In this solo episode of Hard at Work, Ellen Whitlock Baker shares three leadership mistakes she wishes she could go back and do differently — and the practical steps you can take to avoid them.

From listening less and talking too much, to modeling unhealthy work habits, to relying on vague job descriptions and biased review processes, Ellen unpacks why these common traps harm teams and what managers can do instead.

You’ll learn how to:

• Listen with curiosity instead of defensiveness
• Model boundaries and healthy work habits (instead of hustle)
• Create clear job plans and fair review processes that prevent burnout and bias

If you’ve ever wondered how to be the kind of manager people actually want to work for — start here.

Tags: leadership mistakes, management tips, healthy workplace, career clarity, burnout prevention, boundaries at work, fair reviews, leadership coaching, Hard at Work podcast, Ellen Whitlock Baker