Leadership isn’t just about guiding a team; it’s about facing storms head-on, navigating the unknown, and sometimes, it’s about finding the courage to rebuild when everything feels like it’s falling apart. In this heartfelt episode, Rowena Millward sits down with Mark Coad, the CEO of IPG Media Brands Australia and New Zealand, as he shares his raw, unfiltered journey through the ups and downs of leadership.
Listen to Uncomfortable Growth here.
Coad, affectionately known as Coady, opens up about his path of embracing uncomfortable growth. From being thrust into the deep end of running a media agency when everyone was jumping ship, to stepping up as CEO, to tackling the challenges of parenthood.
Coad’s narrative is filled with moments of self-doubt, reflection, and the inevitable question: “What is the answer? I’ll just have to figure it out.”
But this isn’t just a story about career milestones—it’s a story of personal growth. Coad shares a touching moment from the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a story about his son standing at a crossroads between education and passion. It’s an experience that many parents will connect with—the delicate dance between guiding our children and letting them chase their dreams.
Throughout the episode, Coad talks about the importance of leaving a legacy, building strong teams, and finding the courage to believe in yourself, even when things get tough. He opens up about the skills that have shaped him: resilience, self-awareness, and the ability to lift others as he rises.
With his natural ability for having a yarn and a laugh, this episode is for anyone who has ever faced the fear of stepping into something new, the uncertainty of career shifts, or the joys and challenges of being a parent. It’s an honest, real conversation about the uncomfortable growth that defines us, the doubts we battle, and ultimately the self-belief that make it all worthwhile.
New episodes of Uncomfortable Growth® Uncut drop weekly and are available to stream across all major audio networks.
Coming next on Uncomfortable Growth Uncut
Episode 3: Imogen Hewitt, A Leap of Faith
Rowena Millward interviews Imogen Hewitt (Chief Media Officer of Publicist Group, Australia / New Zealand), on her Uncomfortable Growth story. From the daunting decision to move her family to Singapore to start a new agency with no clients or staff, to the realization that growth and comfort cannot coexist, Imogen’s insights are a beacon for anyone standing at the crossroads of opportunity.
Learn more about Uncomfortable Growth here.
The world doesn’t need more stories of success; it needs real conversations about resilience, vulnerability, and the human spirit’s incredible capacity to turn trials into triumphs.
That’s why the Uncomfortable Growth Uncut podcast was born. It’s a reminder that struggle and success are intrinsically linked, that growth is rarely easy, and that the moments we feel most uncomfortable are often where our greatest breakthroughs lie.