The Habits That Got You Promoted Might Be Hurting Your Team

What does essential leadership look like when the future is hard to predict? Tim Staton sits down with Marc Inzelstein, who describes advising executive teams on leadership, strategy, change, transformation, and culture for about 25 years. They discuss how leaders can respond to uncertainty around AI without letting fear drive every decision—and why trust depends on honest communication, follow-through, and the ability to challenge ideas respectfully.
Marc explains why psychological safety is not about avoiding difficult conversations. It is about making it possible for people to share concerns and speak candidly without being punished for it. The conversation also explores how early-career professionals can build trust and find mentors, why leaders benefit from quiet reflection, and how a pause can create room to choose a response instead of reacting automatically.
For managers, senior leaders, and people beginning their careers, this episode offers practical questions to consider: How do you make room for candid feedback? Are you following through on what you say? And why do you choose to lead?
Marc discusses his book: Essential Leadership: Practicing L.O.V.E. in Turbulent Times.