Today we’re joined by Professor Simone Alexander, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer at Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Alfred Health’s services include 3 hospital campuses, a large network of community programs and 18 statewide services.
A Registered Nurse by profession, Simone has extensive experience in perioperative nursing, and clinical leadership of many areas.
The COVID pandemic was a significant leadership experience and Simone’s leadership style of agility, innovation and compassion shone through, demonstrating that even in command and control events, you can lead effectively with kindness.
Simone holds Master’s Degrees in Health Management and Clinical Nursing, and is completing the Executive Leadership Certificate in Public Health at Harvard University.
She is also an Adjunct Clinical Professor in the Department of Medicine at Monash University’s Central Clinical School.
Let’s dive in to our conversation with Simone Alexander.
Key moments in the podcast:
01:04 Welcome to Forks in the Road Podcast
01:40 Meet Professor Simone Alexander
03:44 Simone’s Career Journey and Choices
07:35 Leadership Influences and Styles
16:02 Navigating Career Forks in the Road
22:02 Perfect Leadership and Development
29:06 Emerging Leaders and Work-Life Balance
32:53 COVID-19: A Leadership Test
38:33 Closing Thoughts and Nuggets of Wisdom
40:49 Podcast Outro and Credits
Here is what stays with us from this conversation:
Authentic Leadership Flourishes in Crisis
Embrace Agility and Innovation: The ability to step out of a consultative style into a required command framework while maintaining leadership authenticity and integrity.
The Power of Compassionate Action: Demonstrating kindness is not a weakness; it is a way to gain more positive outcomes.
Trust Your Framework: Relying on a strong fundamental compass for managing difficult and stressful situations is essential for leading.
Building Enduring Relationships: Strong professional bonds formed during intense shared experiences are the key to getting through the hardest.
Seek Growth Through Every Career Fork
Transform Failure into Drive: Rejection or failure to secure a role can become the motivation to try even harder and position oneself for future opportunities.
Value Opposing Leadership Styles: Learn just as much, if not more, from observing and challenging an undesirable leadership approach as from an aspirational one.
Prioritize Continuous Development: Intentional focus on postgraduate study and broad experiences, both within and outside the primary field, rounds out one’s skills.
Cultivate a ‘Safety Net’ Team: Surround yourself with colleagues who offer robust conversation and disagreements, but who are a united front once a decision is made.
Enable Your Team’s Best Work
Lead by Example (The Golden Rule): Never ask a team member to do something you are not willing to do yourself, including working in the detail or the trenches.
Focus on Empowerment: The leader’s role is to remove roadblocks and break down barriers so that the team can operate fully and flourish.
Define Your Boundaries and Integrity: Hold firm to your personal and professional integrity and clearly articulate boundaries.
Connect with Simone Alexander
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This is an original podcast by Flyntrok. We help organisations, communities and individuals change and adapt to a new world. You will Find Flyntrok on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.
Hosted by Stephen Berkeley and Anne Boland
Produced by Rajeev Nedumaran of Studior.
Music by Damian Smith of Bespoke Music.
Art work by Ben Tibbin of Mozmo Creative and
Social Media Creations by Alana Rauert of Muse Communications.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode were those of the hosts and the guest, not of any entity they work for or with.
