Lead Into It

Some conversations are worth listening to more than once.

This is one of them.

In this rewind episode, I'm joined by leadership coach and former Wall Street tech executive Marisa Santoro to talk about something so many of us do without even realizing it: apologizing for taking up space.

Whether it's saying "I'm sorry" when you don't need to, hiding behind words like just, or softening your ideas before you've even shared them, these small habits can quietly chip away at your confidence and credibility.

Marisa shares practical tools to help you communicate with more intention, own your voice, and lead with confidence without pretending to be someone you're not.

If you've ever left a meeting wishing you'd spoken up, struggled to be heard, or wondered how to project more confidence at work, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Marisa's journey from a 20-year Wall Street tech career to becoming a leadership coach
• What the Gutsy Leadership System is and why leadership starts with trusting yourself
• Why fear, self-doubt, and the desire to be liked often hold leaders back
• What it really means to "speak without apology"
• How words like "just," "but," and unnecessary apologies can weaken your message
• The simple question that can completely change how you communicate: "How do I want to be perceived?"
• The Rule of Three and how it helps you communicate with more clarity and impact
• Practical ways to build executive presence in meetings, presentations, and everyday conversations
• How to adapt your communication for different audiences without losing your authenticity
• Why confidence isn't about being the loudest person in the room—it's about being intentional

Guest:
Marisa Santoro is a former tech executive turned leadership coach and founder of In Our Shoes, where she teaches the Gutsy Leadership System. She's also known for her talk "Speaking Without Apology," which started as a program for NYU and later became a TEDx talk.

Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

What does leadership really look like over time?

I almost didn't share this story.

I've been holding onto it for a while because I wasn't sure I was ready to tell it. It's easy to share the wins. It's a lot harder to talk about the burnout, the difficult leaders, the career pivots, and the moments where you have no idea what you're doing.

But those are the experiences that shaped me the most. And if I encourage others to lead with authenticity and keep learning, I should be willing to do the same.

In this episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes of my own leadership journey—from joining the Air Force as a brand-new lieutenant to becoming a leadership coach and business owner.

Because I realized that leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about who you become through the experiences that shape you.

In this episode, I share:

• My leadership journey through the military, corporate America, and entrepreneurship.
• What great leaders did differently—and what I learned from the ones who struggled.
• Why grace, humility, and being approachable matter more than having all the answers.
• The role self-awareness plays in becoming a stronger leader.
• Learning to focus on what's actually within your control.
• How understanding your strengths (and owning your weaknesses) can change the way you lead.
• Why building relationships through networking and simple coffee chats has been one of the best career investments I've made.
• Navigating burnout, career transitions, and unexpected pivots.
• How coaching changed the way I think about leadership.
• A simple reflection practice you can start using today to continue growing as a leader.

Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

Okay, this one's a little spicy.

In this episode, Sara is dropping some hot takes — the kind that sound controversial until you actually think about them for two seconds. Inbox zero? Myth. Answering emails on vacation? Not the flex you think it is. Being "busy" all the time? Might just mean you're bad at saying no.

Sara gets into why the way we've all been taught to "do" work is kind of broken — and what it actually looks like to build a career that fits into your life instead of swallowing it whole. She also gets into a few truths that might feel a little uncomfortable, like why you don't owe anyone workplace friendship, and why leadership was never actually about the title on your business card.

If you've ever felt like you had to be constantly available, endlessly busy, or fully "on" to be taken seriously at work — this episode is your permission slip to stop.

Tune in, and let us know which hot take you agree with the hardest.

Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

Unlock the secret to transforming your leadership with feedback that fuels growth and trust.

In this rewind episode, we revisit an impactful conversation with Kelly Waltman, founder and CEO of SLC Consulting and author of Elevate Connection: Cultivate an Engaged, Inspired, Productive and Profitable Team Culture. 

This converation is about the art of feedback — giving, receiving, and cultivating a feedback-friendly culture. Whether you're a leader, team member, or aspiring professional, understanding how to navigate feedback can transform your relationships and organizational dynamics.

Key Topics:

• The importance of feedback as a core leadership skill
• Building a feedback culture where giving and receiving feedback is ongoing and woven into daily interactions
• Myths and truths about fear and vulnerability in feedback conversations
• Practical steps for creating safe spaces and incentivizing feedback processes
• The STOMPS model for effective feedback: Safe space, Timing, Objective, Balance, Specific, and Follow-up
• Strategies to start requesting and giving feedback within your sphere of influence
• The impact of cultural differences on feedback styles and communication norms
• Actionable tips for practicing and improving feedback skills through role-play and accountability partnerships
• Resources including books like Brene Brown’s works and Kim Scott’s Radical Candor for deeper learning
• Kelly’s recommended first step: asking for feedback and genuinely listening

Timestamps: 

 01:10 - Defining feedback culture and its importance
 04:21 - How to create a feedback culture within teams
 06:36 - Overcoming fear and setting the stage for open dialogues
 08:24 - Assessing where your team is on the feedback readiness spectrum
 09:46 - Small steps for individuals to improve their feedback skills
 10:14 - Understanding and addressing the fear of giving and receiving feedback
 12:29 - The role of vulnerability and psychological safety in feedback
 15:28 - Asking non-threatening, open-ended questions to initiate feedback
 16:36 - Setting the right tone and modeling feedback behaviors
 20:30 - The STOMPS framework for providing effective feedback
 23:36 - Practicing feedback through role-play and accountability partners
 25:11 - Creating an environment where feedback leads to growth
 27:22 - The emotional and cultural aspects of feedback styles
 30:26 - Recognizing feedback's role in career development and leadership efficacy
 32:17 - Examples of both ineffective and effective feedback scenarios
 34:46 - The importance of respectful, specific, and timely feedback
 37:11 - Using feedback to facilitate change management and team buy-in
 38:29 - Ensuring a safe, relationship-based environment for feedback
 40:44 - How to receive feedback effectively without defensiveness
 43:52 - Building a culture of appreciation and valuing input
 45:50 - Feedback across cultures and international styles

Connect with Kelly Waltman: 

• Website
• LinkedIn

Don’t forget: The foundation of a strong team or organization is built on honest, respectful, and continual feedback. Start today by asking for feedback in your sphere of influence and lead by example.

Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

Most leaders don’t wake up trying to be a bad boss.

But sometimes the habits we build under pressure, stress, or good intentions can quietly create frustration, confusion, or burnout for the people around us.

In this solo episode of Lead Into It, I’m sharing seven signs that your leadership style might be getting in your team’s way and what to do instead. This isn’t about guilt or perfection. It’s about building awareness so you can lead more intentionally and create an environment where people can thrive.

In This Episode:

• Why psychological safety matters more than you think
•  The hidden ways leaders unintentionally shut people down
•  How unclear expectations create frustration
•  Why constant firefighting may be a leadership signal
•  The difference between control and development
•  How your energy impacts team performance
•  Simple ways to become a more intentional leader

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: Leadership starts with self-awareness
00:33 – Sign #1: Your team avoids bringing you problems
02:00 – Sign #2: You say you’re approachable—but your reactions say otherwise
04:49 – Sign #3: You notice mistakes more than progress
06:21 – Sign #4: You expect mind reading instead of communication
08:46 – Sign #5: You’re constantly putting out fires
10:44 – Sign #6: You prioritize control over growth
12:29 – Sign #7: Your team seems exhausted around you

Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

What even is leadership coaching?

I get this question all the time because when I tell people I’m a leadership coach, the response is usually something like… “Oh, so kind of like a life coach?” which my answer is usually somewhere between: yes and no.

So, in this episode, I’m breaking down what leadership coaching actually is, what happens in a coaching relationship, and why so many people, from first-time leaders to executives, choose to work with a coach.

We talk about the misconceptions around coaching, what makes coaching different from mentoring, consulting, or therapy, and some of the reasons people decide they want support in this season of leadership.

In this episode, I talk about:

•  What leadership coaching actually is (and isn’t) 
•  Why coaching is a partnership, not someone giving you answers 
•  Who leadership coaching is for (hint: it's not just executives)
•  How coaching helps you notice patterns and see situations differently 
•  Why confidentiality and trust matter so much in coaching 
•  Building confidence and accountability as a leader 
•  Signs it might be time to get support 
•  How coaching can help with feedback, difficult conversations, and growth 
•  What coaching relationships actually look like and how long they usually last

Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

In this episode, Sara sits down with a very special guest — her sister, Dr. Kate Nagel — for a conversation that’s equal parts reflective, funny, and honest. Together, they talk about what it was really like growing up in a military family, constantly moving, starting over, and learning how to adapt at a young age.

The sisters dive into how those experiences shaped the women they are today, from their careers and relationships to the way they lead, coach, and navigate challenges. They also reflect on sibling dynamics, the influence of their parents, resilience, rejection, and the unexpected lessons that came from growing up in an environment where change was constant.

Even though Sara and Kate took very different career paths, they realized many of the same themes followed them into adulthood: adaptability, perseverance, communication, and learning how to connect with people from all walks of life.

This episode is a candid conversation about family, growth, leadership, and the moments in life that shape us more than we realize at the time.

Learn more about Kate here.

Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

In this rewind episode from 2021, Andre Young shares insightful leadership tools rooted in simplicity and practicality. Discover how to approach difficult conversations with empathy, foster work-life harmony, and unlock the potential in yourself and your team.

Key topics:

• The importance of personal leadership and evolving through hard experiences
• How to effectively give feedback by leading with others’ language
• The preface statement to set expectations and ease tough conversations
• Rethinking work-life balance: Embracing harmony in a connected world
• The power of morning routines and positive consumption for better leadership
• How leaders can protect, influence, and set boundaries compassionately
• The value of curiosity, coaching, and giving employees opportunities 
• Letting go of the fear of losing great team members and encouraging their growth
• Recommended leadership books: The Dream Manager and Never Split the Difference

Timestamps: 

• (01:22) - Andre's leadership journey and early influences
• (04:32) - Transformational year of 2020: lessons learned
• (05:47) - Personal background and evolving into leadership training
• (07:45) - How Andre's passion for leadership developed organically
• (11:12) - Simple yet powerful tools for leadership, starting with personal growth
• (14:31) - Using personalized conversation starters for tough talks
• (17:48) - Setting clear expectations with the preface statement
• (20:59) - Redefining work-life harmony in a digital, connected age
• (23:48) - Morning routines to start the day positively
• (28:52) - Celebrating daily wins and building momentum
• (36:52) - Handling emotions in leadership and maintaining composure
• (44:14) - Challenging negativity and fostering positive feedback
• (52:35) - The importance of valuing team members’ dreams
• (55:05) - Recommended books for new leaders and growth-minded professionals

 Connect with Andre Young: LinkedIn

Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

Over my career, I’ve learned a lot about leadership. Some of it through great experiences and some (if not most) through doing things the hard way.

Many lessons weren’t things people sat me down and taught me. They were things I learned over time through leading teams, making mistakes, getting overwhelmed, building confidence, and figuring out what leadership actually looks like in real life.

In this solo episode,  I’m sharing five leadership lessons that I wish I had learned earlier because I think they would have made navigating leadership (and my career in general) feel a little easier.

I talk about:

•  Why leadership is less about having all the answers and more about creating space where people feel safe to contribute 
•  Why you can’t lead everyone the same way—and how understanding communication and strengths matters 
•  Why burnout isn’t proof that you care (and what I’ve learned about leadership and rest) 
•  Why confidence usually comes after doing the thing, not before 
•  Why self-awareness might be one of the most important leadership skills you can build

Whether you’re leading a team, stepping into leadership for the first time, or just trying to grow in how you show up for others, I hope this episode gives you something to reflect on and maybe makes your leadership journey feel a little less lonely.

Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

What does it actually mean to build your own leadership style?

In this episode of Lead Into It, Sara sits down with Navy Captain Lacey Vestal to explore the journey of becoming an authentic leader in environments that often reward conformity, hierarchy, and playing it safe. From attending the Naval Academy to leading in high pressure military environments, recruiting top talent, and finding her voice in senior leadership roles, Lacey shares the experiences that shaped her approach to leadership.

Together, they unpack authentic leadership, emotional intelligence, confidence, imposter syndrome, and the idea that many leaders spend too much time waiting to feel ready instead of stepping forward and growing into the role.

They also explore an often overlooked leadership topic: wellness. Lacey shares how fitness, self leadership, and building healthier workplace cultures have influenced the way she leads and develops others.

If you’ve ever questioned your leadership style, struggled to trust yourself, or wondered how to lead without losing who you are, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, we cover:
• Building your leadership style over time
• Authentic leadership in high pressure environments
• Confidence vs. competence
• Navigating imposter syndrome
• Emotional intelligence and the future of leadership
• Lessons from military leadership
• Fitness, wellness, and sustainable leadership
• Finding your voice as a leader

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Lacey's Journey
03:56 Choosing the Naval Academy
06:46 Life on Deck: Early Leadership Experiences
09:25 Transitioning from Sea to Shore Duty
12:15 Navigating Leadership Challenges as a Woman
14:58 The Importance of Authentic Leadership
17:40 Building Authentic Leadership Skills
20:16 Finding Your Leadership Style
23:11 The Power of Introversion in Leadership
27:20 Finding Authenticity in Leadership
28:33 Navigating Imposter Syndrome
31:42 The Role of Intuition in Leadership
34:11 Fitness as a Path to Confidence
38:46 Integrating Personal Passions into Leadership
42:39 Trust-Based Leadership
46:06 The Future of Leadership and Female Energy
50:20 Embracing Authenticity and Doing Hard Things

Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!