In episode 343, I speak with author, speaker, inventor, and entrepreneur, Ilene Marcus. Ilene is a powerhouse innovator who transforms frustration into fuel. With a bold, no-nonsense approach (and a sharp dose of humor), she helps leaders and teams master their reactions, cut through workplace chaos, and lead with audacity. Her philosophy? Your reactions speak louder than your actions—and learning to manage yourself is the key to managing everything else. She shares how mindfully focusing on the small things in life will transform any situation to create an incredible outcome. This is a high energy podcast, not to be missed.
What if the smallest reactions you have each day are the very things shaping your leadership, relationships, and results?
In this powerful and refreshingly honest episode, I’m joined by Ilene Marcus—a powerhouse speaker, author, and innovator who knows how to turn frustration into fuel. With a no-nonsense approach and a sharp dose of humor, Ilene breaks down why your reactions speak louder than your actions, and how mastering yourself is the gateway to leading everything else more effectively.
With over 25 years of leadership experience across government, nonprofit, and corporate sectors—and responsibility for 10,000+ employees and billion-dollar budgets—Ilene has seen firsthand how organizations really work… and why people get stuck in unhelpful patterns.
Ilene shares practical, real-world strategies for:
Author of Managing Annoying People and her upcoming book Managing Annoying Me, Ilene brings deep insight shaped by both professional leadership and personal resilience—including her journey through cancer and major career challenges.
We also explore Ilene’s creative side—from her inventive iLean-Pan, designed to solve an everyday cooking frustration, to her collage art that captures the humor and struggle of life’s small moments.
Whether you’re leading a team, navigating tough conversations, or simply trying to show up better each day, this episode will challenge you to master yourself, magnify your influence, and multiply your impact.
And when Ilene isn’t transforming leaders and organizations, you’ll find her in the Berkshires with her giant goldendoodle, Beauregard—who, like most of us, occasionally ignores her best advice.
🎧 Listen now and discover why getting the small things right changes everything.
To find out more about Ilene, Click Here
My website is www.andrewjobling.com.au