What if the fastest way to lead better is to stop striving and start listening? I sit down with bestselling author and strategist Cortney McDermott to explore intuition as a practical, reliable guide, one you can access in minutes with simple, science-backed resets like lying down, yawning, and shaking off stuck energy. Cortney shares how chasing gold stars led to a cold, lonely “top,” and how tuning into her inner teacher opened doors that policies and precedents said were impossible. She traces her journey from executive assistant to main-stage presenter at The North Face, unpacking why so-called coincidences often appear when clarity, worthiness, and action align. Cortney reframes fear as a story we attach to sensation and shows how to train the mind to be a servant, not a master. You’ll learn how to interpret those butterflies as fuel, redirect repetitive thoughts, and build daily rituals that move you from self-protection to self-expression,no incense or mantras required. The conversation dives into authenticity without the buzzwords. Cortney honors the ego as a useful character when it’s in service to something larger, and explains her pre-stage ritual of prepared surrender: “Use me.” From there, presence becomes electric and leadership becomes inevitable. We talk about unlearning performative niceness, reclaiming natural signals like yawning and laughter, and leading without a title by standing like a lighthouse, steady, bright, impossible to ignore. Her view of leadership is clear: cultivate your gifts, then stand and shine. Lighthouses don’t roam the island; they hold their beam. Start now, before any title, by practicing inner permission daily, rest, move, listen, act. Finally, trade fragile hope for lived faith. You already trust the planet to spin and your heart to beat; extend that trust to your path. Bills, delays, and detours aren’t verdicts, they’re data. When you rest in faith, you stop gripping and start guiding, first yourself, then everyone who is called to your light. If you’re a founder, executive, student, entry-level service staff, or community builder ready to trade burnout for inner clarity, this episode offers tools you can use today. More on Cortney Mcdermott regarding her books, services, blog, speaking requests at https://www.cortneymcdermott.com/ Thank you for listening! Nichol Ellis-McGregor, MHS | LinkedIn Facebook Mrs. Nichol (@mrs.nichol_7) | TikTok Nichol Ellis-McGregor (@mrs_nichol) • Instagram photos and videos HOME | Nichol-Empowerment Life Coach (nicholkellis-mcgregor.com) Thank you for listening!
