Is your star player always saying "yes," taking on more, and smiling through it all? What if that incredible willingness is masking deep stress, putting them on a collision course with burnout... or worse, an unexpected exit? Too many leaders miss the subtle signs until it's too late.

In this episode of The Reins of Leadership, we step into the arena to understand the "Eager Pleaser" – that invaluable team member whose desire to do right might be pushing them to their breaking point.

Key Takeaways:

• Look beyond the 'yes' for hidden stress.
• Understand fear often drives over-pleasing.
• Create safety for honesty before breakdown.
• Model healthy boundaries yourself.

If this conversation about hidden pressures, sustainable success, and leading with authentic presence resonates deeply – especially if you see the "eager pleaser" in yourself or feel the weight of ensuring your team thrives without burning out – then The Leadership Realignment Session is your next powerful step.

This isn't just another coaching call. It’s a dedicated 1:1 experience designed for successful women leaders like you who are ready to:

• Break free from the cycle of overwhelm and constant output.
• Lead with genuine self-trust, presence, and unshakeable purpose.
• Realign your inner world with your outer success, creating impact without the internal cost.

Stop managing symptoms and start addressing the core. It's time to lead from a place of grounded power and authentic connection.
➡️ Book Your Leadership Realignment Session & Transform Your Approach: https://merindasmith.podia.com/aligned_success

Connect with Merinda:


Instagram: @IamMerindaSmith

Website: www.merindasmith.com.au

Have you ever felt stuck, applying the same leadership approaches but not getting the results you want? Or maybe you've achieved success on paper, yet feel something is missing?

This episode explores Transformational Learning – a process of changing how you see the world, yourself, and your role as a leader. Discover the 'lens shift' – that moment when the familiar looks entirely new because you have changed from within.

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

• Understand the difference between adding knowledge (informative learning) and upgrading your internal 'operating system' (transformational learning), based on the work of Jack Mezirow.
• Learn how challenges and discomfort can be powerful catalysts for deep reflection and growth.
• Hear the story of Mark, an experienced rider, and Jade, a sensitive horse. Discover how their interactions in the paddock became an unexpected classroom.

Feeling the gap between external achievement and internal fulfillment? As mentioned in the episode, grab your FREE 'Secret to Success Guide' to define meaningful success and build a leadership style that truly resonates.
Download Your Free Guide Here - https://merindasmith.com.au/free-resources/

Connect with Merinda:


Instagram: @IamMerindaSmith

Website: www.merindasmith.com.au

Have you ever felt the pressure in those critical moments – presenting to your team, sharing a big idea, leading a difficult conversation – and worried your message didn't truly land?

Or sensed there was more potential for connection and impact in the room, but weren't sure how to bring it to life?

Maybe you've felt like important things are going unsaid within your team or business?

We get it. Stepping forward to communicate powerfully is a key leadership skill, but it's not always easy to ensure your words and presence make the difference you intend. We've all been in situations where communication feels surface-level, missing the opportunity for deeper understanding and connection.

On this week’s episode, Carly Shorter, former radio broadcaster and founder of Communicate Powerfully, shares how to make sure those critical communication moments aren't missed and reveals practical ways to create deeper, more meaningful conversations.

And it’s not just about what you say, but the energy, presence, and intention beneath the surface. Carly unveils the thinking behind her unique 'Below the Surface' card deck, designed specifically to spark these richer dialogues in teams and learning environments.

If you've been looking for tools to build trust and psychological safety within your team, this is exactly what you need to hear.

Connect with Carly:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyshorter/

Below the Surface Game: www.belowthesurfacegame.com

Communicate Powerfully: www.communicatepowerfully.com

Connect with Merinda:


Instagram: @IamMerindaSmith

Website: www.merindasmith.com.au

Ever feel like you're hitting a brick wall with someone on your team? They seem obstructive, resistant to change, maybe even defiant – making leadership feel like a battle. But what if that "difficult" behaviour isn't what it seems on the surface? What if it's not intentional disruption, but a defense mechanism rooted in fear?

If you can relate – feeling like you're walking on eggshells or questioning your approach – we get it. Many leaders discover the real issue isn't the person, but the approach.

In today’s episode, we explore a powerful leadership lesson inspired by Bundy — one of the most attuned and sensitive members of the herd. When you’re dealing with someone who’s difficult to lead, whether they're resistant, reactive, or simply hard to reach, it’s easy to default to control or force. But Bundy reminds us there’s another way.

If you’ve ever experienced the frustration of trying to lead someone who won’t respond...
Or you’ve questioned your leadership style when things get tense - this episode is exactly what you need to find your calm centre and lead with clarity, not control.

Join me as we unpack what it really means to lead individuals who respond to subtle cues and require a different level of presence and precision.

Highlights:

● Going from resistant and uncooperative to connected and responsive
● The secret to leading sensitive but “difficult” team members without using force
● Why clarity is the kindest leadership tool you have
● What firmness without force really looks like
● A peek into how your energy affects your leadership impact
● How to lead from grounded presence — especially when tension rises
● What you can do right now to recalibrate your communication and reconnect with your team

Listen now to discover how Bundy's story can reshape your approach to leading challenging individuals. Join me as we explore how to step out of the push-pull dynamic and into a style of leadership that’s calm, clear and deeply effective.

This isn’t about being soft. It’s about being precise.

Tune in and reflect:

• Where might you be using more force than is necessary?
• How can you practise more precision in your communication?
• What shifts when you lead from clarity rather than control?

Subscribe, rate & share if today’s insights spoke to you — and as always, thank you for holding the reins with me.

Resources mentioned

The Leadership Realignment Session - https://merindasmith.podia.com/aligned_success

Connect with Merinda:


Instagram: @IamMerindaSmith

Website: www.merindasmith.com.au

Ever have that nagging feeling that your leadership just isn't landing? Maybe your team interactions feel strained, your message isn't quite connecting, or you simply feel... off? You know something's misaligned, but you can't put your finger on it. This episode tackles that elusive feeling head-on.

That sense of dissonance often stems from a gap between your internal state and your external actions – a lack of true authenticity. It subtly erodes trust and impacts your influence. But what if you had an unbiased mirror reflecting your true presence back to you? Enter the surprising wisdom of horses. As masters of non-verbal communication and presence, horses instantly detect and react to incongruence. They don't care about your title; they respond to the real you.

You’ll learn:
🌿 Why beliefs are formed and how they function
🌿 How they subtly run the show — and what it looks like when they no longer serve you
🌿 The signs you’re out of alignment (and why we tend to put it off)
🌿 What it really means to lead from within
🌿 How to begin the gentle, powerful work of rewriting your internal narrative

And if this conversation feels like a mirror - if something inside you is whispering “it’s time” — I’ll also share how you can take this work further.

🌸 The Leadership Realignment Session is a 1:1 coaching experience designed for women who are ready to lead with self-trust, presence, and purpose.

And for those who want to start gently, there’s also The Secret to Success - a free self-guided workbook to help you peel back the layers and reconnect with your own truth.

Because alignment isn’t about doing more.
It’s about remembering who you really are - and leading from that place.

www.merindasmith.com.au

or

https://merindasmith.podia.com/leadership

Connect with Merinda:


Instagram: @IamMerindaSmith

Website: www.merindasmith.com.au

Have you ever felt like you were stuck inside the yard of your own life -looking out, knowing there’s more, but unsure how to step beyond the open gate?

What if the space you need to grow isn’t found in doing more, but in reconnecting with nature, with stillness, with your own inner compass?

You’ve been trying to lead, to show up, to hold it all together… but it’s not quite working the way you’d hoped.

Can you relate?
Have you ever felt the call for something deeper, more grounded, more real?

We get it.
We’ve all been there - caught in that space between responsibility and restlessness, wondering if it’s time for a different kind of leadership.

On this week’s episode, Maryanne Baker reveals the most amazing story behind her 9-month journey around Australia; in a truck, guided by her spirit, and the pulse of the natural world.

And it’s not just a road trip - it’s a whole new way of being.
Her journey unpacks what it really means to lead from within, to stay spiritually connected, and to find strength in slowing down.

If you’ve ever experienced burnout, felt disconnected from your purpose, or longed for a deeper way to lead - this episode is for you.

Highlights

• How Maryanne went from a yard where the gate was closed, to open road – and what she’s discovering along the way
• The secret to staying connected
• What leadership and being "caught in a yard" have in common
• What it’s really like to travel full-time and coach from the road
• Maryanne’s honest thoughts while embracing a nomadic life
• How to reconnect with your own rhythm and lead from within
• What you can do right now to honour your soul in leadership decisions

Connect with Merinda:


Instagram: @IamMerindaSmith

Website: www.merindasmith.com.au

Do you ever feel like you're meant for more impact, but something holds you back? Maybe you hesitate to speak up, avoid taking risks, or dim your own light to 'keep the peace'? You're not alone. Many leaders unknowingly limit their potential by "playing small."

Can you relate? Does that feeling of 'keeping small' sound familiar?

We get it… The pressure to conform, to always appear certain, or to avoid difficult conversations is immense in leadership. It’s common to struggle with finding and trusting your unique voice, especially when faced with differing opinions or expectations.

Lasting change doesn't happen to us; it starts within us. In this deeply insightful episode, Merinda Smith shares the moving story of a horse who had completely shut down, choosing perceived safety over authentic presence. This horse became a powerful, living mirror for a common human leadership challenge.

If you’ve ever felt hesitant to voice your true opinions or struggled with feeling fully seen and valued as a leader, then this episode is for you. If you’ve been looking for ways to cultivate deeper self-acceptance and build more authentic connections with your team, this is exactly what you need to hear. If you’re trying to lead with more presence, courage, and alignment with your core values, this episode will offer inspiration and practical insights.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The secret to recognising when you're 'keeping small' and the fears that often drive it.
• What Bundy Bear and finding your leadership voice have deeply in common.
• A peek into the incredible energetic connection horses offer and what it reveals about human relationships.
• How to champion uniqueness – in yourself and your team.
• What you can do right now to create greater energetic awareness in your interactions.
• Why outward change always follows inner transformation.

Are you ready to stop playing small and step into the impactful leader you truly are?

Mentioned Resources:

Download your FREE 'Secret to Success Guide': Uncover mindset blocks, define meaningful metrics, and gain clarity to lead authentically. Get it here: www.merindasmith.com.au

Connect with Merinda:
Instagram: @IamMerindaSmith
Website: www.merindasmith.com.au

Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Connect with Merinda:


Instagram: @IamMerindaSmith

Website: www.merindasmith.com.au

Have you ever spent ages developing the perfect email or speech, only for the message to completely fall flat or be misunderstood? Do you sometimes feel like despite your best efforts to communicate clearly, there’s a disconnect with your team? You’ve been trying to articulate your vision or give feedback constructively... but it’s just not landing the way you intend, maybe even creating tension instead of clarity.

Can you relate? Does that sound frustratingly familiar?

We get it… It’s incredibly disheartening when your communication efforts don't yield the results you hope for. We've all been in situations where our words seem to fail us, leaving us wondering what went wrong.

On this week’s episode of The Reins of Leadership, your host, Business Leadership Strategist Merinda Smith, unveils the secrets to truly clear and influential communication, going far beyond just the words we choose.

And it’s not just about refining your vocabulary or presentation skills. Merinda reveals how ponies react instantly to inconsistency and what they teach us about the power of aligning our body language, energy, and intentions. Her insights into how our own internal state and limiting beliefs broadcast themselves non-verbally might surprise you. Plus - we’re unpacking why even perfectly chosen words can fail if your energy isn't congruent.

If you’ve ever experienced frustrating communication breakdowns despite careful preparation, then this episode is for you. If you’ve been looking for ways to connect more deeply, build trust faster, and ensure your message truly resonates, this is exactly what you need to hear. If you’re trying to enhance your leadership presence and influence authentically, this episode will show you how to leverage the often-overlooked power of non-verbal communication and energetic alignment.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How Merinda went from delivering nerve-wracking, ineffective feedback early in her career to understanding congruent communication.
• The secret language your energy speaks and why ponies (and people!) respond to it more than words.
• What a tense leader delivering feedback and a hesitant pony have surprisingly in common.
• What it’s really like when your hidden limiting beliefs sabotage your communication efforts (and how Merinda experienced this).
• Merinda’s perspective on why congruence – aligning words, body, and energy – is crucial for trust.
• A peek into how setting your energetic intention beforehand can transform a difficult conversation.
• How to develop 'active listening' skills inspired by observing subtle equine signals.
• What you can do right now to start communicating with greater presence and impact.
  
  
  
  Mentioned Resources:
  
  Learn more about the 'Beyond Success' Programme: https://merindasmith.podia.com/beyond
  
  Connect with Merinda:
  
  Instagram: @IamMerindaSmith
  Website: www.merindasmith.com.au
  
  Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!
  
  

Connect with Merinda:


Instagram: @IamMerindaSmith

Website: www.merindasmith.com.au