The Leadership Mirror: Why Better Leadership Starts With Self-Awareness

Guest: Jana Cardona
Host: Dr. Tamara Patzer
Show: Thought Leaders Show
Recorded: August 26, 2026

Leadership is often taught as a set of techniques for managing other people.

But Jana Cardona begins somewhere else:

What is it actually like to be on the other side of me?

In this episode, Dr. Tamara Patzer talks with leadership development consultant, coach and author Jana Cardona about the central idea behind her book, The Leadership Mirror: Becoming the Person People Love to Work For and With.

The conversation explores self-awareness, limiting beliefs, mentoring, CliftonStrengths, communication, empathy, trust and becoming a more people-centered leader.

In This Episode

• Why leadership starts with self-awareness
• Looking honestly into the leadership mirror
• Childhood experiences and limiting beliefs
• How comparison affects confidence
• The importance of mentors and “courage builders”
• CliftonStrengths
• DISC and other assessment tools
• Different thinking and communication styles
• Why leaders should not expect everyone to think like they do
• Communicating expectations clearly
• Empathy versus authority
• Trust and people-centered leadership
• Valuing someone even when you disagree
• The 12 lessons of The Leadership Mirror

About Jana Cardona

Jana Cardona is a leadership development consultant, certified coach, trainer, facilitator and author.

She is founder of Designed 4 Success and works with individuals, teams and organizations to develop people-centered leaders.

Connect With Jana

Designed 4 Success
LinkedIn: Jana Cardona
Book: The Leadership Mirror: Becoming the Person People Love to Work For and With

Questions This Episode Answers

Why does leadership begin with self-awareness?
How do childhood beliefs affect adult leadership?
How can assessments help leaders understand themselves?
Why do team members interpret instructions differently?
How can leaders communicate with people who think differently?
What is people-centered leadership?
How does empathy change leadership?
How do leaders move from control toward trust?

Key Takeaway

Before trying to change everyone else, ask:

What is it like to be on the other side of me?

• Host
• Recent Episodes

Tamara "Tami" Patzer

Tamara "Tami" Patzer is a No. 1 best-selling author, publisher, and video producer at Blue Ocean Authority.She is the creator of Women Innovators Radio with its sister book publications:No. 1 Women Innovators: Leaders, Makers and GiversBook Series and Big Message, Big Mission book series. She works with authors,influencers, innovators, and trendsetters to Get Media Exposure.

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