Leadership doesn’t fail because of lack of talent, it fails because of lack of ownership.

In this episode of Fraud to Fearless, we explore why most managers struggle with accountability and how avoiding ownership creates breakdowns in trust, culture, and performance.

Hayden and Brooke unpack:

• Why many leaders don’t see themselves as responsible for their team
• How fear and imposter syndrome drive struggles with accountability
• Why difficult conversations are the most undertrained leadership skill
• What true ownership looks like in work and life
• How shifting from a victim mindset to ownership changes everything

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed as a leader, or frustrated by leadership above you, this conversation will help you rethink accountability, ownership, and what it really means to lead with confidence.

The Fearless Journal:
Turn today’s insight into daily practice with The Fearless Journal created to help you move from imposter to unstoppable, available on Amazon (link here).

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In this episode of Fraud to Fearless, Hayden and Brooke kick off a leadership mini-series by redefining what it actually means to be a leader...especially when you don’t feel ready.

Leadership isn’t about titles, authority, or having all the answers. It’s about ownership, confidence built through action, and how others experience you. Through personal stories, workplace examples, entrepreneurship lessons, and historical inspiration, this conversation challenges traditional leadership narratives and invites you to step into leadership sooner than you think.

Whether you’re leading a team, building a business, or navigating growth in your career, this episode lays the foundation for becoming a confident, people-centered leader, even in moments of uncertainty.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership is a mindset, not a title, you don’t have to wait to be “ready”
• Confidence is built through action, not perfection
• Great leaders take ownership of both success and failure
• Leadership is defined by how others experience you, not your intentions
• Being a leader means stewarding the experience of your team
• Strong leaders adjust their style based on the situation and people
• Difficult conversations are a core leadership skill, not something to avoid
• You can lead from anywhere: work, relationships, community, or family
• The most impactful leaders often step up before they feel qualified

The Fearless Journal:
Turn today’s insight into daily practice with The Fearless Journal created to help you move from imposter to unstoppable, available on Amazon (link here).

Episode Summary:

What does it really take to reinvent your life, career, and mindset...across continents?

In this episode of Fraud to Fearless, Hayden sits down with Jake Taiariol, a global management consultant whose journey has taken him from Michigan to Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and now Copenhagen, Denmark. Together, they unpack how intentional career moves, adaptability, and a consistent meditation practice helped Jake navigate high-pressure consulting roles, major life transitions, and the loneliness that can come with starting over in new cities.

Jake shares how studying organizational psychology shaped his consulting career, what it’s like to solve complex problems as an external consultant, and how meditation became a critical tool for mental resilience, focus, and self-leadership, especially during COVID, career promotions, and international relocation.

From building trust with clients to designing a life aligned with personal values, this conversation explores how growth happens when you stop waiting to be “ready” and start taking ownership of your path.

If you’re navigating career change, considering a big move, working in corporate America or consulting, or curious about how meditation supports performance and well-being, this episode offers practical insight, honest reflection, and inspiration to take the next step, one day at a time.