Archives: From Shame to Self-Awareness — A Leadership Transformation with Sabrina Moon

My Favorite Mistake: Business Lessons from Failures and Success

In this bonus re-release, we revisit an important and timely conversation with Sabrina Moon, Founder and CEO of The Problem Solving Institute and a certified Dare to Lead™ facilitator.

Originally aired as Episode #35 of My Favorite Mistake, this conversation remains one of the most powerful and honest reflections on leadership, shame, and transformation.

Episode page with transcript and more

🔍 What You’ll Hear:

• Sabrina’s “favorite mistake” — using shame as a leadership tool in high-stress environments

• The culture of command-and-control leadership she inherited (and how she broke the cycle)

• How Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability and shame helped her lead differently

• The personal toll of shame-based leadership — on her team and herself

• Why self-awareness is a skill—and how we can build it

• The role of grace, compassion, and curiosity in becoming a better leader

“We use shame and the fear of shame to motivate, but I think in an unhealthy way. I would utilize shame because it was the last tool in my toolbox and I was desperate.” — Sabrina Moon

👤 About Sabrina Moon:

Sabrina is a leadership coach and consultant who helps organizations move from reactive command-and-control cultures to psychologically safe environments where continuous improvement and innovation can thrive.

Connect with her at ProblemSI.com or on LinkedIn.

✨ Why Re-Release This Episode?

As more organizations reflect on how culture impacts performance, engagement, and well-being, this episode offers essential insights for leaders at every level. Whether you're managing a team or transforming a system, Sabrina's story reminds us that who we are as leaders matters just as much as what we do.