Carrie Chandler: "Go to Curious, Not Furious"

For more than two decades, Carrie Chandler has worked at the intersection of leadership, people, and workplace culture. But beneath the titles and responsibilities was a deeper personal journey—one that led her from chronic people-pleasing and burnout toward authenticity, self-awareness, and a desire to help others make the same transition.In this conversation, Carrie reflects on the slow awakening that began during the isolation of COVID and accelerated inside a high-pressure corporate environment. As her awareness grew, she began noticing the patterns she could no longer ignore: approval-seeking, over-functioning, nervous system exhaustion, and the subtle ways fear can shape how we show up in our careers and relationships.Together, Carrie and Christine explore the role curiosity plays in personal growth, why coaching is fundamentally different from giving advice, and how many of the challenges people face at work are rooted in deeper internal struggles. From psychological safety and leadership to authenticity in the age of AI, this conversation is ultimately about learning to stop shape-shifting for everyone else and start becoming more fully yourself.At a time when so many people feel overwhelmed, distracted, and disconnected, Carrie's message is simple but powerful: awareness changes everything. Once you see the patterns that no longer serve you, you have an opportunity to choose a different path.What You'll Learn• Why coaching is about helping people discover their own answers• The hidden connection between people-pleasing, burnout, and fear• How curiosity creates deeper conversations and stronger relationships• What psychological safety actually looks like in the workplace• Why self-awareness is the foundation of meaningful growth• How nervous system overload impacts performance and well-being• The importance of boundaries and learning to say no• How authenticity becomes more valuable in an AI-driven world• Why "approval seeking" often begins as a form of self-protection• Carrie's philosophy: "Go to curious, not furious"About Carrie ChandlerCarrie Chandler is an HR executive with more than 20 years of experience helping leaders, teams, and organizations navigate growth, culture, and change. As she transitions into executive coaching and consulting, she brings a unique perspective shaped by decades of leadership experience, deep curiosity, and a passion for helping people become the best versions of themselves.About Extraordinary StoriesExtraordinary Stories explores the ideas, people, and experiences that shape extraordinary lives.Hosts Forbes Shannon, Christine Butler, and Aaron Bare sit down with entrepreneurs, thinkers, creators, and leaders to uncover the moments that changed how they see the world.