BEST OF: The People-Pleasing Trap: How Laura Henshaw escaped it (and how you can too)

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Jan 7, 2026

Laura Henshaw, co-founder and CEO of the KIC app, dives into her journey of overcoming people-pleasing in leadership. She reveals how her need for approval limited her effectiveness and the transformative impact of coaching. Emphasizing the importance of clarity over the conventional 'shit sandwich' approach to feedback, Laura champions radical candor. She also discusses strategies for managing burnout, setting boundaries, and reframing challenges as learning opportunities, underscoring her mantra: 'I am good enough and I'm safe.'

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INSIGHT

Respect Not Likes

Laura Henshaw realised her drive to be liked was actually a desire to be respected.
She recognised people-pleasing led her to lead from fear and avoid necessary decisions.

ADVICE

Lead Despite Disagreement

Focus on earning respect through strong leadership rather than universal likability.
Accept that most decisions will displease someone and lead anyway.

ADVICE

Be Clear—Feedback Is Kindness

Give clear feedback; clarity is a kindness and helps people grow.
Avoid the overly padded "shit sandwich" and deliver the core message plainly with empathy.

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**BEST OF**

Do you find yourself constantly trying to ensure people like you? Bending over backwards to avoid giving bad news or make someone unhappy?

What if the extra reassurance, and the fear of being too direct are actually causing more harm than good?

To dive into this topic, we’re joined by Laura Henshaw to talk about how she realised her need to be liked was affecting those working under her.

Laura Henshaw is a dynamic force in the health and wellness industry. As the co-founder and CEO of the incredibly successful KIC app and community, she leads a mission to reshape how people perceive wellness and their relationship with themselves.

And they are certainly having an impact, with the KIC app currently sitting at over 2.5 million users and reaching people in over 120 countries.

Outside of business, Laura co-hosts the chart topping Kicpod podcast, where she engages in candid conversations on health, wellness, and personal growth. She also shares her insights through a monthly column in Vogue.

Laura shares:

The ways your people-pleasing could be holding you back.
Why giving feedback as a "shit sandwich" doesn’t actually work.
How she changed her people-pleasing behaviour.
Why you’ll never succeed at getting everyone to like your decisions.
The one thing you should prioritise over kindness when giving feedback.

Key Quotes:

“How hard I work has nothing to do with how worthy I am as a person.”

“Most decisions you make there is going to be someone that’s not going to like the decision.”

Connect with Laura on Instagram, subscribe to KIC APP and follow KIC Pod

My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/

Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber)

Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai)

If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe

Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.

Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au

Credits:

Host: Amantha Imber

Sound Engineer: The Podcast Butler

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