We often think great leadership is about having all the answers and staying composed under pressure. But what if the real key to leading a high-performing team is being open about your mistakes?
In this episode, Kim Wylie reflects on two decades of leadership experience at Google, Farfetch, and scale-ups—sharing what actually builds trust and performance when you’re stepping into a new team.
We talk about:
Why trying to be the perfect manager backfires
How Kim built psychological safety in a team that didn’t trust her at first
How to handle resistance to new ways of working in distributed teams
The team rituals she uses to foster connection, even across regions
What to do when your team gives you negative feedback
The neuroscience of why solving everyone’s problems is not good leadership
And how even senior leaders still struggle with imposter syndrome
This is a masterclass in human-centred leadership—with practical tools, real stories, and the kind of honest reflection most leaders wish they heard more often.
🧠 Some Takeaways
“If you’re a manager and you’re always solving everyone’s problems, you’re robbing them of that dopamine hit.”
“One of the biggest lessons I learned is that being vulnerable builds trust—and trust drives performance.”
“People need to see that how you show up on day one is how you’re going to keep showing up.”
🔗 Links & Resources
Follow Kim on LinkedIn
Watch the full video interview on YouTube
Subscribe to the podcast for more real stories and practical leadership insights.
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