A podcast to help #2's become #1's in life and work. Meet your host, Jenny Mitchell, an executive coach, and professional fundraiser. Jenny believes in the power of the underdog - the person who has overcome hardship, stereotyping, typecasting, or debilitating self-doubt to step into the best version of themselves. Underdogs lead with compassion and kindness. These leaders are hard-wired to make the world a better place for everyone. Join Jenny in this podcast to grow your skills, step into who you were always meant to be, and expand into your best version of yourself. Because right now, the world needs more underdog leadership.
Publisher
Jenny Mitchell, Executive Coach for Women in Leadership
Leadership coach Jenny Mitchell examines the importance of identifying personal desires and overcoming people-pleasing tendencies to make conscious choices that align with one's leadership journey.
19 Jun 2025
6.8: Stop Pleasing Others and Start Reclaiming Your Leadership Power
Ever feel like you're leading a team, running a household, or juggling it all and still putting everyone else’s needs ahead of your own?
In this powerful solo episode, Jenny Mitchell dives headfirst into the messy truth about people-pleasing and how it quietly chips away at your leadership potential. With a mix of personal stories, hard-won insights, and “big girl pants” moments, Jenny challenges us to stop managing everyone else’s emotions and start standing firm in our own decisions, even if it means someone might think a bad thought about us. Let them.
This episode is a must-listen for recovering (or reluctant) people-pleasers, especially women leaders who are ready to get clear, get intentional, and reclaim their voice. If you've been feeling disconnected from what you want, this episode might just be the sign you've been waiting for.
Key Takeaways:
People pleasing undermines leadership
Self-awareness is the first step to change
Resentment is a red flag
Effective leadership requires tough choices
Empowered leaders lead from intention
Chapters:
00:00 Understanding People Pleasing in Leadership
02:51 The Impact of People Pleasing on Leadership Effectiveness
06:12 Reactive vs. Creative Leadership Tendencies
09:05 Navigating Leadership Decisions and External Perceptions
11:56 Finding Clarity and Streamlining Leadership
14:42 Empowering Leadership Through Self-Awareness
If you loved this episode, you’ll also enjoy:
Episode 6.5 - The ONE Thing All Leaders Must Do: https://chavender.com/underdog-leadership-podcast/the-one-thing-all-leaders-must-do/
Episode 6.4 - Compassionate Accountability for Leaders (ft. Nate Regier): https://chavender.com/underdog-leadership-podcast/compassionate-accountability-for-leaders/
Episode 4.1 - Giving Yourself Permission to Do The Big Thing: https://open.spotify.com/episode/715H358Nm9hgPnhgU5UqPO?si=MIvh8apBTeKLA1zPLeiaoA
—
✨Buy the Embracing Ambition Book: https://chavender.com/embracing-ambition-the-book/
Book a discovery call: https://calendly.com/jennychavender/30min?back=1&month=2022-09
Lean into Meaningful Conversations with this complimentary 20 minute video all about the tools and techniques for moving conversations forward: https://youtu.be/zv1N_ZsDEAs
Don't miss an episode by joining my Podcast VIP Email List: https://chavender.activehosted.com/f/27
Catch me on email: jenny@chavender.com
Check out my website: chavender.com
Hop on over to Instagram: @jennychavender
Let's connect on LinkedIn: Jenny Mitchell, CFRE, CEC, DMA
"See" me on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0Q97-c98aPUmfhzlpswfsw
12 Jun 2025
6.7: UNCUT - A Leadership Fable about a Cat, an Electrical Cord, a Backpack
This episode includes a dog, a cat who runs up a tree and gets stuck, an electrical cord, and a leadership lesson. There’s a backyard rescue mission, a personal realization and a few more interesting plot twists.
But the real story? It’s not about the cat.
It’s about what happens inside a people-pleaser’s mind when something goes wrong, and the urge to fix, help, and over-function takes over.
Jenny explores the discomfort of stepping back, resisting the urge to over-help, and learning to trust that other people are capable—even when it’s hard to watch.
Listener Reflection:
Have you ever helped without being asked? What would it have looked like to step back with compassion instead?
Listen to Episode 6.7 here: https://chavender.com/underdog-leadership-podcast/how-successful-leaders-build-strong-communities-around-themselves/
—
✨Buy the Embracing Ambition Book: https://chavender.com/embracing-ambition-the-book/
Book a discovery call: https://calendly.com/jennychavender/30min?back=1&month=2022-09
Lean into Meaningful Conversations with this complimentary 20 minute video all about the tools and techniques for moving conversations forward: https://youtu.be/zv1N_ZsDEAs
Don't miss an episode by joining my Podcast VIP Email List: https://chavender.activehosted.com/f/27
Catch me on email: jenny@chavender.com
Check out my website: chavender.com
Hop on over to Instagram: @jennychavender
Let's connect on LinkedIn: Jenny Mitchell, CFRE, CEC, DMA
"See" me on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0Q97-c98aPUmfhzlpswfsw
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
4,424
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 70 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
86
Social presence
0
YouTube
68
Engagement
68
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