The Hidden Beliefs Quietly Holding You Back at Work

What if the very habits that made you successful are now the ones holding you back? In this episode of Hello Monday, host Jessi Hempel is joined by executive coach and leadership expert Muriel Wilkins to explore the hidden beliefs that quietly shape how we lead and make decisions. These “blocking beliefs”—like I need it done now, if I can do it, so can you—often begin as strengths. But over time, they can fuel burnout, micromanagement, and disengaged teams. Drawing from her new book, Leadership Unblocked, Muriel offers a practical framework for identifying the beliefs that no longer serve us and replacing them with more flexible, sustainable ways of leading—without losing ambition, standards, or control. Together, Jessi and Muriel unpack how leaders can expand their range, lead with greater ease, and grow their organizations by first growing themselves. In this conversation, you’ll learn: What “blocking beliefs” are and how they develop over the course of a career A three-step process for uncovering, unpacking, and unblocking limiting beliefs Why urgency and perfectionism often undermine leadership effectiveness How the belief “I need it done now” contributes to burnout and unclear priorities How the truth of our external environment can be reframed in the narrative we tell ourselves How to stop micromanaging without sacrificing accountability We are no longer hosting weekly Office Hours but are thrilled to launch the Hello Monday Book Club. If you’re interested in joining, send us an email at [email protected] and let us know!