The Sticky Middle – Part 1

The Sticky Middle – Part 1

From Aunty Treacle by Anna Keen and Stuart Hughes

July 23, 2025 · 41 min

About this episode

In this episode, the hosts and guest discuss the challenges of transitioning from peer to leader in a workplace setting.

The Sticky Middle – Part 1 From Peer to Leader: Shifting Your Thinking In this episode, Anna, Stuart, and special guest Oli Sanandres respond to a classic sticky career moment from a listener taking their first steps into people leadership: “Dear Aunty Treacle, I’ve recently accepted a promotion at work that will see me move from individual contributor to line manager. This is my first step into people management, and I’m determined for it to be successful. How do I step out of my peer group and into this leadership position—without putting noses out of joint, losing friendships, and while still delivering for the organisation and the employees? Wisdom from those who’ve done this before would be appreciated.” Oli brings thoughtful insights from a varied career across local government, aviation, Amazon, and the military, where he went from rifleman to officer. Together, the team explore what it really takes to think like a leader before you start acting like one. Spoiler: This isn’t about getting it all right. It’s about stepping into a new mental model, letting go of old success markers, and learning how to lead without losing yourself. Key Topics Covered: • Why leadership is…

People in this episode

Hosts: Anna, Stuart

Guest: Oli Sanandres

Topics covered

  • leadership
  • career transition
  • mindset shift
  • people management

Keywords

  • career development
  • authenticity
  • team dynamics

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Sticky Middle

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