For many high-achieving women, staying productive, capable, and composed can become a way of hiding the stress, disconnection, and exhaustion underneath the surface. But what happens when those feelings don’t disappear? They ferment. In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Morag Barrett, keynote speaker, executive coach, USA Today bestselling author, and founder and CEO of Skye Team.
They discuss what it really means to be an ally at work, why leaders need to become more deeply curious about the people around them, and how connection creates the psychological safety necessary for courage, vulnerability, candor, and meaningful debate.
If you've been saying “I'm fine” when you're anything but, this conversation offers a powerful reminder that acknowledging where you really are is not weakness. It is the beginning of connection, support, and sustainable success.
What You Will Learn:
- Why the human element of leadership can be more important than systems, technology, or processes.
- How disconnection, stress, and anxiety can affect leaders and organizations.
- Why “fine” can become a mask that prevents people from asking for the support they need.
- The five practices behind an Ally Mindset.
- How deeper curiosity can transform workplace relationships.
- Why connection and compassion create the foundation for courage and vulnerability.
- How candor and debate help teams identify problems before they become disasters.
- Why being an ally to yourself is essential for sustainable leadership.
- How to recognize when your current energy and capacity require a different approach.
- Why entrepreneurs should outsource sooner instead of trying to do everything themselves.
- How conversations, rather than a perfect website or business plan, can reveal what your market actually needs.
- Why your first business opportunities may already exist within your existing network.
If this episode has you thinking about leaving corporate to start a consultancy, begin here.
Assess the timing signals and readiness factors that may indicate it is time to begin planning your transition.
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