The Synopsis
Have you ever felt like an imposter in your own life or career? It’s a common feeling, but it can be the single biggest barrier to reaching your full potential. According to leadership coach and author Cathy Burke, the solution isn’t to fake it until you make it. Instead, the key is to cultivate a powerful leadership framework that allows you to lead authentically from within, no matter your circumstances.
In a recent episode of the Always Be Connecting podcast, Burke, the former CEO of The Hunger Project Australia, shared insights from her book Lead In. Her philosophy is built on decades of experience working with “unlikely leaders”—people in impoverished villages who created extraordinary change without any formal authority. This work taught her that leadership isn’t about a title or position; it’s an inside job that starts with your beliefs.
The “Inside Job”: Why Your Mindset Comes First
Many people believe that leadership is about taking specific external actions. However, Burke argues that sustainable leadership begins with internal work. Your actions are always a reflection of your beliefs. If you believe you’re not capable, your actions will be hesitant and small.
Burke explains that a true leadership mindset isn’t about ignoring difficult realities with “positive thinking”. It’s about honestly assessing a situation and then choosing to focus on your own agency and capacity to create change. This shift allows you to move from reacting to circumstances to powerfully shaping your own path.
The 3 Pillars of a Strong Leadership Framework
To make this internal work practical, Burke developed a transformative “three-legged stool” framework. Each part supports the others to build a stable and resilient foundation for your leadership.
Mindset: The Stories You Tell Yourself
This is the foundation—what you believe about a situation and your ability to influence it. It involves noticing the limiting stories you tell yourself, questioning if they are true, and consciously choosing a new, more empowering belief to act from.
Heartset: The Courage to Be Vulnerable
Mindset alone isn’t enough, as many of our limiting beliefs are tied to old emotional wounds. Heartset is about accessing the courage and tenderness needed to move forward despite fear and vulnerability. It’s about acknowledging the past without letting it define your future.
Soulset: Your Deeper “Why”
Finally, Soulset connects your leadership to your purpose. This is your reason for doing the work—the vision that pulls you forward. When your actions are aligned with your soul’s purpose, your leadership mindset becomes incredibly resilient, even during challenging times.
From “I’m Not Enough” to Unstoppable
Ultimately, this framework is designed to dismantle the most common limiting belief of all: “I’m not enough”. This feeling often leads to a scarcity mindset, where you constantly feel you lack the time, resources, or experience to succeed.
By doing the work on your Mindset, Heartset, and Soulset, you can build a new leadership framework grounded in self-worth and resourcefulness. You begin to see that you are enough, just as you are, to begin creating the impact you desire. This internal shift is the first and most important step to becoming the leader you were meant to be.