What if the best leadership training isn’t about managing others but about managing yourself?

In this episode of The Future of Less Work, host Nirit Cohen sits down with Margaret Andrews, founder of the MYLO Center and author of Manage Yourself to Lead Others, to flip the traditional leadership script. Based on the most popular executive development program at Harvard, Margaret’s approach doesn’t start with people management frameworks or org charts—it starts with self-awareness.

Together, Nirit and Margaret unpack why the future of leadership depends on understanding the stories we tell ourselves—about success, values, emotion, and power—and how those stories shape everything from our decisions to our relationships. They explore six deceptively simple questions that can help anyone lead with greater composure, empathy, and impact—and three more that show you where you’re growing next.

Whether you’re navigating career change, rethinking how you lead, or managing in a time of transformation, this conversation offers a timely reminder: before you manage others, manage the person in the mirror.

https://youtu.be/-_67w1JS9JY

Guest Information:
Margaret C. Andrews is a seasoned executive, academic leader, speaker, and instructor. She has created and teaches a variety of leadership courses and professional and executive programs at Harvard University and is the founder of the MYLO Center, a private leadership development firm. Her clients include Amazon, Citi, Continental, Walmart, Wayfair, and the United Nations. She lives in Brookline, Massachusetts.

You can follow Margaret on LinkedIn (@margaretcandrews)

Chapters:
00:00 – Why Great Leadership Starts With Self-Awareness
03:30 – What Is the First Step to Leading Yourself?
06:00 – The First Question Every Leader Should Ask Themselves
09:00 – What Events Changed the Way You Lead?
12:45 – How Do You Define Success (Really)?
14:15 – What Your Calendar Says About Your Values
17:10 – What Makes You Mad Might Reveal What Matters Most
18:55 – Why Leaders Must Understand Their Emotional Triggers
20:45 – What Feedback Have You Heard Over and Over?
22:10 – How Do You Want to Be Seen as a Leader?
24:10 – Why Self-Awareness Is More Important Than Ever in an AI World
26:10 – The Future of Less Work Is About Doing More of What Matters
27:55 – What’s the One Question to Ask About Your Future Career?