You’re ready to promote a strong performer into leadership—but how do you know if they’re really prepared to lead their peers?

In this episode, I share an unusual interview technique that goes beyond resumes and past performance to reveal how each candidate will actually show up as a leader in front of their former coworkers. You’ll hear how one manager used this exact process to choose the right supervisor for a struggling team and why skipping this step can lead to resistance, resentment, and months of unnecessary drama at work.

You’ll also walk away with a simple three-step structure you can use to promote from within with confidence, prepare new leaders to guide their teams through change, and build trust from day one.

So if you’ve ever worried about promoting the wrong person, or wondered how to know if a candidate is truly ready to lead, hit play and let’s dive in.

0:00 – The Hidden Risk of Promoting a Peer Into Leadership

0:45 – How to Spot the #1 Mistake Leaders Make When Promoting from Within

1:30 – The Simple Interview Technique That Reveals Who’s Truly Ready to Lead A Team Through Change

5:10 – A 3-Step Process to Evaluate Internal Candidates Fairly (and Win Team Buy-In)

7:30 – How to Save Months of Time, Build Trust, and Set Your New Leader Up for Success

For step-by-step instructions:

• Grab your FREE Peer to Leader Interview Guide

Other Episodes You'll Love:

• The Unexpected Cure for Burnout (You Can Do in 10 Seconds)
• Breakdown to Breakthrough: Reclaiming Yourself in Leadership

Have a question you'd like answered on the show? Click here to send me a message.

Support the show

Love this show? Say thanks with a 5 star rating or a positive review.

Want more help leading a team that gets along—and gets results? Apply for on-air coaching here (spots are limited).

More Resources for You:

• Explore Dr. Annie's Executive Coaching Program
• Download your free guide: Executive Presence Starter Kit
• Get The Empowered Feedback Toolkit for easy-to-follow, step-by-step guidance so you can navigate difficult conversations and set healthy boundaries at work.

Connect with Dr. Annie online: LINKEDIN | WEBSITE

2025 ©Annie Campanile, PhD

You get praised for your work. You show up for your team. You go the extra mile.

So why does it still feel like… it’s never enough?

That’s the question "Pamela," a high-performing senior leader, brought to our coaching session. Her team was thriving, her project had just earned company-wide praise… and yet she felt deflated. Doubtful. Disconnected from any real sense of accomplishment.

If you’ve ever found yourself downplaying your success, brushing off compliments, or pushing harder when your body’s begging you to rest—this episode is for you.

In this trauma-informed coaching moment, Dr. Annie Campanile shares the simple, science-backed practice she used to help Pamela quiet her inner critic, reconnect with her body, and finally believe: I am doing enough.

Hit play and experience the shift for yourself.

⏱️ What You’ll Hear:

1:45 — Why high-achieving leaders feel like they’re never doing enough

3:00 — A nervous system grounding practice you can try in real time

4:45 — The mindset shift that quiets self-doubt without forcing positivity

10:15 — How this one shift changes how you lead, relate, and restore energy

💬 Want support applying this shift in your leadership?

Explore 1:1 trauma-informed leadership coaching with Dr. Annie → anniecampanile.com

Have a question you'd like answered on the show? Click here to send me a message.

Support the show

Love this show? Say thanks with a 5 star rating or a positive review.

Want more help leading a team that gets along—and gets results? Apply for on-air coaching here (spots are limited).

More Resources for You:

• Explore Dr. Annie's Executive Coaching Program
• Download your free guide: Executive Presence Starter Kit
• Get The Empowered Feedback Toolkit for easy-to-follow, step-by-step guidance so you can navigate difficult conversations and set healthy boundaries at work.

Connect with Dr. Annie online: LINKEDIN | WEBSITE

2025 ©Annie Campanile, PhD

Trying to support your team without burning out? You might be missing one key trauma-informed leadership skill.

You care about your people. You want them to feel safe coming to you with their concerns. But every time someone shares their stress, anger, or worry with you, you walk away feeling drained — and take their stress home with you.

It feels like you have to choose: Be a compassionate leader OR Protect your energy.

That’s exactly the dilemma "Stephanie," a dedicated healthcare leader, faced. She was exhausted from managing constant drama at work. She was emotionally fried and on the verge of quitting leadership altogether.

In this episode, I share the powerful “Be a Bowl, Not a Sponge” exercise — a simple, trauma-informed leadership tool I’ve used for more than 20 years. It’s helped hundreds of leaders (including me!) stay grounded, centered, and present, even in the middle of emotional storms.

If you want to lead with emotional intelligence and support your team without absorbing their stress, this episode will show you how.

🎧 Hit PLAY and let’s get started.

You’ll learn:

• Why your mind might be tricking you into thinking your team’s stress is your own
• A creative visualization technique that helps you protect your energy in real time
• How to lead with compassion without taking responsibility for everyone else’s emotions
• Why emotional intelligence in leadership hinges on knowing what to hold — and what to release

💼 Want more help building a drama-free team that gets along—and gets results?
Apply for on-air leadership coaching here (spots are limited).

0:56 – The Empathy Trap: Why Leaders Take On Emotions That Aren’t Theirs

2:15 – Mirror Neurons, The surprising reason your body reacts so strongly when others are upset—and what to do about it.

5:10 – Real-Life Burnout: A Leader on the Verge of Quitting

7:00 – Be a Bowl, Not a Sponge: The Tool That Changes Everything
A simple exercise to help you stay clear, calm, and present during emotional conversations.

10:45 – How staying grounded helps your team feel safer—and keeps you from burning out.

🧘‍♀️ ACTIVITY FROM THIS EPISODE:

1. Imagine a bowl you love.

2. Make it big.

3. Let their words & emotions pour into the bowl.

4. Empty the bowl.

5. Let go with intention.

💡 ANOTHER EPISODE YOU'LL LOVE:

Have a question you'd like answered on the show? Click here to send me a message.

Support the show

Love this show? Say thanks with a 5 star rating or a positive review.

Want more help leading a team that gets along—and gets results? Apply for on-air coaching here (spots are limited).

More Resources for You:

• Explore Dr. Annie's Executive Coaching Program
• Download your free guide: Executive Presence Starter Kit
• Get The Empowered Feedback Toolkit for easy-to-follow, step-by-step guidance so you can navigate difficult conversations and set healthy boundaries at work.

Connect with Dr. Annie online: LINKEDIN | WEBSITE

2025 ©Annie Campanile, PhD