The Unworthy Leader Podcast: The Journey of a Speaker: From Doubt to Success (EP14)

Welcome back to The Unworthy Leader Podcast, where we challenge the myth of perfect leadership and celebrate the messy, honest, and heart-driven path to impact. In this episode, Kendra Dahlstrom—executive coach to Fortune 500 leaders—sits down with Grant Baldwin, founder of The Speaker Lab, successful entrepreneur, and the mentor who helped launch Kendra’s speaking journey.

Together, they unpack what it really takes to lead, speak, and succeed while managing imposter thoughts, self-doubt, and the often-invisible labor of chasing big goals. Whether you’re building a business, leading cross-functional teams, or simply trying to find your voice, this conversation is packed with truth bombs, tactical advice, and empowering reminders that heworth—your internal sense of worth—isn’t earned through titles, but through showing up as you are.

💡 Key Topics

🎤 Speaking as a “Normal Person”
You don’t need to be a celebrity or a bestselling author to speak professionally. Grant breaks down how everyday professionals can build thriving speaking careers by solving one clear problem for one specific audience—a message especially powerful for unpopular teams or underrepresented voices in leadership.

🧠 Self-Doubt in Leadership Roles
Both Grant and Kendra share how self-doubt never really disappears—even for top performers. The key is not eliminating it, but learning to lead with it. Their stories reinforce that the leaders you admire most are often wrestling with the same inner critic you are.

💥 You Can’t Fake Effort
“You can’t put in amateur effort and expect professional results.” Whether you’re launching a keynote career or leading a growing team, Grant emphasizes the importance of treating your goals like a business. Practice, persistence, and process matter—because mistakes in leadership are often tied to cutting corners or avoiding the real work.

🎭 From Performing to Connecting
In a world full of polished personas, Grant encourages leaders and speakers to shift from “impressing” to “connecting.” His unique coaching style invites more authenticity on stage and in the boardroom—a principle that aligns with ethical leadership and building cultures of trust.

🎧 Loved this episode? Don’t stop here.
Hit subscribe to never miss a conversation that redefines leadership from the inside out. If Grant’s story resonated with you, share this episode with a friend or teammate navigating self-doubt—and leave a quick review to help more leaders discover the power of honest, imperfect leadership.

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