The Secret Life of Great Leaders

The Joy of Leading: Building Cultures People Never Want to Leave

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

What does it really take to build a workplace culture people are truly proud of? In this episode, host Michael Bunting speaks with Søren Brogaard, CEO of TrackUnit, about the beliefs and lessons behind one of the most intentional culture-building journeys in global tech.

Søren shares how a simple desire to have fun at work evolved into a sophisticated philosophy of leadership and growth. They explore the universal ingredients that put people into a state of flow, why engagement without results is just as dangerous as results without engagement, and why following the flag rather than the leader is the secret to sustaining culture through rapid growth.

The Power of "I Don't Know": Transforming Leadership Through Vulnerability

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

What separates leaders who genuinely transform from those who stagnate or regress under pressure? In this episode of The Secret Life of Great Leaders, host Michael Bunting speaks with Dr Alis Anagnostakis, founder of the Vertical Development Institute, about the research behind adult development. They explore edge emotions, the awareness-action gap, why curiosity is the contrasting emotion that enables growth, and the distinction between insights that fade and transformations that last.

Beyond Tough vs. Nice: Striking the Leadership Balance with Ahmed Moussa

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Can you drive high performance without sacrificing your team’s well-being?. In this episode of The Secret Life of Great Leaders, host Michael Bunting speaks with Ahmed Moussa, General Manager at Sanofi UK & Ireland, to unpack how he led a massive cultural transformation that boosted engagement by 40% while simultaneously increasing revenue. They explore the "tough vs. nice" paradox, the discipline of weekly reflection, and why the most dangerous thing a leader can do is pretend they don't have a "Red Zone".

From 17 Failures to Leading 70 Remote Staff: Fame’s Unconventional Growth Story

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

What does it really take to lead 70 people remotely, fail 17 times, and still show up every day curious and driven? In this episode of The Secret Life of Great Leaders, host Michael Bunting sits down with Tom Hunt, who also happens to run the fully remote podcast agency behind this very show, Fame, to share his insights on authentic leadership, personal growth, embracing the “I know nothing” mindset, and balancing his addiction to growth with new fatherhood.

Why Great Leaders Befriend Their Inner Critic with Norbert Walther

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

So many leaders still believe that maintaining strict standards requires a harsh inner critic and an equally severe approach to managing others. But what if this common belief is actually holding us back? Host Michael Bunting sits down with Norbert Walther, Group CEO of Kinyara Health, to dive deep into the unseen emotional work of leadership and the journey from harshly achieving the results we desire. In this episode of The Secret Life of Great Leaders, self-judgment to conscious leadership.

The Messy Truth of Great Leadership with Nathalie McNeil

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0500

True leadership transformation begins with radical self-ownership and the courage to face uncomfortable truths about ourselves. In this episode of The Secret Life of Great Leaders, host Michael Bunting sits down with Nathalie McNeil, VP and General Manager of ANZ at AbbVie, to share honest insights about growth, accountability, and the messy truth of leadership.

How Vulnerability Unlocks True Growth with Michaela Wortley

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Secret Life of Great Leaders, host Michael Bunting sits down with Michaela Wortley, EY’s Head of Internal Coaching and Teaming, to explore the hidden side of leadership growth. Drawing on Michaela’s 25 years inside one of the world’s largest professional services firms, they unpack the fear of being “found out,” the discomfort of true self-awareness, and why vulnerability is the starting point for meaningful change in leaders and organisations.

How Top Leaders Turn Vulnerability Into Power with Michael Bunting

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this inaugural episode of The Secret Life of Great Leaders podcast, host Michael Bunting lays the foundation for what the show is all about: leadership transformation. Drawing from over two decades of experience in adult development and leadership coaching, Michael shares his personal journey and introduces the podcast's mission to uncover the hidden processes that drive meaningful change in leaders and organisations.

The Secret Life of Great Leaders Trailer

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Most leadership advice barely scratches the surface. The Secret Life of Great Leaders goes further. Hosted by TripleGoal, this podcast explores what true transformation looks like in leadership, business, and life. We talk to people who have done the hard work, made real changes, and have stories worth sharing. Expect honest conversations, practical insights, and moments that challenge how you see growth.