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Amy P Wilkins, leadership coach and host of Thriving in the Messy Middle, explores the dynamics of giving and receiving support in leadership. She discusses how women often shoulder responsibilities and hesitate to ask for help, and highlights the power of allowing others to contribute. Through personal insights and coaching experiences, Amy emphasizes that accepting support fosters collaboration, trust, and growth. She encourages leaders to embrace vulnerability and shared ownership, underscoring the importance of being part of the giving-receiving loop. 

The episode provides a compassionate yet firm reminder that allowing others to contribute isn’t a weakness but rather an integral part of effective leadership. With her insightful perspective, Amy provides a safe space for listeners to slow down, identify what’s truly going on, and maintain their authenticity amidst uncertainty. This episode is rich in reflections on the hurdles women face in balancing leadership roles and personal well-being. 

Key Takeaways

  • The concept of being a ‘giver’ in leadership often leads women to avoid asking for help, hindering personal and team growth.
  • Allowing others to contribute can deepen collaboration, improve trust, and lead to more effective leadership.
  • Recognizing the importance of receiving help can transform it from feeling burdensome to an act of generosity and connection.
  • Leadership involves setting an example and enabling others to step up, thereby reinforcing shared ownership and confidence.
  • Thriving in transitional phases involves more than having it all figured out; it’s about learning, adapting, and remaining true to one’s values.

Quotes


The very thing that feels uncomfortable for you is the thing you love offering to others.
Letting someone help isn’t a sign of weakness but an opportunity for both parties to connect and engage.
Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do as a leader is to let folks in, let them contribute, and be a part of the outcome.
Receiving help was never meant to be a one-way experience. It’s a loop. And you’re meant to be part of all of it.
Giving isn’t just generous, it’s regulating and meaningful.
People don’t learn to step up in environments where no one ever lets them.

About Amy P Wilkins

Amy P Wilkins is a leadership coach, former media executive, and the founder of Choose Awe—a coaching practice devoted to helping women leaders navigate transitions with clarity, courage, and self-trust. After decades in senior leadership roles, Amy now empowers women to lead with purpose and thrive through the “messy middle” seasons of life and leadership.

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