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Most leaders believe they’re self-aware.

Research suggests otherwise.

Studies indicate that while the majority of us think we understand how we show up, only a small percentage are accurately perceived that way by others. And under pressure — in uncertainty — those blind spots don’t stay hidden.

• They shape our decisions.
• Our relationships.
• Our leadership.

In this episode of Leading People, Gerry Murray speaks with researcher and author Dr Julia Carden about why self-awareness is far rarer than we assume — and why it matters most in uncertain environments.

We explore:

• Why other people’s perceptions of us don’t update as quickly as we think
• What makes feedback useful rather than threatening
• The role of identity and ego in leadership blind spots
• Why self-acceptance is a quiet but powerful leadership strength
• And how self-awareness builds adaptive capacity in unstable times

If you’ve ever wondered why capable, intelligent leaders can still get in their own way — this conversation will give you language, research, and practical insight to reflect on your own leadership.

Curious?

Listen in — and notice what you'll discover about yourself

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What do you say when your team pushes back on a policy you didn’t create?
This episode explores a common moment where many team leaders lose credibility — and how you can handle it differently.

If you’ve ever felt stuck between your team and “head office,” this one’s for you.

Want to go further?
Our Team Leader Essentials and Performance Accelerator programmes are designed to help you navigate tough leadership moments like this — and bring out the best in yourself and your team.

Here's the Link

https://www.widecircle.eu/better-leadership

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What if engagement wasn’t the finish line — but the starting point?

In this episode of Leading People, Gerry Murray is joined by Alli Gibbons, author of The Power of Ownership Culture, to explore how employee ownership can fundamentally reset leadership and culture — when it’s treated as more than just a new structure.

Rather than focusing on legal models or financial mechanisms, the conversation centres on what really shifts when people are invited to take genuine responsibility — and why leadership matters even more, not less, in ownership environments.

Alli shares insights from her journey across engineering, large-scale projects, and organisational culture, and explains why ownership doesn’t automatically change behaviour. Structure alone isn’t enough.

What makes the difference is how leaders

• build ownership literacy
• tell a clear strategic story
• create decision rights that invite voice without losing momentum
• and shape environments where accountability feels meaningful rather than imposed

Together, we explore the practical leadership tensions this creates — psychological safety versus pace, participation versus clarity, and the pivotal role middle managers play as translators between strategy and day-to-day work.

At its heart, this is a conversation about shifting from company-as-machine to company-as-community — where performance still matters, profit remains essential, but purpose becomes the anchor that sustains commitment over time.

This episode is for leaders who are curious about ownership — or who simply want people to think and act like owners — and are willing to reflect on what that requires of leadership itself.

Curious?

Have a listen...

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