What makes good character? And how do we discover our character? Doing hard things is a place to start. Finding out what we are capable of and then asking ourselves what else can we do? I call it an explorer’s mindset. It’s why I take on big challenges - and you can too.
In this solosode I share updates, recommendations and explore the three pillars of kindness, curiosity and courage that we can demonstrate every day in our leadership actions.
Doing hard things is key to discovering your potential. What's your next adventure?
Why you should listen: compassion, curiosity, and courage in leadership
We never stop learning as leaders
Take action:
What can you do today where you can be compassionate and, and kind?
Where can you apply curiosity instead of judgment?
Book recommendations
Running Deep: An Australian Submarine Life by Commodore Peter Scott (take a listen to my previous interview with Peter and look out for his return to the pod soon!)
Your Leadership Legacy: Becoming the Leader You Were Meant to Be by Oakland McCulloch
Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett
Scarecrow by Matthew Reilly
If you love books, sign up for my occasional ejournal, Bookish, for recommendations and writing updates, plus you’ll get my prequel to The Olympus Project, Terra Blanca, for free when it comes out later this year!
Related episodes:
293 Flipping the script - an interview with leadership futurist Zoë Routh
287 Workforce changes need these two leadership skills
271 Fear and conflict: leadership insights on the Larapinta Trail
Key moments
What Makes Good Character? [00:00:01]
Zoë reflects on previous guests and shares her theory of character, which includes compassion, curiosity, and courage.
Training AI on Ethical Frameworks [00:00:42]
Zoë discusses a start-up that is training an AI assistant on ethical responses using documents like the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Personal News and Book Recommendations [00:02:48]
Zoë shares personal news about planning a hiking trip and progress on writing a book, as well as book recommendations including Running Deep by Commodore Peter Scott and Your Leadership Legacy by Lieutenant Colonel Ock McCollough.
Free eBook and Audiobook [00:09:34]
Zoë announces the release of her new book and offers a free eBook and audiobook to Bookish newsletter subscribers.
👉🏼 Want to share your experience? Ask a question? Share a resource? Jump on our podcast Facebook page here.
About your host, Canberra leadership expert Zoë Routh:
Zoë Routh is a leadership futurist, podcaster, and multiple award-winning author. She works with leaders and teams to navigate future horizons.
She has worked with individuals and teams internationally and in Australia since 1987. From wild Canadian rivers to the Australian Outback, and the Boardroom jungles, Zoë is an adventurist! She facilitates strategy and culture sessions with audacious teams.
Zoë's fourth leadership book, People Stuff - Beyond Personality Problems: An advanced handbook for leadership, won the Book of the Year at the Australian Business Book Awards in 2020. Her fifth book is a near future science fiction dystopian novel, The Olympus Project.
Zoë is the producer of the Zoë Routh Leadership Podcast, dedicated to asking “What if…?” and sharing Big Ideas on the Future of Leadership.
Zoë is an outdoor adventurist and enjoys telemark skiing, has run six marathons, is a one-time belly-dancer, has survived cancer, and loves hiking in the high country. She is married to a gorgeous Aussie and is a self-confessed dark chocolate addict.