Lead the Standard with ATOL
Lead the Standard is your go-to podcast for professional development in ISO Management Systems and Auditing! Whether you're a seasoned auditor looking to enhance your skills or a newcomer to the field seeking valuable insights, our podcast delivers expert guidance, practical tips, and interviews with industry leaders.
Hosted by Jackie Stapleton and Kelly Taylor, Lead the Standard is an extension of our commitment to quality education and professional development. By tuning in, you gain access to our wealth of experience and expertise, delivered in an engaging and accessible format. We tackle a wide range of topics, from the essentials of becoming...Show more
All Episodes
Mid-Year ISO Health Check: Are You Still on Track?
Join me, Kelly Taylor, on this special 50th episode of "Lead the Standard with ATOL" as we explore the crucial topic of a mid-year ISO health check. Are you still on track, or just charging ahead without reflection? In this episode, I discuss the importance of pausing to review, reflect, and refocus on your ISO systems. Using a simple traffic light model—stop at red to review objectives and risks, prepare at amber to assess changes and training needs, and go at green to refocus and move forward—I guide you through maintaining alignment and avoiding chaos. Whether you're a long-time listener or new to the show, join me in taking a moment to realign and ensure your systems are working for you, not against you.
Working Through Doubt: Leading Beyond Imposter Syndrome
Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I’m not doing enough,” even while you’re holding everything together? You’re ticking boxes, keeping things running, supporting others — and still that little voice creeps in saying, “Are you sure you’re getting this right?”. Welcome to Lead the Standard! In this episode of Lead The Standard, Jackie and Kelly explore the pervasive issue of imposter syndrome, particularly in leadership roles. They discuss the challenges and emotional impact of self-doubt, even when outwardly successful. Kelly shares her personal journey of stepping into a new role while managing both professional and personal upheaval, including cancer treatment and natural disasters. The episode introduces a six-step 'Thread Model' for navigating and overcoming imposter syndrome. These steps include tracing tacit knowledge, highlighting hidden work, reflecting on responsibility, equipping the team, acknowledging, and appreciating efforts, and developing with intention. They stress the importance of transparency, empowering team members, and maintaining a balance between productivity and self-care. Both hosts emphasize that leadership involves continuous learning and appreciating the team's contributions to foster a more open and effective work environment. Notable timestamps: • 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage • 00:48 Welcome to the Throwing Out Podcast • 02:10 Imposter Syndrome: A Leadership Challenge • 03:35 Kelly's Personal Journey and Insights • 10:23 The Thread Model: Six Practices for Effective Leadership • 12:33 Trace: Identifying Invisible Knowledge • 15:28 Highlighting Hidden Work • 21:48 Reflecting on Responsibility • 26:17 Equipping Your Team with Power • 32:17 The Fragility of Team Dynamics • 32:44 Addressing Permission-Seeking Behavior • 33:47 The Bottleneck Effect • 34:35 Acknowledging and Appreciating Team Members • 35:28 The Power of Unexpected Appreciation • 38:24 The Impact of Acknowledgement on Leadership • 42:36 Developing with Intention • 45:35 Reflecting on Personal and Team Growth • 59:22 Summarizing Key Takeaways • 01:01:02 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans The usual links: • Read the LTS Article: https://blog.auditortrainingonline.com/lead-the-standard/2025-18 • ATOL: https://auditortrainingonline.com/ • Connect with Jackie: o https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiestapleton/ o https://jackiestapleton.com/ • Connect with Kelly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellytaylor-au/ Other links we promised: • Jackies Book is coming register for pre-sale now…. https://jackiestapleton.myflodesk.com/leadthestandardbook • Girl Director: https://girldirector.com/ Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for general guidance and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, guests, and contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Auditor Training Online (ATOL) or its affiliated entities. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and currency of the information shared, including references to ISO standards and related clauses, this content should not be considered definitive legal, regulatory, or professional advice. Listeners should always consult with a qualified professional for advice tailored to their specific business context or compliance obligations. Unless otherwise stated, all information relating to ISO standards, including clause references and revision details, is based on the version of the standard current at the time of recording and publication. As standards are periodically reviewed and updated, we encourage listeners to confirm the latest version applicable to their needs. ATOL does not accept any liability for reliance on the information presented in this podcast. Content may be updated, removed, or corrected without notice. © Auditor Training Online Pty Ltd 2025. All Rights Reserved | www.auditortrainingonline.com
It’s Not Just About Face-to-Face: How ISO Leaders Connect Today
In this episode of Lead the Standard, hosts Kelly Taylor and Jackie Stapleton discuss the evolving nature of leadership and networking in the ISO community. They explore how effective leadership today involves proactive engagement both online and in-person. The episode covers the 'Modern Networking Model,' which includes key areas such as content creation, social engagement, digital connections, and physical meetups. Jackie shares her excitement for an upcoming conference in Denver, outlining how digital tools have transformed traditional networking into a more layered and human experience. The conversation is rounded out with practical tips on utilizing content and social media to build genuine connections and trust. This insightful dialogue emphasizes the importance of showing up with value and consistently engaging with your professional community to lead effectively. Notable timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Modern Leadership 00:18 Welcome and Introductions 00:38 The Evolution of Networking 01:45 The Importance of Digital Connections 02:39 Preparing for the Denver Conference 03:10 Modern Networking Model 08:53 Content Creation Strategies 15:39 Leveraging Social Media 28:31 The Power of Digital Networking 28:50 Building Connections Through Social Media 30:18 The Shift to In-Person Networking 33:44 Evaluating Professional Relationships 40:42 Maximizing Conference Experiences 45:43 The New Era of Virtual Networking 49:41 Conclusion and Future Episodes Links we promised: • Read the LTS Article: https://blog.auditortrainingonline.com/lead-the-standard/2025-18 • Jackie Stapletons LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiestapleton/ • Kelly Taylors LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellytaylor-au/ • ASQ World Conference on Quality and Improvement: https://asq.org/conferences/wcqi • AOQ Quality Business Magazine: https://www.aoq.net.au/qb-magazine/ Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for general guidance and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, guests, and contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Auditor Training Online (ATOL) or its affiliated entities. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and currency of the information shared, including references to ISO standards and related clauses, this content should not be considered definitive legal, regulatory, or professional advice. Listeners should always consult with a qualified professional for advice tailored to their specific business context or compliance obligations. Unless otherwise stated, all information relating to ISO standards, including clause references and revision details, is based on the version of the standard current at the time of recording and publication. As standards are periodically reviewed and updated, we encourage listeners to confirm the latest version applicable to their needs. ATOL does not accept any liability for reliance on the information presented in this podcast. Content may be updated, removed, or corrected without notice. © Auditor Training Online Pty Ltd 2025. All Rights Reserved | www.auditortrainingonline.com
Auditing ISO 14001:2015: Where to Start and What to Ask
In this episode of Lead The Standard, Kelly Taylor and Jackie Stapleton discuss the challenges and best practices for auditing ISO 14001:2015. Using a plumbing analogy to simplify concepts, they provide insights on where to start, what questions to ask, and how to make sense of the environmental management system (EMS) standard in a real business context. Emphasizing a conversational approach over formal interrogation, they walk through five key areas: context, environmental aspects, compliance, operations, and performance evaluation. Throughout the discussion, they highlight the importance of curiosity and practical understanding to generate the best audit outcomes. Notable timestamps: • 00:00 Introduction to EMS Audits • 00:25 Meet the Hosts and Episode Setup • 00:39 Addressing Technical Issues and Episode Delay • 01:42 Overcoming the Overwhelm of ISO 14001 Audits • 03:31 The Plumbing Analogy for EMS Audits • 07:25 Introducing the EMS Flow Check Model • 10:18 Key Areas of the EMS Flow Check: Context • 14:34 Key Areas of the EMS Flow Check: Environmental Aspects • 20:39 Key Areas of the EMS Flow Check: Compliance • 21:41 Understanding Legal and Other Requirements • 22:16 Tracking and Reviewing Compliance • 22:38 The Water Filter Analogy • 23:52 Softening the Conversation • 24:53 Key Areas in EMS Flow Check • 25:41 Operations: Implementing Strategies • 30:16 Performance Evaluation: Turning the Tap • 35:31 Recap and Final Thoughts • 40:34 Closing Remarks and Next Episode Preview Links we promised: • Check out this episode LTS 2015.14 “Get Clause 6.1.2 Environmental Aspects Right or Nothing Else Works – ISO 14001:2015: https://open.spotify.com/episode/22sJGwFfEIJyaz2QQqBV45?si=Ex1yUqsnRoqagzpfqgRung • Read the LTS Article: https://blog.auditortrainingonline.com/lead-the-standard/2025-16 • ATOL: https://auditortrainingonline.com/ • Connect with Jackie: o https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiestapleton/ o https://jackiestapleton.com/ o Jackies Book is coming register for pre-sale now….https://jackiestapleton.myflodesk.com/leadthestandardbook • Connect with Kelly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellytaylor-au/ Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for general guidance and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, guests, and contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Auditor Training Online (ATOL) or its affiliated entities. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and currency of the information shared, including references to ISO standards and related clauses, this content should not be considered definitive legal, regulatory, or professional advice. Listeners should always consult with a qualified professional for advice tailored to their specific business context or compliance obligations. Unless otherwise stated, all information relating to ISO standards, including clause references and revision details, is based on the version of the standard current at the time of recording and publication. As standards are periodically reviewed and updated, we encourage listeners to confirm the latest version applicable to their needs. ATOL does not accept any liability for reliance on the information presented in this podcast. Content may be updated, removed, or corrected without notice. © Auditor Training Online Pty Ltd 2025. All Rights Reserved | www.auditortrainingonline.com