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You’re not “just” anything: rethinking leadership, identity and assumptions at work with Jessica Lee
Description
How often do we limit ourselves with the stories we tell?
“I’m not creative.”
“I’m just HR.”
“I’m not a leader.”
In this episode of People Soup, Ross McIntosh is joined by organisational psychologist Jess Lee to explore how these seemingly small phrases can have a big impact on how we think, behave, and show up at work.
Drawing on Jess’s experience across industries and cultures, they unpack how assumptions — about roles, industries, and even ourselves — can shape behaviour in subtle but powerful ways.
They also explore the reality of leadership today: why expectations can feel overwhelming, why leadership is more complex than we often acknowledge, and why the starting point might not be skills — but self-awareness.
This is a practical and reflective conversation about identity, leadership, and the human side of work.
What You’ll Learn
- Why labels like “I’m not creative” can limit contribution
- How assumptions show up across cultures and workplaces
- The hidden impact of saying “I’m just…”
- Why leadership isn’t about job titles
- Why leadership can feel overwhelming — and what’s missing
- The importance of self-awareness and self-leadership
- How small pauses can create more intentional choices
People Soup: Real conversations about work, leadership, and being human — grounded in behavioural science, with practical ideas you can actually use.
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