Kana Waanders: From Self-Doubt to Direct Leadership — Rewriting Fear Into Fuel

On this episode of Adapt or Die: Transformative Leadership Conversations, former tech-CEO-turned-executive-coach Andreas Pettersson sits down with Kana Waanders, Lead Senior Software Engineer and co-author of Power Without Permission. Kana blends technical expertise with empathetic leadership, having grown from an intern to a trusted team leader by fostering trust, owning her voice, and leading with authenticity and compassion. Her journey reflects the transformative power of turning fear into fuel—both in and out of the office, where she doubles as a certified Jazzercise instructor. From near-burnout in grad school to nearly walking away from her leadership role, Kana reveals how self-awareness, micro-actions, and community helped her reclaim her power.

Challenge →
Imposter syndrome and paralyzing fear threatened to derail Kana’s future—first in grad school where stress physically impacted her health, and later as a newly promoted team lead unsure she belonged in leadership.

Adaptation →
By choosing action over avoidance, Kana began facing fear head-on—anchored by journaling, micro-wins, mentor support, and a mindset shift from “I can’t” to “let’s see what happens if I try.”

Success →
Today, she leads confidently, coaches others, and has built a reputation for delivering clear direction with grace. Her internal self-talk transformed from self-doubt to decisive action, and she continues to scale her influence—now managing both down and up the org chart.

🔥 60-Second Hot Seat:
Kana opens up about how she prepares for tough conversations by scripting talking points and sticking to the message—avoiding overthinking and anxiety spirals. She shares the inner mantra she repeats before every challenge: “Kana, just do it.” Her leadership growth wasn’t a single leap—it was a series of intentional steps fueled by reflection, resilience, and the willingness to get uncomfortable.

What happens when you stop waiting for permission—and start showing up anyway? Kana’s story proves you don’t have to feel fearless to lead—you just have to move through it.

📘 Power Without Permission
Kana is a co-author in Power Without Permission. Get your copy at leadersadapt.com/book and join the community of women building unapologetic leadership from the inside out.

Visit www.leadersadapt.com/adaptordie for show notes, free resources, and coaching programs.

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/andreas-pettersson