In this episode of Thriving in the Messy Middle, Amy P Wilkins explores the challenges and growth opportunities for women leaders who find themselves in transitional or difficult phases of their careers. Drawing inspiration from a story shared by Linda Thomas Brooks, Amy emphasizes the notion that success is not merely about winning but about how you play the game, which resonates with leaders stuck in the messy middle. The narrative emphasizes that genuine leadership entails stretching beyond one's comfort zone to embrace growth, particularly when faced with ambiguity and pressure.

Listeners will encounter themes centered on the importance of a growth mindset, supported by research from Carol Dweck, which suggests that seeking challenges rather than avoiding them fosters continuous development. Further, Amy references psychological safety, based on Amy Edmondson's work, discussing how high-performing teams thrive in environments prioritizing open dialogue and safety in disagreement. Ultimately, this episode delves into why leaders must focus on evolving their game by seeking feedback and surrounding themselves with diverse perspectives rather than relying solely on past successes.

Key Takeaways

• Leadership involves continuous growth through challenging oneself beyond comfort zones.
• A growth mindset enables leaders to embrace challenges as development opportunities.
• Psychological safety is crucial for effective team performance and encourages novel ideas.
• True leadership is not about always winning but about learning and improving one's play.
• Diverse perspectives within teams lead to better decision-making and innovation.

Quotes

Winning and playing your best are not the same thing.Leaders with a growth mindset are more open to feedback, more willing to admit what they don't know, and far more likely to keep learning even when they're already successful.Psychological safety doesn't mean lowering standards. It means creating an environment where people can speak up, challenge assumptions, admit uncertainty, and take intelligent risks without fear.In the messy middle of leadership…the temptation is to rely on what's worked before, to default to expertise instead of curiosity.Leadership development doesn't happen in comfort. It happens at the edge of what we know.Growth doesn't come from easy wins. It comes from being willing to be challenged.

Mentioned in this EpisodeThriving in the Messy Middle with Guest Linda Thomas Brooks: Navigating Media and Technology Without Losing Your Ethical Compass Carol Dweck: A Summary of Growth and Fixed MindsetsAmy Edmondson: Research on Psychological Safety

About Amy P Wilkins

Amy P Wilkins is a leadership coach, former media executive, and the founder of Choose Awe—a coaching practice devoted to helping women leaders navigate transitions with clarity, courage, and self-trust. She now channels her senior leadership experience to helping women to lead with purpose and thrive through the "messy middle" seasons of life and leadership.