Laura Kane's guide to navigating scrutiny

Laura Kane's guide to navigating scrutiny

Author: FW April 1, 2026 Duration: 35:55

How would intense public scrutiny impact your leadership style? 

Laura Kane is one of the most closely watched leaders in the nation. At just 33, she became the first woman to serve as the AFL's top football official. Today she continues to hold one of the most prestigious football operating roles, and will lead the AFLW competition into the 2026 season. In this episode, she speaks with FW Founder Helen McCabe about how she learned to navigate scrutiny as a leader. 

Please note: This episode was recorded the week before Laura Kane's new role at the AFLW was announced. 

Plus, this season Helen McCabe is answering YOUR leadership questions. Wait to the end of the episode to hear her take on burnout and Gen Z employees. If you have any leadership dilemmas, send them her way by emailing hello@futurewomen.com

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
Susannah George on what it means to be a 'wartime CEO' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:49
As a leader, is there a point where you've learned all there is to learn? The answer - according to Susannah George - is no. The award-winning entrepreneur, producer, investor and director, who launched Urban List from h…
Bonus: Brooke Blurton on owning your complexity at work [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:16
Have you ever felt like who you are was "too complex" for the field you work in? Brooke Blurton is best known for being the first Black and bisexual woman on The Bachelorette. She’s also a youth worker, an author, a podc…
Back to basics: Sally Neighbour on staying fearless [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:00
Over the summer, we’re revisiting some of our favourite FW Leadership Series. Award-winning journalist and former Executive Producer of ABC's Four Corners Sally Neighbour has pushed past doubts and fears to shed light on…
Bonus: Chanel Contos on creating change by being "too disruptive" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:39
Chanel Contos was just 21 years old when she launched an online petition that sparked a movement and propelled her into the global spotlight. Teach Us Consent triggered a national conversation and led to mandatory consen…
Back to basics: Melanie Silva on being a productive leader [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:35
When are you at your most productive? Managing Director for Google Australia & New Zealand Melanie Silva doesn’t just fill her days up with meetings, she instead makes space in her schedule for ‘big thinking days’ and ti…
Bonus: Matildas star Lydia Williams on embracing being "too humble" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:50
Does cockiness make you better at your job? That's what former Matildas star Lydia Williams was told when she rose to the sport's top flight. In this episode of Too Much, Williams joins Helen McCabe to reflect on her jou…
Back to basics: Jamila Rizvi on growing your confidence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:17
Where does confidence come from? Author, activist, and Future Women's Deputy Managing Director Jamila Rizvi brings both her experiences, and the research behind confidence to discuss how to best build it in your life. He…