In this episode, I sit down with Kylie Sprott to explore her journey from senior executive roles into a true portfolio career that blends board directorships, consulting, mentoring, writing, and public speaking. Central to this transition is her latest venture, Sprott Methods—a leadership platform developed over three years that combines global collaborations, masterclasses, interviews, and practical resources for business leaders. Kylie explains how the platform is designed to cut through “noise” and provide digestible, real-world advice for leaders, while also celebrating insights from diverse leaders across industries.
Kylie reflects on her philosophy of leadership, drawing on her 25 years in executive roles. She emphasises curiosity, humility, and breadth of knowledge as essential traits for modern leaders, qualities she likens to “unicorn leaders.” We also explore her perspectives on risk management, strategy, and how fictional characters like Ted Lasso can inspire leadership lessons. Kylie shares her approach to board service, explaining how she positions her skills within board matrices, and how she balances advertised opportunities with those found through the hidden job market.
TIMESTAMPS
2:15 – The launch of Sprott Methods and its global collaborations
5:36 – Cutting through the noise: practical leadership education
7:39 – Risk registers and real-world business resilience
9:00 – The “business unicorn” metaphor and what makes great leaders
12:01 – Lessons from Top Gun and Ted Lasso applied to leadership
15:05 – The “malaise of mediocrity” and striving for improvement
20:05 – Building board capability and defining a skills matrix
23:21 – Hidden job market vs advertised board opportunities
26:02 – Differentiating coaching, mentoring, and advisory roles
30:00 – Public speaking and lessons from vulnerability
36:22 – Behavioural economics and distinctiveness: cutting through in crowded markets
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