She was told to lead from the back.

It sounded thoughtful. Humble. Empowering.

It didn’t work.

In this episode of The Worst Advice I Ever Got, Manya Whitaker shares how that advice led to confusion, stalled teams, and zero direction… and why real leadership can’t come from hiding in the background.

As a college president and CEO, Manya breaks down what actually works:
clear direction, visible leadership, and creating space for others to succeed without leaving them guessing.

This one gets into the real tension of leadership:
how to lead from the front without micromanaging, how to empower without disappearing, and why “humility” can sometimes backfire.

If you’ve ever been told to step back… this might change how you show up.

Listen now and subscribe for more episodes of The Worst Advice I Ever Got.

• (00:00:00) - The Worst Advice I Ever Got
• (00:00:51) - Dr. Whitaker on The Worst Advice She Ever Got
• (00:05:56) - What Made You a Leader?
• (00:07:15) - Leading From the Back
• (00:08:44) - President of Colorado College on Leading From the Front
• (00:14:48) - "Lead From the Back"
• (00:15:52) - What's the Hardest Part of Leading From the Front?
• (00:18:24) - Tom Clancy on Leading From the Back
• (00:21:08) - What Do We Do for People Who Want to Lead From the Front
• (00:25:42) - Dr. Whitaker on The Worst Advice Ever
• (00:27:36) - Dr. Whitaker on The Worst Advice I Ever Got

Early in her career, Hala Moddelmog was told something that stopped a lot of people before they even start.

Women can’t have it all.

She heard it at the exact moment she had the chance to step into a top leadership role. And instead of backing off, she decided to go for it anyway.

She went on to lead major organizations, build an incredible career, and raise a family along the way.

This episode is about what it actually means to “have it all,” what it really costs, and why letting someone else define your limits might be the worst advice of all.

• (00:00:00) - The Worst Advice I Ever Got
• (00:00:56) - Wonders of the World:
• (00:05:43) - Have You Got It All?
• (00:11:20) - Had It All: Marian Woodruff
• (00:15:11) - Helena Smith on Trying to Have It All
• (00:18:15) - The Worst Advice I Ever Got

Early in his career, Jamie Mantzouridis was told something that actually made sense.

If you want to be taken seriously as a trainer, you need to look the part.

So he went all in.

He transformed his body, built credibility fast, and started getting results. But the deeper he went, the harder it became to see where the line was between discipline and damage.

This episode is about what happens when the thing that makes you credible starts to cost you more than it’s worth.

• (00:00:00) - Best Advice I Ever Got
• (00:00:44) - The Worst Advice You Ever Got
• (00:02:49) - Back to college: The partying and the work
• (00:03:49) - What did your life look like after you left university?
• (00:05:19) - Becoming a Personal Trainer Was An Instant Decision
• (00:10:20) - Diabetes Survivor on Taking Steroids
• (00:14:52) - The Biggest Bodybuilder Coach's Transformation
• (00:17:34) - The Secret to Becoming a Personal Trainer
• (00:20:42) - The Worst Advice I Ever Got