Sabina Nawaz: Why Pressure, Not Power, Shapes Effective Leadership

Mick Unplugged

Sabina Nawaz is a powerhouse executive coach and leadership strategist who has helped leaders from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups transform their mindsets and unlock their leadership potential. With over 25 years of experience—including a pivotal management role at Microsoft—Sabina blends emotional intelligence with practical tools to help leaders manage pressure, communicate authentically, and embrace continuous growth. As an author and sought-after speaker, her candid insights encourage leaders to move beyond comfort zones, embrace vulnerability, and create a positive, lasting impact on their teams and organizations.

Takeaways:

Authenticity is Multifaceted: Sabina emphasizes that authenticity isn’t singular—leaders need to adapt to their circumstances and roles, using authenticity as a guide for growth rather than an excuse to avoid change.

Pressure and Power Dynamics Matter: She explains that it’s not just power, but pressure, that often corrupts behavior in leaders. Managing both is essential, and pressure can either define or refine leadership, depending on how it’s handled.

Communication and Vulnerability Win Trust: The most effective leaders are those who communicate clearly, align their words and body language, and aren’t afraid to express vulnerability. This builds stronger connections and lifelong loyalty among teams.

Sound Bites:

“Pressure doesn’t have to define you. It can refine you—just like pressure builds diamonds.”

“Authenticity, when used as an excuse for not changing, actually prevents growth. We have multiple authentic selves, depending on our roles.”

“If you’re a leader, arrange your face before you walk into that meeting. Your resting face carries more weight than you think.”

Quote by Mick:

"I tell leaders, if there’s one habit that you can have today, it’s presence. And presence for your team is going to mean something different for all the individuals that you lead or that you manage. And you got to understand how to be present for them."

Connect & Discover Sabina:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabinanawaz/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sabinacoaching/

Website: https://sabinanawaz.com/

Book: You’re The Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be

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