You’re the Boss: Now What? Power, Pressure, and Leading with Losing Yourself with Sabina Nawaz
People First! with Morag Barrett · Jun 30, 2025 · 33:50
People First! with Morag Barrett
People First! with Morag Barrett · Jun 30, 2025 · 33:50
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This week, Morag sits down with Sabina Nawaz—executive coach, former Microsoft executive, and author of You Are the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be and Others Need. Sabina brings a sharp, compassionate lens to the messy reality of leadership—especially how pressure, not power, causes even the best bosses to behave badly.
From lessons learned in Microsoft’s high-stakes executive suites to real-world tools for becoming a better boss (without burning out), Sabina shares insight with warmth, clarity, and actionable wisdom.
🔑 4 Key Takeaways You Won’t Want to Miss:
02:58 — The Generosity Effect: Channel Your Inner Jane
Sabina honors her former colleague Jane, whose abundant generosity left a permanent mark on her leadership style—and reminds us all to show up with presence and practical kindness, even across silos.
05:30 — It’s Not Power That Corrupts—It’s Pressure
Sabina breaks down how even well-meaning leaders shift into bad boss behaviors when pressure spikes—and why being self-aware, especially about tone and body language, is crucial as you gain more influence.
11:00 — When Good Bosses Go Rogue
In a raw story of her own, Sabina recalls the jarring moment she learned her team feared her after returning from parental leave—and how unchecked pressure warped her leadership. Her turnaround offers a candid playbook for course-correcting with humility.
17:00 — Micro-Habits, Major Change
Forget the silver bullet. Sabina advocates starting small—like being the third to speak in a meeting or shutting your laptop five minutes earlier. These micro-habits can compound into powerful shifts in behavior, perception, and trust.
💡 This Episode Is for:
Leaders in transition, newly promoted managers, and high performers who want to grow their leadership without losing themselves—or their teams—in the process.
🔗 Where to Learn More:
Episodes: People First! with Morag Barrett
