.

2. Pause before making the easy / faster choice –  Ask yourself: Is this right, or is it simply easier / faster? That small pause can change the quality of a decision. This is really important and the pause may be a day or a week rather than just a moment. Ethical decisions can and should take time to make.

3. Consider who isn’t at the table – Before making an important decision, think about who will be affected but may not have a voice. Seek their perspective where possible. Or at least take time to think about how this will impact them and what this means for them, the team and or organisation.

4. Make your actions match your words – Trust is built through consistency. If you expect accountability, demonstrate it yourself. If you value respect, show it — especially when you disagree. Truth and trust are connected at the hip, you can’t have one without the other.

5. Have the courage to speak up –  Ethical leadership isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being willing to ask the uncomfortable questions, challenge poor behaviours and acknowledge when something isn’t right. It’s about doing hard things and not taking the easy way through or bowing to a colleague / friend or family member. Many of you will already know that I often use language around what’s OK and what’s not OK. In fact this is how I first learned to be able to question things that I didn’t find ethical.

Leadership in Australian agriculture is built on trust. Every decision you make as a leader affects others. Responding to competing interests is when ethical leadership is required the most. It all starts when you know or are privy to something you know is not OK. It’s incumbent on you and all of us to have the courage to see beyond how something is being presented to what is being presented.

Over To You

Do any of these resonate for you? Could any be helpful to support your leadership ethics as well as those you lead?

The post Lead with Ethics or Don’t Lead at All appeared first on Ruralscope.

Boundaries are often misunderstood as saying no, being difficult or putting up barriers between ourselves and others. In reality, healthy boundaries are about being clear about what we can give, what we need, and what we will—and won’t—accept. I reckon boundaries are important for everyone and particularly so for leaders. Without them, it’s just too easy to become the person who fixes everything, answers every request, carries everyone else’s problems and slowly runs out of time and energy. Good boundaries create clarity. They help you and others understand what’s expected, reduce unnecessary conflict and allow you to focus on what really matters most. The bit I like is that they help you to keep out of stuff / issues etc you don’t need to get involved with and as a result you have more time for your own work etc.

“When leaders have healthy boundaries, they have more capacity to listen, think strategically, make good decisions and support others without taking everything on themselves. Sometimes the most powerful leadership statement is simply: “This is what I can do. This is what I can’t do. And this is what needs to happen next.” Healthy boundaries don’t make life smaller. They create the space to spend your time, energy and attention on the things that matter most” – Jo Eady.

Here are some practical ways of leading with boundaries.

1. Know what matters to you – Before you can establish a boundary, you need to understand what you are protecting. Is it your time, family, wellbeing, focus, values or quality of work? Clear priorities make boundaries much easier to define.

2. Say it clearly and simply – You don’t need a long explanation. Try: “I can’t take that on right now,” or “I’m available until 4pm.” Clear is kinder than vague.

3. Don’t confuse guilt with doing something wrong – Setting a boundary can feel uncomfortable, particularly if you are used to being helpful. Feeling guilty doesn’t necessarily mean your boundary is unreasonable. Sometimes it simply means you’re doing something differently.  You will often experience push back when you implement a new boundary.

4. Be consistent – A boundary isn’t really a boundary if you make exceptions every time someone pushes back. Consistency teaches others what they can expect from you—and teaches you to trust yourself.

5. Let others manage their response – This can be the hardest part. You can communicate respectfully and still have someone be disappointed, frustrated or unhappy. Their reaction belongs to them (not YOU). Your responsibility is to communicate your boundary clearly and respectfully.

Over To You

Do any of these resonate for you? Could any be helpful in your work / relationships today?

The post Lead with Boundaries Every Time appeared first on Ruralscope.

So, when you look at it like this, boundaries are essential to you as a leader. And here’s a gem to think about – it’s just as important to communicate your boundaries with others as it is to set them.

“You have to be able to set boundaries, otherwise the rest of the world is telling you who you are and what you should be doing.” – Oprah

I wonder if you have areas of your life / work and relationships where you might need to set boundaries. If you do then read on as today I want to introduce you to LIMITS. It’s an acronym I learned from Dr Rebecca Ray and it’ll help you set and maintain healthy boundaries.

1. L = Leader – Set boundaries with others when you are thinking at your clearest. Be a leader. Set boundaries in alignment with your values.

2. I = Identify the boundary – Decide if the boundary is for you or if it’s to let others know what your limits are. Is it physical/emotional? Get clear about your boundary as this will make it easier to share it with others.

3. M = Make the boundary known – If the boundary is for you then write it down and or share it with a confidante, especially if accountability is important to you. If the boundary is for someone else then share it with them – share it verbally as well as in writing and be firm when you do.

4. I = Introduce consequences – Think through the consequences – get clear about what they are as this will then help you to not go there! Decide if communicating these will be beneficial for others.

5. T = Take a stand – This is when it hits home. If the boundary is crossed then you need to reset the boundary and implement the consequences. There must be consequences, otherwise, there’s no point in having boundaries in the first place.

6. S = Status check – Monitor your boundaries. Ask yourself these questions often, Has the boundary strengthened? Has a boundary been crossed by yourself or someone else? Do you need to adjust your boundary and communicate the change?

Over to You

Now, it’s your turn, take a minute to think of your current boundaries you have as a leader – what’s OK and what’s not OK for you. Now, find some time and work out if these are working for you and what new boundaries you might need to support you in your role as a well-respected leader. I invite you to use the LIMITS acronym to help you.

We have a free downloadable Values resource here for you. It will take you through a supportive process to uncover your values and your top two values that drive your decisions or behaviours. If you haven’t done values work before, I really encourage you to download this resource and give it a go. Please reach out and make contact here if you have any questions at all. I hope to hear from you soon.

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“By 2030, approximately 39% of core workforce skills are expected to change or become obsolete, driven largely by the rise of AI and digital transformation”.

Here’s what I shared in the interview – 5 skills every leader will need in 2030.

Skill 1 – Coaching

Leaders must be guides and supporters. It’s no longer about being directive, it’s about empowering others to be the best they can be. A key function of the future leader’s role will be to empower and develop the skills of their team via coaching.

Skill 2 – Adaptability

Having the ability to be adaptive creates an edge for you as a leader to manage change and adversity. Individuals, teams and organisations see opportunities and growth when they are adaptive. Investing in leadership and training for yourself and others to be adaptable will be a great investment.

Skill 3 – Tech and More Tech

Being fluent in digital literacy is going to be a must in both life and work. You don’t need to be an expert, but you do need to know enough to have conversations and make decisions about technology use as an individual, for your team and or your business / industry.

Skill 4 – Human Centred or Non Technical Skills

We believe non – technical skills is a better term for human or people skills. These skills are like glue. They are the skills everyone needs outside of their technical knowledge and technical skills. Think emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills etc. I’ve seen some research that’s saying non – technical skills will outweigh technical skills by double. And I often say that there will be no room by the end of this decade for leaders that are technically proficient only. In fact, the future belongs to leaders who can lead the expertise in their teams without having to possess the technical skills themselves.

Skill 5 – Agility

Training and retraining will be required to keep pace with societal changes. Having an agile mindset is much more important than a set and forget type mindset. It must be open and curious at all times. You can become a better leader by being agile and embracing new and changing skill sets depending on the job or project you’re working on.

Over to You

So how do you stack up? Jot down the 5 skills above and give yourself a rating of your current competence out of 10 (Where 10 means you are highly competent and 0 means you have no competence at all). The number you score for each will show you where to put your time and invest your training to ensure you develop the portfolio of skills to serve you well. I’d love to hear which skills you most need to develop.

Good luck. And please feel free to reach out to me here if you think I can help in any way.

Until next time!

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To gain max from your investment and time away, it’s what you do when you return home and to work that can really make a lasting difference. So, today, here are 5 key ways to maximise the returns from your time away. Take a look and give these a go the next time you invest in a conference.

“I love gaining specialist industry knowledge, feeling motivated by inspiring speakers, networking with old and new colleagues and to be honest the trade halls or extra action that sits around the conference is icing on the cake for me.” – Jo Eady

The kick here is that it’s what you do after the conference that can really make things light up your world! Here are 5 things I think you must do.

1. Follow Speakers on Socials – Some speakers will blow you away. This is a sign to get connected. Find these speakers online and start following them. Share their profiles with others you think might be interested in them and their work.

2. Action Your Action List – It’s likely you have come back with a list of actions you want to take. Use it as a checklist. Don’t overthink this. First week after conference is perfect timing to start your ticks!

3. Check out Websites – Take some time to get to know the people and topics you resonated with further by taking a look around their websites. You’ll usually find blog posts or research outcomes etc there. The key here is to take a deeper dive into topics of relevance to you.

4. Build and Maintain Your Networks – Be assertive and follow up with people you met and clicked with.  Ask them for a coffee / ZOOM catch up. No need to have anything to sell here, just a catch up.

5. Share information and or teach some of the new concepts you learned with others – Might be a conversation, a mention in a meeting or a small group session.

Over to You

Which of these tips resonate the most for you? What are you going to do about them? Remember to give and gain the most you can from the conference you attended. We love it when people reach out after an event and say hello. It all goes towards building positive networks. This doesn’t happen unless you make the first move. Please take one or two or maybe even three things and put them in place today. Good luck. And please feel free to reach out to me here if you think I can help in any way.
Until next time!

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Today, I’m asking you to dial up your visibility and I want to share some quick and simple ways to do this that cost nothing and won’t take too much time. But first, here’s why I think dialing up your visibility is so important. It;

1. Gets you known for what you want to be known for
2. Builds trust and familiarity
3. Attracts people to you that matter
4. Attracts new opportunities
5. Ensures your work is recognised and
6. Increases your credibility

When you take a look at this list, these are all things that can benefit you.

“Your visibility – how you show up, what you say and how your present yourself and represent yourself to others is all within your control. From your energy, to what you wear and what you say and how you say it, all rests with you. I encourage all leaders to look at how you are currently managing your brand through visibility and ensure it’s reflecting your authentic self and values.”
– Jo Eady, Leadership Specialist

Here are some practical tips for dialling up your visibility…….

1. Let’s Talk Energy – It’s the big new leadership “thing.” Others pick up on your energy when you walk into a room or sit down at a meeting. Keep it clear and positive.

2. Eye Contact – Look around at others (not down). Eyes are one of the first ways we connect.  Looking at others means you acknowledge they are there and they feel seen and so are you.

3. Your Style – Do you know what your signature style is? Do you know what it says about you before people meet you? Is it time for you to review your style and ensure it’s consistent with your authenticity and values?

4. Be Consistent – Show up the same, with digital, in person and in writing communications, it’s important that your visibility is consistent in all forms. In fact, consistency across these helps build your “brand” with transparency, credibility as well as trust.

5. Build Trust – Build your reliability reputation – this means do what you say you’ll do and show up with integrity. Trust is built in moments and how you show up with others is trust building. 

Over to You

Do any of these resonate for you? Could any be helpful for you to put in place the next time you step out for work or into a meeting?

The post Dial Up Your Visibility appeared first on Ruralscope.

I facilitate so many forums where I ask people to take a seat and they stand and lean against the wall OR where I ask them to take a seat (and there are seats available) and they wave back at me and say it’s OK I’m fine here thanks! At that moment my heart always sinks as more often than not, their presence (or lack of) is showing up as self doubt, not confident and feeling like they don’t deserve a place like everyone else in the room. Whether the person knows that or not when they wave back at me, but that’s the perception people will have of them. In fact, their presence in the room will not be seen, felt or heard as by sitting apart from or standing around the wall of the room, you actually make yourself invisible to the discussion / meeting.

So many books have been written about this, a key one being Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg who was then the CEO of Facebook.

I’m not suggesting you go off and read this book, what I am suggesting is that you value yourself enough to confidently take your seat at the table. Afterall, you have been invited (because of your knowledge, skills and competence) to the meeting to participate and not just stand around or sit on the outer.

“It’s kind of laughable that people will go to the extent of getting themselves to a meeting and then disqualify themselves from the discussion based on where they stand or sit – but they do.” – Jo Eady

So please, the next time you are in this situation, choose to sit at the table with everyone else.

Here are some practical tips to help you and to show up with leadership presence.

1. Sit at the Table – Sit with everyone else, this is your meeting too. Own your space by getting comfortable and introduce yourself to those sitting around you. Offer a hand shake.

2. Make your Body Language Work for You – This is all about sitting forward, no crossed arms, watching as people speak and making eye contact with them if you wish to show support.

3. Speak up – Now, you’ve shown up and are sitting at the table, it’s time for you to speak up. Ask a question, offer support by saying yes or offer up your opinion about the topic that’s being discussed.

4. Offer Warmth – We size each other up very quickly – in a matter of seconds. If you come across as warm and willing to connect, then people will think you are confident and competent. This is how we want to show up, so get to it.

5. Imposter Be Gone! – Imposter Syndrome isn’t a disease but it is something that may pop up each time you take something on or are challenged outside your comfort zone. Normalise it. And accept, it’s another leadership tool. Something to use and not something to fear or run away from especially when invited to meetings / forums.

Over to You

Do any of these resonate for you? Could any inspire you to show up more purposefully the next time you step into a meeting or forum?

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And now fancy this! Today’s Newsy falls on the first day of July and the first day of the new financial year. Every month offers a fresh opportunity to lead with greater intention, but given it’s the first day of the financial year how about setting up some financial goals as well. I think this is worth writing about.

While leadership is often associated with big decisions and major initiatives, the most effective leaders know that long-term success is built through consistent habits. Today is an ideal time to pause, reflect, and establish practices that will shape your finances across the next year! Yep, given yourself permission for them, or at least some of them to be money specific.

Here’s 5 Ways to Focus on Finance to develop some goals and practices that will return for you. And Happy first day of the month!

1. Take a Look at Your Financial Position – Know your numbers. Some people use an excel spreadsheet, for many it might be in your heads or in the back of your diary / notebook. The only thing that matters is that you know your numbers.

2. Schedule Time for Thinking all Things Money – It’s more than managing day-to-day activities. Set aside dedicated time each month to think about the bigger picture – what are your revenue targets, what’s on your big items shopping list and what investment / savings opportunities exist.

3. Read about Money and Finance – Take time to learn as much as you can.

4. Create Finance Goals – Add one or two finance goals to your usual monthly goals plan. Set a money target or two. Be as specific as you can. Set up that excel spreadsheet!

5. Daily Habits are Key – Regularly taking time to think about what’s working—and what isn’t—will help you to adapt and grow your finances.

Financial success is rarely the result of one big action. More often, it comes from small, intentional habits practiced consistently over time. Small habits. Consistent action. Meaningful impact.

Over to You

How does the finance topic sit with you? Do any of the 5 Ways above resonate for you? As you begin this new month, consider: What finance habit could make the biggest difference for you over the next 30 days and this year?

The post Focus on Finance – Freedom will Come appeared first on Ruralscope.

So in today’s newsy I want to share some reminders to inspire you to find your voice and speak up and speak out. Please let me know how you go.

“If you can speak, you can influence. If you can influence, you can change people’s lives.”- Rob Brown

I’ve chosen 5 ways that will make a difference and I really think these will make a difference to your leadership too. I’m not coming from a place of perfection by any means. My knees knock as much as yours probably do, but I do know that the world deserves to hear our voices so it’s important to find some ways to reduce anxiety, dispel myths and improve your communication / performance.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

1. Know your audience – Your presentation is about them not you! The more you know about your audience the easier it will be to develop your presentation and ensure it’s of value to them. Prepare and then test your ideas. This will give you confidence.

2. Organise your thoughts – Spend time brainstorming and organising your thoughts. No one can just speak perfectly without organising your thoughts, words and material. Always focus on your purpose when speaking and stay on point.

3. Let your personality come through – Allow yourself to show up when you speak. Allow your friendly personality to shine through. This way you can speak from the heart and speak in a way that connects easily with your audience. If you try to be someone that you’re not you won’t show up authentically. Be yourself.

4. Tell stories – People connect with examples, data and can see themselves in stories. Work these out to add value to your presentation and take time to test them before your speech. A story could be as simple as two sentences or it could be 2 mins long. Stories are easy for people to listen to and connect with and can be truly heartfelt with an emotional connection that will be remembered long after your finish speaking.

5. Ask for engagement – I’ve left the best til last! This is my favourite. Think of something you can ask your audience to do. Maybe it’s to raise their hand in answer to a question you ask OR to close their eyes and think of the last time they XXX. These need to be relevant to the topic you’re talking about. I like these as they require your audience to connect, listen and share in your speaking. It gives the feeling we are all in this together and importantly it also helps your audience to stop and reflect. This is the beginning of the change process.

Over to You

Do any of these resonate for you? Could any be helpful to support you the next time you’re asked to speak or your have a topic that you want to speak about?

The post Speak UP and Speak OUT with Confidence appeared first on Ruralscope.

In today’s Newsy, let’s take some time to more fully understand the traits that contribute to being a great mentor / mentee. Knowing yourself. This means being self aware. Being aware of your strengths and how you show up in a relationship, conversation, a challenge and when under pressure or when asked to think strategically. Here are some of the key traits that effective mentors and mentees bring to the mentoring relationship.

You can use this list is a Checklist for yourself and then the mentee or mentor you’re working with. Share it and use it for discussion. These traits will give you a jumpstart to your mentoring partnership.

“Mentoring should be a fulfilling relationship between somebody with more experience and somebody with less, with the goal of helping both individuals become elevated versions of themselves” 
Janice Omadeke

And now here are some tips to kickstart and maintain your effective mentoring partnership.

1. Get to Know Each Other. Remind yourself to take time to connect and get to know each other. Strong mentoring relationships need strong foundations.

2. Buy In with Boundaries. Be clear that this is a mentoring relationship. It’s not a friendship or mateship, it’s a coming together to work on a shared vision and develop knowledge and skills along the way relationship.

3. Meet with Purpose. There’s no room for friendly have a chats ONLY in mentoring. Always set a purpose and develop shared purpose for your mentoring sessions. Even if this happens in the first 5 mins of the mentoring session, it’s super important that you commence with a shared purpose for your meeting. My top tip would be to not continue until you have this!

4. Maintain a Productive Process. Establish and maintain processes across your mentoring partnership and sessions. These should include templates, session timelines etc

5. Maintain Positive Energy. It’s likely things might go off track at some stage in the partnership. Maintain your energy during this time and build in a session to reset or re-goal so you both come back on board with shared expectations

Over to You

Do any of these resonate for you?  Could any be helpful in your mentoring relationships today?

The post Mentoring is Not Magic appeared first on Ruralscope.