S2E02: From Google to Leading Change

We often think great leadership is about having all the answers and staying composed under pressure. But what if the real key to leading a high-performing team is being open about your mistakes?

In this episode, Kim Wylie reflects on two decades of leadership experience at Google, Farfetch, and scale-ups—sharing what actually builds trust and performance when you’re stepping into a new team.

We talk about:

• Why trying to be the perfect manager backfires

• How Kim built psychological safety in a team that didn’t trust her at first

• How to handle resistance to new ways of working in distributed teams

• The team rituals she uses to foster connection, even across regions

• What to do when your team gives you negative feedback

• The neuroscience of why solving everyone’s problems is not good leadership

• And how even senior leaders still struggle with imposter syndrome

This is a masterclass in human-centred leadership—with practical tools, real stories, and the kind of honest reflection most leaders wish they heard more often.

🧠 Some Takeaways

“If you’re a manager and you’re always solving everyone’s problems, you’re robbing them of that dopamine hit.”

“One of the biggest lessons I learned is that being vulnerable builds trust—and trust drives performance.”

“People need to see that how you show up on day one is how you’re going to keep showing up.”

🔗 Links & Resources

Follow Kim on LinkedIn

Watch the full video interview on YouTube

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