What You Refuse to Stand For: The Untold Side of Leadership

In this personal and powerful solo episode of Leading You, Julie shares a leadership moment that was anything but scripted. While delivering a keynote in Malaysia, an unexpected request forced her to make a tough call—and it had nothing to do with performance, and everything to do with values. This episode isn’t about what you stand for. It’s about what you refuse to stand for—and why those boundaries say even more about your leadership than your best highlight reel ever could. If you’ve ever found yourself in a situation that looked good from the outside but felt wrong on the inside, this is your reminder that leadership isn’t about applause. It’s about alignment. Because the moments you say no—especially when it costs you—are the ones that define who you really are. In this episode, we cover: The behind-the-scenes story of Julie’s Malaysia keynote What happened when a live snake was brought on stage The tension between visibility, values, and performance Why drawing a boundary may cost you—but is always worth it How to reconnect with your own leadership non-negotiables   Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: The untold side of leadership 01:00 – The setup: a keynote in Malaysia 03:00 – The unexpected moment: a snake, live on stage 04:00 – Why Julie refused to participate 05:00 – Standing firm in personal values 06:00 – The professional fallout—and inner peace 07:30 – Why your “no” matters more than applause 08:00 – Redefining what real leadership looks like 09:00 – Your reflection: what won’t you stand for? 10:30 – Quiet choices that build legacy 11:00 – Final thoughts and journal prompts   Reflection Prompt: What’s something you quietly refuse to tolerate—even when others expect you to   Want to go deeper? Download the free Unstuck Yourself masterclass and reconnect with the leader you truly are—before the pressure, performance, or people-pleasing crept in.   Links: Join the Lead.Her Collective Dinner Series Get the Clarity Compass Mini Program Connect with Julie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/ Instagram: @juliehydeleads Website: https://juliehyde.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.