Where Old Power Fails (And What Actually Makes Leaders Great) Host: Bron Stephens Episode Summary: If you’ve ever been told to “be more assertive,” “get tougher,” or “stop caring so much”—this one’s for you. In this episode, Bron unpacks the outdated leadership model of power over—and why it doesn’t work. Through personal stories, corporate truths, and powerful real-world examples, she introduces the concept of power with (thank you Brené Brown)—and how it opens the door to confident, compassionate, and values-aligned leadership. You’ll learn: Why intention and impact are rarely the same thing How to build trust without softening your standards Why organisational compassion is the leadership edge most executives are missing Tangible steps to lead with empathy, wisdom and accountability What “power with” looks like in feedback, performance, and decision-making This isn’t about leading softer—it’s about leading better. Key Topics Covered: Care and Power Over can exist together Why Power With trumps Power Over Empathy, wisdom and accountability as the pillars of compassionate leadership The ripple effect of organisational compassion Five practical ways to lead with power with in your day-to-day Takeaway Questions: Where am I using power to protect, not connect? Where might my impact not match my intention? What systems, habits, or language reinforce “power over” in my team? Where could I lead with more curiosity—and still hold the bar high? Links & Mentions: Learn more about Bron’s executive coaching: bronstephens.com Brené Brown on Power With, Power Over and Power Within: overviews and quotes from Dare to Lead Want support to lead with compassion and confidence? DM Bron on Instagram or LinkedIn Subscribe & Share: Love this episode? Make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague who’s ready to shift how they lead.
Episode Title: Your Loneliness Is Real: A Leadership Reality Check Episode Summary: This one’s personal and powerful. Bron opens up about the hidden loneliness that comes with leadership—especially for women. Whether you're a founder, a senior executive, or somewhere in between, this episode names what most won’t: the ache for connection, the hollowness that hides behind performance, and the simple but powerful tools to reclaim your leadership confidence through connection. You’ll walk away with clear steps to: Build your Personal Board of Advisors (and exactly how to ask someone to join it) Practice high-impact coffee dates (and why 3 a week might be your leadership superpower) Use micro-moments of connection in meetings that change the energy in the room Name your needs and rewrite the loneliness story we’ve been conditioned to keep quiet It’s time to stop pretending. You’re not alone—and leadership was never meant to be done solo. ️ Tools Mentioned: Personal Board of Advisors: Build your own powerful circle to stretch and support you The Art of the Coffee Date (shoutout to Tory Archbold) Micro-connection practices for your team and stakeholder meetings Language to name and normalise loneliness in your leadership world Resources & References: Loneliness in Australia More than half of Australians report feeling lonely weekly; one in three are classified as highly lonely Medibank Loneliness Report CEO and Executive Loneliness 55% of CEOs report serious mental health challenges including loneliness 70% of first-time CEOs say loneliness impacts performance The Science of Coaching: CEO Loneliness Women in Leadership and Isolation 60% of senior women feel increasingly lonely as their careers progress Only 19% of women of colour feel supported and respected at work Fast Company: Women Leaders and Loneliness Female Founders and Isolation Two-thirds report high or extreme levels of loneliness Most lack same-gender peers, investors, or role models Positive Entrepreneurship: Female Founder Loneliness Report Health Impacts of Loneliness Loneliness is associated with increased risk of premature death, depression, and poorer general health outcomes It is a key social determinant of health, according to national research AIHW: Social Isolation and Loneliness Connect with Bron ✨ Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bron-stephens ✨ Instagram: @transformandleadwithbron ☕ Book a coffee date Call to Action ✔ Schedule one coffee date this week with no agenda ✔ Ask one peer: “Want to be on each other’s personal board?” ✔ Open your next team meeting with a gratitude check-in Let’s create leadership that doesn’t just deliver results—but feels good to live....
️ Episode Title: Get Unstuck You're Not Lucky & Loss Aversion is Keeping You Stuck: Why Brilliant Women Stay Too Long in Roles That Don’t Serve Them Description: Too many brilliant women are staying in roles, projects and environments that are draining them — not because they’re unsure, uncommitted or ungrateful, but because of something far more subtle: loss aversion. In this episode, Bron breaks down the psychology that’s holding high-performing women back — and why feeling lucky for your current situation is a trap, not a truth. You’ll learn why smart women stay too long, how this contributes to burnout, and what to do when you know something’s no longer right but fear talking yourself out of change. This isn’t about dramatic exits. It’s about clear, grounded decisions that honour your ambition, protect your energy, and help you step into your next chapter without apology. If you’ve ever said: “I know it’s not right anymore… but I’ve worked so hard to get here.” “It’s not terrible… I should be grateful.” “I don’t want to lose what I’ve built…” …then this one’s for you. What You'll Hear: Why loss aversion, sunk cost fallacy, and status quo bias hit women harder How these biases keep you managing energy instead of leading with it The difference between leaving now and deciding now Power-based questions to create clarity when you feel stuck How to build your own ‘gain map’ and shift from self-protection to self-leadership What happens when you stop calling it luck and start owning your value References & Resources: Kahneman, D., & Tversky, A. (1979). Prospect Theory: An Analysis of Decision under Risk. Econometrica. Read the paper McKinsey & LeanIn. (2023). Women in the Workplace Report. Access the report Womens Agenda. (2025). The burnout crisis facing Australian women in 2025 Read article The Decision Lab: Loss Aversion Bias Explained Connect With Bron: If this resonated, come connect with me on LinkedIn. I’d love to hear your thoughts — or better yet, join the conversation and tag a brilliant woman you know who's ready to lead from clarity, not fear.
Episode Length: ~15 minutes Host: Bron Stephens, Executive Coach & ex-CEO Podcast: Transform and Lead Episode Summary: Saying no doesn’t have to make you cold, difficult, or unreliable—it can be your most powerful leadership move when done right. In this episode, Bron shares the hardest “yes” of her career (and the lesson that came with it), explores the gendered double standards around saying no, and gives three real-world strategies to protect your energy, build trust, and lead with intention. This isn’t about being blunt. It’s about being deliberate. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why women are disproportionately asked to take on invisible, non-promotable work The real cost of every “yes” that doesn’t align with your values How to say no without guilt, defensiveness, or shutting people down Three practical techniques to protect your time without burning bridges The research behind givers, takers, and why boundaries are a leadership skill Mentioned & Referenced: Harvard Business Review – Are You Taking On Too Many Non-Promotable Tasks? Adam Grant – Give and Take book Linda Babcock – Research on non-promotable tasks (via CMU and HBR) The Science of Decision-Making: Neuroscience and Strategic Pausing – American Psychological Association Behavioural Economics & the Power of Framing Love this episode? Share it with a fellow leader who’s ready to stop saying yes out of habit and start leading with clarity. ✨ Follow Bron on LinkedIn Learn more about Bron’s coaching and The Power Pivot program at bronstephens.com
Balance Is Broken: What to Drop, What to Protect, and Why 'Always On' Is Burning You Out Episode Summary: We’ve been sold a lie—balance doesn’t come from doing more, better. It comes from knowing what to drop. In this episode of Transform and Lead, I’m calling time on the pressure for high-performing women to be always available, always capable, and always holding it all together. You’ll learn how to reframe your approach to balance using the glass balls vs rubber balls analogy—and why it’s not as simple as work = rubber and family = glass. I’ll share real stories, practical shifts, and a redefinition of success that centres your values, energy and leadership power. If you’re feeling stretched, stuck, or like the price of ambition is your wellbeing—this one’s for you. In this episode: Why the mental load—not your diary—is the real issue How to tell the difference between a glass ball and a rubber one What “always on” is costing your leadership and creativity A real-world client example of what happens when you let something bounce Four gentle, doable shifts to stop burnout before it starts Listen if you’re: Tired of chasing the mythical work-life balance Feeling like you’re one notification away from snapping Ready to protect what matters most and release the rest Done with being the default organiser of everyone else’s needs ️ Try This: At the end of the episode, I’ll walk you through a simple reflection to name what matters, what can wait, and how to make choices that align with your values—not with guilt. Resources Mentioned: 2024 Burnout Stats: News.com.au Report Mental Load & Housework Gap: The Guardian Right to Disconnect in Australia: Worklogic ✨ Connect + Share: Let’s stay in the arena together. Come connect with me on LinkedIn—I’d love to hear what ball you’re choosing to drop this week, and which one you're finally choosing to protect. And if this episode shifted something for you, share it with another woman who needs permission to let something bounce.
In this episode of Transform and Lead, Bron explores why pausing—really pausing—isn’t a luxury or a sign of weakness for high-performing executive women. It’s a bold strategic move. If you’ve climbed the ladder, hit the goals, and still find yourself wondering why it doesn’t feel like enough, this one’s for you. Bron unpacks how thoughtful, intentional stillness can lead to the clarity, confidence and power that overachievement alone won’t give you. From career-defining pivots to re-anchoring in your values, we’re talking about the kind of pause that realigns you with what truly matters. We’ll talk: Why women at the top still experience confidence wobbles How the pause helps you get clear on what you want—not just what looks good on paper What high-achieving women often get wrong about ambition and alignment How self-reflection powers self-awareness—and why it’s essential for authentic leadership 3 practical strategies for building meaningful pauses into your leadership rhythm Referenced Research & Resources: How Self-Awareness Elevates Leadership Effectiveness – Forbes (2024) The Importance of Self-Awareness in Becoming Better Leaders – International Hospital Federation (IHF) The Power of Pause – Advisory Board (2024) Why Self-Reflection Is Key in Great Leadership – Walden University Don’t Underestimate the Power of Self-Reflection – Harvard Business Review (2022) Debriefing Enhances Team Learning – PubMed / Human Factors Journal (2013) Share This Episode Know a brilliant woman who’s been powering through without a pause? Send this her way. And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. Let’s Connect Want to explore what a powerful pause might look like for you? Book a clarity session at transformandlead.com.au or come chat with Bron on LinkedIn. Music by audionautix.com
Episode Summary In this episode of Transform and Lead, Bron gets real about something most high-performing women know all too well: the exhausting cycle of performing leadership instead of owning it. Bron shares her personal experience of burnout at Telstra, unpacks the difference between power and performance, and guides you through practical, real-world actions to step into leadership that feels like yours. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right and still questioning whether it’s enough—you’re not alone. And you’re not broken. This episode is your permission slip to stop over-functioning and start leading with clarity, alignment, and confidence. What You’ll Hear: Bron’s own burnout story and the red flags she ignored The difference between performing leadership and owning power How performance-based habits keep us stuck in survival mode Three practical strategies to shift from performance to power A gentle coaching prompt to help you take action this week Practical Takeaways: Start a confidence journal to track moments where you lead without justification Set “pause points” in your day to switch from reactivity to intention Check requests against your values before saying yes Use generous language to say no without guilt Shift from problem-solving to asking better questions Coaching Prompt: Where are you still over-performing to feel safe? And what would shift if you led like you were already trusted? This week, pick just one moment to experiment. Say less. Trust yourself more. You don’t need to change everything—just start. References & Resources Mentioned: Invisible Labor in the Workplace: Explores how women often undertake unpaid tasks that benefit company culture but don't advance their careers. Syndio+1HuffPost+1 The Double-Bind Dilemma for Women in Leadership: Discusses the challenges women face due to gender stereotypes and the "think leader, think male" mindset. org Women in the Workplace 2024 Report: Provides insights into the state of women in corporate America, highlighting ongoing challenges and progress. McKinsey & Company+1WSJ+1 Women and Leadership: A Pew Research Centre survey examining public perceptions of women in leadership roles and the traits attributed to them. Pew Research Centre How Invisible Labor Affects Relationships: Investigates the impact of unrecognized cognitive labour on women's mental health and personal relationships. wisc.edu+1ArizonaPAL+1 Links & Extras Explore Bron’s executive coaching programs: https://bronstephens.com/individual-programs/ Connect on LinkedIn: Bron Stephens Know someone stuck in performance mode? Share this episode with her. Music by audionautix.com
That voice in your head—the one whispering that you’re not good enough, not ready, not capable—it’s not the truth. It’s your inner critic, and it’s been running on autopilot for far too long. 61% of women cite their inner critic as the biggest factor eroding their confidence at work. In today’s episode, we’re calling it out. You’ll learn:✅ What the inner critic actually is (and why it exists)✅ The three ways it shows up and how it holds you back✅ How to catch it in action and reframe it with self-compassion✅ The exact steps to take back control and start leading with confidence Because here’s the thing: your inner critic is loud, but it doesn’t have to run the show. FREE WORKBOOK: Ready to Own Your Inner Critic? This episode is packed with practical strategies—but if you want to go deeper and truly shift your self-talk, grab my free workbook: Download here → https://bronstephens.com/own-your-inner-critic/ Love this episode? Share it with a woman who needs to hear it. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Leave a review—it helps more women find this work and step into their confidence. Connect with me: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bron-stephens Website: bronstephens.com Because you deserve to lead, grow, and take up space—without that voice holding you back. Key References: The Voice of Women at Work 2023 Report Prevalence, Predictors, and Treatment of Impostor Syndrome: a Systematic Review Dr Kirsten Neff Self Compassion Positive Psychology and the Inner Critic Music by audionautix.com
This episode is for every high-achieving woman who's ever been told to “tone it down,” “toughen up,” or “be more like a man” to lead effectively. Bron Stephens gets real about the subtle pressure women still face to reshape their leadership—and the cost of trying to lead like someone else. You’ll hear what the research actually says about female leadership strengths, and why performing leadership is not the same as inhabiting it. You’ll learn how to recognise the habits that are draining your confidence—and build new ones that help you lead from alignment, not adaptation. In this episode: Why so many women are still receiving gendered leadership feedback What the research says about the real strengths of female leaders How high-performing women lose confidence by trying to lead like someone else Six powerful habits to lead with more ownership and energy What it really means to “lead from your values” You’ll leave this episode with: ✓ Permission to lead like you ✓ A clear sense of what’s been holding you back—and why it’s not your fault ✓ Practical tools you can use this week to step into your full-sized leadership Liked this episode? Share it with a woman in leadership who needs to hear it. And if it landed, leave a review—it helps more women find their way back to themselves in leadership. Links & Resources: Blog: Free Values Workbook: Know Your Values Research: Women in the Workplace – McKinsey & LeanIn Research: Women Score Higher Than Men in Most Leadership Skills – HBR Research: Women Get 'Nicer' Feedback – And It Holds Them Back – HBR Connect with Bron on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bronstephens Learn more about coaching with Bron: bronstephens.com Music by audionautix.com
Have you ever made a decision that just felt right—even if it wasn’t the easy choice? Or walked away from something, knowing deep down it wasn’t for you, but struggled to explain why? That’s your values at work. In this episode of Transform & Lead, I’m breaking down why values-based leadership is the foundation of confidence, clarity, and authentic leadership—especially for ambitious women navigating high-stakes roles. When you know your values—really know them—decision-making gets sharper, energy stays higher, and you no longer waste time second-guessing yourself. But when your values aren’t clear? Boundaries slip, confidence wavers, and leadership feels harder than it needs to be. Tune in to learn: ✔️ A step-by-step process to uncover and refine your core values. ✔️ How to use values as a filter for confident decision-making. ✔️ What happens when you lead in alignment with your values—and the impact when you don’t. This is the work that changes everything. If you’re ready to stop proving yourself and start owning your ambition, femininity, and power—this episode is for you. Listen now and grab the free Values Identification Workbook here! Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bron-stephens/ Let me know what resonates—drop me a message or share your biggest takeaway! Music by audionautix.com
Confidence isn’t about feeling a certain way—it’s about knowing a certain way. In this episode, Bron dives into why high-performing women don’t actually lack confidence—they lack clarity. If you’ve ever found yourself second-guessing your instincts, overexplaining your ideas, or feeling like you have to prove yourself over and over again, this episode is for you. Bron unpacks the four types of clarity every ambitious woman needs to lead with confidence: ✅ Clarity of Your Values & Purpose ✅ Understanding What Holds You Back (Systemic & Internal) ✅ Clarity of What You Want From Your Career & Life ✅ The Missing Piece: Time to Reflect, Plan & Take Intentional Action She also shares three practical ways to untangle your thoughts and get unstuck: Find an Outside Ear (Without Advice Overload) – How to set up a conversation that helps you gain clarity without getting unhelpful opinions. Use ChatGPT as a Thought Partner – The exact prompt to use to get powerful coaching-style questions. Use this prompt: "I’m a high-performing woman in an executive role, and I feel stuck. I know I’m capable, but I second-guess myself, and I don’t know exactly what I want for my future. Acting as an executive coach, ask me powerful coaching questions that will help me untangle my thoughts, clarify my goals, and reconnect with my confidence." Journal with These 3 Prompts – Unlock deeper clarity by writing your way through the mental clutter. This episode will challenge you to see clarity as an investment, not a luxury, and help you take action toward the confidence you’ve been waiting for. [Listen now on your favourite podcast platform!] Evidence-Based Research on Leadership Clarity & Reflection: How Self-Reflection Makes You a Better Leader This Forbes article discusses how self-reflection enhances leadership by fostering self-awareness and informed decision-making. The Key to Leadership Development Is Critical Reflection This piece emphasizes the role of critical reflection in leadership development, offering practical suggestions like maintaining a reflection journal. Want to take this work deeper? DM me on LinkedIn – Let’s talk about how you can step into leadership clarity! Join my newsletter for more insights on owning your ambition, femininity, and power. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe & leave a review—it helps more ambitious women like you find this show! Screenshot & tag me on Instagram with your biggest takeaway! Music by audionautix.com
This is a special International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 episode of Transform and Lead. With everything happening in the US and growing noise here in Australia, I wanted to see if we could have a sensible conversation on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). It's too important to see it topple and find ourselves in the same situation yet the conversation is getting messy and worse, it's becoming about men rather than the patriachy (they're not the same thing). This year’s IWD theme, “Accelerate Action”, isn’t about lip service—it’s about doing the work to create workplaces where everyone can thrive. ️ In this episode, I share:✔️ My personal experience seeing some of the fallout from DEI going wrong.✔️ Why DEI shouldn’t be divisive—how we move from an “us vs. them” mindset to real, inclusive leadership.✔️ Three areas of DEI that are at risk of getting lost in the noise: equal parental leave for fathers, workplace flexibility for everyone (not just parents), and fixing leadership pipelines so the next generation doesn’t hit the same barriers.✔️ Four actions leaders can take right now to support DEI in a way that actually works—without backlash, performative gestures, or exhausting “tick-the-box” exercises. This episode is about real stories, real change, and real leadership—because DEI isn’t about guilt or exclusion, it’s about making workplaces better for everyone. What are your thoughts? How are you accelerating action this International Women’s Day? Drop me a message or share your insights! ️ Hit play and let's get into it! Music by audionautix.com References: The Broken Rung - https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/women-in-the-workplace DEI Isn’t Working. Inclusive Economics Might - https://time.com/7022544/inclusive-economics-dei-impact-business/ Why longer paternity leave is a step forward for gender equality - https://www.weforum.org/stories/2019/12/parental-leave-equal-rights-for-women-and-men/ Paid paternity leave should be the norm in the US - https://www.weforum.org/stories/2020/11/paid-paternity-leave-in-the-united-states/ AIFS Fathers and parental leave - https://aifs.gov.au/resources/short-articles/fathers-and-parental-leave What is DEI and why is Trump opposed to it? - https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/24/diversity-backlash-what-is-dei-and-why-is-trump-opposed-to-it Rollback on diversity policies ‘risks undoing decades of prog...
In this conversation, we dive into leadership superpowers - how to refine your strengths by understanding their shadow sides to elevate your impact! Too often women are told to tone down their strengths instead of overcoming the shadow side. This often leads to women becoming less effective. It's not intentional, it's simply a result of the fact that for senior femal leaders, 70% of their own leaders are male. This means that the feedback comes from a biased lens. In this podcast learn how to understand your strengths, identify their shadow sides and unlock your superpowers. Takeaways Women and men start in corporate roles at nearly equal rates and by senior leadership, women make up only 28% of senior vice presidents. Leadership norms are shaped by traditionally masculine traits and women often receive vague and unhelpful feedback. Strengths can have shadow sides that undermine effectiveness. Refining strengths without diminishing them can turn them into leadership superpowers. Transform strengths into superpowers through actionable strategies. Chapters 00:00Introduction to Leadership Superpowers 00:30Understanding the Broken Rung 02:55Defining Leadership Superpowers 05:45Strategies to Amplify Your Superpowers 08:34Actionable Takeaways and Conclusion Key References: McKinsey & LeanIn – Women in the Workplace Report Harvard Business Review – Women Score Higher Than Men in Leadership Skills Research: Men Get More Actionable Feedback Than Women
In this episode of Transform and Lead, Bron Stephens challenges the conventional wisdom surrounding confidence, particularly for women in leadership roles. She argues that confidence is not a prerequisite for action but rather a byproduct of it. The discussion covers the detrimental effects of the confidence myth, the importance of owning your ambition, recognising leadership superpowers, and addressing the inner critic. Bron emphasizes the need for women to embrace their authentic leadership styles and take action before feeling fully prepared, ultimately encouraging listeners to own their unique identities and capabilities. Takeaways Confidence is a byproduct of action, not a prerequisite. Women should focus on overcoming barriers to confidence rather than trying to build it. Women often internalize the message that they need to be more confident. Owning your ambition means clearly stating what you want. Owning the inner critic is crucial for building confidence. Taking action builds resilience and confidence over time. Resources and Referenced Research https://hbr.org/2022/10/how-confidence-is-weaponized-against-women https://womenrisingco.com/research-report-thank-you/ https://textio.com/feedback-bias-2024 Get in Touch LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bron-stephens- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformandlead
Welcome to Transform and Lead, a podcast for high-achieving women who want to lead with confidence, own their ambition, and stay true to themselves. No outdated leadership advice—just practical strategies, and stories to help you navigate career moves, big decisions, and the moments that define your success. Whether you’re climbing the ladder, making a pivot, or just looking for that extra edge, this podcast is here to help you step up and stand out. Connect with my on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bron-stephens/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/transform-and-lead/