In this episode of Powering Your Career, David Smith sits down with Mike Duffy, CEO at Elexia Communications, to unpack one of the most misunderstood capabilities in leadership, communication.

With a career spanning journalism, television, government advisory and senior roles across the energy sector, Mike brings a unique perspective on how leaders and organisations position themselves in an increasingly complex and scrutinised environment.

This episode dives into:

• What real thought leadership actually means and why most leaders miss the mark
• The biggest mistakes executives make when building their personal brand
• Why “safe” messaging doesn’t cut through
• How storytelling shapes public perception and drives change
• Why energy companies struggle to differentiate themselves
• The importance of simple, human communication in complex industries
• How poor community engagement is slowing down projects
• Why leaders need to show up, not just delegate communication
• The growing importance of EVP and employer branding in a competitive talent market

This is a must-listen for executives, leaders, and professionals across energy, infrastructure and corporate environments looking to sharpen how they communicate, influence and lead.

If you want to stand out, cut through the noise, and build a leadership profile that actually matters, this episode will challenge how you think about communication.

In Episode 020 of Powering Your Career, David Smith sits down with Sally Torgoman, CEO of Ascera Energy, to unpack a career shaped by curiosity, courage and continuous learning.

From starting in electrical engineering to adding law, moving across corporate development and stepping into CEO leadership, Sally’s journey is a powerful example of backing yourself and evolving with the industry.

In this episode, we cover:

⚡ Why following what you enjoy is often the best career strategy
⚡ The value of curiosity and learning quickly across different roles
⚡ Why engineering and law together create a powerful leadership skillset
⚡ The importance of mentors and backing yourself, even when others disagree
⚡ Navigating imposter syndrome and stepping into executive leadership
⚡ How to build high-performing teams through collaboration, not hierarchy
⚡ The biggest challenges in the energy transition and where we need to improve productivity
⚡ Why communication is not just about speaking, but listening and understanding
⚡ Balancing career, leadership, family and personal wellbeing

Sally also shares her perspective on culture, leadership, and the responsibility leaders have to create environments where people can thrive.

This is a must-listen for anyone building a career in energy, leadership or navigating their next move.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping Australia’s energy transition.

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In this episode of Powering Your Career, David Smith is joined by Mitch Wallis, founder of Heart On My Sleeve and one of Australia’s leading voices on mental health, psychology, and human performance.

This episode takes a different lens on leadership, focusing on the capability that will define the future of work, connection.

As the energy sector faces unprecedented pressure and transformation, the ability to lead people, not just projects, has never been more critical.

Mitch shares his personal journey from Microsoft to a global mental health movement, and the moment that changed everything.

In this conversation, we cover:

• The difference between mental health and mental illness
• Why regulation, not happiness, is the real goal
• The two core skills every human needs, resilience and connection
• Why most leaders get communication wrong
• The biggest mistakes people make in difficult conversations
• How to build genuine connection in teams, not surface-level check-ins
• Why technical experts often struggle when stepping into leadership
• The future of leadership in an AI-driven world
• The power of saying “I’m not okay”

This is a must-listen for leaders, managers, and professionals across energy, infrastructure, and high-performance environments.

If you want to build stronger teams, have better conversations, and lead with impact, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership.