Coaching for Leaders Podcast — Episode Summary

Episode Title: Making Space to Move Forward, with Tracey Gardner

Host: Dave Stachowiak
Guest: Tracey Gardner
Date: September 11, 2025

Overview

This episode explores the essential, yet often overlooked, act of intentionally making space for reflection and growth as a leader. Through an insightful conversation between host Dave Stachowiak and Academy graduate, Tracey Gardner, listeners learn how creating margin—both mental and temporal—is foundational for innovation, intentionality, and personal transformation in leadership. The discussion sheds light on the discomfort and reward that comes from pausing the relentless drive to "do" and gives actionable insights into cultivating strategic leadership.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Tracey’s Leadership Journey and Motivation for Growth

• [00:31–01:22] Tracey introduced her dual roles as an administrator in higher education at a global university and a certified coach leading HR initiatives to help colleagues develop and flourish.
• [03:08–04:15] Tracey joined the Coaching for Leaders Academy at a personal and professional inflection point, recognizing the need to invest in her own leadership amid major changes in higher education and her workplace.
  • Notable Quote (03:24):
    “I needed to carve out some space for me to focus on my leadership and my growth and development as a leader.” — Tracey

The Struggle and Value of Creating Space

• [05:20–07:18] Both Tracey and Dave recognize that high-performing leaders often struggle to pause and reflect, being conditioned to value productivity above all. Tracey described creating “space for reflection” (her term), or “creating margin” (Dave’s term), as both vital and risky.
  • Notable Quote (05:43):
    “Taking the space to pause and reflect and chart my course, moving forward with intention, I believe ... allowed me to propel myself to a different dimension.” — Tracey
• [08:03–09:12] Tracey shares the real discomfort—sometimes even physical—of sitting with ambiguity and not producing tangible output, but describes the community aspect of the Academy as helpful for navigating this.

The Science and Power of Reflection

• [09:12–11:12] Tracey connects her experience to findings in neuroscience, explaining that intentional reflection fosters conditions for insight, innovation, and creativity.
  • Notable Quote (09:44):
    “The science confirms the fact that when we are able to cultivate the conditions for insights, for innovation, for creativity, we become more insightful, we become more innovative, we become more creative.” — Tracey
• She describes how reflection connects her work, personal life, and hobbies (such as learning French), leading to new program ideas and greater impact as a leader.

Leadership vs. Management and the Shift Towards Strategic Thinking

• [11:12–12:21] Dave outlines the distinction between management (solving complexity) and leadership (navigating change), noting that advancing as a leader demands a shift from relentless execution to big-picture thinking:
  • Notable Quote (11:24):
    “Management answers the question of complexity. Leadership answers the question of change.” — Dave
• Tracey highlights implementing a foundational coaching skills program for university leaders, underscoring the impact of reflection and “focusing on the ‘what’ before the ‘how.’”
  • Notable Quote (13:20):
    “Let’s focus on the what before the how. And many of us want to jump to the how, because like you said in management, we’re focused on getting things done, but really leaning into the value of taking the time to figure out what is the what.” — Tracey

Community, Support, and ‘Iron Sharpens Iron’

• [14:08–16:07] Both attribute significant personal progress to the cohort experience. Tracey describes the group’s diversity and mutual accountability as a key accelerator for growth:
  • Notable Quote (14:42):
    “It was that regular kind of friction, a good friction ... in a supportive environment, but helping each other reach a level of clarity and direction … It’s like alchemy or maybe a little bit of magic, that iron sharpening iron.” — Tracey
  • Memorable Moment (14:08): Dave references the proverb "iron sharpens iron," crediting the group dynamic for catalyzing deeper self-discovery and action.

Changing Mindsets and Embracing Uncertainty

• [16:07–17:59] When asked what she changed her mind on, Tracey explains her shift from needing precision and defined destinations to embracing continual growth and trusting the process:
  • Notable Quote (16:36):
    “I used to believe that in order to make progress, I needed to know exactly where I was going … [Now] even without knowing exactly where the endpoint is ... I’m going to be ready for it because of all the skills ... all the tools ... and all of the practice.” — Tracey

The Power of Starting and Ongoing Action

• [17:59–18:45] Dave and Tracey discuss the transformative power of just starting, even amidst uncertainty, and the compounded effect of repeated, intentional steps forward.

Gratitude and Recognizing Community

• [18:45–19:06] Tracey gives heartfelt thanks to her cohort members, highlighting the importance of collective support in the growth journey.

Closing Reflection: The Necessity of Pausing

• [19:06–end] Dave closes by reflecting on organizational cultures that undervalue time spent thinking, planning, and reflecting, reminding listeners that true leadership requires this intentional pause to envision a new future.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tracey on Carving Out Leadership Space [03:24]:

  “I needed to carve out some space for me to focus on my leadership and my growth and development as a leader.”

• Tracey on Risk and Reward [05:43]:

  “Taking the space to pause and reflect and chart my course, moving forward with intention, I believe ... allowed me to propel myself to a different dimension.”

• Tracey on Ambiguity [08:03]:

  “I remember feeling physical discomfort in pausing … it was difficult to sit with that ambiguity.”

• Tracey on Reflection and Neuroscience [09:44]:

  “The science confirms the fact that when we are able to cultivate the conditions for insights, for innovation, for creativity, we become more insightful, we become more innovative, we become more creative.”

• Dave on Management vs. Leadership [11:24]:

  “Management answers the question of complexity. Leadership answers the question of change.”

• Tracey on ‘The What vs. The How’ [13:20]:

  “Let’s focus on the what before the how ... but really leaning into the value of taking the time to figure out what is the what.”

• Tracey on Community and Growth [14:42]:

  “…It’s like alchemy or maybe a little bit of magic, that iron sharpening iron.”

• Tracey on Embracing Uncertainty [16:36]:

  “I used to believe that in order to make progress, I needed to know exactly where I was going … [Now] even without knowing exactly where the endpoint is ... I’m going to be ready for it because of all the skills ... all the tools ... and all of the practice.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Tracey's professional background – 00:31
• Motivation to join the Academy – 03:08
• Risk in pausing for reflection – 05:20
• Discomfort with ambiguity – 08:03
• Reflection, innovation, and neuroscience – 09:12
• Management vs. Leadership distinction – 11:12
• Teaching foundational coaching to university leaders – 12:21
• Community and ‘iron sharpens iron’ – 14:08
• Changing mindsets and embracing uncertainty – 16:07
• Power of starting and movement – 17:59
• Acknowledging community’s support – 18:45
• Dave’s closing remarks on the necessity of pausing – 19:06

Tone and Language

Throughout the conversation, both Dave and Tracey maintain a reflective, candid, and encouraging tone. The discussion feels honest about leadership’s difficulties while remaining hopeful and practical. Personal anecdotes and vulnerability are balanced with actionable insights and scientific grounding.

Takeaways for Listeners

• Creating intentional space for reflection is not just helpful; it’s essential for leadership growth and innovation.
• The discomfort of slowing down or doing “less” is a common, yet powerful, catalyst for strategic thinking and deeper self-awareness.
• Community and diverse perspectives (“iron sharpens iron”) are invaluable in pushing each other toward clarity and authentic growth.
• Effective leaders are open to ambiguity, continuous learning, and evolving their direction rather than seeking rigid certainty.
• Leadership development often demands a shift from an endless focus on “doing” and “how” to thoughtful consideration of “what” and “why.”

This episode serves as both a testament and a challenge: slowing down and making space is where real leadership transformation begins.