Josephine is a seasoned leader, executive coach and consultant specialising in building strong leaders, teams and culture in organisations, particularly specialsiing in large scale change and transformation. She has worked with 1000s of leaders to help them find untapped potential in their people, processes and systems. With a Ph.D. in Organisational Psychology, she has herself also held leadership roles in both public and private sectors. As Partner in 6 Team Conditions, Josephine’s mission is to put the science of team effectiveness technology in the hands of every leader.
Notably, she led a $6 million program at Australia’s largest telecommunications provider, enhancing technological capabilities for enterprise customers. As a Partner of 6 Team Conditions Australia, and Principal Consultant for Corporate Diversity Pathways, Josephine champions the purposeful shaping of business leadership and strong culture via enabling collaboration and high performance team by team.
Her Amazon Best Seller book, “Rising to Feminine Power: The Lasso of Truth,” and podcast, “Gears, Action, Growth,” reflect her commitment to challenging traditional views on work and fostering a collective approach to leadership.
Explore more at www.gearedforgrowth.biz and www.playpodca.st/gearsactiongrowth.
Join Josephine on her next Bali Retreat on Rising to Feminine Power www.risingretreat.com.au
Company: Geared for Growth Pty Ltd
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Josephine Palermo: I’m Dr. Josephine Palermo, a seasoned leader, executive coach, and consultant specializing in building strong leaders, teams, and cultures within organizations. With a Ph.D. in Organisational Psychology, I’ve worked across both public and private sectors, guiding thousands of leaders to unlock untapped potential in their people, processes, and systems.
As a Partner in 6 Team Conditions Australia, my mission is to make the science of team effectiveness accessible to every leader. I help organizations navigate large-scale change and transformation by fostering collaboration and high-performance teams. Previously, I led programs at Australia’s largest telecommunications provider, enhancing team performance and technological capabilities for our nation wide customers.
My Amazon Best Seller book, Rising to Feminine Power: The Lasso of Truth, and my podcast, Culture, Teams & You, reflect my commitment to challenging traditional workplace norms and embracing a collective, empowered approach to leadership.
For those looking to deepen their leadership journey, I also run immersive Rising to Feminine Power retreats in Bali, designed to help women step into their full potential.
What are your top personal and professional goals for 2025, and how do you plan to achieve them?
Josephine Palermo: 2025 is all about scaling impact while staying true to my purpose -helping leaders and teams thrive, advocating for inclusivity, and empowering women to lead with confidence. This year my focus remains on empowering leaders, transforming teams, and redefining leadership for a more inclusive future. My goals are both personal and professional, as I believe true leadership stems from continuous personal growth and alignment with purpose.
One of my top priorities is increasing the adoption of 6 Team Conditions in the Australian market. Teams are the engines of success in any organization, yet so many leaders lack the right tools to cultivate high performance. My mission is to make this science-backed team effectiveness framework widely accessible to leaders at all levels.
Growing My Influence as an Author and Thought Leader
Following the success of my Amazon Best Seller, “Rising to Feminine Power: The Lasso of Truth, I plan to expand my impact as a thought leader through:
-Writing new articles, keynote speeches, and possibly another book
-Growing my podcast audience to spark more conversations around leadership and feminine power
– Increasing visibility through media features, guest podcasts, and interviews
Personal Growth: Balance, Creativity & Connection
Beyond business, I’m committed to maintaining a strong sense of balance, creativity, and connection in my life through:
-Prioritizing well-being through travel, movement, and mindful practices
-Cultivating deep connections with like-minded leaders, mentors, and communities
Looking back at 2024, what was the biggest lesson you learned, and how will it influence your approach in 2025?
Josephine Palermo: 2024 reinforced that leadership isn’t just about what we do—it’s about how we show up. In 2025, I’m committed to leading with clarity, purpose, and an unwavering focus on creating workplaces where everyone can thrive.
Looking back at 2024, the most profound lesson I learned was the power of alignment; between vision, values, and action. Whether in leadership, business, or personal growth, real success comes when we operate from a place of clarity, and values-driven purpose, rather than urgency or external pressure. This helps in times where uncertainty is the norm and there are many complex and challenging problems that I and other leaders are addressing right now in a global and local context that shifts and changes rapidly.
In 2024, I saw firsthand that leaders who invest in building strong, purpose-driven teams navigate change more effectively and foster cultures of high performance and inclusion. The organizations that struggled were those that treated team effectiveness and culture as afterthoughts rather than strategic priorities. This reinforces my belief that impactful leadership isn’t just about driving results—it’s about creating environments where people and ideas thrive.
What trends or innovations do you predict will significantly impact your industry this year?
Josephine Palermo: Major trends in 2025 include organizations having to navigate an era of unprecedented transformation. Leaders will need to embrace new ways of working, leading, and fostering inclusion to remain competitive. The intersection of AI, human-centered leadership, and innovation will define success this year.
AI & Technology-Driven Leadership Development
The integration of AI in leadership coaching, and team development is set to revolutionize how we build strong leaders and teams. AI-powered tools will provide real-time insights on team dynamics and leadership effectiveness, helping organizations scale development programs in ways never before possible. At 6 Team Conditions, we’re exploring ways to integrate AI-powered team diagnostics and coaching tools to help leaders make data-informed decisions about team performance.
The Rise of Human-Centered, Adaptive Leadership
Leaders can no longer rely on static, hierarchical models of leadership. Instead, adaptive leadership where agility, emotional intelligence, and human connection take center stage will be the defining business advantage.
The Feminine Power Movement in Leadership
A growing number of leaders, especially women, are rejecting outdated leadership models and embracing feminine power principles: collaboration, intuition, creativity, and emotional intelligence. This shift will redefine leadership and power are relational rather than as dominance, with as collective power being harnessed as a business advantage.
How do you approach goal-setting and maintaining focus throughout the year?
Josephine Palermo: My morning and evening routines are designed to keep me focused, energised, and aligned with my bigger goals. Every day I review my priorities, check my calendar, and ensure I’ve scheduled time for what matters most, including rest.
Top Productivity Strategies & Tools
I manage my day by diarising all my priority tasks—daily, weekly, and monthly. If it’s not in the diary, it doesn’t get done. I use Motion, an AI-powered scheduling tool, to automatically break down big tasks and allocate them based on deadlines. This ensures I’m always working on the most important things without feeling overwhelmed. I also leverage automation and delegation to streamline my workflow, allowing me to focus on high-value tasks that require my expertise.
The Biggest Habit Shift That Transformed My Business & Leadership
I realised I was spending too much time on tasks outside my superpower zone, so I hired a virtual assistant to handle things like bookkeeping and financial reporting. I also integrate AI and apps into my workflow as part of my delegation strategy, constantly looking for smarter ways to work. This allows me to focus on what truly requires more higher-order thinking skills. Early on, I read The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss, and it became my litmus test for whether I’m designing my work and life around that ideal. Outsourcing non-core tasks has been a game-changer, freeing me up to focus on strategy, leadership, and delivering value—not just to my clients, but also to my colleagues and my family.
I also got crystal clear on my values and purpose across work, life, and play. This acts as a compass for what I say yes and no to, making decision-making easier, and mitigating my people-pleaser default setting. I don’t sweat the small stuff or expect perfection in everything—most things are fine at 80%, and I reserve perfection for areas that truly require excellence.
What advice would you give to other leaders and entrepreneurs looking to make 2025 their best year yet?
Josephine Palermo: Collaborate with others to stay curious and open to new opportunities, things are moving fast and the power of collective minds will be a business advantage for you and others. Look after yourself, and prioritise self care so you can stay the course. Schedule time for health, leisure, wellness, exercise, and dreaming—whatever you need to stay balanced, including quality time with loved ones.
Back yourself and your experience while staying open and curious. Even when you think you know the answer, ask questions. Envision my ideal life in its entirety and ensure that short- and
