What’s Holding You Back from Being a Great Leader?

In this HBR IdeaCast episode, Alison Beard and Adi Ignatius interview executive coach Muriel Wilkins about hidden blockers, which are subconscious beliefs that can hinder leaders' progress. Wilkins explains that these beliefs, while potentially helpful in the past, become detrimental as leaders advance. She identifies seven common blockers, such as "I need to be involved" and "I can't make a mistake," and outlines a three-step process to overcome them: uncovering the belief, unpacking its origins, and reframing it into a more productive mindset. Wilkins emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and practice in changing these beliefs to improve leadership effectiveness and organizational culture.