Are You Being Empathetic - or Avoiding the Hard Call? A Leadership Lesson Every B2B Marketing Leader Needs

Growth Activated | The B2B Marketing Leadership Podcast

#24 - Welcome to a special summer mini-series on Growth Activated, where we’re keeping things short, actionable, and full of value for marketing leaders looking to elevate their impact.

In this kickoff episode, Mandy Walker shares one of the most memorable leadership lessons she’s ever received - something that changed the way she thinks about empathy, accountability, and what it really means to lead a high-performing team.

If you’ve ever wrestled with whether to keep an underperformer, dealt with a toxic team member, or struggled to let go of someone who “used to be great,” this episode is a must-listen. You’ll walk away with a powerful reframing to help you lead with clarity and confidence.

We cover:

• The leadership mindset shift that changed Mandy’s approach forever
• 4 common team scenarios that undermine morale and growth
• How to balance empathy with performance as a B2B marketing leader
• Reflection questions to help you assess your current team dynamics

Whether you're leading a marketing org or growing your career in B2B, this episode will challenge your thinking and help you become a stronger, more strategic leader.

🎧 Tune in for a quick hit of insight—and get back to enjoying your summer while still investing in your leadership growth.

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Loved this episode? Connect with me for more insights on B2B marketing leadership and strategies to grow your business.

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Chapters

1. Welcome to Growth Activated: B2B Marketing Leadership Series Intro (00:00:00)

2. Why We’re Launching Bite-Sized Summer Episodes for Marketing Leaders (00:01:42)

3. The Leadership Lesson That Changed My Perspective on Team Performance (00:02:33)

4. The Empathy Blindspot: Are You Hurting the Team by Helping One Person? (00:03:28)

5. 4 Types of Team Members That Undermine Growth (00:04:23)

6. Toxic High Performers: Culture Fit vs. Skill Set in B2B Marketing Teams (00:04:51)

7. When Someone Just Doesn’t Get It (Even if They’re Likable) (00:06:16)

8. Work Ethic & Accountability: The Friction Within High-Performing Marketing Teams (00:07:08)

9. Navigating Change: Leading B2B Marketing Teams Through Transformation (00:08:35)

10. Leadership Reflection: Are You Making Fair Decisions for the Whole Team? (00:09:55)