Stop Micromanaging, Start Leading: Your Guide to Building a Team You Trust with Ashley Cox (Part 2)

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🎧 Episode 169: Stop Micromanaging, Start Leading — Building Unbreakable Trust & Navigating Tough Conversations with Ashley Cox (Part 2)

In Part 2, Sonnie and Ashley go beyond delegation—straight into the art (and science) of trust. This episode is packed with real talk about what it takes to build a team you can rely on, how to let go of micromanagement for good, and the not-so-obvious reason your toughest conversations are often the most powerful.

We explore:

• Ashley’s “Triangle of Trust” framework—and why most leaders get trust backwards
• How micromanagement destroys trust (and how to fix it)
• Why your fear of being outshined is holding everyone back
• How to balance compassion and assertiveness (even in hard conversations)
• “Help me understand…”: The 3 words that transform every difficult conversation
• Why your team’s “bad boss baggage” is sabotaging success (and what to do about it)
• The simple mindset shift that turns feedback into fuel for growth
• Why real leadership is about love, not control

🔑 Key takeaways:

• You hired smart people—now get out of their way
• Trust starts with YOU (and how you show up)
• Difficult conversations are a muscle—start training it now
• Compassion and assertiveness are not opposites; together, they’re unstoppable

💡 Quotes to remember:

“Love others. See the humanity in each other—it makes all the difference.”

📚 Resources mentioned:

• Ashley Cox’s Empowered Leader Experience: https://ashleycox.co/
• Connect with Ashley on:
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-cox-phr-shrm-cp-30565017/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleycox.co/

A rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along on this journey to Evoke Greatness!
Check out my website: www.evokegreatness.com
Follow me on:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonnie-linebarger-899b9a52/

https://www.instagram.com/evoke.greatness/
https://www.tiktok.com/@evoke.greatness

http://www.youtube.com/@evokegreatness

Chapters

1. Stop Micromanaging, Start Leading: Your Guide to Building a Team You Trust with Ashley Cox (Part 2) (00:00:00)

2. Welcome to Year Three (00:00:05)

3. The Triangle of Trust Framework (00:01:56)

4. Overcoming Leadership Insecurity (00:06:05)

5. Compassion Meets Assertiveness (00:11:37)

6. Having Difficult Conversations (00:15:46)

7. Love Others & Final Thoughts (00:24:10)