[Podcast 2026] Scaling Without Losing Control: Lessons in Leadership with Cynthia Payne

In the world of business and aged care, “growth” is often the ultimate goal. But as many founders and executives discover, scaling a mission-driven organisation comes with a unique set of risks. How do you expand your reach without diluting your values, your culture, or your clinical standards?
Recently, our Founder and Managing Director, Cynthia Payne, sat down with Daniel from the Catching Up With CUB podcast to discuss her journey from frontline nursing to becoming a CEO at age 33, and ultimately founding Anchor Excellence.
The episode, titled “Scaling Without Losing Control,” offers a deep dive into the mechanics of high-performance leadership and the discipline required to grow an impactful organisation.

From the Bedside to the Boardroom

Cynthia’s journey is not your typical corporate trajectory. Starting her career as a nurse, she transitioned into executive leadership early, spending 16 years at the helm of a major aged care provider before launching Anchor Excellence.
As she shares in the podcast, this clinical foundation remains the “North Star” for everything we do at Anchor. Whether we are advising on governance or strategy, the ultimate focus is always on the quality of life for the consumer. Scaling, for Cynthia, isn’t just about numbers; it’s about amplifying impact.

Key Takeaways: How to Scale with Integrity

During the conversation, Cynthia highlighted several pillars that allow a business to grow while maintaining absolute control over its quality and mission:

1. Clarity is the Antidote to Complexity
As organisations grow, they naturally become more complex. Cynthia emphasises that leadership is about stripping away that noise to provide “absolute clarity” for the team. When every person in the organisation understands the why behind their work and the standards expected of them, the business can scale organically without micro-management.

2. Governance as a Growth Engine
Many see governance as a “handbrake” on speed. Cynthia argues the opposite: robust governance and clinical oversight are the “brakes that allow you to drive faster.” By building a multi-brand advisory group focused on excellence, she has proven that strong frameworks actually provide the freedom to take calculated risks and innovate.

3. Leading Through People
Scaling isn’t about systems alone; it’s about people. Cynthia discusses the reality of being a founder, learning when to step into the business and when to work on it. A recurring theme in the episode is the importance of “leaders enabling leaders”, the core philosophy behind Anchor Excellence’s success in impacting over 45% of the Australian aged care market.

Why This Matters Now?

The aged care sector is currently navigating unprecedented reform and regulatory shifts. For leaders in our industry, the challenge of “scaling without losing control” is more relevant than ever. Whether you are expanding a home care network or managing a multi-facility residential group, the principles of clarity, governance, and people-first leadership are your greatest assets.

At Anchor Excellence, we are dedicated to enabling leaders to enhance their capabilities and elevate the quality of life for our elderly. Contact us today to learn how we can support your organisation’s growth journey.