Podcast details

Most people wait for permission before they back themselves. Some wait for decades.

In this episode of Internal Momentum, Ben Wendel sits down with Melanie Marshall to unpack what it takes to back yourself, lead through uncertainty, and create trust with people who have every reason to hold it back.

Melanie shares what it was like spending years inside big organisations, from government departments to large private companies, and constantly being told she was too passionate, too vocal, too fast.

She had never been around people who ran their own businesses, until one conversation made her question everything and inspired her to break out on her own.

She opens up about the confidence wobbles that still show up every time she levels up, why she is more risk-averse than she would like to be, and the belief that carries her through them.

Ben and Melanie explore the messier side of growth. Ben admits he has held back from growing his own business and struggled getting teams on the same page when he had lost confidence in the direction himself.

Melanie explains why getting everyone on the same page can be difficult, why experts forget half the steps when they hand work over, and why your best people are often quietly burning out on work they’re good at but hate.

When the conversation turns to trust. Ben confesses that the idea of someone not trusting him almost offends him.

Together they unpack why every new relationship is paying for the sins of whoever came before, and why owning a mistake can build more trust than never making one.

If you’ve ever been told you are too much for the role you are in, or held back from growing because of what growth might cost you, this episode will help you back yourself.

Chapters:

00:56 The Journey of Backing Yourself

05:50 The Importance of Self-Trust

08:15 Maturity and Readiness for Opportunities

10:49 Navigating Leadership Challenges

14:10 The Balance of Delegation and Control

22:07 The Complexity of Expertise and Training

25:33 Navigating Change and Team Dynamics

30:45 Understanding Strengths and Delegation

34:39 Building Trust in Leadership

40:58 Building Trust Through Empathy

43:43 The Importance of Transparency in Business Relationships

45:04 Navigating Challenges with Honesty

46:28 The Value of Specialisation and Collaboration

48:01 The Power of Partnerships in Business

49:52 Exploring Identity and Belief in Business Growth

About the host

Ben Wendel created Internal Momentum for ambitious business owners who want more than tactics.

Through practical business experience and candid discussions with entrepreneurs, leaders, and experts, Ben helps business owners create momentum, build systems they control, and grow businesses and lives that align with who they truly are, not who they think they're supposed to be.

About the guest

Melanie Marshall is a globally recognised transformation expert. She works with CEOs, executive teams, and business owners to remove operational friction, lift leadership capability, and build trust at scale.

Melanie is the author of Trust and Adaptive Excellence, and founder of Adapt & Excel.