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Join Zoë Routh in this exciting episode of the Future of Leadership as she explores how much failure we can handle and introduces a groundbreaking agricultural innovation called Electro Agriculture. Zoë discusses the importance of leading with compassion and reflects on the societal issues of homelessness and mental health.
The highlight of the episode is an inspiring interview with John Graham, founder of the Good Samaritan Home, who shares his compelling story of going from homeless to business owner. Learn about his impactful work in providing second chances and the importance of mercy in leadership. Lastly, Zoë recommends John’s award-winning novel, 'Running as Fast as I Can,' a tale of survival, forgiveness, and hope. Tune in for an inspiring journey through leadership, compassion, and innovation!
Planet Human
Summary
Zoë shares personal updates:
Exciting developments in her leadership journey, including her upcoming book releases: Olympus Rising, Power Games, and Olympus Dawn.
Reflections on the importance of managing organizational culture as a cyclical process rather than a fixed state.
Insights on how generative AI is transforming content creation in leadership contexts.
Thought-Provoking Questions for Leaders, focusing on:
How can leaders incorporate compassion into their daily interactions with team members and the community?
What systemic changes are necessary to effectively support individuals experiencing homelessness?
In what ways can personal experiences of hardship inform a leader’s approach to fostering a compassionate environment?
How can organisations engage with local communities to promote understanding and support for vulnerable populations?
John Graham reflects on:
Second Chances: John emphasises the importance of providing opportunities for individuals who have faced adversity, drawing from his own journey from homelessness to business ownership.
Community Impact: He discusses the significance of addressing addiction and mental health issues within communities, highlighting that these challenges affect all demographics, not just those in urban areas.
Courage in Leadership: John shares his belief that it takes courage to look down the ladder and support those who are worse off, rather than focusing solely on personal advancement.
Practical Techniques:
John advocates for building relationships with local agencies to create a comprehensive support network for those in need.
He encourages leaders to share their stories and experiences, fostering empathy and understanding within their teams and communities.
Key Quotes
"The solution isn't just a quick fix; it's about tending to our societal issues with compassion and systemic change." - Zoë Routh
“We need to do the systemic work of changing how we support people and what safety networks we provide.”- Zoë Routh
"It takes a lot of courage to acknowledge and address the struggles of those less fortunate rather than solely focusing on one's own aspirations." John Graham
Questions Explored
How much failure can you handle?
What does a compassionate response look like?
What made you think about helping those worse off than you?
Take Action
Reflect on their capacity for compassion in daily interactions.
Support local agencies that assist homeless individuals.
Consider how they can lead with mercy in their own leadership roles.
Tip of the Week
Lead with compassion by giving eye contact, acknowledging others, and offering support to those in need.
Key Moments
00:00 Welcome to 2025: The Future of Leadership
00:23 Handling Failure: A Key to Success
00:38 Breakthrough in Agriculture: Electro Agriculture
02:54 Living with Compassion: A Personal Reflection
05:21 Interview with John Graham: From Homeless to Business Owner
06:30 John Graham's Journey: Overcoming Adversity
09:15 The Good Samaritan Home: A Beacon of Hope
23:56 Writing a Novel: The Story of Second Chances
35:24 Leadership Insights: Power, Mercy, and New Projects
39:30 Conclusion
About John Graham
JOHN DAVID GRAHAM is the founder of Good Samaritan Home, a housing / mentoring program helping men and women restart their lives after prison. Prior to that, he was a door-to-door salesman, children’s home counselor, substitute school teacher, truck driver, fireman, building contractor, minister and journalist. Sometimes the road home takes many twists and turns, requiring the necessary time and experience to develop what he calls the “calloused hands and tender heart” needed to write this story.
He gives all the credit for the success of Good Samaritan Home, and the completion of his novel, to Kathy, his wife of forty-seven years. “She has given me the strength to go on whenever the going seemed impossible. She has been, and will always be, my best friend.”
John has just completed a fiction book titled Running As Fast As I Can that follows the life of Daniel Robinson as he struggles to overcome generations of poverty, neglect, and abuse that have left him totally incapable of the life, and love, he desperately wants.
https://johndavidgraham.com/about/
Related episodes on Future Trends
310 Stretch your thinking for compassionate and inclusive leadership
283 Sailing into the hurricane - Manley Hopkinson’s unique leadership journey
126 The importance of wise and compassionate leadership with Cindy Wigglesworth
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About 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 The Future of 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.