The Self-Aware Leader: How to Align Strengths, Inspiration & Performance

In this insightful episode of Bad Bosses, Great Leaders, Carly Pepin joins host Rebecca to dive into the heart of what makes a great leader: self-awareness, alignment, and execution. Carly shares how her journey from personal struggle to coaching top-performing leaders taught her that most leadership challenges aren’t about lack of ambition, they’re about misalignment.

She breaks down how to diagnose the root of personal and organizational stress, and why leaders can start by identifying what’s taking up the most space in their minds. From there, Carly explains how leadership is about more than just showing up, it’s about being energized by what you do. She explains why engagement and effectiveness skyrocket when leaders and team members operate from their values, not obligation.

They explore how to build a culture of accountability using KPI scorecards, structured meetings, and delegation, not micromanagement. Carly shares how shorter, focused meetings create clarity and catch issues before they spiral. She also calls out a common trap: not investing the time to develop the right culture. The cost of avoiding the “hard work” is higher than the time it takes to set your team up for success.

This conversation is essential for leaders who are ready to stop reacting and start leading from alignment, with themselves and their team. Carly’s no-fluff insights challenge you to rethink how you manage your time, your energy, and your people. If you want to build a business where both you and your team thrive, this episode is a must-listen.

Watch the full episode below: