#45 You Are the Company You Keep: How Great Leaders Guard Against Toxic People and Protect Organisational Health

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Your leadership potential is directly influenced by the people you surround yourself with. In this episode of The Exceptional Leadership Podcast, we explore why great leaders must be intentional about their inner circle—both personally and professionally.

Discover how negative energy, toxic team members, and poor cultural fit can erode morale, stifle innovation, and damage organisational health. More importantly, learn how successful leaders identify, avoid, and actively remove toxic influences to build high-performing, positive environments.

Drawing on the powerful story of Oprah Winfrey’s rise from adversity to global success, we reveal how curating the right relationships can be a game-changing leadership strategy. From the front lines of personal development to the boardroom, this episode offers actionable insights on:

• Why “you are the company you keep” is more than a cliché
• The real cost of toxic people in organisations
• How leaders can protect team culture and performance
• What Oprah’s journey teaches us about choosing your circle wisely

Whether you’re leading a team or managing your own mindset, this episode is a must-listen for any leader committed to sustainable success.

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Mathew Hamilton leads a high performing team of professionals and has worked across numerous industries in both the public and private sector.

He holds an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business.