Explore every episode of the podcast Leadership and Team Health guided by the Enneagram: Courageous Leaders, Connected Teams

Episode: The 5 Biggest Mistakes New Managers Make in Their First 6 Months
Host: Stephanie Freeth

The first six months as a manager can feel disorienting, overwhelming, and quietly high-pressure. In this episode, Stephanie Freeth unpacks the most common mistakes new managers make during this critical transition and what to do instead.

Drawing from leadership coaching, team psychology, and real-world experience, Stephanie reframes the shift from individual contributor to leader and offers grounded, practical guidance to help new managers lead with clarity, connection, and self-awareness.

If you’re a new manager or supporting one, this episode will help you understand why the transition feels hard and how to move from reactive to strategic leadership.

• Why what made you successful before promotion may hold you back as a manager

• How success shifts from personal output to enabling others

• Why clarity matters more than busyness

• The cost of avoiding the human side of leadership

• How reflection creates better decisions and healthier teams

• Why blind spots are normal and self-awareness is essential

• Why struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing, it often means you’re unsupported

• The manager transition and why it’s so challenging

• Mistake #1: Relying on the skills that got you promoted

• Mistake #2: Confusing busyness with effectiveness

• Mistake #3: Avoiding the human side of work

• Mistake #4: Leaving no space for reflection

• Mistake #5: Ignoring leadership blind spots

• Leadership as self-awareness, not perfection

• Tools and support for navigating the manager transition

• “What got you here won’t get you there.”

• “Success is now measured through others.”

• “Busy does not mean effective.”

• “People don’t leave the work. They leave when they don’t feel seen.”

• “You’re not failing. You’re unsupported.”

• Team Health & Performance Quiz

• Tools for navigating the manager transition

• Team Enneagram Workshops

• First-time managers

• Leaders in their first year of management

• HR and People leaders supporting new managers

• Anyone feeling stuck, reactive, or unsure in their leadership role

🎧 Listen now and learn how to move through the manager transition with more confidence, clarity, and connection.

What if the way you run your company could make your life as a leader easier, not harder?

In this episode of Courageous Leaders, Connected Teams, I sit down with my friend and EOS Implementer, Jeremy Lopatin, for a deep and honest conversation about what truly drives healthy, high-performing teams.

Jeremy and I share a belief that performance means very little without team health. Many organizations are living in the strain and burnout zone without realizing it, and leaders often feel the pressure to push harder instead of pausing to examine what their team needs most.

Together we explore:
✨ How the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) helps teams gain clarity, alignment, and traction
✨ Why right-person right-seat matters more than people realize
✨ How unresolved issues quietly shape culture and performance
✨ The difference between a team that looks productive and one that is sustainably healthy
✨ Jeremy’s journey as an entrepreneur and his vision to positively impact 10,000 employees through his work

If you are a founder, executive, or team leader looking for more cohesion, healthier dynamics, and a more grounded way to lead, this episode will resonate.

In this deeply personal episode of Courageous Leaders, Connected Teams, I’m opening up about the unconscious patterns, beliefs, and behaviors that shaped my journey as an Enneagram Type 3 (The Competitive Achiever).

For much of my life, achievement felt like oxygen. Productivity, performance, and pushing through were the standards—not just for success but for worthiness. But behind the drive was an unspoken fear:
“If I’m not working, I’m not valuable.”

This episode is an invitation into the stories, struggles, and turning points that helped me shift from overdrive to alignment—and begin restoring a sense of worth that isn’t tied to output.

The relentless pursuit of achievement and the belief that value comes from what you do—not who you are.

How productivity became a measure of identity, and the subtle ways leaders can lose themselves in external validation.

The cost of ignoring the body’s signals, emotional needs, and limits in the name of “just getting it done.”

What shifted when I finally slowed down enough to recognize the deeper fear fueling all the action.

The moment I realized I was running on empty—and how discovering my Enneagram type illuminated patterns I could finally name (and change).

How redefining success has helped me move toward more presence, alignment, and courage in leadership.

• Leaders who feel stuck on the hamster wheel of achievement

• Enneagram Type 3s (or those who love/work with them)

• High-achievers experiencing burnout or overwhelm

• Anyone exploring healthier, more authentic ways of leading

• Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube

• Learn more about leadership coaching & the Enneagram Stephaniefreeth.com

• Connect with me on LinkedIn for more insights on reflective leadership

Shownotes & Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: Why teams don’t start at high performance 00:49 – The 5 stages of team development (Tuckman model) 01:39 – What happens when teams get stuck in “storming” 03:11 – Why setting team norms builds trust and alignment 05:26 – The shortcut: Using the Enneagram to collapse the timeline 08:04 – Adjourning: Reflecting and celebrating progress 09:28 – How Enneagram types behave in each team stage 16:08 – Forming: Building trust beyond the surface 17:36 – Storming: Turning conflict into clarity 18:54 – Norming: Aligning fast through shared language 21:24 – Performing: Sustaining excellence through trust 28:20 – The Team Enneagram Workshop + Coaching Call 33:43 – Outro & Call to Action

Courageous Insights: Facts vs Stories As leaders, our perspective matters more than we realize. Too often, we get caught up in the stories we tell ourselves rather than the actual facts in front of us. In this video, I share a simple but powerful tool I first learned from The Conscious Leadership Group—the practice of separating facts from stories. 👉 Facts = what a video camera could record. 👉 Stories = the judgments, interpretations, and meaning we add. By learning to pause, check our stories, and even share them with courage, we open up space for: Greater clarity and grounded leadership Stronger trust and authentic communication More curiosity, candor, and possibility Whether you’re a CEO, senior leader, or just stepping into leadership, this practice can help you shift from reactivity to presence, creating the conditions for more courageous leadership. 💬 Share in the comments: When was the last time a “story” shaped your leadership? How do you separate fact from story? 🔔 Subscribe for more Courageous Insights on leadership, emotional intelligence, and conscious leadership practices. #CourageousLeadership #ConsciousLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #EmotionalIntelligence #FactsVsStories #CourageousInsights #MindfulLeadership #ExecutiveCoaching #LeadershipGrowth

What do new managers need most to succeed? In this episode, Stephanie Freeth sits down with Amy Cell — entrepreneur, speaker, and founder of Amy Cell Talent (now Yeo & Yeo HR Advisory Solutions). With over a decade of experience helping organizations scale people-first strategies, Amy brings a wealth of insights on what it really takes for new managers to thrive.

Together, they explore:
The essential skills and mindset shifts new managers need
How to build high-trust, high-performing teams
The role of communication, feedback, and emotional intelligence
Tools and practices that help managers avoid common pitfalls
Why creating trust and alignment is more critical than ever

Whether you’re a new manager, emerging leader, HR professional, entrepreneur, or business owner, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom to help you navigate the challenges of leadership and step confidently into your role.

✨ About the Guest: Amy Cell is an entrepreneur, speaker, talent & HR advisor, and former faculty at the University of Michigan’s Center for Entrepreneurship. She founded Amy Cell Talent, now part of Yeo & Yeo HR Advisory Solutions, celebrating 10 years of driving affordable HR strategy, talent acquisition, and ecosystem development across Michigan.

🔗 Learn more: amycelltalent.com | Yeo & Yeo HR Advisory Solutions 🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Your favorite podcast platform

If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share to help more leaders discover the tools they need to grow.

In this episode of Courageous Leaders, Connected Teams, host Stephanie Freeth welcomes her friend and accomplished leader Christie Wong Barrett—former CEO, board director, and lecturer at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. Christie shares her career journey from MIT chemical engineer to McKinsey consultant, manufacturing company owner-operator, and now educator, revealing the lessons, pivots, and courageous choices that shaped her path. They explore how identity evolves across career transitions, the importance of building “through-me” leadership, and how the Enneagram has helped Christie lead with greater self-awareness. Christie also introduces her concept of “courageous learning”—leaning into challenges that push your comfort zone—and offers practical advice for decision-making, fostering innovation, and creating accountable, connected teams. Whether you’re an emerging leader or a seasoned executive, this episode will inspire you to embrace career pivots, strengthen your leadership toolkit, and find connection in every setting. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How to pivot successfully across industries without losing your strengths The concept of the chimera identity and why embracing your multi-dimensional self matters Insights from Christie’s Enneagram journey and how it shaped her leadership style How to run effective team huddles that drive innovation and accountability Decision-making frameworks for uncertain and high-pressure environments Why courageous leaders lean into challenges they might not be good at—yet

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Stephanie Freeth sits down with Aubrey Macfarlane, President & CEO of Volunteers of America Michigan, to explore how conscious leadership, recovery, and the Enneagram have shaped her leadership journey. Aubrey shares how leading from the heart—and with vulnerability—has helped her transform both herself and her organization.

This is a must-listen for leaders seeking to integrate self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and purpose into their leadership style.

• Aubrey’s journey from social work to CEO

• How recovery and spiritual practices shaped her leadership style

• Conscious leadership as an operating system

• The Enneagram Type 2 (Considerate Helper) in action

• Managing boundaries and burnout as a leader

• Creating safe, authentic workplace cultures

• Using Enneagram team dynamics to drive innovation and collaboration

• The power of presence, breathwork, and embodied leadership

• The balance between helping others and staying grounded

• Shifting from fear of failure to trust in team and process

In this soulful episode of Courageous Leaders, Connected Teams, Stephanie Freeth is joined by the incredible Brothers Koren — Isaac and Thorald — to explore what it truly means to reclaim your voice, embrace vulnerability, and ignite your creative expression. From overcoming childhood silencing to daring to suck, this conversation dives deep into: ✅ The internal “small voices” that hold us back ✅ How music, resonance & vocal embodiment support leadership ✅ The power of sound as a healing and expressive tool ✅ The magic of The Songwriter's Journey and how it transformed Stephanie’s creative path ✅ Embracing the break — the imperfection that makes us unique You’ll also get a powerful live voice warm-in practice that’s worth coming back to again and again. Whether you’re a leader, artist, facilitator, or someone reclaiming your truth — this one is for you. 🔗 Links & Contacts 🎶 Connect with The Brothers Koren: Website: https://www.brotherskoren.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrotherskoren 💡 Join Stephanie’s community: Website: https://stephaniefreeth.com Book a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/stephanie-freeth/discovery-call LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/stephanieblackburnfreeth Email: Stephanie@freeth.coach 🎙️ Podcast – Courageous Leaders, Connected Teams: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/courageous-leaders-connected-teams/id1811374312 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6S2AWlDUENdP5oekeFmts8 YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3-sjMQN9_Dsy68cDpuuklCZFO69sZWPI ⏱️ Timestamps (Suggested) 00:00 Welcome & Introductions 03:00 Stephanie’s voice story & fear of singing 06:00 The “small voices” that hold us back 10:00 What safety & expression really mean 16:00 The creative process without judgment 23:00 Creating “Creative Revolution” 28:00 Loving your vocal break 37:00 The “Warm-In” Practice (live) 46:00 Reflections & how to work with the Brothers 49:00 Wrap-up & final thoughts #CourageousLeaders #CreativeLeadership #TheBrothersKoren #VoiceEmbodiment #SoundHealing #LeadershipPodcast #ReclaimYourVoice #VocalFreedom #ConsciousLeadership #StephanieFreeth #SongwritersJourney #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipDevelopment

What does it truly mean to lead with humility, curiosity, and courage? In this inspiring episode of Courageous Leaders Connected Teams, Stephanie Freeth is joined by Paul Blatt, CEO of Gesher Human Services, for a candid conversation on the transformational power of conscious leadership. Paul shares real-world lessons from leading through a pandemic, navigating a merger, and cultivating a culture of responsibility, presence, and candor. From the power of letting go of being right to building trust through radical curiosity, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom for purpose-driven leaders.

✅ Discover how to:
Create psychological safety through authentic communication.
Use the Enneagram and conscious leadership tools to navigate change.
Practice radical responsibility and let go of blame.
Develop cohesive, aligned teams ready for meaningful impact Whether you’re a seasoned executive, a team lead, or someone passionate about leadership growth, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of Courageous Leaders, Connected Teams, host Stephanie Freeth reveals how your Enneagram type can profoundly shape your leadership decisions — often in ways you don’t even realize.

You’ll learn how to:
✅ Use the Enneagram as a lens for understanding decision-making patterns
✅ Recognize how each type’s core motivations impact choices
✅ Shift from fear-based to curiosity-driven decision making
✅ Engage whole-body wisdom: head, heart, and gut
✅ Apply practical frameworks like Defining Decision Rights & RACI
✅ Help your teams make more courageous, connected, and aligned decisions

By understanding your type’s default patterns — and learning how to balance them — you can make decisions that are more creative, grounded, and connected. Better decisions = Better teams = Better outcomes.

👉 Ready to go deeper? Stephanie works with leaders and teams to build decision-making capacity through leadership coaching, Enneagram work, and team retreats. See below for links.👇

Timestamps
00:00 Intro & Decision Making Overview
02:00 Emotional & Body Intelligence in Decision Making
05:00 Common Decision-Making Traps
12:00 Enneagram Types & Decision Filters
26:00 Practical Frameworks: Defining Decision Rights & RACI
31:00 Supporting Courageous Decisions as a Team
34:00 Wrap Up & How to Work with Stephanie

📌 Stephanie Freeth - Connect & Learn More
🌐 Website
📧 Email
🤝 Book a Complimentary Discovery Call
🔗 LinkedIn
🎙️ Podcast – Courageous Leaders, Connected Teams:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify

#CourageousLeaders #DecisionMaking #Enneagram #LeadershipDevelopment #ConnectedTeams #EmotionalIntelligence #EmbodiedLeadership #LeadershipPodcast #StrategicLeadership #TeamRetreats

What if your body held the key to courageous, grounded leadership?

In this transformative episode of Courageous Leaders, Connected Teams, leadership strategist Stephanie Freeth sits down with Mark Gerow, creator of My Daily Dose Practice, to explore why regulating your nervous system is not optional — it’s essential.

You’ll discover how powerful somatic tools like TRE (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises), breathwork, and nervous system regulation techniques can unlock deeper creativity, focus, and authentic connection.

✨ What You’ll Learn:
✔️ Why trauma-informed leadership matters more than ever
✔️ How unresolved stress shows up in your body and your leadership
✔️ Practical, science-backed tools to regulate your nervous system
✔️ How slowing down creates space for clarity, courage, and collaboration

💬 “When we regulate our inner world, we can lead others from a place of compassion and power.” – Mark Gerow

This episode is a must-watch for executives, coaches, team leaders, and change agents ready to lead with resilience and intention.

📌 Connect with Us:
🔹 Learn more about Stephanie’s leadership coaching: Link
🔹 Explore Mark’s Daily Dose Practice: Link
🔹 Subscribe for more episodes on conscious leadership and team trust-building!

#tre #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #coaching #coachingtips #leadershipskills #business #businessgrowth #personaldevelopment #personalgrowth

🌟 Episode Overview
In this deeply insightful episode, Stephanie Freeth welcomes longtime friend and client Brian Smith, a seasoned entrepreneur with a passion for impact. Together, they explore Brian’s personal and professional journey through leadership, conscious self-awareness, the Enneagram, and building purpose-driven ventures. Brian’s evolution from tech marketer to founder of a social enterprise employing individuals with disabilities is a powerful example of courage, clarity, and conviction in action.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• The Power of Purpose-Driven Leadership
  Brian shares his transition from high-stakes marketing and tech to starting a bakery and chocolate shop with a mission—providing employment to people with disabilities.
  
• Frameworks that Transform
  Conscious Leadership and the Enneagram were pivotal tools in Brian’s leadership development. They helped him navigate team dynamics, reduce drama, and operate with deeper empathy and self-awareness.
  
• Navigating Frustration and Perfectionism
  As an Enneagram Type 1 (The Reformer), Brian opens up about wrestling with the need for perfection, learning to manage frustration, and embracing flexibility and flow in leadership.
  
• Inner Work = Outer Impact
  Conscious practices like pausing, reflecting, and shifting perspectives ("opposite of my story") have empowered Brian to lead more authentically and build more resilient teams.
   
• Volunteering in War Zones
  Brian courageously shares about his volunteer trips to Ukraine, offering a compelling look at what it means to lead with both purpose and action—even in global crises.

Welcome to the very first episode of Courageous Leaders Connected Teams! Host Stephanie Freeth invites you into a heartfelt and powerful conversation about what it truly means to lead with courage and foster connected, thriving teams. In this premiere episode, Stephanie shares her own leadership journey—from ballet and burnout to becoming a leadership coach and recording artist. She pulls back the curtain on the personal transformations that fuel professional leadership, offering listeners a glimpse into the vulnerable, rich inner work that creates outward impact.

• The Purpose Behind the Podcast:
  Stephanie aims to illuminate the often-hidden work of leadership development and coaching, highlighting real stories of transformation from leaders across sectors.
  
  
• Leadership as an Inner Journey:
  It’s not just about skills and strategies. The "inner game"—our beliefs, emotions, and sense of self—shapes how we lead and relate to others.
  
  
• The Role of the Enneagram & Conscious Leadership:
  Stephanie explains how tools like the Enneagram (she’s a Type 3!) and Conscious Leadership practices have helped her and her clients overcome fear, burnout, and the compulsion to "achieve at all costs."
  
  
• From Silence to Self-Expression:
  Reclaiming her voice through a songwriter’s journey, Stephanie describes how creativity and self-expression became central to her leadership and coaching practice.
  
  

Burnout and Awakening:
A personal health crisis led Stephanie to leave her high-achieving role and create Adaptive Alternatives, a purpose-driven coaching and consulting business.