The Evolved Leadership Podcast
The Evolved Leadership Podcast
David McDermott
At the Evolved Leadership Podcast, we talk to successful business owners and executives who make the world a better place. David McDermott is the host of the Evolved Leadership podcast. David’s inspiration for the podcast came from a life-changing experience during his involvement in a youth leadership charity in his early twenties that challenged ambitious young leaders to not only achieve personal success as leaders in the world, but to also lead their organisations to give back to humanity in a meaningful way. After that experience David spent two decades coaching and consulting to a wide range of organisations in both the private and social sectors, where it became quickly obvious to him that his most satisfying coaching engagements occurred when he worked with leaders who had a meaningful purpose and mission that they were focused on in the organisations they led. The Evolved Leadership approach combines David's experience of what it takes to lead a successful enterprise, with his deep belief that the definition of a truly effective leader in today's world must include making the world a better place in a meaningful and practical way, at scale. David is also the CEO of Evolved Strategy, a business and executive coaching firm dedicated to empowering leaders to run successful organisations and to demonstrate an Evolved Leadership approach to their work in the world. This includes coaching development work that helps leaders to think strategically, develop a meaningful organisational purpose, and lead high-performing teams. The Evolved Leadership podcast is part of the Evolved Leadership Project, a research study of 100 interviews with successful business owners and executives who contribute positively to the uplift of the planet both as individuals and through the organisations they lead. The study aims to show that leaders and organisations who focus on contribution as well as profit, achieve much more satisfying outcomes for everyone they interact with, both internally and externally. Check out our podcast episodes and enjoy this storehouse of leadership wisdom from successful business owners and executives who are showing the world what it takes live as an Evolved Leader. To browse our wide range of articles and resources, as well as other podcast episodes, go to: https://www.evolvedstrategy.com.au
#41 Why Older People Matter, with Tim Humphries, CEO of Homestyle Aged Care
My guest in this episode is Tim Humphries. Tim is the CEO of Homestyle Aged Care, a Tier 1 aged care provider. Tim was previously the CEO of Provider Assist, a large, aged care consulting service. He has extensive business experience holding previous C-suite roles within finance and IT. Tim is the former Chairman of the board of directors for the Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer. He previously worked on the board of Prestige In-home Care, and the School Counc...
Jun 3, 2024
34 min
#40 Social Gaming, Ice Baths, & Franchising, with Troy Warfield, CEO of The Social Gaming Group & Chairman of Surf Lakes
My guest in this episode is Troy Warfield. Troy is the CEO of The Social Gaming Group, a gastro-gaming venue business, where he has led the company’s rapid global expansion. He is also the Chair of Surf Lakes, a global surf park business.Troy's prior roles include President of Topgolf International, Executive Director of the Board at British Airways as well as BA's Brands & Customer Experience Director, and Chief Commercial Officer of Avis Budget Group where he led the international franc...
May 12, 2024
41 min
#39 Why Execution Beats Strategy Every Time, with Tom Larter, CEO of WithYouWithMe
My guest in this episode is Tom Larter. Tom is a seasoned business executive and the CEO of WithYouWithMe, one of the Asia Pacific’s fastest growing tech companies. WithYouWithMe solves workforce challenges and make a positive social impact throughcreating career pathways for diverse communities, including veterans, military families,neurodivergent individuals and indigenous groups. Tom is also an active member of several industry organisations, including the Tech Counci...
May 1, 2024
42 min
#38 We've All Got A Purpose, with Tim Dwyer, Founder and Managing Director of Tolemy
My guest in this episode is Tim Dwyer. Tim is the founder and Managing Director of Tolemy, a brand-led growth agency educating entrepreneurs and business owners on how to design, build and activate a business strategy based on a foundation of core assets aligned with purpose. Tim has worked with private industry for over 25 years, supporting thousands of businesses to grow and scale. He believe that by helping business leaders shift mindsets, businesses and industries can shi...
Feb 23, 2024
48 min
#37 Stopping The Fastest Growing Waste Stream, with John Shegerian, co-founder, Chairman and CEO of ERI
My guest in this episode is John Shegerian. John is the serial social entrepreneur responsible for co-founding Homeboy Industries, FinancialAid.com, Engage and many other impactful organizations. He currently serves as co-founder, Chairman and CEO of ERI, the largest recycler of electronic waste in the US. Highlights of our conversation include hearing John describe starting his work life washing floors at the age of 10 at the dry cleaners, appreciating that all his bosses were mentors, ...
Feb 6, 2024
44 min
#36 Get Things Done By Building Coalitions Of Leaders, with Paul Hodgson, Chair of The QLD Manufacturing Institute
My guest in this episode is Paul Hodgson. Paul is currently Chair of Queensland Manufacturing Institute Ltd, and the recent CEO of the Scaling Green Hydrogen Cooperative Research Centre, where he secured 97 partners and $163m of cash and in-kind contributions for a Round 24 funding submission. He is an Industry Commentator for the Ai Group Podcast “What on Earth”; and a Founding Member and Honorary Fellow of the Global Intrapreneurs Institute. Highlights of our conversat...
Jan 22, 2024
40 min
#35 The Importance Of Being Clear About Your Core Values, with David McDermott, CEO of Evolved Strategy
I'm delighted to have worked with some incredible clients this year, including Grain Growers Limited, Surf Lakes, Deloitte and QLD Health. This has enabled us to provide strategy and leadership development support to our pro-bono clients Sea Shepherd Australia and Opportunity International Australia. It has also been a powerful year of fascinating conversations on the Evolved Leadership Podcast.To complete 2023, check out our final episode of the year as Episode 35, where I speak about t...
Dec 20, 2023
9 min
#34 It's Not About The Widget, with Chris Eldridge,  CEO and Co-Founder of 4impact
My guest in this episode is Chris Eldridge, CEO and co-founder of technology services business 4impact. 4impact serves customers across the eastern seaboard of Australia, in New Zealand and in Papua New Guinea, and employs people in four countries. Chris believes in giving back to the community that has supported him, and is proud to support organisations like Opportunity Australia who provide micro-finance loans to entrepreneurs throughout Asia, and the charity Communify who ...
Dec 6, 2023
47 min
#33 Being Fulfilled At Work, with Athena Chintis, Group Head of People & Culture at Cliftons Event Solutions
My guest in this episode is Athena Chintis. Athena is the Group Head of People & Culture at Cliftons Event Solutions, a leading business events provider, which employs a highly flexible workforce across 4 countries and 11 workplaces. Cliftons was recognised as one of AFR/BOSS’s Best Places to Work in 2023.Athena is a Sydney-based Human Resources leader, bringing over 20 years of experience across multiple fast-paced industries, varying scales of businesses and at different stages – ...
Nov 21, 2023
36 min
#32 Diamonds Are Forever, with Karl Schwantes, Owner Of Xennox Diamonds and Founder of The Reputation Builder program
My guest in this episode is Karl Schwantes. Karl is the owner of Xennox Diamonds, a 47-year-old second-generation family business. He is also the Founder of the The Reputation Builder program, which focuses on showing business owners how to craft remarkable client experiences that generate great Google reviews. Karl is a Customer Experience Expert and an international award-winning author, a Telstra business award finalist and winner of the My Business Awards 2020 for the Best Customer E...
Nov 1, 2023
48 min