Margaret C. Andrews on How to Lead Yourself Before You Lead Others

Leadership starts with leading yourself. In this conversation, Brendan P. Keegan sits down with Margaret C. Andrews, leadership expert, Harvard instructor, and author of Manage Yourself to Lead Others. Margaret shares her journey from UC Berkeley to Deloitte, to teaching at Harvard and MIT, and building the MYLO Center.

She reflects on the moment a blunt performance review forced her to confront her lack of self-awareness, and how that turning point led her to decades of research and teaching on self-understanding. Margaret explains her six guiding questions for developing stronger self-awareness, why behaviors matter more than intentions, and how leaders balance empathy with accountability.

The discussion covers the evolution of leadership skills, generational differences in the workplace, the lessons parenting teaches about patience and individuality, and the risks leaders face when they stop learning. Margaret also offers practical steps any listener can take this week to strengthen self-awareness and become a more effective leader.

If you want to lead others with clarity, compassion, and credibility, start here.