Building a People-First Leadership Culture with Samantha McIntyre (ex-CIO L’Oreal)

In this episode of Strategy Candy, Tim Newbold sits down with Samantha McIntyre, a seasoned CIO who’s held leadership roles at powerhouse companies like L’Oreal, Woolworths, and Suzanne Group. Samantha shares her unique journey from starting on a help desk to becoming a major player in Australia’s corporate world. She’s got a knack for authentic, people-first leadership, and in this conversation, she breaks down how leaders at any level can use similar strategies to build connected, resilient teams. Samantha also dives into what it takes to create more gender equity in traditionally male-dominated fields, offering practical tips for supporting women in leadership and helping everyone achieve their potential.

Tim and Samantha discuss actionable career-boosting moves, the art of navigating work-life balance, and the surprising power of resilience, teamwork, and culture in transforming organizations. If you’re looking for straightforward, inspiring advice on climbing the career ladder and leading with empathy, this episode is a must-listen.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] – Intro to the episode and Samantha’s impressive background.
• [02:11] – Samantha’s journey from help desk to the C-suite: saying "yes" to opportunity and pushing herself forward.
• [06:15] – Breaking into male-dominated fields: Samantha’s experience as a woman in tech and leadership.
• [10:59] – Seeing the gaps: How Samantha realized there was a need to empower women in senior roles.
• [12:30] – The reality of gender bias: Why fewer women hold P&L positions and why that matters.
• [17:00] – Practical tips for building gender diversity: How leaders can create a more inclusive culture.
• [23:55] – Samantha’s top strategies for fast-tracking your career, starting from where you are.
• [31:05] – The impact of accountability: How to keep career goals on track.
• [33:56] – What to avoid in leadership: Busy culture, lazy leadership, and saying “I’m too busy.”
• [36:38] – Lessons from a challenging year: Building resilience and adapting to remote leadership.
• [39:30] – The importance of mutual support and building strong connections with your team.
• [43:05] – Book recommendations: Untamed by Glennon Doyle and other titles on Samantha’s reading list.
• [44:26] – Wrapping up: Tim shares final takeaways and Samantha’s advice for staying true to your goals.

Guest Bio:

Samantha McIntyre is a highly respected CIO and executive who has led technology and business transformation at iconic brands like L’Oreal, Woolworths, and Suzanne Group. Known for her people-centered approach to leadership, Samantha brings a wealth of experience in creating inclusive, high-performance cultures. A champion for women in leadership, she actively mentors and advocates for gender diversity in traditionally male-dominated fields, especially in tech. Samantha is passionate about empowering the next generation of leaders and sharing practical, real-world insights on career progression and personal growth.

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