We've all heard the advice: wake up at 5 a.m., time-block every minute, and stick to a rigid routine if you want to be successful. But what if that advice is actually holding you back?

In this episode of Actually I Can, Lindsay Tjepkema sits down with Jen Spencer, Chief Growth Officer at Booth and author of Lead Anyway, to unpack why one-size-fits-all productivity advice doesn't work for everyone.

Jen shares how she spent years trying to force herself into someone else's version of success before realizing that great leadership starts with understanding your own energy, strengths, and values. Together, they explore the importance of self-awareness, creating space for creativity, leading through changing seasons of life, and building a career that aligns with who you are—not who you think you're supposed to be.

Whether you're a founder, manager, or individual contributor, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on leadership, productivity, and giving yourself permission to lead your own way.

What you'll learn:

• Why rigid productivity routines don't work for every leader
• The difference between managing time and managing energy
• How an honest energy audit can reshape your workday
• How to build flexibility around your life instead of forcing your life around work
• Why creativity requires intentional white space
• How to stay fully present by defining your role in every meeting
• How self-awareness creates better leadership
• Why founders should invest in understanding themselves before scaling a company

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