Episode recap:

In this episode, we dive into Sabina Nawaz’s new book You’re the Boss: Becoming the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need), which offers fresh insights for managers looking to thrive in today’s high-pressure world. Nawaz, a global C-suite coach, shares her 20+ years of experience coaching top executives at companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and the United Nations. With proven strategies backed by thousands of 360° reviews, Nawaz reveals how pressure and power can derail even the most well-meaning managers. She explores key topics like managing yourself first, overcoming pressure pitfalls, the power of “Blank Space” for creativity, and why self-care is crucial for success. Tune in for actionable advice on how to be a more effective, balanced, and impactful leader.

Guest Bio:

Sabina Nawaz is the author of You’re the Boss: Becoming the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need). She’s an elite executive coach who advises C-level executives and teams at Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, nonprofits, and academic institutions around the world. Sabina teaches faculty at Northeastern and Drexel Universities. During her fourteen-year tenure at Microsoft, she went from managing software development teams to leading the company’s executive development and succession planning efforts for over 11,000 managers and nearly a thousand executives, advising Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer directly. She has written for and been featured in Harvard Business Review, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, among others.

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Show Notes

Quotes:

• “It is not power but pressure that corrupts—where we act out, raise our voice, yell, and scream under pressure.”
• “I am sufficient. Not all the garnishes and varnishes. Just show up with the mindset that you are sufficient, and it will work.”
• “As human beings, we are meaning-making, storytelling machines. It is not productive to say, ‘Stop jumping to conclusions.’ That’s like saying, ‘Stop gravity.’”  

Takeaways:

• Practice a daily micro-habit: Start with just one push-up, one minute of meditation, or 0.1 miles of running to build consistent progress.
• Ask employees “How do you think things are going?” before giving feedback to create alignment and understand their perspective. 
• Develop self-awareness by being the third or fourth person to speak in meetings, allowing others to share insights first. 
• Implement a “blank space” practice when under pressure: unplug, step back, and create quiet time to gain clarity on challenges. 
• Challenge your singular story by generating at least three different interpretations of a situation before taking action. 

Timestamps:

Conclusion:

Leadership today calls for more than authority—it asks for self-awareness, empathy, and the ability to truly listen. Moving away from outdated pressure tactics, effective leaders build trust through small daily habits, honest reflection, and open communication. When managers take care of their own well-being and make space for others to be heard, teams become stronger and more committed. The most lasting impact comes not from control, but from leading with clarity, care, and respect for others’ growth. 

The Book

Links/Resources: 

Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Youre-the-Boss/Sabina-Nawaz/9781668023181  

Website:  https://sabinanawaz.com/  

Pressure Proof Newsletter (Substack): https://growthroughpressure.substack.com/  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabinanawaz/

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