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
Dr Kate Mason's guide to communicating with authority [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:57
What is the difference between a good and a gifted communicator? Dr Kate Mason is a leading communications expert. Her new book, Powerfully Likeable, is a roadmap for female leaders looking to communicate in a way that's…
How to overcome a career plateau [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:53
What should you do when you're feeling stuck in your career? And how can you best transform a plateau into new opportunities. In this panel discussion recorded live at the FW Leadership Summit, join journalist Leila McKi…
Senator Jane Hume on how to avoid the likeability trap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:31
What should you do when strong convictions create conflict at work? Senator Jane Hume became a politician because of her strong convictions and beliefs. But these convictions aren't shared by all. Some love her for her b…
Rebekah Giles' secrets to reputation management [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:40
What should you do when your integrity as a leader is called into question? Rebekah Giles is one of the most high-profile lawyers in Australia. She's the Principal of Giles George, a law firm that specialises in reputati…
Fiona David's guide to making criticism count [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:57
Can being criticised as a leader also be a sign of success? The answer, according to Fiona David, is yes. A lawyer and anthropologist by training, Fiona helped lead the development of the Global Slavery Index. Today she…
Craig Tiley's four tips for hiring the best people [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:15
What are the key traits leaders should look for when hiring? CEO of Tennis Australia Craig Tiley has one of the most high-pressure and high-profile sports leadership roles. Each year he is reasonable for leading the team…
Natalie Slessor on how to make your leadership ambitions visible [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:36
What is the most effective way to make your ambitions a reality? The answer - according to Natalie Slessor - could be to start thinking of your career as like a bingo card. In this episode of the Leadership Series, CBRE'…
Jay Weatherill's guide to navigating divisive topics at work [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:32
How can leaders build cultures of respect in our increasingly polarised times? The answer, according to former Premier Jay Weatherill, might just start with creating spaces for respectful disagreement. In this interview,…
BONUS FW SERIES: "LIke a game of chess." After she leaves [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:31
Trigger warning: domestic and family violence. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 14 men have experienced violence from an intimate partner. This is a whole of society issue - including workplaces. That's why we wanted to share our l…
Dr Luci Ellis on leading as a technical specialist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:47
Dr Luci Ellis is one of the most high-profile and respected economists in the country. She rose through the ranks to become Assistant Governor at the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). Today, she works as Group Chief Econo…