Why Great Leaders Still Get Stuck
Most leaders believe their biggest obstacles are external – the environment, the workload, the team, but what if your biggest obstacles actually came from within? This week, we’re joined by executive coach and author Muriel Wilkins to discuss the internal, invisible, and deeply learned blockers. These “hidden beliefs,” as Muriel calls them, shape everything about our leadership – how we respond to challenges, how we show up at work, and even how much range we have as leaders. Often, these hidden beliefs helped us in our early life, but as our responsibilities grow, they quietly start to hold us back.
The first step to understanding ourselves is curiosity. Before we can even see our patterns, we have to be open to exploring them. Muriel breaks down the most common blockers she sees in people during her coaching practice – everything from “I need to be involved” to “I can’t make a mistake,” and she explains why they persist in our thoughts long after they stop serving us. So, what’s the reframe? Muriel believes that leadership isn’t about changing who you are, but about expanding your mindset so you have the best choices, the best tools, and the best ways to lead effectively.
Tired of suffering at work? You don’t have to! There’s a difference between inevitable pain and optional suffering, and just because the modern workplace glorifies stress, there is an alternative. While the challenges of work may never go away, we can change how we experience them. From creating situations with less friction to redefining what it means to succeed as a team, our chat with Muriel is a grounded, compassionate guide for listeners seeking a practical, human way to lead with success.
Want to watch this episode? Check it out on our YouTube Channel
Topics
[0:00] Introduction and speed round with Muriel Wilkins
[9:33] Are limiting beliefs protective?
[15:40] Where limiting beliefs come from
[20:00] Why we’re not taught self-reflection
[27:04] The problem with glorifying stress
[33:44] Changing vs expanding your mindset
[39:23] Redefining success
[44:47] How Muriel Wilkins finds her groove
[54:50] Grooving Session: Curiosity, self-awareness, and expanding your mindset
Why Great Leaders Still Get Stuck
Featured Guest
Muriel Wilkins
Featured Artists
TOPICS
LINK
About Muriel
Leadership Unblocked by Muriel Wilkins
TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE
[View / Download Transcript](/content/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Wilkins-FINAL_otter_ai.txt "View/Download Transcript"/index.html)