290: Understand Yourself to Lead Others with Margaret Andrews
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290: Understand Yourself to Lead Others with Margaret Andrews
In Episode 290 of the Work from the Inside Out podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Margaret Andrews, author of Manage Yourself to Lead Others. Margaret has spent decades teaching leadership at Harvard and advising organizations across industries, but what struck me most about her journey wasn’t just her credentials; it was her curiosity.
Margaret didn’t begin her career knowing she would teach leadership. In fact, she describes her path as one shaped by following her curiosity and being willing to take risks, even when that meant leaving something comfortable. She shared how lucky “accidents” became pivotal turning points, including a casual campus visit that led to running the MBA program at MIT. It reminded me how often the next chapter begins not with certainty, but with curiosity.
One insight from our conversation really stayed with me: We judge ourselves by our intentions, but others judge us by our behaviors. As leaders, we may believe our intentions are clear and positive, but if our behaviors don’t reflect that, the impact can be very different. That gap is where misunderstandings, frustration, and even disengagement can take root. Margaret’s work invites us to pause and examine not just what we mean to do but what we’re actually doing.
We also talked about the current leadership paradox in a post-pandemic world. Hybrid work, culture shifts, return-to-office debates. There’s no simple answer. Margaret reframed it beautifully: leadership is creative work. It requires navigating paradoxes, making decisions that won’t please everyone, and continually adjusting. There is no stable, permanent solution; only thoughtful evolution.
If you’re contemplating your next move or feeling like you’ve hit a wall in your leadership, Margaret’s advice is both simple and powerful: sometimes you have to slow down to speed up. The quality of your reflection determines the quality of your insight. When you invest time in understanding your values, influences, and motivations, you build the foundation to lead yourself and others more effectively.
In this week’s Work From The Inside Out podcast, learn more about:
Why leadership is a creative craft and not just a position
The difference between intentions and behaviors, and why it matters
How curiosity shapes career transitions
The role of risk-taking in professional growth
Why self-understanding is foundational to leading others
The paradox of hybrid work and organizational culture
How leaders can close the intention–behavior gap
Why slowing down leads to better long-term decisions
The importance of modeling learning and vulnerability
Practical reflection strategies for your next career move
Learn more about Addie:
Visit The MYLO Center
Read: Manage Yourself to Lead Others: Why Great Leadership Begins with Self-Understanding
Follow Margaret on LinkedIn: @margaretcandrews
Visit MargaretAndrews.com
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About Tammy, host of
Work from the inside out
Before launching my coaching practice, I worked in mental health, higher education, public policy, and fundraising. Those experiences showed me how deeply our work shapes our sense of purpose—and now I help clients navigate change and growth so they can feel more fulfilled and aligned in what they do