The Leader Unmasked: Lee Robinson on Leading with Authenticity Tired of running from your true self to prove your worth? Wondering if slowing down could lead to something better? In this episode of The Leader Unmasked, host Angela Cox chats with Lee Robinson, Acting Enterprise Change Director at Compass Group, about his journey from masking with extreme running to embracing a purposeful life. Lee opens up about using ten marathons in ten days as a shield from personal and professional challenges, only to discover stillness was the real strength. From high-pressure roles to mentoring with honesty, his story shows how letting go of the mask transforms leadership. If you’re in the “silent middle” quietly battling stress, this is a down-to-earth listen to inspire change. Tune in and subscribe for more real stories on leading as yourself.Here are three reasons to give it a listen:

Hear how Lee turned running ten marathons into a lesson about masking, not resilience.
Get insights on finding purpose by stepping back from the grind, even in tough roles.
Learn Lee’s thoughts on guiding others—especially the next generation—through uncertainty.

Resources:

Contact Angela Cox on LinkedIn
Visit The Leader Unmasked Podcast
Explore coaching at Paseda360

Episode Highlights: [00:01:42 - 00:02:33] The Running Mask: Lee reveals how running ten marathons was a way to avoid facing deeper issues, using it as a badge of honour. [00:03:24 - 00:04:31] The Shift to Stillness: He reflects on realising extreme efforts stemmed from a scarcity mindset, and how pausing helped him find value. [00:04:53 - 00:05:20] Home Challenges: Lee hints at personal struggles at home, adding depth to his journey of unmasking over the past year. [00:35:31 - 00:37:13] Looking Ahead: Lee shares advice for young people to be generalists, embrace AI’s impact, and find purpose in a changing world. Three Powerful Quotes: [00:02:08] “Running was the mask for me… it was more about what I was running from.” [00:04:06] “I was never just really taking enough time to be still… you need to understand what you really value.” [00:35:56] “The need for authenticity in human humanness is going to be a prized asset in the future.” Enjoy This Podcast? Authenticity changes everything. If Lee's story on The Leader Unmasked struck a chord, subscribe and share it with someone who might need it. Leave a review and tell us how finding your passion has helped—your words help others find us. Got questions? Reach out to Angela on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook. Thanks for listening! For more episodes, check out theleaderunmaskedpodcast.podbean.com. Available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or PodBean. To unmasking your brilliance, Angela.