Deanne Stewart on the pivotal moment that shaped her career

April 16, 2025·30 min·2 clips

Helen McCabe shares her own leadership mistakes while introducing Deanne Stewart, CEO of Aware Super.

This episode features Helen McCabe interviewing Deanne Stewart, CEO of Aware Super, about her leadership philosophy and career journey. McCabe is a former journalist and founder of FW, a platform focused on women's professional lives. Stewart leads one of Australia's largest superannuation funds and previously served as CEO of MetLife. Stewart describes her typical day as beginning with exercise, which she credits for her energy and focus. She deliberately avoids scheduling any meetings before 8:30 AM to protect her morning routine. The conversation explores how Stewart became a leader at the young age of 29, examining the early challenges she faced. Stewart recounts a specific, pivotal moment in her career that fundamentally shaped her approach to leadership. She also shares a personal anecdote about her recent brush with royalty. A central theme is Stewart's view of herself not just as a CEO but as a "Chief Talent Officer," prioritizing people development. She argues that viewing events and professional connections as core duties, not add-ons, is critical for a leader. The discussion covers practical leadership tactics, including how she structures her calendar to maintain effectiveness. Stewart reflects on lessons learned from her tenures at major firms like Westpac, BT, and McKinsey & Company. One surprising claim is that a single critical incident early in her management career became a definitive lesson in handling responsibility. Her insistence on a meeting-free block each morning highlights a non-negotiable commitment to personal well-being for professional performance. The anecdote involving royalty serves to illustrate her perspectives on confidence and navigating high-stakes environments. Stewart's energy and drive are presented as intentional strategies, not innate traits. The tone is conversational and reflective, blending personal storytelling with practical career advice. The style is interview-based, with McCabe prompting Stewart to share specific experiences and insights. This episode would appeal to aspiring leaders, especially women, interested in concrete strategies for balancing operational demands with people leadership. Listeners seeking highly theoretical business discourse might find the focus on personal narrative too anecdotal.

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