Erica Nelson's top tips for designing an effective org chart

Erica Nelson's top tips for designing an effective org chart

Author: FW October 8, 2025 Duration: 30:19

What should leaders think about when designing org charts? And what are the secrets to creating ones that fuel, rather than hinder, collaboration? 

Erica Nelson is the Chief Leadership Development Officer at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation. She’s got a background in psychology and - among many things - works one-on-one with executives to help them sort through leadership pain points. In this episode she talks all things org charts and shares her experience of being made redundant not once - but three times - in her career. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


Helen McCabe, founder of the Future Women community, sits down each week for the Future Women Leadership Series. These conversations move beyond simple inspiration, delving into the real and often nuanced hurdles women encounter while advancing into executive roles. You’ll hear from a range of influential voices-CEOs, board directors, and pioneering thinkers-who don’t just share their success stories but unpack the complex decisions, setbacks, and resilience that shaped their journeys. This podcast provides a rare, candid look at the practicalities of building authority, navigating workplace dynamics, and fostering genuine loyalty within a team. It’s about the substance behind the title, offering actionable perspectives that both affirm and occasionally challenge conventional leadership wisdom. Tune in for thoughtful dialogue that recognises leadership is as much about courage and personal growth as it is about strategy. The entire series stems from the Future Women club, creating a direct audio line to the kind of frank discussions and insights usually reserved for its members. If you’re looking to refine your own approach with clarity and confidence, this is a compelling resource.
Author: Language: en-au Episodes: 100

Future Women Leadership Series
Podcast Episodes
Georgie Holt on why you need leadership anti-values [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:11
How often have you thought about your leadership values? Well, what if you flipped that and started thinking in terms of anti-values? Georgie Holt is the CEO of media start-up Flight Story - the powerhouse behind the Dia…
Paul Roos on what elite sports can teach corporate leaders [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:54
What can the corporate world learn about leadership from elite sports teams? All AFL fans will recognise the name Paul Roos. He was a legendary coach and player who is perhaps best known for ending the Sydney Swan's 72 y…
Back to basics: Wendy McCarthy on the politeness trap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:52
This week, we're revisiting one of our favourite FW Leadership Series episodes. Do you ever feel shackled by the expectation to be 'polite'? Wendy McCarthy is one of Australia’s leading feminists, businesswomen, activist…
Phoebe Saintilan-Stocks on how to stop people pleasing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:12
Does there come a point where you stop worrying about being likeable? Phoebe Saintilan-Stocks is the founder of media start-up Missing Perspectives. She is also the author of a new book called The Right Hand. In it, she…
Justine Cain on what being widowed at 29 taught her about leadership [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:58
Is there a trick to pushing through tough times? Justine Cain is the Group CEO of Diabetes Australia. In this episode, she speaks about resilience and how a great loss shaped her leadership philosophy. She also discusses…
Van Tang on how to be a hardworking but lazy leader [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:11
Van Tang is engineering giant GHD’s CEO for the Asia Pacific region. She leads a team of over 5600 people, spanning numerous countries and time zones. And yet, despite being incredibly hardworking, she holds onto a “lazy…
Mark Rigotti's guide to becoming a board member [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:45
What sort of career moves should you be making if you want to join a board? Mark Rigotti was the Global CEO at law firm Herbert Smith Freehills, and today, he is the CEO of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (…
Vicki Thomson on how to build compromise [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:47
How do we change as leaders over time? As CEO of the Group of Eight Universities, Vicki Thomson is one of the most important figures in Australia's education sector. In a former life she was also Chief of Staff to ex-Sou…
Kellie Hush's guide to career pivots [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:41
What is the best way to overcome a public leadership failure? Kellie Hush is one of the most influential players in the Australian fashion landscape. The former Editor-in-Chief of Harper's Bazaar Australia, today she is…
Mark Scott's blueprint for leading as an 'outsider' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:51
How should you approach leadership if you're an outside hire? Sydney University's Vice Chancellor Mark Scott is one of the country's most accomplished leaders. Throughout his career, Mark has been appointed from the outs…