Morra Aarons-Mele is a renowned voice in the realm of leadership and mental health, bringing a fresh perspective to how executives and professionals can embrace and channel their anxiety to become resilient, impactful leaders. Known for her thought-provoking podcast, The Anxious Achiever, Morra redefines the relationship between mental health and success, advocating for a balanced, mindful approach to leadership.

Morra has a fascinating journey, from her early diagnosis of cyclothymia to her impactful work today helping leaders understand and leverage their mental health. One tool that stuck out in our conversation was how Morra spoke about giving anxiety a job—like a dog with a ball. This is her analogy about interrogating our difficult emotions and understanding what they're trying to tell us and how that can lead to profound personal and professional growth.

My favorite takeaway from the episode was about why managing difficult emotions isn't a sign of weakness; it’s a strategic weapon. This is crucial for leaders who often feel the pressure and weight of expectations. Morra nailed it when she said that many leaders would rather admit to cheating on their taxes than confess to feeling anxious! It's time we shift that mindset and embrace anxiety as a part of leadership. We might just find that those struggles, the very things we've been trying to hide, are actually our hidden superpowers. I’m truly inspired by her work, and I hope you all found the episode as enlightening as I did.

About Morra:

Morra Aarons-Mele is a movement builder. She’s an expert in helping people talk about hard things. Morra knows that taking your mental health seriously is a leadership strength, and her work won the Media Award from Mental Health America in 2023. She hosts The Anxious Achiever podcast for LinkedIn Presents, which is a Webby Awards Honoree, “Best Commute Podcast” Signal Award winner, and is frequently a top 10 management podcast and top 50 business podcast. She's passionate about helping people rethink the relationship between their mental health and their success. Her second book, The Anxious Achiever: Turn Your Biggest Fears into Your Leadership Superpower, was published by Harvard Business Review Press in April 2023. Her bestselling first book Hiding in the Bathroom: How to Get Out There When You’d Rather Stay Home was published in 2017 by HarperCollins. Morra speaks to and consults frequently with Fortune 500 companies, startups, and U.S. Government agencies. She is a LinkedIn "Top 10 Voice" in mental health and was shortlisted for the Thinkers50 2023 Distinguished Achievement in Leadership Award.

Morra Aarons-Mele is an entrepreneur and communications executive. In addition to her work in workplace mental health, Aarons-Mele founded the award-winning political and issue advocacy consulting agency Women Online and created its database of female influencers, the Mission List, which she sold in 2021. Morra was named 2020 Entrepreneur of the Year at the Iris Awards, created to recognize excellence among digital content creators. She has helped three US presidential candidates and a range of global mission-driven organizations create communications, marketing, and fundraising campaigns.

Aarons-Mele is also a prolific writer. Since 2004 she has covered the campaign trail, the White House, the lactation room, and the office cubicle. Her first book, Hiding in the Bathroom: How To Get Out There (When You'd Rather Stay Home), was published by Dey Street Books in 2017 and was an Amazon bestseller. She has written for the New York Times, Entrepreneur, Fast Company, Slate, InStyle, O, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and the Guardian.

Aarons-Mele has degrees from the Harvard Kennedy School and Brown University. She and Nicco Mele live in Boston with their three children.

TAKEWAYS:

Anxiety is a part of leadership: Instead of viewing anxiety as a flaw, Morra suggests it is often a natural component of high-stakes roles and can drive growth when managed properly.
Learning how to manage difficult emotions is a strategic weapon: By reframing difficult emotions as “energy in motion,” Morra teaches leaders to actively engage with their anxiety, likening it to a dog with a ball — give it a task, focus it, and let it fuel productive outcomes.

Show Notes

Morra’s Podcast: The Anxious Achiever
Listen to The Anxious Achiever
Through her podcast, Morra explores the complexities of mental health in the workplace, focusing on how professionals can turn their mental health challenges into strengths. Each episode dives into a different facet of emotional resilience, with conversations that help listeners rethink mental health not as an obstacle but as a facet of strong, thoughtful leadership.
Books by Morra Aarons-Mele
1. The Anxious Achiever: Turn Your Biggest Fears into Your Leadership Superpower
  Available on Amazon
This book guides readers through the journey of embracing anxiety and transforming it into a leadership asset. Morra discusses strategies for handling challenging emotions in ways that enhance focus and performance.
1. Hiding in the Bathroom: How to Get Out There (When You'd Rather Stay In)
  Available on Amazon
For those who find the spotlight daunting, this book offers practical advice on how to build a successful career without sacrificing personal well-being. Morra shares insights on how introverts can thrive in leadership by honoring their own boundaries.
Key Concepts and Resources
- Emotional Agility by Susan David: A crucial read for those looking to understand how flexible thinking can transform one's approach to mental health in leadership.
- Journal Articles
Events and Highlights
Morra also contributed her insights to the John E. Martin Mental Healthcare Challenge in 2023, sharing strategies for integrating mental health into leadership. View highlights from 2021 and 2022.