In this episode, I’m joined by the warm and wildly wise Astrid Korin, leadership coach, consultant, and the creator of the “Inside Out Leadership” programme. We dig deep into what it really takes for sales leaders to stay resilient, especially when the pressure’s on and the targets feel impossible.
Astrid brings both heart and rigour, combining her experience in global leadership roles and business development with a profound understanding of human behaviour. We unpack why the best salespeople already have the raw materials for deep self-awareness and how that curiosity, when turned inward, can help them lead more effectively, coach with intention, and avoid burnout. If you’ve ever felt like you’re “brute forcing” your way through tough quarters, or watching your team drift into exhaustion, this one’s a must-listen.
We also take on the myth of the “group hug” sales team and talk bluntly about why some well-meaning leadership habits can do more harm than good.
How to use self-awareness to build resilience:
- Get curious about yourself. Notice when you’re triggered, reactive or spiralling. Ask: what am I assuming? What else might be true?
- Pause, then choose. Interrupt automatic behaviours. Take a breath and ask: what are my options right now?
- Practice being the observer. Notice physical responses, emotional surges, and what they signal. Don’t just react, reflect.
- Understand what’s underneath the trigger. Many sales leaders tie their worth to outcomes. Recognise when underperformance starts to chip away at your identity.
- Remember: all relationships are co-created. How you land a message matters, but so does how others receive it. Take shared responsibility for communication.
Timeline summary
[03:02] – Astrid on how business development in International Development is sales — and why rejection builds resilience.
[05:13] – Curiosity as a superpower: why assumptions kill leadership and curiosity saves it.
[08:47] – Noticing the clutching: how busy-ness masks vulnerability and fear in sales roles.
[10:35] – Sales leaders must lead from the inside out — or risk pushing their self-protection behaviours onto the team.
[14:25] – The most practical starting point: build your observer muscle and watch how you respond.
[18:03] – “How did that land?”: why good sales leaders ask, clarify and co-create understanding.
[25:59] – Astrid unpacks the achievement trap — where performance becomes self-worth, and why that’s dangerous.
[34:45] – The honest mistake new leaders make: hitting the ground running without understanding the context.
[39:33] – Astrid’s billboard moment: “You are enough.”
Links & resources
- Astrid Korin’s website: http://www.astridkorin.com/
- Connect with Astrid on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/astrid-korin-a7612969/
- Learn more about the Inside Out Leadership programme (next cohort launches Feb 2026)
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