This one started as a ramble — side projects, creative detours, all the usual suspects.
But somewhere in the second act, a theme emerged: what it means to lead a team through the tough stuff. When stress is high, emotions are raw, and everyone’s looking at you — how do you stay calm without going cold?
In contrast to our earlier chat in the now-infamous Burndown Burnout episode — which focused on navigating stakeholders and external pressure — this one turns inward: the emotional labour of being the steady one inside the team.
We talk:
- Making space for your team without carrying their stress
- How to support individuals without slipping into over-functioning
- The difference between empathy and over-identifying
- Why being calm isn’t the same as being passive
- The tension between being seen to lead vs actually leading
There’s no script, no tidy arc — just a meandering yarn that ends up in a surprisingly vulnerable place. If you’ve ever felt the quiet weight of leadership, this one’s for you.
🍻 Tonight’s Drinks:
Matt: Fever Tree Sicilian Lime Soda + Pink Grapefruit Soda Liam: Young Henry’s Newtowner followed by a cheeky Archie Rose
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