))
You’re the Boss: Now What? Power, Pressure, and Leading with Losing Yourself with Sabina Nawaz
Manage episode 491646968 series 3262814
Content provided by Eric Spencer and Morag Barrett. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Eric Spencer and Morag Barrett or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.
This week, Morag sits down with Sabina Nawaz—executive coach, former Microsoft executive, and author of You Are the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be and Others Need. Sabina brings a sharp, compassionate lens to the messy reality of leadership—especially how pressure, not power, causes even the best bosses to behave badly.
From lessons learned in Microsoft’s high-stakes executive suites to real-world tools for becoming a better boss (without burning out), Sabina shares insight with warmth, clarity, and actionable wisdom.
🔑 4 Key Takeaways You Won’t Want to Miss:
02:58 — The Generosity Effect: Channel Your Inner Jane
Sabina honors her former colleague Jane, whose abundant generosity left a permanent mark on her leadership style—and reminds us all to show up with presence and practical kindness, even across silos.
05:30 — It’s Not Power That Corrupts—It’s Pressure
Sabina breaks down how even well-meaning leaders shift into bad boss behaviors when pressure spikes—and why being self-aware, especially about tone and body language, is crucial as you gain more influence.
11:00 — When Good Bosses Go Rogue
In a raw story of her own, Sabina recalls the jarring moment she learned her team feared her after returning from parental leave—and how unchecked pressure warped her leadership. Her turnaround offers a candid playbook for course-correcting with humility.
17:00 — Micro-Habits, Major Change
Forget the silver bullet. Sabina advocates starting small—like being the third to speak in a meeting or shutting your laptop five minutes earlier. These micro-habits can compound into powerful shifts in behavior, perception, and trust.
💡 This Episode Is for:
Leaders in transition, newly promoted managers, and high performers who want to grow their leadership without losing themselves—or their teams—in the process.
🔗 Where to Learn More:
- SabinaNawaz.com – Book resources, tools, and Sabina’s newsletter PressureProof
- You Are the Boss — Available wherever books are sold
- Connect with Sabina on LinkedIn
140 episodes
Share
