Ellen Latest Publications

• Justine Maree Cox
• 22 August 2025

The Leadership Mindset Shift That Builds Trust, Fast

What if your team had a shared way to name what’s really going on — without blame, shame, or defensiveness?

That’s what happened when I introduced the “Above and Below the Line” mindset model to 20 mid-level leaders at a major hospital. It gave them common language to explore mindset, behaviour, and culture — and it changed how they lead.

Because this isn’t just about better communication. It’s about Connected Leadership and the trust and psychological safety that power it. When we can name what we notice, we can shift how we show up. That’s the difference between reacting and responding.

• Justine Maree Cox
• 14 August 2025

Connection Over Control: Why Psychological Safety Starts With You

In leadership circles, “safety” is often confused with compliance checklists, risk matrices, or tight controls.

But the kind of safety that actually fuels performance — the kind that builds trust, inspires innovation, and lifts accountability — doesn’t come from control.

It comes from connection.

And connection is what Connected Leaders cultivate.

• Justine Maree Cox
• 14 August 2025

From Reflection to Realignment: How Connected Leaders Regroup, Refocus, and Finish Strong

It’s easy to hit July and go into overdrive: sprinting toward targets, overcommitting, and letting urgency override clarity.

But here’s the truth backed by science:
The brain loves a fresh start. Research shows we’re more likely to pursue goals after psychological “temporal landmarks”—like the beginning of a quarter or financial year【1】.

The catch? If you don’t intentionally reset, your brain defaults to old patterns.

That’s where Connected Leadership comes in.

• Justine Maree Cox
• 14 August 2025

The Quiet Power of Progress: Why Your Wins Deserve More Airtime

In leadership, we’re wired to look ahead. To the next deadline. The next deliverable. The next fire to put out.

But what happens when we don’t look back—even briefly?

We miss the quiet power of progress.

• Justine Maree Cox
• 4 June 2025

The Moment I Realised I Was Leading on Empty

I remember the exact moment. I was standing in front of the mirror, getting ready for another leadership meeting, another presentation, another day of doing the work I was known for. I had the title. The trust of a national team. A track record that spoke for itself. From the outside, everything looked like it

• Justine Maree Cox
• 4 June 2025

From Sandcastles to Sandpits: Transitioning into Leadership

I used to be an amazing sandcastle builder—it was my craft, my career, my passion. Then came the day when they said, “You’re great at building sandcastles. We want you to manage other sandcastle builders.” Excited yet anxious, I wondered: Would they listen to me? How could I oversee their work alongside my own? I