# Kind Candor & Self-Leadership Under Pressure with Mark Aylward

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/rise-to-lead-7731084/kind-candor-self-leadership-under-pressure-with-mark-aylward
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/rise-to-lead-7731084/kind-candor-self-leadership-under-pressure-with-mark-aylward.md
Podcast: [RISE TO LEAD](https://stenobird.com/podcast/rise-to-lead-7731084)
Published: 2026-05-13T02:05:00+00:00
Episode link: https://rise-to-lead.simplecast.com/episodes/kind-candor-self-leadership-under-pressure-with-mark-aylward-vVYmru0O
Audio file: https://pdcn.co/e/podgo.simplecastaudio.com/2b3a7366-ad1b-4f8c-91d8-87e11c9b618c/episodes/4879bd3d-29ca-4a23-b17a-c28ee22a414a/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=2b3a7366-ad1b-4f8c-91d8-87e11c9b618c&awEpisodeId=4879bd3d-29ca-4a23-b17a-c28ee22a414a&feed=9OqHaPre
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/rise-to-lead-7731084/episodes/kind-candor-self-leadership-under-pressure-with-mark-aylward
Duration seconds: 2513

## Resource

After navigating divorce, single fatherhood, and building multiple businesses, Mark Aylward from Florida shares what it truly means to lead yourself when life hits hard. He reflects on how adversity sharpened his listening, deepened his empathy, and forced him to let go of judgment and victimhood. With a clear focus on what mattered most—his children—he made intentional choices daily, leaning on discipline, patience, and consistency to move forward. His perspective reframes resilience as a series of small, steady actions over time, grounded in integrity and personal responsibility. The conversation explores the essence of leadership beyond titles, highlighting the power of care, self-reflection, and honest communication. Mark introduces “kind candor” as a practical approach to truth-telling with respect, and emphasizes the importance of asking better questions, creating space for others to think, and aligning words with actions. From decision-making and emotional control to questioning assumptions and taking risks, this episode offers a grounded, experience-driven view on how to lead with clarity—starting from within. About Mark Aylward: Mark founded, built, and sold two seven-figure service companies in the IT talent acquisition space. He raised three kids as a single father having been awarded sole custody as his own attorney and has spent 30 years helping people advance professionally. For the last decade, he’s coached men through deep self-reflection to rebuild clarity, confidence, and purpose when life demands a reset. His current focus is high-performing men dealing with divorce. www.markaylward.com www.linkedin.com/in/aylwardmark/ www.youtube.com/@maylward https://menofstanding.quora.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for…

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