Your team doesn't just respond to your decisions.
They respond to your state.
I've seen it over and over again in my work with leaders.
When we're stressed, overwhelmed, or operating from survival mode, it changes how we show up.
We hold on tighter.
We delegate less.
We avoid difficult conversations.
We react instead of respond.
In this episode, I'm joined by leadership strategist, global speaker, and bestselling author Hacia Atherton for a conversation about something I believe every leader needs to understand:
You can't lead others well until you learn to lead yourself.
Together, we explore how your nervous system shapes your leadership, why unresolved patterns often show up at work, and practical ways to become more intentional under pressure.
This isn't about becoming a perfect leader.
It's about becoming a more present one.
00:00 Introduction
01:29 Meet Hacia Atherton
02:34 The Cost of Inauthenticity at Work
08:20 Your Nervous System Is Always Talking
13:10 Why Every Leader Needs an Advocate
18:18 The Shift from Micromanager to Coach
22:03 Why Leaders Struggle to Delegate
28:04 Childhood Patterns That Shape Leadership
35:21 The Circle of Control
40:06 How to Respond Instead of React
44:49 Owning the Collateral Damage of Leadership
48:30 Experiments Over Failure
51:10 The 1% Rule for Better Leadership
52:35 Final Thoughts
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🎙️ About Uncommon Leadership:
I'm Michael Hunter, founder of Uncommon Teams.
On the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, I sit down with founders, executives, researchers, and leadership thinkers to explore what it really means to lead in today's world.
Together, we unpack the intersection of leadership, psychology, resilience, and culture—because I believe the best leaders don't just build successful businesses. They build environments where people can do their best work and become their best selves.
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Speakers in this episode:
Hacia Atherton | Guest
Hacia Atherton is a global speaker, leadership strategist, and the Amazon bestselling author of The Billion Dollar Blind Spot.
As the first female CEO of a major plumbing company in Australia, Hacia has spent her career helping organizations transform workplace culture through psychological safety, inclusive leadership, and evidence-based people strategies.
After surviving a near-fatal horse-riding accident, she turned personal adversity into purpose by founding Empowered Women in Trades and becoming a leading voice on resilient leadership, courageous conversations, and building workplaces where people feel safe to contribute, grow, and thrive.
Connect with Hacia Atherton :
🎁 A Special Gift for Our Listeners
The cost of a fractured culture is steep:
disengagement, turnover, burnout, and billions in lost potential.
Inside Hacia's free eBook, Thriving at Work, you'll discover evidence-based strategies drawn from positive psychology and cultural transformation to help you build trust, boost engagement, and lead with clarity and courage.
Inside, you will learn how to:
- Harness your personal leadership strengths.
- Understand the psychology behind belonging and team connection.
- Gain simple, powerful tools to elevate performance without pressure.
Whether you're leading a team now or preparing to step into a leadership role, this eBook is your first step to becoming the kind of leader today's workplaces actually need.
🎯 Download your free copy and start building the culture that builds your bottom line:
Get the eBook Here
Michael Hunter | Host
Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success.
Work with Michael Hunter:
🎵 Music Credits:
Title: Corporate Background
Author: EightBallAudio
Source: Envato
License Code: JP5KNVRHYW
