Why authenticity and vulnerability define great tech leaders with Catherine Stagg-Macey
From The Digital Lighthouse by Softwire
September 11, 2025 · 25 min · Season 1 · Episode 10
About this episode
Catherine Stagg-Macey discusses the importance of authenticity and vulnerability in tech leadership.
In this episode of The Digital Lighthouse, host Zoe Cunningham speaks with Catherine Stagg-Macey, executive coach, advisor, and host of the Unsaid At Work podcast. After more than 20 years in consulting and operations, Catherine has seen how traditional command-and-control leadership fails in fast-moving tech environments. Together they explore why authenticity and vulnerability are not weaknesses but core strengths for today’s technology leaders. Catherine shares how letting go of the illusion of control, acknowledging challenges, and treating teams like adults can transform culture, build trust, and unlock better performance—even in turbulent times. Discover How to show vulnerability without oversharing: sharing “scars” rather than open wounds Why authenticity builds stronger teams and reduces the burden on leaders Why “motivation” isn’t something leaders can inject, but a balance of clear direction and the right people The difference between acknowledgement and toxic positivity—and why it matters Strategies for motivating self-driven teams without micromanagement How to handle difficult conversations when budgets tighten or uncertainty looms Practical ways to co-create…
People in this episode
Host: Zoe Cunningham
Guest: Catherine Stagg-Macey
Topics covered
- authenticity
- vulnerability
- leadership
- technology
- team dynamics
Keywords
- executive coaching
- trust
- performance
- motivation
- team culture
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Unsaid At Work
More episodes of The Digital Lighthouse
- Why digital transformation rarely goes to plan · May 13, 2026 · 26 min
- Why leaders need to create space for thinking · April 14, 2026 · 27 min
- Why AI is like a highly motivated intern · March 24, 2026 · 25 min
- Why AI creates knowledge debt and how leaders stay in control with Macs Dickinson · February 11, 2026 · 28 min
- AI and tech revolutions: why we’ve been here before | Jamie Dobson · January 8, 2026 · 26 min
- Navigating the messy middle of tech projects with Rachael Morgan · December 11, 2025 · 31 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Digital Lighthouse podcast page.