Influence & Impact for Leaders Ep 185 - When You Don’t Fit the Leadership Mould
Jun 30, 2025
They challenge the idea of a single leadership mould and trace who it was built to serve. They explore the personal and organisational costs of forcing conformity. They celebrate empathetic, authentic leadership with real-life examples. They offer three practical shifts and tools to identify strengths, filter biased feedback, and lead in a way that fits your values.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Leadership Mold Is Systemic Not Personal
- The leadership mold is a systemic, outdated template created primarily by men and doesn't reflect all effective leadership styles.
- It demands extroversion, constant authority, decisiveness, and limited vulnerability, which excludes many capable leaders.
Faking Leadership Harms Performance And Wellbeing
- Trying to fit the mold forces leaders to perform rather than lead, causing burnout, imposter feelings, and resentment.
- People silence instincts, over-prepare, avoid visibility, or hide ideas when they act like someone they're not.
Jacinda Ardern As An Empathetic Leadership Example
- Carla cites Jacinda Ardern as a leader who embraced empathy and consensus-building over being the loudest voice.
- Ardern said she chose early on to be herself and framed leadership as building bridges, not commanding rooms.