Lead With Influence
Lead with Influence is about influencing positive change — in yourself, your relationships, and your leadership. Hosted by executive coach Matt Norman, each episode distills insights from decades of experience helping people communicate with impact, lead with humility, and build trust across differences. These short, thoughtful reflections will help you grow in self-awareness, develop emotional intelligence, and show up more powerfully in your work and life.
Lead With Influence
The 3 Ways People Defend Themselves and How to Get Past It
When feedback hits a nerve, defensiveness often kicks in. In this episode, we unpack the three ways people protect their self-image—by deflecting, rationalizing, or fishing for reassurance—and how those reactions can block real connection and growth. Inspired by Matt Norman’s article, we explore how to break the cycle of blame and shame, and instead create space for psychological safety, self-awareness, and honest conversations that move relationships forward.