Lead with Less

You know you need to address it - the feedback you’ve been holding back, the boundary that’s been crossed, the performance issue you can’t ignore anymore.

But rushing into tough conversations without prep? That’s where things often go sideways.

In this episode, I’m sharing the four critical things you need to do before you dive into any tricky conversation or situation at work (or home). 

These practical steps will help you stay grounded, communicate clearly, and increase the chances of a productive outcome - even if emotions are running high.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- Why addressing tricky issues too quickly can make things worse

- The #1 emotional skill to build before giving feedback or setting boundaries

- How to get clear on the real problem (and why it matters)

- The importance of specificity - and what happens without it

- The mindset shift that separates great leaders from reactive ones

- A question that will instantly improve your listening

Whether you’re prepping for a tough conversation or trying to coach someone else through it, this episode gives you the clarity and structure to lead it well.

Let me know what you thought about this episode, I always love hearing your takeaways and insights. You can message me on Instagram or LinkedIn or flick me an email.

Links and Resources Mentioned:

1:1 Playbook - Turn casual catchups into meaningful conversations and make tricky things easier to raise with your team. Grab a free copy here.

V.I.P Leaders: Want to dive deeper into managing difficult situations and dealing with people challenges like a pro? Join the VIP Leaders interest list - the leadership development program for managers ready to build real skills (and real confidence).

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 easy to fall into the habit of complaining - whether about work, leadership challenges, or life in general. 

But if you’re not careful, complaining becomes a cycle that drains your energy, undermines your leadership, and keeps you (and your team) stuck.

In this episode, I’m unpacking the psychology behind why we complain, what it’s really costing you, and a simple four-step framework to move yourself (and others) from complaining to meaningful change.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- Why our brains are wired to complain (and why it’s not all bad)

- The hidden dangers of chronic complaining in leadership and life

- How to identify the real problem behind a complaintFour practical questions to move from venting to taking action

- How to coach your team (and yourself) out of a victim mindset

- Why accountability and support are critical for change.

If you’re tired of hearing complaints - from yourself, your team, or others around you, this episode will show you how to turn frustration into forward action.

Let me know what you thought about this episode, I always love hearing your takeaways and insights. You can message me on Instagram or LinkedIn or flick me an email.

www.instagram.com/tash_pieterse

www.linkedin.com/in/tashpieterse 

Links and Resources Mentioned:

Leadership Blueprint: A focused coaching package to help you identify your leadership strengths and gaps, create an action plan, and get tailored support to start leading with more clarity and confidence. Book your spot here.

Leadership Style Quiz: Find out which iconic movie character best represents your leadership style.

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 your inner critic is loud, draining your confidence, and holding you back from stepping into your leadership fully, this episode is for you.

I’m joined by Dr Bex Bell, speaker, coach, and author of Inner Critic to Inner Coach, for a conversation on what really causes our self-doubt cycles and, more importantly, how to shift out of them. 

Bex brings her background in psychology, health, and coaching to explain why our inner critic forms, why it’s not actually the enemy, and how you can build a much more powerful and compassionate voice inside yourself.

In this episode, we talk about:

- Why your inner critic exists (and why it's not trying to ruin your life)

- The real cost of ignoring self-doubt and perfectionism

- How to spot the subtle signs you're stuck in an inner critic spiral

- Practical ways to build your inner coach and rewire your thinking

- Why leaders must manage their self-talk to lead others effectively
Bex also shares simple, practical strategies you can start using right away to quiet the noise, build more self-compassion, and move forward with confidence, even when you’re facing uncertainty, change, or new leadership challenges.

If you’re ready to lead with more clarity, courage, and kindness toward yourself (and your team), this conversation will give you the tools to start.

I’d love to hear your story and support your next step. Send me a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn.  

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 next round of VIP Leaders. Enrollments are now open.

Connect with Bex:

Book - Inner Critic to Inner Coach

Website - https://www.remixcoaching.co.nz/ 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccabellremixcoachingandconsulting/ 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drbex_remixcoaching/ 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/remixcoachingandconsulting/ 

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! 

No one wants to be a terrible leader. But without realising it, even well-intentioned managers can start slipping into behaviours that erode trust, damage relationships, and impact team culture.

In this episode, I walk you through three red flags to look out for as a leader and how to shift them before they do real harm.

Whether you’re new to management or just want to check in on how you’re showing up, this episode will help you:

- Recognise where your leadership actions might not match your values

- Identify micromanagement and shift towards trust and autonomy

- Understand why avoiding tough conversations is risky and how to address issues early

- Reflect on your current habits and take steps to course correct when needed

I also share a personal moment of realisation in my own leadership and what I did to make things right. This is a short but powerful check-in episode for any leader who wants to build trust, respect, and real results.

Links and Resources Mentioned:

If you’re ready to lead with less stress and more intention, join us inside VIP Leaders - the leadership development program that gives you exactly what you need to lead in a way that people actually want to follow. Enrollments are now open.

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! 

Just stepped into a management role? Or gearing up for one?

This episode walks you through the three core steps that will set you up to be a manager people trust, respect, and want to follow.

Being a great manager doesn’t come from having all the answers.  Most people don’t realise it comes from building trust, learning your team, and stepping into conversations most people avoid.

In this episode, I’m giving you the three foundational steps to help you build trust, lead with clarity, and show up like the manager people actually want to work with.

These are simple, powerful moves you can make today to lead with confidence (even if you feel like you’re winging it).

I’ll also get into the common traps new managers fall into and how to avoid them from the start.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- Why getting to know your team is the most strategic place to start

- How understanding your team’s workload and goals shapes your leadership

- The 3 core moves that make the biggest impact early on

- What your team actually needs from you (it’s simpler than you think)

- How to navigate hard conversations without freaking out

- The mindset shifts that separate good managers from great ones

- How to balance the work and the people without burning out

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

Just stepped into a leadership role and feeling unsure where to start? Check out my V.I.P Leaders program below which will give you everything you need to be a leader people actually want to follow.

You can also send me a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn.  

Links and Resources Mentioned:

If you’re ready to lead with less stress and more intention, join us inside VIP Leaders - the leadership development program that gives you exactly what you need to lead in a way that people actually want to follow. Enrolments are now open.

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! 

What happens when you walk away from a “dream job” to follow your strengths, without a plan B?

In this episode, I’m joined by Sarah Kelsey, host of The One Up Project, for a powerful conversation on courage, clarity, and creating a career on your own terms. 

From quitting PWC to working remotely across Europe, Sarah shares the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership philosophy and how she’s redefining what it means to lead without a title.

Sarah shares the mindset shifts and bold moves that helped her step away from the “safe” career path and into work that aligns with her strengths, values, and vision for leadership.

In this episode, we talk about:

- Why Sarah walked away from a Big Four role (and what happened next)

- How finding her strengths led to career clarity and creative courage

- The leadership mindset shift that helped her show up with confidence

- What it means to “curate your curiosity” and why it’s the foundation of growth

- Practical ways to position your value even when pivoting.

Sarah Kelsey’s story is anything but traditional, and that’s exactly why it’s so inspiring.

Whether you’re pivoting, leading for the first time, or redefining what success looks like.

I’d love to hear your story and support your next step. Send me a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn.  

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 next round of VIP Leaders. Enrolments are now open.

Connect with Sarah:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theoneupproject/ 

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.

Micromanaging? No one wants to admit it but if your team can’t make a move without you, it might be happening.

In this episode, I’m sharing the real signs of micromanagement that many new (and not-so-new) leaders fall into without realising.

From being involved in every decision to accidentally holding your team back, these habits can quickly drain performance and trust.
In this episode, you’ll learn:

- How micromanagement shows up in your day to day (even when it feels helpful)

- The difference between active management and micromanagement

- The 4-part system to lead without hovering or hand-holding

- What to do when your team is capable but you’re holding on too tight

- Why micromanagement slows your growth and theirs
If you’re worried you might be micromanaging or you just want help building more trust and autonomy in your team, send me a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn.  You don’t have to figure it out on your own.

Links and Resources Mentioned:

VIP Leaders:  Join the next round starting 3 June 2025.

Leadership Style Quiz: Find out which iconic movie character best represents your leadership style.

Previous Episodes MentionedEP 67. Setting & Managing Expectations As a Leader - Listen here

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! 

You can’t lead well if you’re scared of performance conversations.

It’s one of the most uncomfortable parts of being a people leader, but it’s also one of the most important. If you’re avoiding poor performance, hoping it’ll go away on its own… it won’t. And the longer you wait, the messier it gets.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through how to handle performance issues early, before it becomes a bigger problem. I’ll show you how to manage the conversation in a way that builds trust, supports your team member’s growth, and keeps your expectations clear (without you needing a script or HR background).

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- What actually counts as poor performance

- The 4 steps to take when someone’s work slips

- How to prep yourself so you don’t spiral mid-convo

- Ways to reset expectations without sounding like a robot

- Why documenting matters (even informally)

- Mindset reminders to help you stop avoiding this work

Managing performance isn’t about catching people out, it’s about course correcting early and leading with clarity. This episode will help you do exactly that.

If you’re putting off a tricky performance convo because it feels too hard or too awkward, send me a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn. 

Let me know where you’re getting stuck or what you’re worried about saying. This is exactly the kind of thing I help leaders navigate, and I’d love to talk it through with you.

Links and Resources Mentioned:

VIP Leaders:  Join the waitlist for VIP leaders.

FREE Workload Audit:  A practical guide for managers and new leaders to simplify their workload and maximise their impact. 

Previous Episodes Mentioned

EP. 86 How to Coach Your Team (or anyone) in 15mins (or less) - Listen here

EP 67. Setting & Managing Expectations As a Leader - Listen here

Are we connected? If not, connect here:

Website: tashpieterse.com

Instagram: @tash_pieterse

LinkedIn: tashpieterse

Leadership isn’t just for the people with the title.

In this episode, I’m sharing exactly how to lead when you don’t have the formal authority. Whether you’re stepping up inside your team, managing cross-functional work, or just want to be seen as a leader (without micromanaging), this one’s for you.

If you’ve ever had to get people on board, move a project forward, or set expectations without being anyone’s “boss”, you aren’t alone.  This is one of the most common challenges emerging leaders face, and one I hear about often.

This applies even if you never want to be a people manager. Leadership shows up in projects, relationships, conversations and influence. Learning how to step into it (without pushing) is what will separate you from the rest.  

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- Why formal titles aren’t what makes someone a leader

- What “taking the lead” actually looks like (without overstepping)

- 4 steps to leading without being the boss

- The skill every emerging leader needs to master

- Why feedback isn’t just for managers

- Simple mindset shifts to help you lead with confidence

Listen now to learn how to take the lead without the title.

If you’re trying to lead without the title and feel unsure how to do it without overstepping,  send me a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn. Tell me what feels sticky or where you’re getting stuck.

Links and Resources Mentioned:

The Leaders Lounge: The coaching and community membership for new and emerging managers who want to lead with confidence (without the overwhelm). Get real time coaching and strategy to level up your leadership skills without doing it alone

FREE Workload Audit:  A practical guide for managers and new leaders to simplify their workload and maximise their impact.

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!

Gen Z is shaking up the workplace, and if you’re leading or managing them, you might have already noticed things are different.

The old ways of managing just won’t cut it. Gen Z questions authority, filters out corporate jargon, and expects real engagement, not just instruction. So how do you create an environment where they can thrive?

In this episode, I sit down with Henry Langdon, the founder of Udamon, to talk about what really works when leading and supporting Gen Z. Henry specialises in workplace learning and knows exactly how to bridge the gap between Gen Z’s expectations and the realities of the working world.

Through Udamon, Henry has designed digital university curriculums and partnered with global organisations like Siemens, PwC, and Barclays to transform how young professionals enter the workforce. He’s also passionate about adventure, personal development, and the psychology of learning, which fuel his drive to push the boundaries of L&D.

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

- Why traditional management approaches don’t work (and what does)

- How Gen Z’s mindset around work is completely different from past generations

- The shift from being a “boss” to being a coach (and why Gen Z needs this)

- Practical strategies for helping them navigate work successfully

- The biggest mistakes leaders make when managing Gen Z, and how to fix them

Gen Z is ambitious, driven, and ready to challenge the status quo, but they also need support in learning the unwritten rules of the workplace. If you’re a leader, manager, or business owner, this episode will help you get the best out of them.

If you manage Gen Z and find yourself frustrated, uncertain, or just trying to figure out how to get the best from them, send me a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn. I’d love to hear what’s coming up for you and what shifts you’re trying to make. 

Links and Resources Mentioned:

The Leaders Lounge: The coaching and community membership for new and emerging managers who want to lead with confidence (without the overwhelm). Get real time coaching and strategy to level up your leadership skills without doing it alone!

FREE Workload Audit:  A practical guide for managers and new leaders to simplify their workload and maximise their impact.

Are we connected? If not, connect here:

Website: tashpieterse.com

Instagram: @tash_pieterse

LinkedIn: tashpieterse

Connect with Henry Langdon

Website: udamon.org

Linked In: henrylangdon

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!