{"podcast":{"title":"Frustrated And Exhausted","slug":"frustrated-and-exhausted-6710849","podcast_index_feed_id":6710849,"rss_url":"https://feeds.captivate.fm/frustrated-and-exhausted/","website_url":"https://frustrated-and-exhausted.captivate.fm","image_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/5900a8ae-7dec-4ae5-bd74-7aa39b1c82c3/ruth-cover-art-2026.jpg","author":"Ruth Wood","episode_count":124,"summary":"Frustrated & Exhausted explores the realities of leadership inside modern organisations. Hosted by Ruth Wood, the podcast looks beyond individual capability to the conditions that shape how work really happens - from decision-making and team dynamics to trust, challenge and organisational culture. Through solo episodes and conversations with senior leaders, it offers a thoughtful, practical perspective on what helps people and teams perform at their best - and what quietly gets in the way.”","last_synced_at":null,"page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/frustrated-and-exhausted-6710849"},"episode":{"title":"Mirror Mirror - Leadership and Self-Delusion","slug":"mirror-mirror-leadership-and-self-delusion","published_at":"2025-11-18T23:15:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/frustrated-and-exhausted-6710849/mirror-mirror-leadership-and-self-delusion","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/frustrated-and-exhausted-6710849","url":"https://frustrated-and-exhausted.captivate.fm","audio_url":"https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/5d9e3495-d21e-4d92-b7e8-89ea64927879.mp3","summary":"In this insightful episode, I dive deep into the theme of self-reflection and authenticity in leadership. I explore how leaders can become distanced from their true selves, often falling for a curated and polished version that feels safe and familiar. Through personal stories and coaching anecdotes, I unpack the subtle dangers of self-delusion and the ego’s protective fog. 00:01:00 – 00:02:14 Discussion about blind spots, the role of ego in clouding our self-view, and how we often curate a polished version of ourselves as leaders. 00:02:14 – 00:03:17 Explores self-delusion and reframes it as self-protection; describes how our brains help maintain identity and how we rationalize behaviors. 00:03:17 – 00:04:03 Provides examples of how leaders might use “style” as armor, referencing a coached leader who inadvertently built a team that avoided challenging her. 00:04:03 – 00:04:51 Illustrates how lack of self-awareness leads to growing distortions and compares it to a hall of mirrors; warns against mistaking control for clarity. 00:04:51 – 00:05:42 Describes a 'crack in the mirror' moment, when feedback or crisis reveals unfiltered truth, which though harsh, can be a gift for growth. 00:05:42 – 00:07:01 Gives practical advice on inviting honest reflection, rewarding feedback, and sitting with discomfort instead of immediately rationalizing or distancing. 00:07:01 – 00:07:43 Talks about discerning the validity of feedback, considering repeated patterns, and encourages facing uncomfortable truths for real leadership. 00:07:43 – 00:08:20 Warns against over-polishing personal brand, advocates for brave authenticity, and reflects on the messy nature of real leadership. 00:08:20 – 00:09:20 Wraps up advice, hopes listeners take the lessons with them, and remarks on recognizing sel…","meta_description":"In this insightful episode, I dive deep into the theme of self-reflection and authenticity in leadership. I explore how leaders can become distanced from…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":603,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/frustrated-and-exhausted-6710849/episodes/mirror-mirror-leadership-and-self-delusion/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/frustrated-and-exhausted-6710849/mirror-mirror-leadership-and-self-delusion.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}