In this episode we talk about what it means to be strong and flexible as a leader. Vanessa shares a yoga story about wanting to jump in and rescue someone, and what it takes to stay in her lane instead. We explore how easy it is to over give, fix things for others, and then feel drained or resentful.

TK talks about impatience, quick decisions, and learning to slow down so there is time to reflect. Together we look at the moment where you notice a pattern and choose a different move.

We also share simple ways to build small pauses into busy days, so you can tell the difference between real pain and healthy stretch in your work. This is a gentle, honest conversation for leaders who care a lot and sometimes care a bit too much. 🧘😊

In this episode of Leadership Within we explore what happens when our team quietly feels judged by us, even when we think we are being “coaching”. We look at how judgement shows up in one to ones, how it affects trust and safety, and why we cannot simply remove it. We share simple ways to notice it, name it, and move back into real curiosity together 🤝

We’re wired to think about our careers as a linear, upwards trajectory but frequently we find ourselves stalled not able to get to the next level. It’s as if there’s a missing run on the career ladder. In this episode we discuss different ways to view our careers and offer tips in terms of defining success on your own terms and how to retain your ambitions when the system you’re in doesn’t allow movement.

Accountability sounds simple. In real life it gets messy. In this episode we unpack what helps and what hurts. We look at freeloading on teams, unclear roles, and leaders who dodge hard chats. We share personal stories, including the moment a tough feedback talk turned into “you don’t trust me”, and what we learnt from it.

We also explore why we slide into blame or self-blame, and how that keeps us stuck. Then we bring it home, literally, with how shared work at home can teach us about shared work at work. You will hear simple moves you can use today: set clear roles, check your assumptions, say what you feel, ask for what you want, agree the next step, and forgive yourself when you slip.

It is a gentle, honest chat from TK and Vanessa. No grand claims. Just real talk to help you lead with more care and more clarity.

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* Brené Brown on Blame

We talk about the people who light us up as leaders. Vanessa shares what she learns from her yoga teacher. Clear voice. Kind edge. Safe space. TK brings a scene from The West Wing that still moves him. Courage. Values. Staying the course. We ask what of those qualities already live in us, and which one we want to stretch next.

It gets real. We name the tug between humility and confidence. How empathy can help and also drain. How we hold back in groups, yet find our voice one to one. We play with a simple idea. Borrow one quality from someone you admire. Try it for a week. You do not need the whole person. Just the bit you need right now. 😊

Listen in for small, honest steps. Pick a person. Name the trait. Practise it in the next meeting or class. Notice what changes. We are not aiming for perfect. We are aiming for conscious choices. That is leadership from the inside out. 🔥

Links

* The West Wing Two Cathedrals

Influence is part of work. But it can tip into manipulation fast. In this episode we explore that thin line. We talk about intent, clear asks, and why fake “we” language erodes trust. We share real moments where guilt, defensiveness, and power games show up at work, and what to do instead. 😊

You will hear us test simple swaps. Say what you want. Check how it lands. Give people a choice. Set boundaries early. We also look at phrases that fall flat, like “open to influence”, and how to stay direct without being harsh. There are stories from remote teams, peer pressure, and messy handoffs that many of us know too well. 🎧

By the end, you will have a few plain tools to influence with care, not tricks. From TK and Vanessa, with honesty and a bit of humour. 🤝

We sit with constant change. Plans shift. We do not always have the answers. So we try a simple frame that keeps people grounded. Here is what we know. Here is what we do not know yet. Here is what will not change. It helps us speak plainly without pretending.

We look at how people need different kinds of certainty. Some want things said out loud. Others are fine in the grey. We talk about why trust matters so the words land, and how trust is often a felt sense rather than a slide or a metric.

We use the dance floor and balcony image. Stay close to the work, then step up for a wider view. The stepping up is hard when the pace is high. We name change fatigue and how it shows. We share small rituals that help us reflect without loading one person with all the work. Short pauses. Rotas. Fresh prompts so the habit does not go stale

Teams move better when the why is clear. Purpose turns busy people into a unit. This episode grew out of a real conversation about purpose and energy at work .

We share why a clear mission lifts trust, focus, and motivation. We talk about why it’s hard in modern work. Too many priorities. Vague corporate lines. Noise from matrix structures. Then we show simple ways to fix it. A one-line purpose. A short workshop to map who we serve and the change we create. Quick check-ins that link daily work back to the why. 😊

You’ll hear real stories from TK and Vanessa. No jargon. Just steps you can try this week. Good for new and seasoned leaders. Useful for remote and office teams. Join us and leave with a plan you can use tomorrow. 🎯🧩

Links

* Honda vs Yamaha story

In this episode of Leading Within, we explore why true leadership starts with knowing your capacity. Drawing on Vanessa’s Capacity Compass framework, we unpack how tuning into your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energy can shift the way we lead, from overgiving and burnout to clarity, agency, and balance that actually works.

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* The Daily Capacity Compass

In this episode, we dive into what it's really like stepping from being a team member into leadership. 😊 We chat openly about those tricky moments when you first realise you're expected to lead rather than just deliver tasks. Vanessa shares her insights on balancing individual ambition with team needs, while TK opens up about a memorable moment when he recognised the shift to leadership involved delegation, not just doing everything himself.

We also discuss why accountability matters more than responsibility, and why being honest about your strengths and struggles as a leader is essential. Join us to explore how vulnerability can actually strengthen your leadership journey. 🚀