Saying YES to Growth: Why Stretching Yourself is Non-Negotiable

In this episode of the Let’s GO – Let’s GROW podcast with Des Penny challenges us to step beyond comfort and into growth. Through personal stories and practical leadership insights, he unpacks why stretching yourself isn’t optional — it's essential.
Learn 5 powerful ways to grow starting today, why action always precedes clarity, and how true leadership demands we stretch first.
If you’re ready to leave the harbour and chase your next opportunity, this is your call to action. Let’s GO — Let’s GROW!

Sponsored by Proteus Leadership — Creating Great Leaders for over 32 years. Visit proteusleadership.com

In this powerful and passionate episode, Des Penny gets fired up — and for good reason.

Tired of the relentless negativity swirling around leadership on social media, Des calls out the rising trend of "leadership bashing" and the damaging culture of blame that’s taking hold in many workplaces. Drawing from over 45 years of hands-on experience in leadership development, he offers a bold and unapologetic defence of leaders who are showing up every day, doing their best, often with little recognition or support.

This is not a sugar-coated pep talk. It’s a raw, real, and necessary conversation about responsibility — both for those leading and those being led. Des challenges listeners to shift their focus, speak up for the good, and stop letting the loudest critics dictate the narrative.

Whether you’re in a leadership role or part of a team, this episode will make you reflect, reassess, and hopefully, recommit to building healthier workplace cultures where respect, accountability, and hope take centre stage.

This one’s for the leaders who care, and the teams who need them.

🎧 Listen now, and if it hits home — share it, post something positive about a leader who’s impacted you, and help flip the script.

Let’s bring leadership back — and let’s grow together.

In this episode of the "Let's Go - Let's Grow" podcast, Des Penny shares a deeply personal journey of self-reflection and renewal. At 70 years old, he admits to having spent too much time listening to others' opinions and not honouring his own beliefs, leading him to tell himself negative stories that undermined his purpose. These false narratives resulted in self-doubt, physical illness, and mental exhaustion.

Des describes how he mistakenly believed that his professional life was over and that he should retreat to make way for the younger generation—a lie he now recognises. Despite his significant achievements, including starting successful businesses, winning national awards, authoring books, and being a devoted father and grandfather, he felt compelled to step back due to societal expectations.

A turning point came when he broke down during a public speaking event, realising that his inner spirit was in conflict with the false stories he had been telling himself. Inspired by reading "Atomic Habits" by James Clear, Des took responsibility for his actions and acknowledged that he had given away his identity. A week of solitude and reflection in Bali helped him reconnect with his purpose.

Des emphasises that helping others has no expiration date and challenges listeners to question whether they are accepting untruths or striving to make things better. He encourages everyone to affirm, "I am enough," and to recognise their value in the ongoing "jigsaw of life." His message is a call to embrace one's true self and continue contributing meaningfully, regardless of age or external opinions.