In this episode of Beyond Potential, the two Toms are joined by Margaret Andrews, professional speaker, Harvard instructor, academic leader, and author of Manage Yourself to Lead Others.

Margaret shares how a pivotal moment of feedback early in her leadership journey led her to question how self-aware she really was, and ultimately shaped her work around leadership development. Drawing on her experience across business and academia, she explains why understanding yourself is the foundation of effective leadership.

The conversation explores how leaders can build greater self-awareness, why interpersonal skills matter more than technical expertise as you progress, and how feedback and reflection can unlock meaningful change. Margaret also introduces a set of powerful questions designed to help leaders better understand their values, behaviours and impact on others.

This episode offers a clear and practical perspective on leadership, centred on one core idea: you cannot lead others effectively until you understand yourself.

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In this episode of the Beyond Potential podcast, the two Toms sit down with CEO, coach, leadership expert, and author of You’re the Boss, Sabina Nawaz, to explore how pressure changes leadership behaviour.

Drawing on her experience at Microsoft and over two decades coaching senior executives, Sabina shares how even the most capable leaders can begin to act differently under pressure, often without realising the impact it has on their teams.

A key part of the conversation is the idea of “blank space”, intentionally creating time to step away from the noise and think more clearly. Sabina explains why this practice is essential for better decision-making, stronger relationships, and more effective leadership.

The episode also explores practical ways to lead with greater awareness, including how to delegate more effectively, avoid common leadership traps, and create space for others to contribute. It’s a thoughtful and grounded conversation for anyone looking to lead with more clarity, consistency, and impact.

Check out Sabina's website

In this episode of Beyond Potential, Tom Mason and Tom Emery sit down with Nicola Merritt, Founder and CEO of Cortus Advisory Group, to explore a career shaped by ambition, curiosity, and bold decision-making.

From setting her sights on a career at KPMG at just 14 years old to ultimately launching her own business during the uncertainty of COVID, Nicola’s journey is one of continuous evolution. What began as a moment of clarity on a 5K run quickly turned into the creation of a fast-growing advisory firm built on strong values, clear vision, and a commitment to doing things differently.

Throughout the conversation, Nicola reflects on the realities of stepping away from a successful corporate career and into entrepreneurship, sharing honest insights into the challenges of scaling a business and transitioning from being a technical expert to becoming a leader. She speaks openly about redefining her sense of purpose, learning to build trust and culture, and what it takes to attract and develop high-performing teams.

The episode also explores the personal side of leadership. Nicola discusses how she manages pressure, builds resilience, and stays present in a fast-paced environment, as well as the importance of creating balance and defining success on her own terms rather than following external expectations.

This is a thoughtful and inspiring conversation for anyone navigating leadership, growth, or the decision to step into something new.

Connect with Nicola on LinkedIn