Episode Summary
In this episode, Jane interviews Steve, whose extraordinary career spans military service, police special operations, counterterrorism, and leadership roles in the private sector. From humble beginnings to becoming a respected leader in high-stakes environments, Steve shares how his experiences shaped his leadership style and career transitions. In this episode, Steve offers valuable insights on empathy, empowerment, accountability, and resilience. His journey serves as a powerful reminder that no matter the challenges, reinvention and leadership are always within reach.
[00:00] Introduction – A Life of Service Begins
Jane welcomes Steve to the podcast, noting that it’s been 10 years since they last worked together. She reflects on how Steve’s career journey, from his time in the armed forces to his current role, is both fascinating and inspiring. Steve shares a bit about his early aspirations to serve in the military and protect his community, setting the tone for the rest of the conversation.
[02:15] Early Aspirations and Childhood Dreams
Steve discusses his early career dreams, citing his desire to serve in the military or as a police officer. Growing up in a challenging environment, Steve’s determination to make something of himself drove him to aim high. He reflects on how childhood dreams can provide the motivation for future success, even if the path is difficult.
[05:00] Overcoming a Challenging Upbringing
Steve opens up about his difficult childhood, marked by frequent moves and a lack of stable support. Despite the adversity, he discovered a sense of belonging and discipline in the Navy, which helped him gain confidence and structure. Jane and Steve discuss how early struggles can shape resilience and a drive for change.
[07:45] Finding Structure in the Navy
Steve recounts his time in the Navy, where he found the structure he had been craving. Through disciplined training and strong camaraderie, he began to feel like part of a family. This experience instilled the values of leadership, respect, and teamwork, which Steve carried throughout his career.
[11:30] Lessons in Leadership and Discipline
As Steve rose through the ranks in the Navy, he took on leadership roles and learned the importance of integrity and teamwork. He shares a memorable story about leading his unit during a challenging drill at sea. Jane highlights how these early leadership experiences laid the foundation for Steve’s future roles.
[15:20] Transition to Law Enforcement – A New Chapter
Steve reflects on transitioning from the Navy to the New South Wales Police and later the Federal Police, noting the significant challenges and personal growth involved. Jane and Steve discuss the skills he transferred from military service into law enforcement, illustrating how military experience can prepare individuals for careers in policing.
[18:40] Life as a Police Officer – Serving the Community
Steve talks about his time as a police officer and how rewarding it was to serve his community. He shares experiences from his career in law enforcement, emphasizing the importance of duty and making a difference. Steve explains how the lessons learned in police work helped him transition into more senior leadership roles.
[22:15] Transition to Special Operations – Tactical Leadership
Steve transitions into the high-pressure world of tactical operations. He shares his experiences going through a demanding selection course, which involved intense training in everything from firearms to hostage rescue. Steve admits the course was extremely challenging, but he never gave up. He gained respect for his perseverance, ultimately growing proficient in his work and taking on leadership roles in counterterrorism efforts.
[25:30] International SWAT Team and Peacekeeping Operations
In 2007, Steve was recruited into an international SWAT team formed by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for peacekeeping operations. He describes his work in places like the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste, including long-range reconnaissance and handling riots. He details the challenges of this role, which involved frequent travel and high-risk assignments, and how this shaped his perspective on leadership and decision-making.
[28:00] The Hardest Decision – Leaving the Police Force
Steve shares the personal challenges he faced in 2011 when his marriage broke down. He explains how he made the difficult decision to leave his role in the AFP to be closer to his family in Sydney. Despite his success in tactical operations, Steve knew that he needed to prioritize his family and find a new direction in his career.
[30:00] Transitioning into the Corporate World – A New Chapter
Steve describes his transition from law enforcement to the corporate sector, joining a company called Spitzer as General Manager. He initially doubted his chances of landing the job but applied the leadership and operational skills he developed in policing to succeed. This was a significant life change for Steve, and he reflects on the culture shock of moving from high-risk environments to a corporate office.
[33:30] Applying Leadership Lessons in the Corporate Sector
As Steve transitioned into his role at Spitzer, he was tasked with leading a team in a corporate environment. He reflects on the challenges of adjusting from the controlled environment of law enforcement to the more open, unpredictable world of business. Despite the differences, Steve applied many of the same principles of teamwork, trust, and leadership that he had honed in the police force.
[35:00] Leadership Advice – Empathy and Accountability
Steve discusses his leadership philosophy, emphasizing the importance of empathy and accountability. He explains how understanding your team’s individual struggles can help you build trust and create a stronger, more effective team. Steve advocates for balancing empathy with maintaining high standards, especially when dealing with underperformance.
[40:00] Journaling as a Leadership Tool
Steve talks about his journaling practice and how it helps him stay focused, make decisions, and reflect on his leadership journey. His journal includes inspirational quotes, daily reflections, and strategies for self-improvement. He explains how journaling acts as a tool for mindfulness and self-care, helping him maintain clarity in both personal and professional life.
[42:30] Managing High-Risk Environments and Resilience
Steve discusses how his experiences in high-risk environments, like tactical operations and peacekeeping missions, have shaped his resilience. He explains how these intense situations have put his leadership skills to the test and how he learned to stay calm under pressure. Despite facing challenges like PTSD, Steve shares how he’s found ways to cope and maintain a positive outlook, including practices like breathwork and meditation.
[46:00] Empathy in Leadership – A Powerful Skill
As Steve wraps up his leadership advice, he emphasizes the importance of active listening and empathy in leadership. He believes that effective leaders not only give orders but listen to their team, understand their needs, and empower them to succeed. He shares his thoughts on the importance of respecting your team’s challenges and finding solutions together.
[48:00] Final Thoughts on Leadership and Career Transition
Steve offers his final thoughts, urging aspiring leaders to back themselves and believe in their potential. He emphasizes that leadership is about being true to your values and remaining adaptable to change. Steve reflects on his own career, noting that success is not just about reaching the top but about staying grounded and continually improving.
[50:00] Conclusion – The Importance of Resilience and Reinvention
Jane thanks Steve for sharing his story and valuable leadership insights. She highlights Steve’s journey as an example of resilience and the power of reinvention, encouraging listeners to never give up, regardless of their career stage. Jane invites listeners to connect with Steve on LinkedIn for further inspiration and leadership advice.
Thank you for listening to this episode of Jane’s podcast! If Steve’s story inspired you, please share this episode with others who may benefit from his insights on leadership and career transitions.
