You’re not “just” anything: rethinking leadership, identity and assumptions at work (with Jess Lee)

You’re not “just” anything: rethinking leadership, identity and assumptions at work (with Jess Lee)

Author: People Soup April 13, 2026 Duration: 21:51

How often do we limit ourselves with the stories we tell?

“I’m not creative.”

“I’m just HR.”

“I’m not a leader.”

In this episode of People Soup, Ross McIntosh is joined by organisational psychologist Jess Lee to explore how these seemingly small phrases can have a big impact on how we think, behave, and show up at work.

Drawing on Jess’s experience across industries and cultures, they unpack how assumptions — about roles, industries, and even ourselves — can shape behaviour in subtle but powerful ways.

They also explore the reality of leadership today: why expectations can feel overwhelming, why leadership is more complex than we often acknowledge, and why the starting point might not be skills — but self-awareness.

This is a practical and reflective conversation about identity, leadership, and the human side of work.

What You’ll Learn

  • Why labels like “I’m not creative” can limit contribution
  • How assumptions show up across cultures and workplaces
  • The hidden impact of saying “I’m just…”
  • Why leadership isn’t about job titles
  • Why leadership can feel overwhelming — and what’s missing
  • The importance of self-awareness and self-leadership
  • How small pauses can create more intentional choices

People Soup: Real conversations about work, leadership, and being human — grounded in behavioural science, with practical ideas you can actually use.

If you’re enjoying People Soup, hit follow so you don’t miss future episodes.


Visit Ross' Website.

Connect with Ross on LinkedIn

People Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life

He's now also on Bluesky

The People Soup Website on CAPTIVATE


Ever wonder why we do the things we do, especially at work or when trying to lead others? People Soup digs into that question, but it doesn’t stop at theory. Each episode is built on a foundation of behavioural science, which means you’ll get more than just interesting stories-you’ll get a clearer understanding of the human ingredients that make up our daily interactions. The conversations here feel real and unscripted, often touching on the messy, rewarding, and sometimes frustrating experience of simply being human. You’ll find that this podcast operates at the intersection of our professional ambitions and our personal well-being, exploring how they influence each other in ways we might not immediately see. It’s for anyone who has left a meeting baffled by a colleague’s reaction, struggled to motivate a team, or just wanted to navigate their own goals with a bit more clarity and less friction. The ideas discussed are deliberately practical, designed to be used almost immediately, whether you’re looking to improve a process, a relationship, or your own mindset. Tune in for a blend of thoughtful analysis and actionable insight that aims to make the complex recipe of human behaviour a little easier to understand and work with.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

People Soup
Podcast Episodes
Navigating Legal Ethics and Well-Being with Lucinda Soon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:57
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 21 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers - In this episode I continue my chat with Lucinda Soon. Lucinda is a qualified solicitor and expert in profession…
The Road Less Paved with Lucinda Soon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:22
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 20 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. In this episode of People Soup, you'll meet Lucinda Soon. Lucinda is a qualified solicitor and expert in professional ethic…
Rethinking Leadership Development with Jessica Lee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:38
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 19 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers - In this episode I continue my chat with Jessica Lee. Jess is a chartered organizational psychologist and accred…
Energy, Passion and Fun with Jessica Lee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:22
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 18 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers - In this episode I chat with Jessica Lee. Jess is a chartered organizational psychologist and accredited EMCC co…
Coaching Through Burnout with Hazel Anderson-Turner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:14
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 17 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers - In this episode I continue my conversation with Hazel Anderson-Tuner. Hazel is a business psychologist and mind…
Bringing lightness to heavy topics with Hazel Anderson Turner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:00
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 16 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers - this week I chat with Hazel Anderson-Turner. Hazel is a business psychologist and mindset coach specialising in…
Navigating Self-Doubt with Sam Hart [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:36
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 15 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers - In this episode I continue my conversation with Sam Hart. Sam is many things - he's a podcast host, primary sch…
Flexibility, humility & personal growth with Sam Hart [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:51
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 14 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers - it's great to be back with a continuation of Season 6 after what turned into an extended festive break - blimey…
Flexible self concept with Dr Richard MacKinnon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:00
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 13 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. In this episode I conclude my collaboration with Dr Richard MacKinnon that started in Season 5. We're continuing our explor…
The Mindful Freak-Out with Dr Eric Goodman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:26
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 12 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. In this episode I continue my chat with Dr Eric Goodman and we dive into his new book, 'The Mindful Freak-Out - A rescue ma…