#206 Dr Michelle McQuaid - Trading Perfectionism for Playfulness

In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Michelle McQuaid, Honourary Fellow at Melbourne University's Centre for Well-being Science and one of LinkedIn's top mental health thought leaders, shares her journey from being a "good girl" to embracing authenticity. Her research reveals 65% of women still feel pressured to conform to "good girl" expectations. Michelle explains how perfectionism, people-pleasing, and self-silencing initially seem rewarding but ultimately lead to exhaustion and a lost sense of self. She offers practical tools for breaking free, including self-compassion techniques and strategies for living authentically on your own terms. -----------------------   Inside My CEO Calendar: How I Led A Team of 5k+ Without Getting Pulled Back Into the Weeds A behind-the-scenes private podcast for senior female leaders and CEOs who don’t need fluff—just sharper thinking, smarter moves, and more time for what matters. You don’t have time for another 60-minute webinar. But you do have 15 minutes while you’re driving into the office or grabbing your mid-day coffee. Listen here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/BFL-Private-Podcast   ----------------------- Craving inspiration? I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/leadershipinspiration   Loving the podcast? Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!   Access Your Free Clarity Tool Between the endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and decisions piling up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But here’s the truth: you can’t give more if you’re running on empty. That’s why we created Balance Your Brave—a free 15-minute diagnostic tool to help you regain control and clarity. In just 15 minutes, you will: ✅ Pinpoint energy drains holding you back. ✅ Identify where to focus for the biggest impact. ✅ Walk away feeling calmer and more confident in your next steps. Think of it as your personal roadmap to balance and alignment. ⬇️ Click here to access your free Balance Your Brave diagnostic tool. https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/Balance-Your-Brave   Are we friends? Connect with Us. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bravefeminineleadership Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravefeminineleadership Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-feminine-leadership