As the CEO of Startup Victoria, Vicki Stirling is renowned for delivering a unique & fun breath of fresh air into the Australian startup ecosystem. Her considered and deeply personal perspectives on leadership and culture are eminent in the way she operates professionally & it's clear she brings her whole, people-first, empathic self to everything she does. Having started her career in design at Nike in Europe, we weave through her fascinating career at the macro, but the powerful insights of Vicki's journey dawn on me once we go deep. Understanding the mindset and spiritual rhythms she approaches her life and work with brings a fresh perspective to topics like feminine leadership, creating culture, spiritual growth & what makes for an incredible founder. Vicki brings her honest, candid and vulnerable self to this episode of Unmapped. She is open about some of the challenges in her life and what she learnt from them. I was privileged to be the person on the other side of this conversation. Vicki is a rare, deeply inspiring empath, a tenacious leader and a dear friend. The world is richer for having her in it. Enjoy the episode: this one meant a lot. TIME STAMPS 00:00 - 02:45 - Intro 02:45 - 9:30 - Chit chat, Southstart & The Magic of Spaces 9:30 - 15:30 - Legendary Founders, Co-Founder Relationships, Going All In 15:30 - 18:40 - Saying I Don't Know 18:40 - 23:25 - Enacting Change, Needing Control in Power 23:25 - 30:46 - The Masculine & Feminine, Finding Yourself, Awareness, Mindfulness & Awakening 30:46 - 33:49- Spiritual Principles as a Leader, Energetic Frequencies 33:49 - 39:45 - Servant Leadership & Culture 39:45 - 48:00 - Letting Go, Embracing Change & Strategy from the Bottom Up 48:00 - 54:04 - Customer Centric CEO, Startup Metrics 54:04 - 58:32 - Exploring our Feelings & Results Oriented Reputation & Being "Nervouscited" 58:32 - 1:04:59 - The Journey & Outro