Struggling to get honest feedback from your team or colleagues? You’re not alone—and you’re not doing anything wrong. In this episode of The Inspired Healthcare Leader, we unpack why traditional feedback-seeking often backfires, and how one simple shift—asking for advice instead—can change everything. Backed by research from Harvard and brought to life through a powerful real-world story, this episode offers a fresh, science-backed approach to getting real insight, building trust, and creating a culture of continuous improvement. If you’ve ever felt like you’re flying blind as a leader, this one’s for you. Website: https://maraergaszabari.com/

Is your team stuck in a cycle of miscommunication, low trust, or behind-the-back gossip? In this episode, we dive into the single most powerful leadership move you can make to shift your team from dysfunction to cohesion: co-created team agreements. Learn how this simple yet science-backed strategy taps into systems thinking, psychological safety, and self-organization to reset how your team works together. Whether you're managing ongoing tension or just want to strengthen your team's foundation, this episode gives you a clear step-by-step framework to build shared accountability, boost trust, and actually move forward—together. Website: https://maraergaszabari.com/

Ever wonder why your desperate pleas for more staff or resources feel like their falling on deaf ears, while thriving departments are getting their resource requests approved? It’s not personal. It’s a predictable system pattern called “Success to the Successful,” and it might be the single biggest reason your team stays under-resourced. In this episode, we’ll unpack the powerful feedback loops driving decisions in healthcare, explore why small wins matter way more than you think, and show you how to flip the script—so instead of spotlighting your struggles, you start building unstoppable momentum that leadership wants to invest in. Don’t keep spinning your wheels; learn how to get your own success snowball rolling. Website: https://maraergaszabari.com/

Ever had that staff member who’s clearly struggling—missing deadlines, making mistakes, rubbing people the wrong way—but looks at you like you’re the problem when you offer help? You’re not alone. In this episode, we unpack the psychology behind why brilliant healthcare staff sometimes can’t see their own impact, why traditional feedback fails, and how to coach in a way that builds safety and sparks true awareness. You’ll hear a real-world story of a nurse leader who transformed a defensive employee into an engaged team player—plus get practical scripts you can use right now. If you’re ready to move from power struggles to powerful growth, this episode is for you. Website: https://maraergaszabari.com/

Ever feel like you're one missed follow-up away from everything falling apart? Like the mental tabs never close and you're constantly bracing for the ball you might be dropping? You're not broken—you’re leading in one of the most complex systems there is. In this episode, we tackle the real root of that “always behind” feeling and share practical tools—calendar clarity, cognitive offloading, and digital task systems—that help you shift from panic to presence. If you're ready to reclaim your focus and lead with intention (without burning out), this one's for you.  Website: https://maraergaszabari.com/

What if the hardest parts of leadership weren’t signs of failure—but signs that you’re growing? In this episode, we explore the deeper personal development journey embedded in healthcare leadership, using Robert Kegan’s Adult Development Theory as our guide. You’ll discover how the challenges you face every day—from people-pleasing to decision paralysis to imposter syndrome—aren’t just obstacles… they’re invitations to evolve. If you’ve ever wondered why leadership feels so personal, so stretching, and so real—this episode is your roadmap to growing through it, not just surviving it. Website: https://maraergaszabari.com/

Ever feel like you're solving the same problems over and over again? In this episode of The Inspired Healthcare Leader Podcast, we uncover why even your most well-intended fixes might be backfiring—and what to do instead. From systems theory to brain science, you’ll learn why your leadership brain craves the dopamine of a quick win… and how that impulse can sabotage real progress. Discover how to spot a fix that’s about to fail, map your system, and design solutions that actually stick. This one’s packed with practical tools, a real-life case study, and a five-step approach to break free from the patch-and-repeat cycle. Don’t miss it—your team (and your sanity) will thank you. Website: https://maraergaszabari.com/

What if your toughest feedback wasn’t a sign of failure—but your leadership’s defining moment? In this episode of The Inspired Healthcare Leader, we reframe low engagement survey results as something more than just scores—they’re your call to rise. You have a choice: let the sting stop you… or let it strengthen you. Inside this episode, you’ll get a practical 4-step roadmap to shift from self-doubt to curiosity, from disconnection to meaningful dialogue—and you’ll be reminded that true leadership isn’t about never stumbling. It’s about how you rise. Because sometimes, the fall comes just before the standing ovation. Website: https://maraergaszabari.com/

Do you ever end your day replaying every little thing you did wrong—while everything you did right fades into the background? You're not alone. In this powerful episode, we explore why your brain is wired to focus on your flaws, how perfectionism sneaks into healthcare leadership, and what you can do to shift into a strength-based mindset that boosts confidence, resilience, and team impact. Drawing from neuroscience, real-world leadership experience, and practical strategies, this episode will help you quiet your inner critic, reclaim your gifts, and start leading from a place of grounded self-trust. Because the truth is—you already have what it takes. Website: https://maraergaszabari.com/

Ever wonder why someone suddenly snaps in a meeting—or why you sometimes shut down when things get tense? In this episode, we explore the concept of emotional armor—the unconscious protective strategies we all use when old wounds get triggered at work. Inspired by Dr. Michelle Brody’s book Own Your Armor, you’ll learn how to recognize these reactions in yourself and others, why they happen, and what neuroscience tells us about emotional survival in high-stress environments like healthcare. With practical tools and a powerful case study, you’ll discover how to lead more effectively by addressing what’s really happening under the table—where trust, growth, and real change begin Website: https://maraergaszabari.com/

Leadership isn’t just for those at the top—it’s for everyone. In this episode, we explore how shifting to an “everyone’s a leader” mindset can transform workplace dynamics, reduce bottlenecks, and create more agile, innovative, and resilient teams. Traditional hierarchies often trap workers in limiting roles, but by fostering ownership, initiative, and accountability at all levels, organizations can unlock their full potential. I’ll break down how leaders can coach rather than control, how frontline staff can step into leadership moments, and how this shift leads to better decision-making and team satisfaction. Tune in to discover how small changes can create big leadership wins!   Website: https://maraergaszabari.com/

Multidisciplinary meetings are supposed to drive collaboration—but too often, they quietly reinforce hierarchy and shut down innovation. In this episode, we unpack why even the best-intentioned leaders and team members unknowingly reinforce spaces where only a few voices dominate. You’ll learn how unconscious power dynamics shape team interactions, what science reveals about who gets heard (and who doesn’t), and five practical ways to redesign your meetings for real collaboration. If your team meetings look collaborative but feel performative—this episode is for you. Website: https://maraergaszabari.com/

In this episode, we’re diving deep into one of the biggest challenges healthcare leaders face: staying steady when everything feels like it’s on fire. When the pressure’s high and the urgency is overwhelming, your brain’s survival wiring kicks in—and emotional regulation can feel impossible. But here’s the truth: calm isn’t a luxury—it’s essential for powerful leadership. Tune in as I break down the science behind stress hijacking, share my real-world story of leading through total chaos in a NICU, and offer simple, practical steps to help you regulate yourself, even when your world feels like it’s spinning. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, reactive, or stuck in survival mode, this episode is packed with tools to help you lead with clarity, steadiness, and intention—no matter how high the winds get.

Are you stuck in a cycle of workplace drama—caught between staff conflicts, and the exhausting urge to fix it all? You’re not alone. In this episode, we unpack the hidden emotional roles leaders fall into—Victim, Persecutor, and Rescuer—known as the Drama Triangle. Learn how these patterns quietly sabotage your team’s growth and how to shift into the Empowerment Triangle instead—where leaders coach, not carry. If you’re ready to stop playing emotional referee and start building real accountability and communication, this episode is your roadmap. Website: https://maraergaszabari.com

Tired of feeling like you have to be perfect to lead well? You’re not alone. In this episode, we go beyond the leadership buzzword of “vulnerability” to explore something even more powerful: being real. You’ll learn why showing your full self—including your hope, doubt, strength, and humanity—isn’t just refreshing, it’s transformational. I'll dive into the research, share a real-world leadership story, and break down the difference between emotional reactivity and what I call “regulated realness.” If you’re a healthcare leader navigating stress, complexity, and high expectations, this episode is your permission slip to drop the mask and lead with your whole self. Website: https://maraergaszabari.com

Are you leading—or just putting out fires? In this episode of The Inspired Healthcare Leader Podcast, we tackle the leadership epidemic no one’s talking about: constant firefighting. If you’re always dealing with urgencies and your calendar is jammed with back-to-back meetings, your strategy time is MIA. And this episode is your wake-up call. Discover why being in reaction mode is keeping you stuck—and how deep, focused work is the real key to high-impact leadership. You’ll learn practical steps to reclaim your time, protect your energy, and finally lead with clarity instead of frenzy. It’s time to break the cycle and lead smarter. Website: https://maraergaszabari.com/

Is that eye-rolling, skeptical employee actually your team’s secret weapon? In this episode of the Inspired Healthcare Leader Podcast, we flip the script on workplace cynicism. Discover why your most challenging staff members—the ones who question, resist, and push back—might be your most passionate and untapped change agents. Learn how to distinguish cynicism from disengagement, explore real-world strategies for transforming resistance into leadership, and hear the powerful story of a “difficult” nurse who became a transformational leader. If you’re ready for real, gritty leadership insight, this episode is a must-listen. Website: https://maraergaszabari.com/

What if your greatest leadership breakthrough doesn’t come from a new strategy, but from a single, radical shift in thought? In this episode, we’re diving into the ultimate leadership hack—jumping trains. Learn how your brain’s Reticular Activating System (RAS) can either trap you in limitation or catapult you toward possibility, depending on the thoughts you choose to ride. I’ll show you how one mindset shift can transform not only your leadership but your entire team’s culture. This isn’t just theory—it’s neuroscience meets next-level leadership. If you’re ready to take control of your perspective, your energy, and your results, this episode is your invitation to make the jump. Website: https://maraergaszabari.com/

Most change efforts don’t fail because the idea is bad—they fail because of how they’re implemented. Traditional top-down change models often lead to resistance, frustration, and disengagement. But what if you flipped the script? In this episode, I introduce reverse implementation, a strategy that engages frontline staff from the start, leading to smoother rollouts, faster adoption, and stronger buy-in. I’ll share why starting with a proposal instead of a directive makes all the difference, and how involving the right people early can eliminate roadblocks before they even appear. You’ll also hear a real-world example of how I used this approach to successfully overhaul maternity workflows without pushback. Plus, I’ll break down exactly how you can apply this method in your own leadership, even when dealing with top-down mandates. If you’ve ever struggled to implement change without resistance, this episode is for you. Website: https://maraergaszabari.com

In this episode, we dive into the power of persistence, faith, and the daily leadership habits that can quietly shape a thriving, high-performing team culture. Just like Chinese bamboo, culture change takes time, but when it finally takes off, the results are nothing short of extraordinary. If you’ve ever wondered about how to change team culture and whether your efforts would make a difference, this episode is for you! When you set the right foundation, the breakthrough WILL come. Stay the course, nurture the growth, and watch your team soar! Website: https://maraergaszabari.com/