It's Not Power That Corrupts--It's Pressure: Sabina Nawaz on Micro Habits and Blank Space

In this episode of The Coaching Edge Podcast, hosts Erwin de Grave and Dr. Steve Jeffs sit down with executive coach and author Sabina Nawaz to explore why leadership fails under strain—and how to fix it. Drawing on 12,000+ pages of verbatim 360° feedback and her new book You’re the Boss (Simon & Schuster, 2025), Sabina argues that pressure—not power—corrupts leaders. She introduces two deceptively simple antidotes: Blank Space (scheduled time to do “nothing” so insight can surface) and micro habits (behaviors so small they’re almost laughable—think one mindful breath a day). The conversation ranges from C-suite structure and pre-game rituals to practicing calm under low stakes so it’s available when it counts. Practical, contrarian, and deeply humane.

Watch the full episode here: https://thecoachingedgepodcast.com/its-not-power-that-corruptsits-pressure-sabina-nawaz-on-micro-habits-and-blank-space/