In this episode of Change on Purpose, Ingrid and Rebecca discuss why so many new leaders feel overwhelmed, underprepared, and stretched thin, arguing the problem is often the modern leadership role rather than the individual.
They cite research showing managers are more likely to be burned out than their teams and that only about one in three managers feels equipped, describing managers as McKinsey’s “sandwich layer” caught between executives’ demands
and employees’ needs. They explore added pressures from AI adoption, hybrid work, engagement expectations, and leading across four or five generations with different communication and feedback preferences, emphasizing focusing on
individuals rather than stereotypes. Key takeaways include treating uncertainty as the norm, building a learning culture where it’s safe to fail, and adopting three mind shifts: success is measured through others’ work, get comfortable not
knowing everything, and shift from control to influence by creating conditions for others to succeed.

00:00 New Leader Reality Check
01:31 Why It Feels Overwhelming
01:36 Burnout and Imposter Feelings
02:42 The Sandwich Layer Squeeze
03:52 Leadership Without All Answers
04:19 AI and the Confidence Gap
05:37 Leading Across Generations
07:28 The Role Changed Faster
08:17 Coaching Through Uncertainty
10:42 Three Mindset Shifts
12:18 Coaching Through Uncertainty
12:19 Final Takeaways and Next Steps

#changeonpurpose #leadership #changemanagement #transformation #professionaldevelopment #personalgrowth
#selfdiscovery #teamempowerment #teamsuccess #lifelessons #careerjourney #motivation #beyondthegrind #resilience
#teamwork #humancentered #sustainability #workplaceculture #teambuilding #mentorship #lifetransitions #transitions
#selfimprovement #coaching
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Rebecca Alimorong - Robert Half | LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com/in/ingridcj
https://www.linkedin.com/company/changeonpurpose.org/

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In this episode, Ingrid shares her personal backstory to explain her perspective on change, resilience, and growth. She recounts being laid off in March 2025 and the emotional toll of a long job search, while simultaneously caring for her mother as dementia progressed, moving her into memory care, and grieving her death in January. Alongside managing investment properties, renovations, and learning new Gen AI tools, Ingrid reevaluates her professional identity and launches the Change on Purpose podcast with Rebecca. She reflects on feeling overwhelmed and reframing the question from “How will everything work out?” to “What is my next step?” She closes with three lessons: not every problem must be solved today, rejection is information, not identity, and a meaningful life doesn’t have to look conventional.

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Episode Overview: In this episode of Change on Purpose, hosts Ingrid Jonsson and Rebecca Alimorong dive into purpose-paced leadership and challenge the myth that care and accountability are opposites. Moving away from the traditional, outdated "feedback sandwich," they break down Rebecca’s C.A.R.E. Framework from her book Beyond the Grind, a transformational approach designed to deliver feedback that fuels growth rather than flattening morale.

Key Takeaways:

• Context (C): Establish shared goals and the "why" behind the conversation to set a clear foundation before addressing issues.
• Appreciation (A): Genuinely acknowledge effort, intent, and progress—without turning it into a fake setup for criticism.
• Recommendation (R): Offer direct, actionable guidance so team members leave with clarity on exact expectations and next steps.
• Empowerment (E): Return ownership to the individual to solve the problem, reinforcing trust and avoiding over-reliance on leadership.
• Two-Way Application: The C.A.R.E. framework isn't just top-down; team members and entrepreneurs can use it upward to bring solutions, context, and clear recommendations to leaders and clients.

Call to Action: Pick one thing, take one step, and make change on purpose. Be sure to like, subscribe, and tune in next episode as we dive into the Pressure Framework!

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