[EP 40] 3 Hidden Rules That Are Keeping You Small

[EP 40] 3 Hidden Rules That Are Keeping You Small

From Change Is Hard by Audrey Blair

April 14, 2026 · 19 min · Episode 40

About this episode

Audrey Blair discusses three unwritten rules in leadership that may be holding you back.

There are rules you’re following in your leadership… rules no one actually gave you. They sound helpful. They sound responsible. But over time, they can quietly begin to hold you back. In this episode, Audrey walks through three of the most common “unwritten rules” that show up in leadership: I have to keep proving myself If I’m direct, I’m being rude Conflict is a bad thing These patterns often come from a good place—drive, care, awareness—but when left unchecked, they can lead to overwork, hesitation, unclear communication, and avoidance of the very conversations that move things forward. This is a simple invitation to pause and notice: What rules are you operating by… and are they still serving you?

People in this episode

Host: Audrey Blair

Topics covered

  • leadership
  • unwritten rules
  • personal development
  • communication
  • conflict resolution

Keywords

  • leadership
  • unwritten rules
  • self-improvement
  • communication
  • conflict
  • overwork
  • hesitation

More episodes of Change Is Hard

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Change Is Hard podcast page.