We were lucky to catch up with Lauren Bronson Petrous recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Lauren, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
Resilience isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build. Mine was forged in the moments I didn’t think I’d get back up but did anyway. It came from navigating tough conversations, standing my ground when it would’ve been easier to shrink, and choosing growth over comfort—again and again.
I don’t romanticize hardship. It’s exhausting, it’s unfair, and sometimes, it knocks the wind out of you. But I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about avoiding the hard stuff; it’s about facing it, learning from it, and refusing to let it define you. It’s about knowing who you are, what you stand for, and making the choice—daily—to keep moving forward, even when it’s messy.
For me, resilience is equal parts faith, experience, and sheer grit. I don’t bounce back—I build back, stronger every time.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I equip leaders and global organizations with the clarity and confidence they need to propel their mission forward, amplify impact and create a culture that thrives. A major component to that is helping leaders reframe the way they see conflict—because “tough conversations” in any situations are really just developmental opportunities. In friendships a developmental opportunity to go deeper, with your colleagues its an opportunity to earn trust. with clients its an opportunity to reflect your integrity. The moments we avoid are often the ones that have the most potential to create growth, connection, and clarity. But most people are never taught how to navigate them well, so they default to avoidance, defensiveness, or damage control.
Through my company, Boundless & Co., I work with mission-driven leaders to develop the skills, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence to turn these developmental conversations into breakthroughs. Whether it’s guiding an executive through a high-stakes negotiation, helping a leadership team build a healthier culture, or coaching a woman to own her voice in the boardroom, my work is about creating lasting, meaningful change.
What excites me most? Seeing people step into their full power. Watching a leader go from second-guessing themselves to handling a high-stakes situation with clarity and confidence—that’s the good stuff. I don’t believe in bandaid solutions or fluffy leadership jargon. I believe in tailored, actionable feedback that provides real, lasting transformation. I help my clients get there by identifying blindspots, challenging them to grow in areas of comfort or stagnation, while meeting each of them where they’re at and aligning my approach based on their unique goals and needs.
Right now, I’m focused on expanding my impact—leading intimate, high-caliber workshops for women, consulting with organizations who are interested making a difference in the world and bringing my approach to more leaders who are ready to stop circling the problem and start solving it. My goal is simple: to help people lead with courage, clarity, and conviction—
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Emotional Intelligence: The ability to understand and manage my own emotions, while also reading and responding to others’ emotions, has been the foundation of my leadership. Whether in high-stakes conversations or everyday interactions, EQ is what allows you to stay calm, connect authentically, and handle difficult situations with empathy and clarity.
Advice: Start by practicing self-awareness. Pay attention to how you react in challenging situations. What triggers you? What do you need to feel grounded? The more you can manage your own emotional responses, the more effectively you’ll be able to lead and navigate relationships. To grow in self-awareness often requires unbiased third parties – reach out to a therapist or a coach (Check us out on https://www.boundlessandco.com for help).
2. Faith and Purpose-Driven Mindset: My Faith has been by true North. The compass guiding me through uncertainty, and in that I find a purpose that is bigger than myself – which gives me the fuel to move forward and wisdom to keep my ego at the door. When you’re rooted in something greater than yourself—whether it’s faith, a strong sense of purpose, or a vision that drives you—you can weather the storm. It’s not just about achieving goals; it’s about aligning with meaning and knowing that each step you take contributes to something bigger.
Advice: Cultivate a sense of purpose that resonates deeply with you. Understand why you do what you do, beyond the surface level. That sense of meaning will give you clarity during tough times and help you stay grounded in your bigger vision. Trust that your path is aligned with something greater than yourself and if you don’t know what that looks like, again reach out for help at Boundless & Co. we’d love to chat with you more about this.
3. The Ability to Embrace Discomfort: Growth never happens in comfort zones. I’ve learned that leaning into the things that scare me—whether it’s having difficult conversations, standing up for myself, or stepping into new ventures—has been one of the most transformative practices in my career. Growth isn’t supposed to feel easy, and the sooner we accept that, the faster we’ll unlock our potential and enhance our impact in the world.
Advice: Don’t shy away from discomfort. It’s in those moments of vulnerability and uncertainty that you’ll find the biggest opportunities for growth. Seek out challenges and take the leap before you feel “ready.”
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes, I’m always open to collaboration with like-minded individuals and organizations who are passionate about making a meaningful impact. I’m particularly interested in partnering with those who share a commitment to developing strong leaders, fostering healthy team cultures, and empowering individuals to step into their full potential. This could be other coaches, thought leaders, organizations in the leadership development space, or companies that are looking to create environments where people thrive.
If you’re someone who is purpose-driven, believes in the power of vulnerability and emotional intelligence, and is looking to create lasting change, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s connect and explore how we can support each other’s work and create something powerful together.
You can reach out to me directly through my website or email, or find me on LinkedIn or Instagram. I’m always open to meaningful conversations and potential partnerships that align with the values of Boundless & Co.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.boundlessandco.com
- Instagram: @laurenbronsonpetrous @boundless_andco
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenjbronson/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@laurenbronsonpetrous
Image Credits
Jessica Snow
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