What happens when leadership doesn’t end at the office door?In Living in a Fishbowl, Prina Shah is joined by regional HR expert Simone Pickering to explore what it really means to be a CEO in a small town — where anonymity doesn’t exist, visibility is constant, and leadership follows you to the supermarket, the school gate, and community events.This episode moves beyond leadership theory and into lived experience. It unpacks the emotional load of being both an organisational leader and a public figure, the isolation that often comes with senior roles in small communities, and why boundaries, wellbeing, and support systems are not optional for sustainable leadership.From local government CEOs and not-for-profit leaders to boards and councillors, this is an honest conversation about responsibility, burnout, and compassion — for leaders and for the humans behind the titles.In this episode, we discuss:Why CEOs in small towns are never “off duty”Leadership visibility and being constantly observedHow small actions are magnified and misinterpretedCEOs as public figures, not just organisational leadersDecision-making when social consequences are unavoidableThe emotional isolation of senior leadership rolesConfidentiality challenges in tight-knit communitiesWhy some CEOs need to physically leave town to recoverBurnout risks in regional and not-for-profit leadershipThe hidden cost of networking, stakeholder events, and “being on”Why purpose-driven leaders are at higher risk of burnoutThe critical role of boards and councils in shaping cultureTwo questions every board must ask: What does it feel like to work here? How does our conduct impact organisational culture?About Simone Pickering. Simone is a Kalgoorlie local and the founder of The People & Culture Office, a consultancy she launched in 2018 to make HR practical, human, and accessible for regional businesses.Simone’s career spans local government, mining, and the not-for-profit sector, giving her deeSend Prina a text to let her know how you'd change the workplace Support the showIf you are seeking professional advice or would like to change your company culture through training, consulting, speaking and coaching, get in touch with Prina Shah today. Email Prina.For More Info on Prina Shah & her Services: SIGN UP TO PRINA'S NEWSLETTER WHERE SHE SHARES A HEAP OF PRACTICAL TOOLS MONTHLY-ISH https://www.prinashah.com/signup Grab a copy of Make Work Meaningful and start creating your own legacy at work and leave me a review. https://www.makeworkmeaningful.shop/book Subscribe to the Ways to Change the Workplace Podcast for more actionable insights. https://www.waystochangetheworkplace.com/ Prina Shah LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/prinashah/ Prina Shah Website⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.prinashah.com/ Prina Shah Instagram⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/prina.shah/ Prina (Helping you find GREAT ways to change your workplace) Shah

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