In this episode, organizational psychologists Neil Jacobs and Dr. Taylere Markewich explore the concept of the "double bind" in workplace leadership—those contradictory messages that leave employees frozen and confused. A double bind occurs when leaders send mixed messages, saying one thing while their actions communicate something entirely different. Common examples include organizations declaring "we're family" while conducting layoffs, asking employees to "bring your whole authentic self" while expecting conformity, or promoting "empowerment" while maintaining tight control over decisions. These contradictions, often unintentional, create significant psychological strain for employees who find themselves unable to succeed at meeting both conflicting expectations simultaneously. The consequences range from disengagement and cynicism to broken psychological contracts and even counterproductive work behaviors.

Neil and Taylere share real-world examples from their coaching practices, including a leader who was told to prioritize efficiency but faced pushback for not focusing on employee feelings, and another who claimed to empower her team but consistently overrode their decisions without sharing organizational constraints upfront. The hosts emphasize that employees must learn to recognize double binds, assess their severity, and adapt to organizational reality rather than rebel against it. This means approaching job opportunities with healthy skepticism, testing promises with specific scenarios, and managing one's psychological contract by understanding what you're truly getting in exchange for what you're giving. As Taylere notes, your communication experience going into an organization will likely be your communication experience within it.

For leaders, the solution lies in making implicit expectations explicit and acknowledging the paradoxes that naturally exist in organizational culture. Rather than relying on aspirational clichés, leaders should describe how things actually work, including the tensions and limitations that exist. They must create space for employees to discuss contradictions without being labeled as complainers, maintain consistency from recruitment through employment, and go back to correct initial messaging when organizational realities shift. Ultimately, solving the double bind requires correcting communication issues and taking responsibility for the gap between what's promised and what's delivered, recognizing that congruent communication isn't just about avoiding difficult conversations—it's essential for driving organizational success.

Have a pause of the month or an episode idea? Email us at info@mindsopen.co

The core of the episode features an insightful interview with Nicole Stewart, Executive Director of Boston CASA, an organization dedicated to advocating for children who have experienced abuse and neglect and are court-involved or in foster care. Nicole powerfully narrates her deeply personal journey to discovering her "why," rooted in her own childhood experiences in foster care. She articulates the distinction between passion and purpose, explaining how her lifelong passion for children transformed into a refined, intentional purpose in her leadership at Boston CASA, bringing her greater clarity and authenticity. Her path involved extensive self-reflection and candid feedback, leading to a profound understanding of her unique contribution.

Nicole concludes by sharing her inspiring purpose statement, which publicly debuted at the 2025 Boston CASA Gala, "I'm a passionate growth-minded advocate for disadvantaged children." Her story underscores that while challenging, living one's why provides the resilience and drive necessary for impactful leadership, particularly in demanding fields.

Learn more about Boston CASA at www.bostoncasa.org

In this insightful episode of The Leadership Pause, hosts Neil Jacobs and Dr. Taylere Markewich delve into the topic of money psychology and its profound influence on leadership. The hosts begin by sharing their own money scripts, the psychological narratives around finances formed in their childhoods. Their personal revelations set the stage for an illuminating conversation with guest expert Dr. Kathleen Gounaris, an executive coach and clinical and financial psychologist with over 25 years of experience specializing in behavioral finance.

Dr. Gounaris explains how financial psychology operates as an invisible hand influencing decisions, which can follow two common patterns: risk-taking leaders becoming overconfident and susceptible to confirmation bias, or overly cautious leaders being perceived as pessimistic despite necessary prudence. She discusses why money is such a hot button issue, noting its deep connection to self-identity and self-worth regardless of whether one grew up with abundance or scarcity. Throughout the interview, Dr. Gounaris offers practical advice for leaders on acknowledging economic diversity within teams, creating space for conversations about organizational finances, and helping team members focus on what they can control during times of economic uncertainty. She emphasizes that developing financial self-awareness begins with reflecting on earliest money memories and observing one's behavior and language around finances with curiosity.

The episode also features the hosts' monthly pause, with Taylere sharing insights from her restorative trip to Europe and Neil discussing his work with a client examining the disconnect between stated values. The conversation highlights how money psychology influences not just personal financial decisions but organizational leadership styles as well. The hosts announce that next month's episode will focus on knowing your why and how understanding personal motivations impacts leadership effectiveness. Listeners are encouraged to email their questions and show suggestions to info@mindsopen.co.

Credits

Show editing by Jack Taylor