IWD 2026: A ‘Love Note’ for Women Across the World

Self-care isn’t selfish. Leadership expert Hannah Knowles explains why taking care of yourself first might be the most powerful leadership decision you can make.

In this International Women’s Day episode of UNSCRIPTED, Hannah Knowles joins host Sarah Nicastro to discuss self-care, women in leadership, resilience, and navigating change in today’s workplace.

Hannah Knowles is a keynote speaker at Art of Brilliance, a wellbeing training company focused on helping individuals and teams move from surviving to thriving. She is also the coauthor of Love Notes, a collection of reflections and insights about what gives our lives meaning: love.

She explains:

• Why self-care isn’t selfish and makes you a better leader
• The “Give to Gain” paradox and why prioritising yourself benefits others
• Why consistency beats intensity when building habits
• How noticing “glimmers” can shift your mindset and wellbeing
• The Kaizen approach to creating meaningful change through small steps
• Why leaders should focus on what they can control during uncertainty
• How vulnerability and honesty build stronger teams
• Why perspective shapes how people respond to change
• The leadership power of saying “I’ll go first”
• Why celebrating progress matters more than chasing perfection

Follow along:

• 00:00 Intro
• 01:00 Meet Hannah Knowles and the Art of Brilliance mission
• 04:00 Why self-care shouldn’t feel selfish
• 07:30 Consistency beats intensity when building habits
• 10:45 Why women often struggle to prioritise themselves
• 15:10 The concept of “glimmers” and finding everyday joy
• 19:30 The Kaizen mindset and the power of small steps
• 24:30 Eat, move, sleep, relationships — the foundations of wellbeing
• 29:00 Why perspective shapes how we respond to change
• 34:20 Leading through uncertainty and supporting teams
• 39:30 Why vulnerability is a leadership strength
• 45:00 The “I’ll go first” leadership mindset
• 50:30 Celebrating progress instead of perfection

Follow Sarah Nicastro on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahhowland/

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https://futureoffieldservice.com