Where Old Power Fails (And What Actually Makes Leaders Great)
Host: Bron Stephens

Episode Summary:
If you’ve ever been told to “be more assertive,” “get tougher,” or “stop caring so much”—this one’s for you.

In this episode, Bron unpacks the outdated leadership model of power over—and why it doesn’t work. Through personal stories, corporate truths, and powerful real-world examples, she introduces the concept of power with (thank you Brené Brown)—and how it opens the door to confident, compassionate, and values-aligned leadership.

You’ll learn:

• Why intention and impact are rarely the same thing
• How to build trust without softening your standards
• Why organisational compassion is the leadership edge most executives are missing
• Tangible steps to lead with empathy, wisdom and accountability
• What “power with” looks like in feedback, performance, and decision-making

This isn’t about leading softer—it’s about leading better.

Key Topics Covered:

• Care and Power Over can exist together
• Why Power With trumps Power Over
• Empathy, wisdom and accountability as the pillars of compassionate leadership
• The ripple effect of organisational compassion
• Five practical ways to lead with power with in your day-to-day

Takeaway Questions:

• Where am I using power to protect, not connect?
• Where might my impact not match my intention?
• What systems, habits, or language reinforce “power over” in my team?
• Where could I lead with more curiosity—and still hold the bar high?

Links & Mentions:

• Learn more about Bron’s executive coaching: bronstephens.com
• Brené Brown on Power With, Power Over and Power Within: overviews and quotes from Dare to Lead
• Want support to lead with compassion and confidence? DM Bron on Instagram or LinkedIn

Subscribe & Share:
Love this episode? Make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague who’s ready to shift how they lead.

Your Loneliness Is Real: A Leadership Reality Check

This one’s personal and powerful. Bron opens up about the hidden loneliness that comes with leadership—especially for women. Whether you're a founder, a senior executive, or somewhere in between, this episode names what most won’t: the ache for connection, the hollowness that hides behind performance, and the simple but powerful tools to reclaim your leadership confidence through connection.

You’ll walk away with clear steps to:

• Build your Personal Board of Advisors (and exactly how to ask someone to join it)

• Practice high-impact coffee dates (and why 3 a week might be your leadership superpower)

• Use micro-moments of connection in meetings that change the energy in the room

• Name your needs and rewrite the loneliness story we’ve been conditioned to keep quiet

It’s time to stop pretending. You’re not alone—and leadership was never meant to be done solo.

• Personal Board of Advisors: Build your own powerful circle to stretch and support you

• The Art of the Coffee Date (shoutout to Tory Archbold)

• Micro-connection practices for your team and stakeholder meetings

• Language to name and normalise loneliness in your leadership world

Loneliness in Australia

• More than half of Australians report feeling lonely weekly; one in three are classified as highly lonely
  Medibank Loneliness Report

CEO and Executive Loneliness

• 55% of CEOs report serious mental health challenges including loneliness

• 70% of first-time CEOs say loneliness impacts performance
  The Science of Coaching: CEO Loneliness

‍ Women in Leadership and Isolation

• 60% of senior women feel increasingly lonely as their careers progress

• Only 19% of women of colour feel supported and respected at work
  Fast Company: Women Leaders and Loneliness

Female Founders and Isolation

• Two-thirds report high or extreme levels of loneliness

• Most lack same-gender peers, investors, or role models
  Positive Entrepreneurship: Female Founder Loneliness Report

Health Impacts of Loneliness

• Loneliness is associated with increased risk of premature death, depression, and poorer general health outcomes

• It is a key social determinant of health, according to national research
  AIHW: Social Isolation and Loneliness

✨ Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bron-stephens
✨ Instagram: @transformandleadwithbron
☕ Book a coffee date

✔ Schedule one coffee date this week with no agenda
✔ Ask one peer: “Want to be on each other’s personal board?”
✔ Open your next team meeting with a gratitude check-in

Let’s create leadership that doesn’t just deliver results—but feels good to live.

️ Episode Title: Get Unstuck

You're Not Lucky & Loss Aversion is Keeping You Stuck: Why Brilliant Women Stay Too Long in Roles That Don’t Serve Them

Description:

Too many brilliant women are staying in roles, projects and environments that are draining them — not because they’re unsure, uncommitted or ungrateful, but because of something far more subtle: loss aversion.

In this episode, Bron breaks down the psychology that’s holding high-performing women back — and why feeling lucky for your current situation is a trap, not a truth. You’ll learn why smart women stay too long, how this contributes to burnout, and what to do when you know something’s no longer right but fear talking yourself out of change.

This isn’t about dramatic exits. It’s about clear, grounded decisions that honour your ambition, protect your energy, and help you step into your next chapter without apology.

If you’ve ever said:

• “I know it’s not right anymore… but I’ve worked so hard to get here.”
• “It’s not terrible… I should be grateful.”
• “I don’t want to lose what I’ve built…”

…then this one’s for you.

What You'll Hear:

• Why loss aversion, sunk cost fallacy, and status quo bias hit women harder
• How these biases keep you managing energy instead of leading with it
• The difference between leaving now and deciding now
• Power-based questions to create clarity when you feel stuck
• How to build your own ‘gain map’ and shift from self-protection to self-leadership
• What happens when you stop calling it luck and start owning your value

References & Resources:

• Kahneman, D., & Tversky, A. (1979). Prospect Theory: An Analysis of Decision under Risk. Econometrica. Read the paper
• McKinsey & LeanIn. (2023). Women in the Workplace Report. Access the report
• Womens Agenda. (2025). The burnout crisis facing Australian women in 2025 Read article
• The Decision Lab: Loss Aversion Bias Explained

Connect With Bron:

If this resonated, come connect with me on LinkedIn. I’d love to hear your thoughts — or better yet, join the conversation and tag a brilliant woman you know who's ready to lead from clarity, not fear.