The Beliefs Holding Leaders Back And How to Break Through Them, With Muriel Wilkins
The Beliefs Holding Leaders Back And How to Break Through Them, With Muriel Wilkins  
Podcast: Career Sessions, Career Lessons
Published On: Mon Mar 23 2026
Description: What’s really holding leaders back? According to executive coach Muriel Wilkins, it’s often not skills, strategy, or experience -- it’s hidden beliefs. In this episode of Career Sessions, JR Lowry sits down with Muriel Wilkins, executive coach to senior leaders, host of Harvard Business Review’s Coaching Real Leaders, and author of Leadership Unblocked. Drawing from more than 20 years of coaching C-suite executives and analyzing hundreds of leadership cases, Muriel explains how deeply and often unconscious beliefs can quietly limit how leaders show up, make decisions, and work with others.In this conversation, JR and Muriel unpack:The seven “hidden blockers” that often derail leadership effectivenessWhy beliefs matter more than leadership tacticsThe difference between behavior and the belief driving itWhy high-performing leaders often struggle with perfectionismHow the belief “I know I’m right” can undermine collaborationHow uncertainty and layoffs are amplifying leadership pressure todayThe mindset shift that unlocks leadership growthThe framework for responding to challengesIf you want to become a more effective leader and experience leadership with greater clarity and ease, this conversation offers a powerful place to start.Follow Career Sessions for weekly conversations on leadership, career growth, and navigating the future of work.Check out the full series of “Career Sessions, Career Lessons” podcasts here or visit pathwise.io/podcast/. A full written transcript of this episode is also available at https://pathwise.io/podcasts/muriel-wilkins/.