Most leaders are never trained in how to manage their emotions.

In this solo episode, I break down emotional fitness and why it plays a critical role in leadership, decision-making, and performance. When emotions take over, we react instead of respond, avoid difficult conversations, and make decisions driven by fear rather than values.

I explore the difference between emotionally fit and emotionally unfit leadership, along with practical ways to build awareness, regulate emotions, and lead with clarity under pressure.

If you want to improve how you show up as a leader, this is a skill you can’t afford to ignore.

What We Cover:

00:00 Introduction: The skill leaders aren’t trained in
01:00 Why emotions override logic
01:30 What emotional fitness really means
02:10 Emotionally fit vs unfit leaders
03:00 Reacting vs responding
03:40 Common emotional patterns (fear, defensiveness)
04:20 Making decisions from values vs emotions
05:10 Building awareness and catching reactions
05:40 Labelling emotions and shifting state
06:10 Practical tools to regulate emotions
06:40 Emotional fitness and leadership under pressure
07:00 Final takeaway

Reflection Questions for Leaders

• Where am I reacting instead of responding?
• What emotion is driving my recent decisions?
• Where am I avoiding tension instead of addressing it?
• What would it look like to lead from my values instead of fear?

#Leadership #EmotionalIntelligence #ModernLeadership #CourageousLeaders

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

What if the way you understand people is incomplete?

In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I am joined by Kathleen Saxton, Psychotherapist, Executive Coach, and Best-Selling Author, to explore the psychology behind behaviour, leadership, and one of the most misunderstood traits, narcissism.

This conversation goes beyond labels.

From how narcissism actually shows up in men and women, to identity, emotional patterns, and leadership blind spots, this episode challenges how we interpret people, power, and performance.

Because often, what we think is happening is not the full picture.

If you want to better understand human behaviour, navigate complex personalities, and become more self-aware as a leader, this episode will shift your perspective.

What We Cover:

00:00 – Trailer
02:00 – The Courage to Walk Away from Toxic Situations
04:10 – Why People Stay in Toxic Jobs & Relationships
07:30 – Trauma, Therapy & Personal Backstory
10:15 – Narcissistic Relationships & Validation Trap
12:00 – What Narcissism Really Looks Like
14:10 – Narcissism: Traits vs Personality Disorder
18:00 – How Narcissists Manipulate & Control You
21:10 – The Dark Triad Explained
22:30 – Why Narcissists Become Leaders
26:15 – Why Companies Protect Toxic High Performers
31:40 – How to Handle a Narcissistic Boss
43:20 – Covert vs Grandiose Narcissists
47:10 – Can Narcissists Change?
50:10 – Are Narcissists Good Leaders?
58:00 – Character vs Performance in Leadership
01:05:00 – Final Advice: Protect Yourself & Your Integrity

This is not just about understanding others.
It is about understanding how you lead and show up.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

Power is always present in leadership… whether you realise it or not.

In my work with leadership teams, I see how often power shows up in ways people don’t talk about.

Not in obvious or intentional ways, but in the small moments.
Who speaks first.
Whose opinion carries weight.
What gets challenged… and what gets left unsaid.

In this episode, I break down the four ways power shows up inside executive teams, and how these patterns can quietly shape your culture, your decisions, and your results.

From dominance and control, to holding back and avoiding challenge, these dynamics are happening in every team… whether you’re aware of them or not.

This isn’t about removing power.
It’s about understanding how you’re using it.

Because the moment you can see it, you can change it.

00:00 How power shows up in your leadership
00:33 Where power shows up in executive teams
01:00 Why avoiding power creates problems
01:40 Power over when control takes over
02:35 The impact of shutting down discussion
03:23 When performance hides poor behaviour
03:46 Power under when leaders stop speaking up
04:38 The illusion of alignment in teams
05:06 Power with working as a collective
05:34 Power within building self trust as a leader
06:01 How pressure shifts leadership behaviour
06:26 Why people stop speaking up across the business
06:50 Three shifts to change how power is used
07:42 Why strong teams don’t avoid tension
08:08 Final reflection on how power is really being used

This Episode Explores

• Power dynamics in leadership teams
• Executive team behaviour and decision making
• Psychological safety and speaking up
• Leadership self awareness
• Managing dominance and control
• Building stronger team alignment
• Creating healthier leadership cultures

Reflection Questions for Leaders

• Where might I be using control instead of creating space for others
• When do I hold back instead of speaking up
• How do I react when I’m challenged
• What is the impact of my behaviour on the team

If this episode makes you pause or reflect, that’s where the real work starts.

Leadership isn’t about removing pressure or power.
It’s about understanding how you show up within it.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54