In this Leadership Edition of Courageous Conversations, Leanne Pilkington and Jacqui Barnes unpack the realities of hiring and leading strong teams.

Leanne reflects on hiring mistakes, how to spot red flags early, and why trusting your gut and listening to your team is critical. She explores the challenges of managing difficult personalities, the role of behavioural profiling, and why accountability doesn’t have to feel like a “dirty word.”

The conversation highlights how leaders can balance culture with strategy, embrace flexibility, and focus on outcomes rather than micromanagement, all while creating space for teams to grow, contribute ideas, and thrive.

In this Leadership Edition of Courageous Conversations: The Leadership Edition, Leanne Pilkington reflects on three decades of leadership at Laing+Simmons with Jacqui Barnes.

Leanne shares why you can’t keep everyone happy, how perspective shapes better decisions, and why not all feedback is worth taking on board. Leanne unpacks the “No Next” mindset for reframing rejection, the discipline to push through what you don’t enjoy, and the courage it takes to make tough calls as a leader.

Listeners will gain practical insights into resilience, self-awareness, and the influence leaders hold in shaping confidence, careers, and culture.

In this very first Leadership Edition episode of Courageous Conversations, Laing+Simmons CEO Leanne Pilkington sits down with new co-host Jacqui Barnes to reflect on 30 years of leadership, change, and growth.

Leanne shares candid insights into her career journey, what keeps her energised after three decades, and how leadership has evolved across the industry. She opens up about her approach to empowerment, accountability, culture change, and the power of authenticity in both personal brand and leadership.

Listeners will walk away with practical takeaways on empowering teams, managing culture, handling difficult conversations, and building trust and loyalty, the foundations of effective modern leadership.