We dive into the world of operational excellence and visionary leadership with guest Emma Rainville, author of Scope and founder of Shockwave. Zoë shares updates on her Australian Alpine walking track adventure and the behind-the-scenes of the Power Games Kickstarter launch. On Planet Human, she explores the unfolding Tesla brand rebellion and the deeper lessons on leadership, marketing, and impact.

Emma brings a compelling perspective on how to scale businesses by bringing calm to chaos. She outlines the WAVE framework—Written Vision, Absolute Focus, Values-driven Future, and Execution Plan—and offers practical, transformative advice for any leader serious about delivering big ideas, sustainably and profitably. Together, they examine the future of AI in operations, culture-building through psychological safety, and why mentorship—not management—is the secret sauce of visionary success.

SHOWNOTES are here:

https://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/operational-excellence

My new Substack: https://substack.com/@zoerouth

Power Games: https://www.zoerouth.com/power-games

Planet Human:

Tesla owners are rebelling—not by selling their cars, but by disguising them. A lesson in knowing your audience, brand alignment, and leadership reputation.

https://www.fastcompany.com/91294552/tesla-owners-are-disguising-their-cars-with-fake-badges-as-a-form-of-resistance

Key Quotes:

"Founders often have vision but no framework. That’s where chaos begins." – Emma Rainville

"Operational excellence means responding, not reacting." – Emma Rainville

"We shouldn't be 'shoulding' all over ourselves. Make conscious commitments." – Zoë Routh

Questions Asked:

1. What is the WAVE framework and how can it help you scale?

2. Why do visionary leaders struggle with management—and how can they overcome it?

3. What are the biggest mistakes founders make when launching new products?

4. How can we build a culture where failure becomes fuel for growth?

Take Action:

1. Define your own Written Vision. Where are you heading in 10 years?

2. Create a people development plan—not just for hiring, but for mentoring.

3. Test Emma’s approach: use ChatGPT to challenge your processes and find efficiencies.

4. Celebrate team members not just for solving problems, but for how they fix mistakes.

Tip of the Week

Explore AI as a co-pilot in your business. Delegate your drudgery.

Ask: How might I make this repeatable, streamlined, or automated?

Join the community here:

https://www.zoerouth.com/podcast-news

You’ll get 40 book summaries and recommendations on Leading Strategy and Performance, along with a special secret audio from my award-winning book, People Stuff.

Join the Power Games advance notice here:

https://www.zoerouth.com/power-games

Key Moments

00:00 Introduction and Weekly Theme

00:32 Tesla Resistance and Marketing Missteps

03:30 Personal Updates from Zoe

04:27 Eliminating Drudgery with AI

05:40 Interview with Emma Rainsville: The Wizard of Ops

09:01 Defining Operational Excellence

10:03 Visionary Entrepreneurs and Business Challenges

16:22 People Development and Leadership

22:31 Exploring Commercial and Home Services

23:04 The Impact of AI on Operational Excellence

24:16 Incorporating AI and Automations

29:03 Building a Culture of Operational Excellence

32:14 The WAVE Operational Framework

35:07 The Fast Three: Quick Insights

37:05 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

We explore the revolutionary idea of designing your work life by starting with what matters most—your life. Zoë shares updates on her Australian Alpine walking track adventure, her latest developments with the Power Play game based on her book Power Games, and her new home for content on Substack. Then, we welcome Tim Duggan—award-winning author, media entrepreneur, and columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

Tim shares thoughtful insights from his latest book Work Backwards, which challenges conventional notions of success and offers a practical framework for aligning your life, money, and work. He explores emerging work trends including “coffee badging” and “conscious unbossing,” and reflects on how a personal turning point reshaped his entire approach to life and leadership. This conversation is an invitation to pause, reconsider what matters, and take deliberate action toward a more meaningful way of working.

SHOWNOTES are here:

https://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/designing-work-and-money

My new Substack: https://substack.com/@zoerouth

Power Games: https://www.zoerouth.com/power-games

Planet Human:

DARPA, the U.S. Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency, has turned its attention to space manufacturing—with plans to build 500-metre-long infrastructure in orbit using synthetic biology.

https://singularityhub.com/2025/03/10/darpa-wants-to-grow-enormous-living-structures-in-space/

Key Quotes:

1. “Our systems of work are built on our values and beliefs. If we want new systems, we must start there.” – Zoë Routh

2. “If we don't answer the question of what is enough, we’ll never get there.” – Tim Duggan

3. “The future of work is personal, messy, and already here.” – Tim Duggan

Questions Asked:

1. What does it mean to “work backwards” and how can we apply it to our lives?

2. How are Gen Z’s values reshaping the workforce?

3. What can leaders do to foster trust, meaning, and motivation in the workplace?

4. How do we define “enough” when it comes to money, time, and success?

Take Action:

1. Reflect on your MAP: Meaning, Anchors (your core values), and Priorities.

2. Create a backwards budget: How much money do you actually need to live well?

3. Redefine success: Is it still about more—or is it about enough? Start the conversation in your team.

Tip of the Week:

Define your own “enough.” Take time this week to clarify what a well-lived life looks like for you. Then, make one small shift in your work or life to support that vision.

Join the community here:

https://www.zoerouth.com/podcast-news

You’ll get 40 book summaries and recommendations on Leading Strategy and Performance, along with a special secret audio from my award-winning book, People Stuff.

Join the Power Games advance notice here:

https://www.zoerouth.com/power-games

Key Moments

00:00 Introduction and Weekly Theme

00:23 Planet Human: DARPA's Space Ambitions

01:37 Planet Zoe: Alpine Adventure

02:36 Planet Zoe: Power Games and Substack

04:55 Exploring Life and Work on Our Own Terms

06:47 Interview with Tim Duggan: A Journey of Entrepreneurship

13:46 Tim Duggan's Insights on Modern Work Culture

24:20 Understanding Core Values and Priorities

24:52 Mapping Life and Money

26:05 Defining 'Enough' and Personal Fulfillment

29:46 Balancing Work, Mind, Body, and Relationships

31:37 The Future of Work and Its Challenges

33:27 Global Response to Work Backwards

37:19 Leadership Insights and Personal Tips

41:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

We explore the power of challenging assumptions and building regenerative societies with innovative software called Regen. I also share updates on my upcoming Australian Alpine walking track adventure and my latest novels. Then, I welcome Scott Marshall, President and CEO of the Semester at Sea.

Scott shares insights into the program’s impact on students’ understanding of global cultures and how it fosters curiosity and personal growth. He also provides practical advice for fostering intercultural sensitivity in the workplace. This episode dives deep into experiential education, leadership, and creating inclusive environments

SHOWNOTES are here:
https://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/legal-challenges-workplace-dynamics

Key Quotes:
"When we expose ourselves to diverse perspectives, we expand our understanding of the world and ourselves." – Zoë Routh
"Curiosity pushes us into spaces of discomfort, and that’s where we grow." – Scott Marshall
"We can’t just assume that a one-day workshop on diversity will transform a workplace. It’s about a long-term commitment to embracing different perspectives." – Scott Marshall

Questions Asked:
1. How does Semester at Sea create a transformative learning experience?
2. What are the key leadership lessons from immersing in global cultures?
3. How can organisations foster curiosity and intercultural awareness in the workplace?
4. What are practical ways to develop a culture of inclusivity beyond traditional DEI programs?

Take Action:
Reflect on your own leadership assumptions and challenge them with new perspectives.
Explore ways to bring diverse perspectives into your workplace—whether through book clubs, travel experiences, or deeper engagement with different cultural narratives.
Start small: Have your team research governance models in different countries or visit a restaurant from a culture they’re unfamiliar with and engage in meaningful conversations.

Tip of the Week
Engage in a "curiosity challenge"—for one week, actively seek to learn something new about a culture, history, or perspective that is outside your usual sphere.

Join the community here:
https://www.zoerouth.com/podcast-news

You’ll get 40 book summaries and recommendations on Leading Strategy and Performance, along with a special secret audio from my award-winning book, People Stuff.

Key Moments
00:00 Introduction and Challenging Assumptions
00:15 Exploring Regenerative Societies with Regen Software
00:50 Personal Connection to Regenerative Ecosystems and Mars
01:35 Upcoming Adventure on the Australian Alpine Walking Track
02:12 Power Games and Olympus Dawn Writing Updates
03:17 Bringing the World to the Workplace
05:17 Introducing Scott Marshall and Semester at Sea
06:25 Semester at Sea: Program Overview and Logistics
13:19 Impact and Benefits of Semester at Sea
22:54 Developing Intercultural Competence in the Workplace
26:41 Workplace Sensitivity and Global Awareness
28:30 The Importance of Experiential Education
28:57 Critique of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs
29:20 Leadership and Mental Models
30:24 Commitment to DEI Work
32:26 Personal Leadership Journey
33:58 Navigating Cultural Biases
42:19 Leadership Tips and Insights
48:47 Opportunities with Semester at Sea
50:48 Book Recommendation and Conclusion

#leadership #experientiallearning #curiosity #inclusivity #semesteratsea #futureofleadership