Self-care isn’t selfish. Leadership expert Hannah Knowles explains why taking care of yourself first might be the most powerful leadership decision you can make.

In this International Women’s Day episode of UNSCRIPTED, Hannah Knowles joins host Sarah Nicastro to discuss self-care, women in leadership, resilience, and navigating change in today’s workplace.

Hannah Knowles is a keynote speaker at Art of Brilliance, a wellbeing training company focused on helping individuals and teams move from surviving to thriving. She is also the coauthor of Love Notes, a collection of reflections and insights about what gives our lives meaning: love.

She explains:

Why self-care isn’t selfish and makes you a better leader
The “Give to Gain” paradox and why prioritising yourself benefits others
Why consistency beats intensity when building habits
How noticing “glimmers” can shift your mindset and wellbeing
The Kaizen approach to creating meaningful change through small steps
Why leaders should focus on what they can control during uncertainty
How vulnerability and honesty build stronger teams
Why perspective shapes how people respond to change
The leadership power of saying “I’ll go first”
Why celebrating progress matters more than chasing perfection

Follow along:

00:00 Intro
01:00 Meet Hannah Knowles and the Art of Brilliance mission
04:00 Why self-care shouldn’t feel selfish
07:30 Consistency beats intensity when building habits
10:45 Why women often struggle to prioritise themselves
15:10 The concept of “glimmers” and finding everyday joy
19:30 The Kaizen mindset and the power of small steps
24:30 Eat, move, sleep, relationships — the foundations of wellbeing
29:00 Why perspective shapes how we respond to change
34:20 Leading through uncertainty and supporting teams
39:30 Why vulnerability is a leadership strength
45:00 The “I’ll go first” leadership mindset
50:30 Celebrating progress instead of perfection

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