Episode 120
{Guest} From Poetry to Leadership: Joel McKerrow's Journey of Creativity-Driven Transformation
In this insightful episode of the Made For More podcast, Ally Nitschke is joined by the dynamic and creative Joel McKerrow, a renowned Australian poet, speaker, and creative facilitator. Known fondly as the “red-headed poet guy,” Joel brings a unique blend of creativity, depth, and storytelling expertise to the conversation.
Joel shares his remarkable journey from working in youth and social work to becoming a celebrated spoken word poet and keynote speaker. He opens the episode with a compelling poetic introduction that immediately sets the tone for a rich, thought-provoking dialogue.
Throughout the conversation, Joel explores the transformative power of storytelling in leadership, asserting that all human behaviour is shaped by the stories we tell ourselves and those around us. He underscores the critical importance of listening as a foundational skill for effective leadership.
Joel and Ally also delve into the role of creativity in leadership, with Joel cautioning against an over-dependence on artificial intelligence for creative tasks. He champions the value of facing the blank page, embracing the discomfort of self-confrontation, and finding authentic expression through creativity.
Offering practical takeaways, Joel encourages leaders to engage in inner work, excavate their personal stories, and empower others to reframe and articulate their own. His passion for storytelling as a tool for connection, engagement, and transformation is evident throughout the discussion.
Listeners interested in Joel’s work can connect with him via LinkedIn, Instagram, or explore further resources on joelmckerrow.com.
A heartfelt thank you to Joel McKerrow for sharing his wisdom, poetic brilliance, and deep insight into how creativity and storytelling can elevate leadership and drive meaningful change.
00:00:00 - Introduction to Joel McKerrow
00:00:40 - Joel's Unique Approach to Poetry
00:01:01 - The Invitation of the Present Moment
00:02:31 - Host's Reaction to Joel's Poetry
00:03:01 - Joel's Background and Journey
00:04:04 - Transition from Social Work to Poetry
00:05:09 - Impact of Poetry on Transformation
00:06:03 - Combining Poetry with Leadership
00:07:03 - The Power of Story in Leadership
00:08:07 - Stories Shaping Human Behavior
00:09:10 - Organizational Stories and Culture
00:10:03 - Applied Narrative Intelligence
00:11:05 - Internal Stories and Self-Growth
00:12:03 - Importance of Listening
00:13:07 - Listening to Deeper Stories
00:14:10 - Plot vs. Story in Human Experience
00:15:02 - Internal Listening and Self-Reflection
00:16:05 - Quality of Presence in Relationships
00:17:12 - Practical Tips for Better Listening
00:18:15 - Intentional Presence and Deep Listening
00:19:09 - Joel's Practice of Writing Weekly Poems
00:20:25 - The Impact of Personalized Poems
00:21:07 - Listening for Meta and Metaphor
00:22:00 - Using Metaphor to Convey Depth
00:23:06 - Metaphor in Organizational Vision
00:24:04 - Shared Experience through Metaphor
00:25:06 - Storytelling for Team Engagement
00:26:00 - Visionary Leadership and Storytelling
00:27:00 - Real-Life Stories in Vision Casting
00:28:03 - Example of Sean Askinosie's Story
00:29:01 - Transformational Power of Dark Stories
00:30:03 - Joseph Campbell's Cave Metaphor
00:31:07 - Authenticity in Leadership Stories
00:32:04 - AI and Creativity in Leadership
00:33:04 - The Risk of Over-Reliance on AI
00:34:07 - Facing the Blank Page and Fear
00:35:01 - The Importance of Creative Muscles
00:36:04 - Authentic Human Stories for Impact
00:37:09 - Unique Value of Personal Experiences
00:38:02 - Essence of Effective Leadership
00:39:08 - Top Tips for Emerging Leaders
00:40:10 - Excavating and Re-storying Your Life
00:41:13 - Connecting Internal Work with Teams
00:42:09 - Finding Meaning in Work through Story
00:42:48 - Where to Follow Joel McKerrow
00:43:01 - Resources and White Papers on Creativity
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