In this episode of The Huddle Leadership Podcast, host Kate Russell welcomes Leah Fogarty, performance psychologist, who explores the psychology behind peak performance and reveals how fear becomes our biggest barrier to success. Leah shares transformative insights on reframing failure, building trust, and developing emotional intelligence that can revolutionise performance in both sporting and corporate environments.
Key Takeaways
Fear management is fundamental to performance - Fear acts as the biggest handbrake to achieving our goals, but making friends with fear transforms it from enemy to ally
Reframing failure accelerates growth - Viewing failure as a learning opportunity rather than defeat creates resilience and continuous improvement
Curiosity beats judgment in feedback - Approaching performance reviews and mistakes with "what happened?" instead of criticism leads to breakthrough insights
Emotional intelligence drives high-pressure success - Managing emotional responses in critical moments separates good performers from great ones
Selective opinion filtering protects mental performance - Identifying whose opinions truly matter shields you from destructive external noise
Trust is the foundation of team performance - Teams with deep trust anticipate, support, and elevate each other's performance naturally
Vulnerability enables accountability - Leaders who show vulnerability create environments where team members take ownership and responsibility
Connection creates emotional safety - Performance thrives when individuals feel psychologically safe to take risks and be authentic
Fun environments reduce performance anxiety - Creating enjoyable atmospheres naturally diminishes fear of failure and enhances creativity
Feedback prevents negative narratives - Regular, constructive feedback stops destructive internal stories from taking root and damaging confidence
Episode Timeline
00:00 Introduction to performance psychology and overcoming barriers
03:00 Understanding the role of a performance psychologist in various settings
06:00 The impact of fear and anxiety on performance across sports and corporate environments
08:56 Reframing failure: introducing the three F's framework for growth
12:08 Applying psychological principles in corporate settings and leadership
19:10 The power of curiosity and present-moment awareness
20:06 Emotional intelligence strategies for high-pressure situations
22:01 Identifying whose opinions matter: filtering external criticism
24:43 Building trust within teams and organisations
26:42 The science of trust and interpersonal connection
29:38 Accountability and vulnerability in effective leadership
30:51 The importance of feedback and validation in team dynamics
Featured Discussion
Leah Fogarty brings a unique perspective to performance psychology, working across both athletic and corporate environments to help individuals and teams unlock their potential. She reveals how fear operates as the primary barrier to peak performance and shares practical strategies for transforming that fear into fuel for growth. Her approach emphasises the critical role of emotional safety, trust-building, and reframing failure as essential components of high-performance environments. Leah demonstrates how the principles that drive sporting excellence translate directly to corporate leadership, offering listeners actionable insights for managing pressure, building resilient teams, and creating cultures of continuous improvement.
Quotable Moments
"Fear is the biggest handbrake."
"We need to make friends with fear."
"Remain curious instead of judgmental."
"Be curious, not judgmental."
"Whose opinion of you really matters?"
"We might have to get you back on."
This episode provides essential insights for leaders, coaches, and high performers seeking to break through psychological barriers and create environments where individuals and teams can thrive under pressure. Leah's expertise in both sports and corporate psychology offers listeners practical tools for managing fear, building trust, and developing the emotional intelligence necessary for sustained high performance in any challenging environment.
Connect with Leah Fogarty
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