What’s Holding You Back from Being a Great Leader?

When you hit a roadblock in your career, it's easy to blame external factors like the economy, the organization, or your boss. But leaders are just as often stymied by their own beliefs about how they need to show up and operate at work, shares executive coach Muriel Wilkins. Through decades of work counseling high-powered executives, she's uncovered the seven main ways that people limit their own success and has advice on how to overcome those mental blocks. Wilkins is author of the HBR article "The Hidden Beliefs That Hold Leaders Back" and the book Leadership Unblocked: Break Through the Beliefs That Limit Your Potential.

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HBR IdeaCast
Episode 1050

What’s Holding You Back from Being a Great Leader?

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A conversation with executive coach Muriel Wilkins about how to overcome self-limiting beliefs.

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October 28, 2025

When you hit a roadblock in your career, it’s easy to blame external factors like the economy, the organization, or your boss. But leaders are just as often stymied by their own beliefs about how they need to show up and operate at work, shares executive coach Muriel Wilkins. Through decades of work counseling high-powered executives, she’s uncovered the seven main ways that people limit their own success and has advice on how to overcome those mental blocks. Wilkins is author of the HBR article “” and the book Leadership Unblocked: Break Through the Beliefs That Limit Your Potential.

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This article is about MANAGING YOURSELF

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Related Topics:

• Careers

• Career coaching

• Psychology

• Leadership styles

• Personal growth and transformation

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