Mastering Effective Leadership and Psychological Safety: Insights from David Dilger of Edge Legal

Breakfast Leadership Show

Management Training, Trust, and the Evolving Role of Leaders

In this episode, Michael sits down with David Dilger, founder of Edge Legal, to explore managers' challenges and why so many struggle in leadership roles. David shares his career journey and what led him to help organizations build positive, trust-based workplaces.

Michael highlights a common workplace issue—managers being promoted for their technical skills rather than leadership abilities—leaving them unprepared for the realities of team management. They discuss why avoiding difficult conversations is more common than outright bad leadership and how addressing challenges early can make all the difference.

The conversation also dives into:
✅ The role of trust in leadership and how it impacts team performance
✅ Psychological safety—why employees need to feel secure to thrive
✅ The shift from traditional management to mentorship and coaching-driven leadership

If you want to build stronger, more engaged teams, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss!

Building Strong Teams: Communication, Boundaries, and Leadership

Michael and David continue their conversation by tackling one of the biggest keys to effective leadership: communication. David shares his expertise on how managers can understand individual strengths, respect personal boundaries, and create a supportive, high-performing team.

They also discuss:
🔹 The importance of clear, respectful communication in leadership
🔹 How past workplace relationships—both successful and unsuccessful—can shape management styles
🔹 Why organizations struggle with handling terminations and how to approach them with integrity

Michael and David dive deep into the challenges leaders face and how they can improve their management approach. Tune in for a conversation filled with practical strategies and expert insights!

David is the Co-Founder of Edge Legal, an Australia-based employment and safety legal firm that empowers employee-employer relations across organizations by challenging traditional rigid HR tools and helping build respectful workplaces free of legal fears.
Backed by a deep understanding of psychosocial safety and effective communication, David has a strong track record in people management. He has worked extensively with the Government of Tasmania, the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and top companies like Cotton On Group, Costa Group, Grant Broadcasters, and Tassal.
David's ability to blend legal know-how with practical experience as a senior executive sets him apart. As a seasoned HR-legal authority, David has donned many hats — from tutoring at the University of Tasmania to presenting at national HR conferences.
Topics:
How self-awareness is critical to effective leadership and people management.
Here are practical tips on how managers and business leaders can make employees feel psychologically safe, reduce stress, and improve performance.
Actionable advice for managers to communicate clearly, respectfully, and conflict-free with employees.
Balancing leIt is balancing dance with a supportive workplace that prioritizes employee well-being and reduces legal fears.
More about David:
Sittingmembersr has been on TAC (Ton Tasmanian Training Agreements Committee) since 2006.
He was the former CEO of Banjo’s Corporation, under which the organization was a National Finalist and Joint State Winner at the AHRI People Management Awards.
Ex-Partner at Page Seager Lawyers for 7+ years focused on Employment & Safety.
We have delivered to businesses on behalf of the federal government following the introduction of the Fair Work Act.
Regularly appears in the Fair Work Commission and other industrial tribunals, like the Tasmanian Industrial Commission and Anti-Discrimination Commission and Tribunal.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-dilger-59b2bb58/
https://edgelegal.com.au/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/tasmanian-chamber-of-commerce-and-industry/
https://banjos.com.au/
https://www.pageseager.com.au/