In this episode of Between Innovation, Kathy and Joe hold up the mirror to leadership and ask a tough question: What if you’re the biggest barrier to the change you want to see?

Drawing from real-world conversations with leaders, they explore how common frustrations—like lack of ideas, weak accountability, or organizational silos—often reflect back on leadership behaviors themselves. Through stories, roleplays, and candid insights, they unpack why change is so hard, and how leaders can build the self-awareness and trust needed to unlock innovation.

If you’ve ever thought “my people just don’t…”, this episode is your invitation to pause, reflect, and reconsider what’s really happening.

Key Takeaways

• Why leaders need to “hold up the mirror” and examine their own role in blocking change.
• How safety (or lack of it) determines whether ideas surface or stay hidden.
• The difference between external motivators (bonuses, raises) and intrinsic motivators (autonomy, mastery, purpose).
• What leaders really mean when they say, “My people aren’t strategic.”
• How initiative gets unintentionally stifled—and how to avoid “killing the spirit.”
• Practical ways to transform meetings into spaces for contribution and collaboration.
• The two types of silos (political vs. unintentional) and how to break them down.
• Why self-awareness and curiosity are the foundation for innovation.