TK and Vanessa exploring the human side of leadership with honesty and heart.

Leadership Within

Education EN ↓ 37 episodes

Welcome to Leadership Within, the podcast that dives deep into the human side of leadership. Hosted by Tomasz “TK” Kropiewnicki and Vanessa May, this series is a reflective space for leaders to explore authenticity, courage, and vulnerability in their journey. We offer honest conversations about the challenges and opportunities in leadership, inspired by our own experiences, thought-provoking ideas, and the occasional special guest. Whether it's a recent event, a personal story, or a listener's question, each episode is a chance to step back and reflect. If you’ve ever felt like leadership can...

Author

TK and Vanessa exploring the human side of leadership with honesty and heart.

Category

Education

Latest episode

Jul 11, 2026

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Episodes

The Benefits of Praise in Leadership 11.05.2025

Praise is free, it has a lasting impact, and encourages more of the behaviours we want to see … so why don’t we do more of it? In this episode we explore this topic and offer practical suggestions as to how you as a leader could connect to praise as a vital tool in your resource kit. Links * The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with ot...

How Mentors Shape Our Leadership Journeys 27.04.2025

Mentorship can be a real game-changer, but many of us find it hard to ask for. In this episode, TK and Vanessa reflect on their own journeys with mentors, both formal and informal. 😊 We talk about what makes a mentoring relationship work, why it can feel vulnerable to ask for help, and how finding the right mentor is about more than just liking someone. Sometimes, it is about finding someone who...

When the Room Goes Quiet 13.04.2025

In this episode, TK and Vanessa explore what happens when the room goes quiet. We share a recent group session that took an unexpected turn. There were long stretches of silence, and we had to decide whether to press for answers or let the moment breathe. We discovered that pausing can create deeper thought and even stronger connections. 😊 We look at different kinds of silence and why leaders som...

Handling Big Emotions: A Guide for Leaders 30.03.2025

In this one we explore what happens when emotions run high at work. Should leaders stay calm and detached, or can they share genuine feelings? We talk about the reality of messy situations. Big emotions can show up without warning. We share simple ways to handle them and stay grounded. We look at how to process your own feelings, how to hold space for others, and how to keep trust alive in tense m...

Building Vulnerability-Based Trust in Teams 16.03.2025

In this podcast we explore what vulnerability based trust is, why it’s important and practical things we might do to build it. We share examples of where vulnerability is challenging both personally and in teams and consider some simple things we can do with ourselves and each other to support growth. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access...

How Tiny Habits Shape Better Leaders 02.03.2025

We dig into the everyday struggle of forming new habits and sticking to them. We share personal stories about how easy it is to slip back into old ways, plus a few insights on why that might happen. Discipline sounds dull, yet it can open doors, as long as we are kind to ourselves when things get tough. Building a strong support group also matters, because the people around us can give us a push w...

The Intersection of Power, Presence and Leadership 16.02.2025

The way we unconsciously place ourselves in leadership dynamics impacts culture, decision-making and psychological safety. This podcast discusses how being aware of power dynamics In the workplace can increase psychological safety and inclusion. We talk about how leaders that stay centred and don’t take a one up or one down perspective create cultures where people flourish. We conclude that leader...

Small Wins, Big Impact 02.02.2025

In this episode, we talk about setting goals and celebrating small wins. We share our January struggles and chat about how big dreams can sometimes feel overwhelming. TK and Vanessa open up about the ups and downs of leadership and everyday life. We dive deep into the challenges of starting fresh and the importance of appreciating every little success along the way. Our chat is honest, friendly an...

How do you know you’re right as a leader? 19.01.2025

Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where we make a decision but we experience doubt. In this episode we explore how leaders can check-in with themselves, consider the bias in their self-appraisal and use data and reflective practice to support their intuition, decision-making and build confidence. We talk about asking the hard questions: what assumptions am I making and what evidence do I h...

Leaders Don’t Always Have the Answers 05.01.2025

In this episode, we talk about the pressure leaders feel to have all the answers. We think this expectation isn’t just unrealistic, it can actually hold teams back. Instead, we explore how leaders can focus on guiding their teams and creating space for them to step up. We share stories from our own experiences and the lessons we’ve learned about leading through uncertainty. It’s not about knowing...

Leading Beyond the Wounds 22.12.2024

In this episode, we explore how our leadership is shaped by our past experiences, wounds, socialisation and limiting beliefs. We dive into how these hidden influences can lead us to adopt protective or reactive strategies, often without realising it. By learning to recognise these patterns, we can start to break free from them and lead with greater authenticity, resilience, and self-awareness. Joi...

Why Leadership Within? The Story Behind the Podcast 07.12.2024

In this first episode of Leadership Within, we share the story behind the podcast. We created this space to explore the human side of leadership - authenticity, vulnerability, and the courage it takes to lead with heart. We reflect on our own leadership journeys, the lessons we’ve learned, and why honest conversations about the challenges leaders face are so important. This episode is all about se...

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