Embrace Inner Conflict to Lead Better with Paul Wyman on Leadership Development

When Confusion Isn’t the Problem, It’s the Doorway

Paul Wyman spent years climbing the ladder: director of people development, internal executive coach, and professional stability. But something wasn’t right.

In today’s episode, Paul shares how boredom, misalignment, and a quiet inner voice led him to walk away from corporate comfort and launch Inner Team Dialogue, a radical coaching methodology that helps leaders make peace with their inner conflict.

Through laughter, honesty, and deep wisdom, Paul and MaryAnn explore why embracing ambivalence is not weakness; it’s wisdom. And how honoring your internal “team” can unlock the kind of grounded leadership the world desperately needs.

The Disruption: When Corporate Success Isn’t Enough

Paul had what many coaches dream of: an internal executive coaching role with a steady paycheck and a full roster of clients. But he was slowly dying inside. The work felt surface-level. Clients didn’t want transformation; they wanted marginal improvement… But then, one session changed everything when a partner's only goal was to avoid failure. That moment broke the illusion.

Paul realized, “I can’t sacrifice the thing I’m in the world to do any further.”

The Inner Work: Listening to Every Part of Yourself

Paul didn’t just change jobs. He changed how he related to himself. Through the development of Inner Team Dialogue, he discovered that leadership isn’t about silencing the inner critic; it’s about listening to all voices inside you with curiosity and compassion.

“Ambivalence isn’t a problem. It’s having two powers inside you. And both deserve to be heard.”

This inner work led Paul to teach others how to navigate internal conflict, resistance, and self-doubt; not by overriding them, but by forming a relationship with them.

The Rebuild: Purpose Over Safety

Leaving corporate life meant confronting fear. Would clients come? Could he build something from scratch? The answer was yes… but only because he started choosing purpose over safety. With referrals pouring in and a growing circle of practitioners using his method, Paul found clarity through vulnerability.

“You can’t be your own adversary and hope to create in the world. You have to be your own ally.”

What I Know Now

• Ambivalence is intelligence. It's not confusion; it's complexity. And it's part of being human.
  
  
• You don’t need to dominate your inner critic. You need to listen, bow, and lead.
  
  
• Leadership starts inside. If you can’t include all parts of yourself, how can you include others?
  
  
• Success isn’t clarity; it’s alignment. Even with fear, you can move forward when you’re aligned.
  
  

🎧 Listen to the full episode now!