The Power of Discomfort in Developing Real Leaders

This week on Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy and her Director of Operations, Michelle Arant, sit down for an unscripted conversation that captures leadership in its most human form. What started as a casual team discussion turned into a powerful reflection on how we handle discomfort, accountability, and growth — both in business and in life.

Through the lens of a lighthearted story about a pet sitter, Kris and Michelle explore how everyday moments can reveal our relationship with responsibility and self-management. They discuss the tendency to over-accommodate others, the generational shifts in resilience and follow-through, and why true leadership demands that we get comfortable being uncomfortable.

Their conversation is an honest reminder that friction isn't failure — it's feedback. Whether you're mentoring a new hire, raising kids, or running a multimillion-dollar company, the path to better leadership begins with allowing discomfort to do its work.

Here's what we explore in this episode:

• How discomfort helps us build capacity for growth and leadership
• The difference between supporting someone and over-accommodating them
• Why avoiding friction can unintentionally stunt development — for ourselves and others
• How leaders can model resilience and self-accountability through their own behavior
• What small, everyday moments can reveal about how we handle responsibility
• Why embracing discomfort may be the most undervalued leadership skill of all

This conversation invites you to pause and ask: Where am I protecting others — or myself — from the very discomfort that could lead to growth? 

Contact Information and Recommended Resources

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