What happens when grit—one of the most celebrated traits in leadership—actually starts to work against you?

In this powerful and reflective conversation, I sit down with Dawn Wolfgram, a seasoned executive, mother, and trusted mentor in the insurance industry. Dawn opens up about learning to balance hustle with wisdom, and how she had to reevaluate the very mindset that helped her rise through the ranks.

We talk about burnout, boundaries, and the subtle ways ambition can disconnect us from our true priorities. Dawn shares how a life-altering moment with her daughter reframed everything she thought she knew about leadership, success, and being present.

Whether you’re climbing the ladder or leading from the top, this episode is your reminder that grit is powerful—but it’s not everything.

• Why grit without self-awareness can become a liability.
• The moment that caused Dawn to shift her entire leadership style.
• How to lead from values, not just goals.
• Red flags that you're pushing too hard—and what to do instead.
• The gift of grace when you're learning to lead differently.
• Practical tools for reevaluating your definition of success.

Links:

https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com

Video Mentioned:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTnHN8YDUuE

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 - Welcome + Dawn’s leadership background
• 04:22 - What “grit” looked like in her early career
• 08:05 - When pushing hard starts pushing people away
• 12:17 - A wake-up call moment with her daughter
• 15:50 - Choosing presence over performance
• 18:30 - The hardest leadership lesson she learned
• 21:55 - How to reframe success in a burnout culture
• 25:40 - What Dawn would tell her younger self
• 28:10 - Living and leading from a deeper place
• 30:00 - Final thoughts and encouragement