The Legendary Leaders Podcast

By: Cathleen O'Sullivan – Leadership Consultant Thinking Partner and Podcast
  • Summary

  • Welcome to the Legendary Leaders podcast series! This podcast aims to inspire thousands and thousands of people to start living their best lives! My podcast guests will be sharing their own personal paths to success, the moments when they may have hit a wall that turned into their biggest breaking point, and we will be sharing some top tips on how to proactively create some exciting changes in your life. These leaders will be talking about how they started their journey, what inspired and drove them, along with the challenges they had to overcome along the way to get to where they are now, having achieved a more content and balanced life. The podcasts will cover an array of topics from the importance of selfcare and mindset, through to bravery and authenticity, and the importance of building communities and support networks. I have interviewed leaders who have all taken varied and interesting paths, from content creators, journalists through to designers, coaches, musicians and actors a business mentors, speakers and many, many more. They all faced tough challenges which served as motivation to live their best lives yet! I hope you enjoy listening to my series of podcasts as much as I have done creating them, and I really hope you take away lots to inspire, encourage and motivate you on your journey to becoming a Legendary Leader.
    Cathleen O'Sullivan (Merkel)
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Episodes
  • Kelly Mackin - Enhancing Well-being in the Workplace
    Dec 24 2024

    How important is workplace well-being to you? Kelly Mackin, co-founder of the Motives Met platform and author of "Work Life Well Lived," joins Cathleen to talk about human-centred work environments. Kelly shares her understanding of unconscious commitments and the critical need to align our work motives with personal well-being. Drawing from her own challenges in toxic work environments and inspired by her mother's experiences as a pioneering female executive, Kelly emphasises that well-being is a right, not a privilege. Join us as we uncover the "No BS Solution" to workplace well-being, discuss the importance of psychological safety and emotional health, and learn how to design meaningful and human-centred work environments. Don't miss it!



    Episode Timeline:

    07:20 Only 16% of people are thriving at work, let's change that.

    15:27 Reflecting on ambition, needs, success and the burnout cycle.

    23:47 Create action plans by considering: goals, support, mindset, boundaries and growth.

    30:10 Equip leaders with questions to boost trust and foster safety.

    40:06 5-step pathway to thriving in a people-first culture.

    54:39 Unconscious commitments often undermine work-life harmony.

    01:04:14 Witnessing my mom's work journey taught me the highs and lows of work.

    01:13:14 Balancing work, quality time, and freedom.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Kelly discusses the concept of unconscious commitments, highlighting how individuals consciously striving for work-life balance, might unknowingly overcommit to work to prove their worth.

    • Kelly and Cathleen emphasise that well-being is a right, not a privilege. Kelly shares her personal journey from experiencing burnout in a toxic work environment to prioritising her well-being through meditation and cognitive coaching.

    • Kelly introduces the "5 Step Motives Met Pathway" to help leaders understand, evaluate, and meet these needs in the workplace by fostering a culture of psychological safety.

    ABOUT Kelly Mackin

    Kelly Mackin is the author of Work Life Well-Lived: The Motives Met Pathway to No-B.S. Well-Being at Work and cofounder and CEO of the Motives Met Platform and Human Needs AssessmentTM which empowers people to create their best work life and workplace. Kelly’s journey from ill-being to well-being at work ignited her passion and dedication for helping people create health and happiness in their lives through a unique blend of skills. Her expertise spans quantitative research in human behavior to fostering psychological safety, from guiding individuals in mind management coaching to imparting the practice of mindfulness meditation both in and outside of work. As a researcher, she gains insights into significant parts of our lives like values, stress, and emotions to develop frameworks to better understand the world and ourselves to make positive change.

    Connect with Kelly :

    Website: https://www.motivesmet.com/

    Social Media Links:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-mackin-52793110/



    Connect: 


    Find | Cathleen O’Sullivan

    Business: cathleenmerkel.com

    Email: cmc@cathleenmerkelcoaching.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathleen-merkel/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendary_leaders_cathleenos/

    FOLLOW LEGENDARY LEADERS ON APPLE, SPOTIFY OR WHEREVER YOU LISTEN TO YOUR PODCASTS.



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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • Dr. Chris Fuzie - From Enforcing the Law to Liminal Leadership
    Dec 10 2024

    Meet Dr. Chris Fuzie, a law enforcement professional turned consultant and educator. Today on Legendary Leaders, Cathleen sits down with Chris to learn about his transformative journey and his commitment to self-education and personal growth. With experience ranging from homicide investigations to hostage negotiation, Chris delivers us a vivid look into leadership dynamics within law enforcement. As you listen, you'll discover Chris's approach to overcoming career setbacks, the importance of stepping out of comfort zones in learning, and the invaluable role of followership. Whether you're keen on leadership theories, fascinated by law enforcement, or want to explore new ways to elevate your career, this episode packs a wealth of wisdom and actionable advice.



    Episode Timeline:

    08:21 Chris on becoming a police leadership instructor.

    15:38 Law enforcement emphasises empathy in action.

    20:36 Open-minded police see that people are fundamentally similar.

    24:08 Unexpected prison advice on body language effectiveness.

    31:20 Leading and following simultaneously in transitional space.

    34:23 Leadership is about actions, not titles.

    48:12 Teaching young proper policing behaviour and discipline.

    59:57 Concerns about workplace contention and authority imbalance.

    01:04:20 Organisational culture and cohesion are essential.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Chris introduces the concept of "liminal leadership," which emphasises the fluid interplay between leading and following. He argues that effective leadership isn't solely about hierarchy or position, but understanding when to lead and when to follow.

    • The discussion highlights the importance of focusing on specific desirable behaviours rather than formal titles in creating effective leaders and followers. Chris's approach suggests that nurturing these traits is more impactful than traditional mission statements.

    • Chris’s personal journey highlights the importance of persistence and resilience in professional development. Despite facing multiple setbacks and rejections, he has maintained a focus on growth and personal improvement which actually advanced his career.

    ABOUT Dr. Chris Fuzie

    Dr. Chris Fuzie, Ed.D., is an expert in leadership and followership with a distinct focus on behavior-based approaches to personal and professional development. He is an author, educator, and consultant known for his work in reshaping traditional leadership paradigms through his innovative concepts and models. Dr. Fuziee's professional contributions are particularly influential in areas where leading and following are seen as interconnected and dynamic processes.​

    Professionally, Dr. Fuziee is dedicated to reshaping traditional leadership paradigms, blending academic insights with practical, behavior-based approaches. His books, like "Liminal Space: Reshaping Leadership and Followership," reflect his commitment to helping individuals and organizations navigate complex interpersonal landscapes.

    ​As a trainer and mentor, Dr. Fuziee is known for his engaging and approachable style. He is direct yet empathetic, combining deep theoretical knowledge with practical applications. His background in education and real-world experience equips him to connect with diverse audiences, making complex concepts accessible and actionable.

    Connect with Chris :

    Website: https://www.cmfleadership.com/



    Social Media Links:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-chris-Fuziee-ed-d-m-a-ol-37587934/

    X (Twitter): https://x.com/CMFLeadership

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090255232861

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisFuziee/

    Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/cmfleadership/



    Connect: 


    Find | Cathleen O’Sullivan

    Business: cathleenmerkel.com

    Email: cmc@cathleenmerkelcoaching.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathleen-merkel/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendary_leaders_cathleenos/

    FOLLOW LEGENDARY LEADERS ON APPLE, SPOTIFY OR WHEREVER YOU LISTEN TO YOUR PODCASTS.



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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Andy Brown - How to Recognise and Combat Emotional Overdraft in Leadership
    Dec 3 2024

    Imagine reclaiming 20% of your time every week—time you never knew you could have but desperately need. In this episode of Legendary Leaders, your host Cathleen and her guest, the insightful Andy Brown, explore the transformative power of effective delegation and the hidden costs of emotional overdraft. Andy, a seasoned business advisor and author of the bestseller Emotional Overdraft, shares his journey from corporate stress to meaningful change and the impactful lessons he learned along the way. Join us for a compelling conversation on recognising and addressing the invisible costs of leadership, and empowering yourself to delegate for a healthier, more fulfilling life.



    Episode Timeline:

    09:35 Emotional costs impact business profitability significantly.

    12:38 Recognise and address your emotional overdraft.

    19:34 Create a personal board of supportive advisors.

    26:48 Prioritise important tasks over easy ones.

    40:29 Market dictates a business's true value.

    44:19 Delegation frees time for strategic business growth.

    01:01:26 Don't sacrifice happiness for business success.

    01:08:10 Limiting clients to maintain quality and health.

    01:11:52 Fully recharge to effectively manage and delegate.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Andy highlights the importance of delegating tasks that others can handle, allowing leaders to focus on high-value activities that only they can perform.

    • The concept of "emotional overdraft" is crucial for leaders to understand and manage. Recognising behaviors that contribute to emotional exhaustion and addressing them can prevent burnout and improve overall well-being.

    • Andy and Cathleen emphasise the significance of structuring a business to allow for personal time and family involvement.

    ABOUT Andy Brown

    Andy has over 30 years’ experience as an award-winning adviser and coach for people-based businesses. He’s also a podcast host and the author ofAmazon #1 best seller, ‘The Emotional Overdraft: 10 simple changes for balancing business success and wellbeing’ a book for entrepreneurs, leaders and founders that articulates the often overlooked mental and physical costs of leadership.



    Connect with Andy :

    Website: https://emotionaloverdraft.com/

    Buy the book in the US: https://www.amazon.com/Emotional-Overdraft-balancing-business-wellbeing/dp/1788605136/

    Buy the book in the UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Emotional-Overdraft-balancing-business-wellbeing/dp/1788605136/



    Social Media Links:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andybrownprofile/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andybrownauthor/



    Connect: 


    Find | Cathleen O’Sullivan

    Business: cathleenmerkel.com

    Email: cmc@cathleenmerkelcoaching.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathleen-merkel/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendary_leaders_cathleenos/

    FOLLOW LEGENDARY LEADERS ON APPLE, SPOTIFY OR WHEREVER YOU LISTEN TO YOUR PODCASTS.



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    1 hr and 16 mins

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