Lead with Less

What to Do When Things Go Wrong (Without Losing Credibility or Confidence)

No matter how skilled or experienced you are, things will go wrong. Projects fall through. Expectations get missed. People behave badly. Or maybe... you mess up.

This episode is your leadership reset for those exact moments. I walk you through five clear steps to handle mistakes, missteps, and uncomfortable situations — without spiraling, avoiding, or doing damage control on your own.

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

- Why clarity is your best friend when things go wrong

- The #1 thing to identify before you try to fix anything

- Who you should talk to (and who you shouldn’t) when it’s messy

- How to reset expectations and course correct with confidence

- Why honesty, accountability, and communication will always beat silence

- What to do if you’re the one who got it wrong - and how to lead through it
This is the kind of leadership work that builds trust - not just with your team, but with yourself.

What did you think of the episode? Was it helpful or is there anything else you want me to cover? Send me a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn - I would love to hear from you!

Links and Resources Mentioned:

VIP Leaders Leadership Program - the signature program that helps you strengthen your leadership identity, build trusted influence, and level up your emotional intelligence to become a leader people actually want to follow.  Enrol now for the next round starting in September. Early bird pricing on now.

Are we connected? If not, connect here:

Website: tashpieterse.com

Instagram: @tash_pieterse

LinkedIn: tashpieterse
Are you enjoying the Lead With Less podcast? You can leave a review on Apple or Spotify, or submit a question in the Q&A section on Spotify and we’ll get back to you! 

The Truth About Control: How to Lead With Influence Instead of Fear

If you’re a manager who feels the urge to control everything - from performance to team behaviour - this episode is your wake-up call.

Control might feel safe, but it kills trust, independence, and performance. In this episode, I break down what control really is, why it’s often rooted in fear, and how to shift into a leadership style based on influence instead.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- What you actually control as a manager (it’s not your team)

- The difference between control and influence - and why it matters

- How fear drives controlling behaviours (and what to do about it)

- Four practical shifts to lead with influence instead of micromanagement

- Why emotional intelligence is the foundation of real leadership

- How to build a high performing team by creating better conditions - not tighter rules

The sooner you shift from control to influence, the faster your team will grow — and the less stressed you’ll feel every day.

What did you think of the episode? Was it helpful or is there anything else you want me to cover? Send me a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn - I would love to hear from you!

Links and Resources Mentioned:

VIP Leaders Leadership Program - the signature program that helps you strengthen your leadership identity, build trusted influence, and level up your emotional intelligence to become a leader people actually want to follow.  Enrol now for the next round starting in September. Early bird pricing on now.

Are we connected? If not, connect here:

Website: tashpieterse.com

Instagram: @tash_pieterse

LinkedIn: tashpieterse

Are you enjoying the Lead With Less podcast? You can leave a review on Apple or Spotify, or submit a question in the Q&A section on Spotify and we’ll get back to you!

Is AI taking over? Or is it just another tool we need to learn how to lead well?

In this episode, I’m chatting with Annie Johnson, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Humaneer, to talk about what managers actually need to know about AI. 

Annie shares her journey from HR to AI builder, and how she helps managers navigate the messy, fast-moving space between human connection and emerging technology.

In this episode, we dive into:

- Why AI is more than ChatGPT - and how it’s already shaping your workplace

- What differentiates early adopters from hesitant resistors

- How managers can reduce fear and increase trust when talking about AI

- Practical, ethical use cases for AI in day-to-day leadership

- How to support your team’s curiosity and build safe experimentation into your culture

- Why the most human managers are the ones who’ll lead best in the AI era
Whether you’re excited about AI or still unsure, this episode will help you think more clearly, act more intentionally, and lead your team through change with confidence.

What did you think of the episode? Was it helpful or is there something else you want me to cover? Send me a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn - I would love to hear from you.

Links and Resources Mentioned:

VIP Leaders Leadership Program - the signature program that helps you strengthen your leadership identity, build trusted influence, and level up your emotional intelligence to become a leader people actually want to follow.  Enrol now for the next round starting in September. Early bird pricing on now. https://tashpieterse.com/vip-leaders

Connect with Annie:

Annie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-johnson-622540161/

Humaneer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humaneerapp/?viewAsMember=true

Humaneer App: https://www.humaneer.app/

Are we connected? If not, connect here:

Website: tashpieterse.com

Instagram: @tash_pieterse

LinkedIn: tashpieterse

Are you enjoying the Lead With Less podcast? You can leave a review on Apple or Spotify, or submit a question in the Q&A section on Spotify and we’ll get back to you! 

If you're overwhelmed, exhausted, or just stretched thin trying to keep up with your team - you’re not alone. 

The good news? Small shifts make a big difference.

In this episode, I share 4 simple but powerful leadership habits that will help you reduce stress, save time, and build a more accountable, empowered team - without burning yourself out. 

These are the exact tools I teach my VIP Leaders and use in my own leadership journey.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- Why most managers are stuck in reaction mode (and how to get out of it)

- A habit to protect your focus and stop the notification chaos

- The game changing power of asking questions before giving answers

- How to build better boundaries (without dropping balls)

- Why cancelling 1:1’s quietly damages trust and what to do instead

These habits might sound small - but they compound. Implement just one, and you’ll start showing up more grounded, more strategic, and more respected by your team. 

What did you think of the episode? Was it helpful or is there anything else you want me to cover? Send me a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn - I would love to hear from you!

Links and Resources Mentioned:

VIP Leaders Leadership Program - the signature program that helps you strengthen your leadership identity, build trusted influence, and level up your emotional intelligence to become a leader people actually want to follow.  Join the waitlist for the next round starting in September. https://tashpieterse.com/vip-leaders

1:1 Playbook - Turn casual catch ups into meaningful conversations that actually build trust and connection with your team. https://www.tashpieterse.com/1on1-playbook 

Are we connected? If not, connect here:

Website: tashpieterse.com

Instagram: @tash_pieterse

LinkedIn: tashpieterse

Are you enjoying the Lead With Less podcast? You can leave a review on Apple or Spotify, or submit a question in the Q&A section on Spotify and we’ll get back to you! 

In this Career Stories episode, I chat with Elyse Verkuylen, a past client and now a people leader working in transformation and operations - about the winding, messy, and meaningful path to leadership.

Elyse shares how growing up with limited resources shaped her resourcefulness, why she calls herself “career promiscuous,” and how she intentionally curated a leadership journey that aligns with her values and vision (even when the path didn’t always make sense on paper).

In this episode, we talk about:

- The power of building leadership skills before you have the title

- Why curiosity and self-direction are career superpowers

- How Elyse uses coaching to build self-sufficiency and momentum in her team

- What it means to be a servant leader (and why it’s so damn hard)

- Letting go of perfectionism and leading from the back of the room

- Why emotional intelligence and self-awareness are non-negotiables for modern leadership

This episode is packed with insight, humility, and real talk that will inspire any new or emerging leader to reflect, reset, and take that next brave step.

What did you think of the episode? Was it helpful or is there something else you want me to cover? Send me a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn - I would love to hear from you.

Links and Resources Mentioned:

VIP Leaders Leadership Program - the signature program that helps you strengthen your leadership identity, build trusted influence, and level up your emotional intelligence to become a leader people actually want to follow.  Join the waitlist for the next round starting in September.

Connect with Elyse:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elysewalker

Are we connected? If not, connect here:

Website: tashpieterse.com

Instagram: @tash_pieterse

LinkedIn: tashpieterse

Are you enjoying the Lead With Less podcast? You can leave a review on Apple or Spotify, or submit a question in the Q&A section on Spotify and we’ll get back to you! 

How to Build Real Accountability in Your Team (Without Micromanaging)

Accountability is one of the most common leadership challenges - and one of the biggest performance levers.

If your team isn’t following through, taking initiative, or owning their work, this episode will show you how to fix that without slipping into control or micromanagement.

I walk you through my 6-step framework to build a high-accountability culture and the specific leadership skills you need to model and develop to make it happen.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- Why accountability is the foundation of performance and motivation

- How to create a clear vision and goals your team can connect to

- What managers get wrong about delegation (and how to fix it)

- Why setting clear expectations changes everything

- The underrated power of coaching over fixing

- How to give feedback that creates ownership and motivates people

- Why recognising wins is critical for accountability

Pick one skill to focus on this month and start creating the kind of team that follows through, steps up, and gets results - without the constant push.

This episode isn’t just about improving performance, it’s about building a culture of ownership, trust, and real leadership. Start here, and the ripple effect will change everything.

If you are new to leadership and wondering how to “get it right”, have a listen 

What did you think of the episode? Was it helpful or is there anything else you want me to cover? Send me a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn - I would love to hear from you!

Links and Resources Mentioned:

Strategic Thinking & Decision Making Masterclass - Learn the 6 key traits of strategic thinkers and how you can put it into action straight away. Get the masterclass here.  https://tashpieterse.com/strategicthinking-masterclass 

VIP Leaders - The signature leadership program that will help you build a clear identity, strong influencing skills, and high emotional intelligence so that you become a Leader people actually want to follow. Join the interest list for information when enrolments open. https://tashpieterse.com/vipleaders-interest

EP67. Setting & Managing Expectations As A Leader - Listen to the full episode here. https://open.spotify.com/episode/42Uad6KrrbUq72AtaJjpG9?si=996929e891a740f1

Are we connected? If not, connect here:

Website: tashpieterse.com

Instagram: @tash_pieterse

LinkedIn: tashpieterse

Are you enjoying the Lead With Less podcast? You can leave a review on Apple or Spotify, or submit a question in the Q&A section on Spotify and we’ll get back to you! 

Leadership doesn’t start when you get a title - it starts with how you show up.

In this Career Stories episode, I’m joined by Andrea Cayuela, an impact marketer with experience across Australasia, Latin America, and Europe.

Andrea shares her career journey from Colombia to Bali and how her global experiences have shaped her views on leadership, conflict, communication, and self-awareness.

Whether you're managing people or simply aiming to be a leader others want to follow, this episode is full of honest insights, practical advice, and real talk about what leadership really looks like in action.

In this episode, we talk about:

- Andrea’s global career story and what shaped her as a leader

- What it means to lead without authority

- Why self-awareness is the foundation of great leadership

- Managing feedback, likability, and difficult conversations

- Why courage and clarity matter more than being “right”

- Real-world examples of mindset shifts that support leadership growth

This episode is packed with relatable insights for new and emerging leaders who want to lead with more integrity, emotional intelligence, and impact.

What did you think of the episode? Was it helpful or is there something else you want me to cover? Send me a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn - I would love to hear from you.

Links and Resources Mentioned:

If you’re building your leadership foundation and want structured coaching and support, VIP Leaders is for you. Join the VIP Leaders Interest List to be the first to hear when the next round opens. Join here.
Connect with Andrea:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-cayuela/

Are we connected? If not, connect here:

Website: tashpieterse.com

Instagram: @tash_pieterse

LinkedIn: tashpieterse

Are you enjoying the Lead With Less podcast? You can leave a review on Apple or Spotify, or submit a question in the Q&A section on Spotify and we’ll get back to you! 

Feeling uncertain about managing someone older than you or someone with more experience than you? 

You’re not alone. This is one of the most common concerns new and emerging managers face, and it’s something I coach on regularly inside VIP Leaders.

In this episode, I share six key strategies to help you manage these dynamics with clarity, confidence, and humility - so that you can lead well and create strong working relationships, no matter the age difference.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- How your mindset shapes the way you manage

- Common assumptions that can hold you back (and how to reframe them)

- What to do when you're managing someone with more experience

- Why being humble is your secret leadership superpower

- How to build trust, set expectations, and delegate effectively

- How to lead your whole team without getting stuck in people-pleasing

Whether you’re stepping into your first leadership role or want to strengthen your foundation, this episode is your practical guide to navigating age dynamics and building influence the right way.
Was this episode helpful or something else you want me to conver? Send me a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn. 

Links and Resources Mentioned:

1:1 Playbook - Turn casual catch ups into meaningful conversations with your team members. Free download.

The Leadership Blueprint - If this is something you’re navigating right now, coaching support can make all the difference. Check out The Leadership Blueprint - a focused coaching package to help you work through challenges like this with clarity, support, and a clear plan.

Are we connected? If not, connect here:

Website: tashpieterse.com

Instagram: @tash_pieterse

LinkedIn: tashpieterse

Are you enjoying the Lead With Less podcast? You can leave a review on Apple or Spotify, or submit a question in the Q&A section on Spotify and we’ll get back to you! 

It’s the 100th episode of Lead With Less! 

And we’re celebrating with 10 practical, doable wins you can implement right now to build your confidence, lead your team more effectively, and get some traction - even when things feel overwhelming.

Whether you’re managing for the first time or just feel stuck in the day to day, these wins are designed to give you momentum, support your growth, and help you become a leader people actually want to follow.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- How to build trust and traction with your team - fast

- A one-on-one format that creates real connection (and keeps people engaged)

- Simple scripts and tools for handling tricky conversations

- How to delegate with clarity and confidence

- Emotional regulation techniques that make a big difference day to day

- Why being human (not perfect) is your leadership superpower

Listen to the full episode and pick one to start with, put it into action, and notice how small quick actions can create noticeable quick wins!

What did you think of the episode? Was it helpful or is there anything else you want me to cover? Send me a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn - I would love to hear from you!

Links and Resources Mentioned:

1:1 Playbook - Turn casual catch ups into meaningful conversations with your team members. Free download.

The Leadership Blueprint - If this is something you’re navigating right now, coaching support can make all the difference. Check out The Leadership Blueprint - a focused coaching package to help you work through challenges like this with clarity, support, and a clear plan.

Are we connected? If not, connect here:

Website: tashpieterse.com

Instagram: @tash_pieterse

LinkedIn: tashpieterse

Are you enjoying the Lead With Less podcast? You can leave a review on Apple or Spotify, or submit a question in the Q&A section on Spotify and we’ll get back to you! 

When you manage a diverse team, a one size fits all leadership style doesn’t work - and trying to squeeze everyone into the same box can quietly cost you trust, performance, and innovation.

In this episode, I’m joined by Laura Tretheway, HR consultant, workplace advocate, and founder of Spectrum Work Aotearoa - to talk about how managers can genuinely advocate for and support neurodivergent people at work (and why it matters for everyone).

We break down why knowing your people is more powerful than any label, the dangers of unchecked assumptions, and what real advocacy and support actually look like inside teams.

In this episode, we talk about:

- Why advocacy isn’t just an HR problem - it’s a leadership skill

- The real risks when managers ignore or misunderstand neurodivergence

- Why labels can be helpful, but relationships matter more

- How communication flexibility can make or break your leadership

- 3 powerful ways managers can advocate for and support diverse teams

- Why normalising conversations about accommodations is essential for trust

- What happens when you lead with curiosity instead of assumptions

If you want to lead a team where everyone can bring their best - no matter how they experience or navigate the world - this episode gives you the tools to start building that culture now.

Are you leading a team that has neurodivergent people in it? Let me know your insights and if you have any questions. Send me a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn.  

Connect with Laura:

ALL LINKS: https://linktr.ee/lauratrethewey 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauratrethewey/ 

Are we connected? If not, connect here:

Website: tashpieterse.com

Instagram: @tash_pieterse

LinkedIn: tashpieterse

Are you enjoying the Lead With Less podcast? You can leave a review on Apple or Spotify, or submit a question in the Q&A section on Spotify and we’ll get back to you!