This Week in Boundless: Leadership, Growth, and Impact

Here’s what’s in store for you this week on Boundless:

• Why Most Leaders Fail (And How You Can Avoid It):
• High-Noon Series Kickoff:
• Tonight’s Book Discussion – Cues by Vanessa Van Edwards:
• Experience Design: Helping Your Company Thrive: We’ve packed this week’s newsletter with actionable insights to help you lead confidently, grow personally, and create lasting impact.

Why Most Leaders Fail (And How You Can Avoid It)

Let’s face it—leadership is hard. What makes it even harder is when we hold onto beliefs that no longer serve us. It’s not intentional, but it happens to the best of us. This tendency to cling to outdated ideas, even when evidence suggests otherwise, is called belief perseverance. And if you’re not careful, it can quietly undermine your effectiveness as a leader.

Belief perseverance keeps you stuck. It blinds you to new ideas, stifles innovation, and holds your team back from reaching its potential. The leaders who thrive aren’t the ones with all the answers—they’re the ones who know when it’s time to question their assumptions.

Here are 10 examples of belief perseverance in leadership. How many of these sound familiar?

1. Remote work isn’t productive.
2. Micromanagement is necessary to get things done right.
3. Feedback isn’t needed if things seem fine.
4. Old strategies will work if you just execute harder.
5. Tenure matters more than performance when promoting.
6. Emotional intelligence is overrated compared to technical skills.
7. Short-term wins are the only way to succeed.
8. “Culture fit” should be prioritized over diversity.
9. Delegating tasks makes you look weak.
10. Leadership development is a nice-to-have, not a need-to-have.

These beliefs are comfortable. They feel safe. But they also keep you and your team from growing. The best leaders learn to recognize these mental roadblocks and actively challenge them.

At Boundless, we’re all about helping leaders like you break free from old patterns. Through our community, coaching, and peer support, we’ll equip you with the tools and insights you need to become the leader you want to be.

It’s time to think differently—and lead boldly.

This Week on Boundless: High-Noon Series Kickoff

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our High-Noon Series! Starting this week, we’ll publish a new installment every day at noon over the next two weeks, diving deep into the journey from middle management to the executive level.

This 10-part series is designed to equip you with the tools, mindset, and strategies you need to rise to the top. Each post builds on the last, creating a clear and actionable roadmap to help you succeed.

Kicking Off Today: Mapping Your Path to the Executive Level

The first step to leadership success is understanding where you’re going. Today’s post will help you:

• Define your long-term career aspirations.
• Break down your path into achievable milestones for the next 1, 3, and 5 years.
• Identify the critical skills and experiences needed to advance.

Whether you’re dreaming of the C-suite or taking the next big step in your career, this post lays the groundwork to turn those goals into reality.

Here’s What’s Coming Over the Next Two Weeks:

1. The Shift from Manager to Leader
2. Mastering Strategic Thinking
3. Building Executive Presence
4. Developing Cross-Functional Expertise
5. Leading Through Influence Without Authority
6. Networking to Propel Your Career Forward
7. Taking Calculated Risks for Career Growth
8. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome as You Level Up
9. Preparing for Executive-Level Interviews

Each post will go live daily at noon, giving you a regular dose of insights and inspiration to elevate your leadership skills.

Join the Conversation

We want you to engage with the community as we explore these topics. After reading today’s post, reflect on these questions:

• What are your long-term career aspirations?
• How do you plan to build the skills and experiences needed to get there?
• What challenges have you faced in creating a clear career roadmap?

Share your thoughts and learn from others on the Boundless platform.

Don’t miss the first post in the series, Mapping Your Path to the Executive Level, live today at high-noon at https://members.boundlessnewleaders.com.

Tonight’s Book Discussion: “Cues” by Vanessa Van Edwards

Get ready for an exciting conversation tonight as we dive into Cues by Vanessa Van Edwards, a must-read for anyone looking to level up their communication and leadership presence. This book is packed with actionable insights about the power of nonverbal communication, the hidden signals we send and receive, and how mastering these cues can transform the way we lead, connect, and influence.

Van Edwards takes a deep dive into the science of body language, vocal tone, and subtle behavioral cues that make a big impact. She shares practical strategies for decoding these signals and using them intentionally to project confidence, build trust, and create meaningful connections in both personal and professional settings.

Why Cues Matters for Leaders

As leaders, communication is everything. It’s not just about what you say—it’s about how you say it, how you show up, and the unspoken signals you send in every interaction. Whether you’re leading a team meeting, negotiating a deal, or building relationships with peers, mastering your cues can elevate your leadership to the next level.

Join the Discussion

Tonight’s book discussion is your chance to connect with fellow Boundless members and share your insights on Cues. Let’s talk about how we can apply these principles to become better communicators and leaders.

When: Monday, January 27 at 8:00 PM
​Where: Zoom. Mark yourself as "Attending" and you'll get the link to join

Bring your thoughts, questions, and real-life examples. Haven’t read the whole book? No problem—just come ready to learn and engage.

Leadership is a journey of constant growth. Understanding the science of cues can give you the edge you need to inspire trust, lead confidently, and create lasting impact.

See you tonight for an inspiring discussion!

It's Your Job to Understand Experience Design so you can Help Your Company Thrive

At Boundless, we’re focused on helping you grow as a leader, but we also recognize that great leaders do more than manage teams—they help their companies succeed. One powerful way to make a meaningful impact on your organization is through experience design, a modern approach to understanding and improving how customers interact with your business.

What Is Experience Design?

Experience design is all about intentionally crafting seamless, impactful interactions that leave your customers satisfied and loyal. A key tool in this practice is the experience design map—a visual representation of every touchpoint a customer has with your company, from their first encounter to their ongoing relationship.

An experience design map doesn’t just highlight what’s broken—it reveals opportunities to create a more engaging, valuable experience for your customers. When done well, it aligns teams, drives growth, and ensures your company stands out in a competitive market.

Why Experience Design Matters to Your Company

Every business needs to prioritize the customer experience to stay competitive. Leaders who embrace experience design can help their companies thrive by:

1. Building Stronger Connections: Understanding what customers value creates deeper loyalty and trust.
2. Solving Friction Points: Identifying and addressing pain points improves satisfaction and retention.
3. Fostering Collaboration: Experience design brings teams like marketing, sales, and operations together around a common goal.
4. Driving Results: Happy customers mean repeat business, better reviews, and long-term growth.

How to Create an Experience Design Map

Here’s how you can begin mapping out the customer experience for your organization:

1. Define the Key Stages: Identify major phases of the customer lifecycle (e.g., awareness, consideration, purchase, and retention).
2. Identify Customer Touchpoints: Map out every interaction your customers have with your business at each stage.
3. Collect Insights: Use customer feedback, surveys, and data to uncover what’s working and what’s not.
4. Collaborate with Teams: Involve everyone who impacts the customer experience to brainstorm and implement improvements.
5. Prioritize Impactful Changes: Focus on areas that will make the biggest difference to customer satisfaction and loyalty.

The Bigger Picture: Thriving Through Experience Design

Experience design isn’t just about making customers happy—it’s about driving sustainable growth for your company. By identifying opportunities to improve, aligning teams around the customer, and taking action on what matters most, you can help your business stand out and prosper in today’s competitive environment.

Ready to learn more about how you can help your organization thrive? Join us in the Boundless community to share insights and explore practical tools like experience design.

Bring a Friend Along for the Journey​
Leadership is better with community, and Boundless is growing every day. Invite a friend or colleague to join us. Whether they’re navigating a new leadership role or looking to level up, there’s a place for them here. Share this link to join: https://www.boundlessnewleaders.com.