Proof that Leadership Doesn't Have an Expiry Date

What if the best chapter of your leadership story is still ahead of you? In this powerful episode of Leading You, I’m joined by Di Mantell - former ICU nurse turned CEO and board director - whose career is living proof that leadership doesn’t have an expiry date. From the hospital ward to leading Australia’s largest healthcare PPP, Di’s journey challenges everything we think we know about relevance, purpose, and what it means to lead well at every stage of life. We unpack what it takes to stay visible, confident, and values-driven in a world that often overlooks older women or expects them to step aside. Di shares how she found her voice in male-dominated spaces, why courage must come before confidence, and the pivotal moment that made her realise she was playing small. Whether you’ve felt invisible, underused, or unsure of your next move, this episode is your reminder that your leadership still matters - perhaps now more than ever. In this episode, we cover: Why job titles don’t define you - your values and voice do The difference between sponsorship and mentorship (and why women need both) What to do if you feel unseen or overlooked at work The habit that’s quietly undermining your leadership How to lead with purpose, not just position Why reinvention is your leadership edge   Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – Meet Di Mantell: ICU nurse to billion-dollar boardrooms 02:00 – The moment that shifted her leadership identity 05:00 – Feeling out of place but showing up anyway 07:00 – Owning your difference and standing in your values 09:00 – Playing small vs growing into your next chapter 12:00 – Why leadership evolves instead of expiring 14:30 – Moving from status to significance 16:00 – How sponsorship shapes careers 18:00 – The beliefs holding women back 20:00 – What to do if you feel invisible 22:00 – The one habit that quietly sabotages leadership 24:00 – Final words: reinvent, back yourself, and lead differently   Want to reflect more deeply? Ask yourself: Am I bringing my full self to the rooms I’m in - or shrinking to fit in? Who sees the real power in my leadership - and have I asked them? What’s one small, brave step I can take this week to evolve?   Know someone who feels like her time has passed? Share this episode. 🎧 Listen now and reclaim your space as a leader - at any age, any stage, in any room.   Links: Get the Clarity Compass Mini Program Connect with Julie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/ Instagram: @juliehydeleads Website: https://juliehyde.com.au Connect with Di: Website: https://dimantell.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/di-mantell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/di_c_mantellofficial See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.