In this episode of The IT Experts Podcast, we explore one of the most powerful leadership skills any MSP owner can develop: self-awareness. While many business conversations focus on strategy, sales, systems, and growth, this discussion takes a different path. I am joined by leadership coach Julie Hutchison and Managing Director of Mark1 IT Mark Stevens to unpack how self-awareness impacts you, your team, and ultimately the success of your business. The conversation begins with Mark sharing his own leadership journey and the challenges he experienced as his business grew. Like many MSP owners, he found himself frustrated when team members did not perform in the way he expected. He wanted people to move at the same speed, think in the same way, and approach challenges with the same intensity. Over time, that created pressure, frustration, and a growing disconnect between what he wanted from his team and what they were able to deliver. What makes this episode particularly valuable is Mark's honesty. Rather than focusing on what was wrong with his team, he reflects on what he discovered about himself. Through coaching, reflection, and experience, he began to understand that many of the challenges within the business were connected to the way he was showing up as a leader. This realisation became the starting point for meaningful change. Julie explains that self awareness is not simply about understanding your personality. It is about recognising the impact your behaviour has on other people. Every leader influences the confidence, motivation, and performance of their team. When leaders become more aware of how they communicate, react under pressure, and set expectations, they create an environment where people can thrive. A key moment in the discussion centres around behavioural profiling and understanding different communication styles. Mark shares how learning about his DISC profile helped him recognise that not everyone thinks, works, or processes information in the same way. What felt obvious and straightforward to him often felt overwhelming or unclear to others. Developing greater self-awareness allowed him to adapt his communication and lead people more effectively. The conversation also explores the relationship between self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Mark talks openly about recognising the impact of stress, fatigue, and even lifestyle choices on the way he interacted with his team. Rather than allowing frustration to dictate his behaviour, he learned to pause, reflect, and respond more intentionally. This shift created stronger relationships and helped build trust throughout the business. One of the most powerful themes throughout the episode is the idea that leadership starts with personal responsibility. It is easy to blame team members when results are not where you want them to be. It takes courage to hold up the mirror and ask what role you might be playing in the situation. Julie introduces the concept of "Can't, Won't, Don't", a framework that helps leaders understand whether team members lack capability, confidence, motivation, or clarity. Instead of assuming people are underperforming, leaders are encouraged to become curious and seek understanding. As self-awareness increases, leaders become better equipped to identify the real barriers holding their teams back. They stop reacting emotionally and start creating conditions where people can succeed. This leads to improved communication, stronger accountability, and greater engagement across the organisation. Mark also shares how greater self-awareness transformed the culture inside Mark1 IT. What was once a source of frustration became a business environment he genuinely enjoys. Team members became more confident. Conversations became more productive. The business became more structured and aligned. Most importantly, people started taking ownership and making decisions with confidence. The discussion highlights another important lesson for MSP owners. Self-awareness is not a destination. It is an ongoing process. Every stage of business growth brings new challenges, new responsibilities, and new opportunities for personal development. The leaders who continue to learn, reflect, and adapt are the ones who create sustainable success for themselves and their teams. Throughout the episode, Ian, Julie, and Mark remind us that people are the most valuable asset in any business. Systems, technology, and processes all matter. Yet the way leaders think, behave, and communicate has a profound impact on everything else. When leaders invest in their own growth, they create ripple effects that influence culture, performance, and long-term business results. If you have ever found yourself frustrated with your team, questioning why people are not taking ownership, or wondering why progress feels slower than it should, this episode offers a valuable perspective. It provides practical insights, honest reflections, and powerful reminders that leadership begins with understanding yourself first. Self-awareness creates clarity. Clarity builds confidence. Confidence helps people perform at their best. When leaders embrace that journey, they create stronger businesses and more fulfilling places to work. Connect with Mark Stevens through LinkedIn and his website. Make sure to check out our Ultimate MSP Growth Guide, a free guide that walks you through a proven process to take your MSP from stuck to scalable, without working even more hours. It's 44 pages rammed with advice, insights and inspiration to help you decide what support is available to you now if you want to grow and scale your business. Click HERE to get your copy. Connect on LinkedIn HERE with Ian and also with Stuart by clicking this LINK And when you're ready to take the next step in growing your MSP, come and take the Scale with Confidence MSP Mastery Quiz. In just three minutes, you'll get a 360-degree scan of your MSP and identify the one or two tactics that could help you find more time, engage & align your people and generate more leads. If you're serious about growth and want to explore what this could look like for your MSP, you can book a Right Fit Clarity Call with us HERE. OR To join our amazing Facebook Group of over 400 MSPs where we are helping you Scale Up with Confidence, then click HERE Until next time, look after yourself and I'll catch up with you soon!
