Laura Kane's guide to navigating scrutiny
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In this episode of the Future Women Leadership Series, host Helen McCabe interviews Laura Kane, Executive General Manager of Football Operations at the AFL and the first woman to hold the league's top football role at just 33. Laura shares her journey from personal injury lawyer to sports administrator, sparked by a chance opportunity to lead North Melbourne’s women’s football program. She candidly discusses the intense scrutiny she faces as a high-profile leader, emphasizing the importance of perspective, resilience, and anchoring decisions in the passion of fans. Laura reveals her strategies for managing stress—returning to basics like sleep, exercise, and attending AFLW games as a fan—and advocates for authenticity, consistency, and psychological safety in leadership. She also offers practical advice for young female leaders: ask the 'silly' questions, invite yourself to opportunities, and stay true to your unique self. The episode closes with actionable insights on engaging Gen Z team members and supporting burnt-out employees, underscoring the human side of leadership amid high-stakes decision-making.
Anchor decisions in the passion of fans—scrutiny is a sign of care, not criticism.
Return to basics: sleep, exercise, and time with people who ground you.
Ask the 'silly' questions—most leaders are thinking the same thing.
Invite yourself to meetings and opportunities—no one is purposefully excluding you.
Stay true to yourself at the table; diversity of thought is what organizations need.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introduction to the Future Women Leadership Series
Helen McCabe introduces the podcast series, explaining its mission to explore leadership challenges through conversations with trailblazing women leaders.
Laura Kane: A Trailblazer in Australian Football
Helen introduces Laura Kane as the first woman to lead the AFL’s football operations, highlighting her remarkable career shift from lawyer to sports administrator.
The Daily Reality of Leadership at the AFL
Laura describes her dynamic role overseeing football operations, AFLW growth, healthcare, and strategic planning across all four AFL competitions.
From Lawyer to Leader: A Career Turned by Passion
Laura recounts how her work on the Child Abuse Royal Commission and her love for football led to an unexpected opportunity to lead North Melbourne’s women’s program.
Navigating Scrutiny: The Weight of Public Opinion
“If 100% of people agreed with what we said, I would probably get worried. I know. I would probably think, what's going on here?”
“The data is one thing, but the anecdotal evidence is overwhelming.”
“Just ask the silly question because it's not silly.”
“Invite yourself to things. People aren't thinking about inviting you to things.”
Host
Guest
Laura Kane
person
AFL
organization
Helen McCabe
person
AFLW
organization
Gen Z
other
North Melbourne Football Club
organization
Odessa Blaine
person
AI in Sports
other
Bec Hagsma
person
Child Abuse Royal Commission
organization
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