EP 132: Authentic Leadership Starts Within — Identity, Confidence & Leading with Courage with Dr. Elizabeth Pritchard

In this episode of Thriving in Intersectionality, Dr. Lola Adeyemo sits down with leadership researcher, executive coach, and bestselling author Dr. Elizabeth Pritchard for a conversation about identity, authenticity, confidence, and what it truly means to lead from the inside out.The conversation begins with an honest reflection on intersectionality itself. Elizabeth shares why she has a complicated relationship with labels and how years of personal growth helped her move beyond defining herself by roles and expectations. Together, she and Dr. Lola explore how our lived experiences—including culture, family, career, adversity, and personal history—shape the leaders we become.Drawing on decades of experience across healthcare, education, neuroscience, and leadership development, Elizabeth explains why so many capable leaders continue to struggle with self-doubt despite their accomplishments. She introduces the BE → DO → HAVE framework, discusses the hidden patterns that keep leaders stuck, and shares practical ways individuals and organizations can build cultures grounded in authenticity, psychological safety, and courageous leadership.Whether you're an emerging leader, an experienced executive, or someone navigating personal and professional growth, this conversation offers practical tools for leading with greater confidence and self-awareness.In This Episode, We Discuss:Why intersectionality is about more than visible identitiesMoving beyond labels and discovering your authentic selfHow childhood experiences and limiting beliefs shape leadershipThe connection between neuroscience, self-awareness, and confidenceWhy capable leaders often struggle with self-doubtThe BE → DO → HAVE framework for authentic leadershipCreating psychologically safe workplaces where people can thriveHow leaders can recognize and interrupt unhelpful behavioral patternsWhy coaching accelerates personal and professional growthPractical ways organizations can build cultures of trust, courage, and belongingAbout the GuestDr. Elizabeth Pritchard is an international keynote speaker, bestselling author, researcher, and Authentic Leadership coach based in Melbourne, Australia. Originally from Aotearoa (New Zealand), she is the Co-Founder and Director of WALT Institute and co-author of The Authentic Leadership Playbook. Her work combines neuroscience, leadership research, and positive psychology to help leaders close the gap between capability and confidence while building healthier, more effective workplace cultures.Learn more about Elizabeth's work, leadership resources, and coaching through the links in the show notes.Reflection QuestionWhat roles or labels have you carried for years—and how might they be shaping the way you lead today?Send us Fan MailSupport the showThank you for listening to Thriving in Intersectionality with Dr. Lola Adeyemo.This podcast explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today's workplace and beyond. Through conversations with leaders, founders, educators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, we uncover stories and insights that help people thrive across the many intersections of their lives.💬 Have a thought about this episode? Send a Fan Mail message directly through Buzzsprout. I'd love to hear what resonated with you.❤️ If you find value in these conversations, consider becoming a supporter of the show. Your support helps us continue amplifying diverse voices, meaningful stories, and leadership insights from across industries and experiences.⭐ Follow, share, rate, and review the podcast to help others discover these conversations.📬 Continue the conversation - read the companion reflections on Substack🌍 Immigrants and first-generation professionals can join our free community at:www.immigrantsincorporate.orgConnect with Host Dr. Lola Adeyemo on LinkedIn.Keep thriving in your intersections. Your story matters.