00:00:00 Sana: spend years chasing bigger goals, listeners, more income, bigger teams, more responsibility, more impact. But I mean, I think I believe that very few of us, we pause to ask a very deep question, a deeper question, do we actually have the capacity to hold what we are asking for? Because honestly, success is not just only about ambition. I believe it's about what your nervous system. Your, um, leadership and your identity can sustain without collapsing. Now let me, let me quote something Kay Hendricks wrote about wrote about this years ago. You know, psychologists sometimes talk about which is the upper limit problem, the idea that many people subconsciously Sabotage themselves once they reach a level of success that exceeds what they feel safe holding. And it's not because that they lack talent, but because they lack capacity and listeners. That word capacity is showing up everywhere lately. I mean, it's showing in leadership, entrepreneurship, relationships, and also in the way we build communities and companies. And let me tell a bit about my guest with all of you. She lives right at that intersection. But before that,

00:01:35 Sana: welcome back, listeners to this episode of the Biz Blend podcast. And now let's get back to our guest and my guest. She is, she's a, she's a producing broad gauge branch leader and the architect of high performance communities. She mentors loan officers, real estate professionals who want to scale their income, leadership, and influence, but with intention And her masterminds aren't casual networking rooms. They are environments built for expansion, and her work sits at a very powerful place the intersection of money, leverage, and human behavior. Because honestly, growth is really just about strategy listeners. It's about the person who has to hold the result. So listeners, let's welcome our guest, Kara Steele. Kara, welcome to the show and well, and it's really an honor to have you here with us.

00:02:34 Kara Steel: Thank you so much, Sana. It's an honor to be here.

00:02:38 Sana: Oh, and Cairo, that work capacity, I mean. Um, yes, I think, um, what I'm also personally seeing that, you know, a lot of us, we are using that in especially in the business conversations. I mean, but, but kind of kind of the interesting thing is that it can have different, different meanings, you know? Uh, so when you talk about someone's capacity to grow in that context. Um, are we talking about skill, um, or emotional resilience, um, leadership maturity, or is it something deeper than this?

00:03:16 Kara Steel: I would honestly say it's a combination of all of those things. And it's, it depends on what you're looking to do, right? Do you want more production? Do you want a bigger brand? Do you want a deeper relationship? Do you want a bigger team? All of those things kind of go into where, where is where do you need to hold the capacity? Where do you need to grow that space so you can actually allow yourself to expand, right? MM.

00:03:48 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah. And.

00:03:51 Sana: Uh, you know, some someone, you know, might know how to run a bigger operation. And, and this is something that I have also felt, and I'm very sure many of our listeners would have felt it, that, yes, we always try to achieve bigger and bigger. Um, and it can be multiple reasons. You know, there can be multiple reasons behind that, uh, drive to achieve bigger. I want to earn more. I want to, uh, I want to have more revenue. I want a bigger house or I want to have this and that, you know, different, different, uh, situations in there. But, uh, something that, you know, kind of even Harvard research on leadership development, it often points out that technical skill, it usually scales much faster than the psychological readiness. So I would love to know, I would love to know your viewpoint on this.

00:04:47 Kara Steel: Yeah. So let me take it back to, um, even from like being a young person and knowing what your, your limits are, think of, let's, let's take it outside the context of business. But I'm a runner, right? So I run for fun. And when I started to run, I could run one one mile at a time. Um, but from there and, and that was all I had capacity for. Right? Um, but I told myself I want to run a marathon and from there I had to build up the stamina. I had to build the endurance, I had to teach myself and train myself to expand my capacity to be able to do that. Right. And you think of that and you apply it to business. Do you want more production? Can you hold the follow up? Can you hold the systems? Can you hold the pressure or the leadership that comes with the actual production? Can you carry that capacity or what? If you want a bigger team, can you hold like, do you have the capacity to delegate, to trust and hold people compatible? Right. So it all goes down to what, what are my skills right now? Where are they at and who do I need to become? to increase my capacity to hold those things or to accomplish those things. So it's the nervous system, it's your discipline, it's who you are. And then it's your structure and your endurance to do it over and over again.

00:06:19 Speaker 3: MM mm.

00:06:21 Sana: So it's not just that you identify and, uh, you're aware that this is your capacity, but you kind of work on it so that you can actually honor all the components, you know, which are contributing to that capacity, not just your technical skills, but maybe your nervous system, your mental health. Um, or, you know, as I mentioned, like the psychological readiness thing in there.

00:06:48 Kara Steel: One hundred percent, like most importantly is the, is the psychological readiness, right? Um, and tell you hold that and you develop that nothing else matters because things are going to be rough. Things are going to be challenging. Um, but once you've developed the capacity for the emotional regulation of those things, the psychological regulation, um, that's when you'll notice your capacity change to carry those things.

00:07:20 Speaker 3: HMM. You know.

00:07:21 Sana: Actually, it makes sense. It does make sense. Okay. Um, before we talk about the ways to increase the work on the capacity, um, you know, because in your experience, you have, you are, you have been mentoring high performing professionals. Um, now, I mean, uh, it's, it's kind of very logical that, you know, high performing professionals or high achievers, they work a bit differently. So, uh, in your experience, what are the most common invisible limits? That gap, uh, you know, their capacity.

00:07:57 Kara Steel: And the most common would be discipline, right. Discipline systems. Just the tolerance for pressure itself. When people can't tolerate pressure, they tend to give up. No, tolerance for pressure is a big one. Um, their ability to delegate and not carry everything alone.

00:08:21 Speaker 3: HMM hmm.

00:08:24 Sana: And kind of the control thing, you know, because typically they are, they are quite, uh, they believe that, you know, that gives them that power to make everything in their favor.

00:08:34 Kara Steel: Yeah. And, and. Exactly. And they feel like I'm the only one who is. I'm the only one who can do it as well as I can do it. You know, it's a fear. It's a fear mindset.

00:08:45 Speaker 3: Yes. Fear mindset. Yeah, yeah yeah.

00:08:49 Sana: Let's move on to the building capacity intentionally, because that's where exactly our listeners will be more and more interested. Okay. We have identified, okay, this is happening. This is something which is legit. So let's talk about the solutions in there. So one thing that stands out about your work is that you design environments. Um, you design, um, communities, masterminds where expansion is expected. Now that is intentional and it's very different. You know, I actually personally haven't come across. I haven't seen in the traditional networking spaces, um, that they're more of a performative and, you know, kind of a bit of a transactional bit in there. So how do you do that? How do you intentionally build environments that can expand, um, someone's capacity instead of overwhelming them?

00:09:43 Kara Steel: Great. Great question. So. What I, what I believe is if I am the smartest person in a room, I'm in the wrong room. And I think we should all think of this when we're allowing ourselves to spend time with other people. I put myself in rooms with people who have done bigger things than myself, who have done more, who produce more who, who have stronger leadership skills because then I'm learning from them. I'm learning how to delegate. I'm learning how to use systems that I've been uncomfortable with before. Um, I think our discipline, I'm mimicking their discipline. And it's a way for not only them to connect and build and learn through other people, because I'm putting them in rooms with people that are better than them as well. But for me, I'm putting myself in a room where I can grow and develop and increase the capacity I'm able to handle. So I'm building these rooms, um, where it serves everyone, but it's also serving me and it's increasing, um, my brand, it's increasing my production and my income.

00:10:59 Speaker 3: MM mm.

00:11:02 Sana: And sometimes, you know, um, I think it kind of, uh, maybe some listeners may not connect with this, but, uh, some may feel it kind of also, uh, you know, helps in breaking that, uh, egoistic wall, you know, that, oh my goodness, I'm not the only smartest person in the world or in the room. There are people who may have done more or better than me. Um, they have achieved more yet they are so, um, grounded, so humble. And they have kind of surprisingly simplistic approach towards life. It's not that complicated that what I used to think I'd be like, it can be an uncomfortable realization one hundred percent.

00:11:47 Kara Steel: And it's a lot of it, a lot of the one of the main characteristics of the people sitting in these rooms is discipline, right. And that is what so many of us lack to get to the level of success that we want is to be able to do the things consistently that feel like they're getting us nowhere. Um, over and over again, it's like prospecting, prospecting and follow up and lead generation, um, in the like in your everyday life, you have to have that discipline to expand it, to expand your capacity. And it's seeing that, oh, wow, these, these people who are incredibly successful are still disciplined. They're probably the most disciplined, humbly disciplined.

00:12:38 Speaker 3: Um. Yeah, yeah.

00:12:43 Sana: Um, and.

00:12:45 Speaker 3: Um.

00:12:47 Sana: Let me push on this idea a little because, um, you know, of course, I think, uh, one sided conversations, they never, uh, you know, give a considerable, um, useful output in there irrespective of the topic. So let me just put a bit of a nuance in here. So when sometimes people talk about capacity, um, it can sound like a softer way of saying, I'm not ready. I don't have the capacity for this. Uh, but then, you know, when we put this in the context of business, uh, people say that, um, and it's kind of said that growth often happens before even we feel ready. It often happens when we get out of that comfort zone. Yeah, that is right. But then do you think, uh, that concept of capacity can sometimes become an excuse that keeps people playing small.

00:13:43 Kara Steel: one hundred percent, and it depends on their reason of saying you don't have capacity. Is it because this you don't have capacity because it's not a priority yet, because you don't have enough pain yet, is it? You don't have enough capacity Because you're afraid, is it? You don't have the capacity because it it requires you to get incredibly uncomfortable. Or is it you don't have the capacity because you don't have the systems or support yet. So let's figure out like when it comes down to that, let's figure out what would create that capacity for you. Let's solve the problem is avoiding it.

00:14:25 Speaker 3: HMM. Yeah.

00:14:26 Sana: Could you look at different different perspectives? You do the permutation combinations and, you know, maybe I think one of the scenario will actually give you that realization. Oh my goodness. Yeah, there is a way out. There is a way out where I don't have to compromise and there's a way to build that increase that capacity as well. Not at the cost of something else.

00:14:47 Kara Steel: Yeah. And get that clarity and accountability. And if it's if it's you don't have capacity, but it's really it's not a priority. That's okay. But if you really want something, let's dig down deep and figure out why. Do you find yourself coming back to. It's a capacity issue. You just haven't carried a heavy enough, heavy enough load. To have that capacity yet. And I think you can get it in through reps, right? You you continue to it's like working out. You continue to work out and you get the reps in. It builds your capacity to carry heavier weight.

00:15:27 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, yeah. And, uh.

00:15:32 Sana: Um. You know, how, how do you differentiate? How can I differentiate between, uh, let's say, if I genuinely, I need to expand my capacity or, uh, um, you know, maybe that I'm just simply avoiding discomfort. Like how, how can I differentiate? Are there any, uh, you know, like, uh, not situations, I would say maybe a set of questions that I can ask myself or maybe, uh, some activities that I can do to just get an idea.

00:16:07 Kara Steel: I think the, the biggest thing is. Number one, finding out what you really want and getting really clear on what you want. And if you want something, then let's dig deep and figure out why. Why are you being so resistant to it? Are you exhausted? Are you burned out or are you or are you afraid? Do. Why am I avoiding this? And, um, what if this would double my income? Would I find the capacity or would I still have the same excuses? I would ask if you had better systems or support, would you still feel like you didn't have capacity? And then the most internal one would be your nervous system. What, like what physical reactions do you feel when you think about the task? Are you like, are you scared of judgment or rejection or looking down or, or upsetting someone? And then let's dig down to is it are you being overwhelmed or are you just. Uncomfortable?

00:17:32 Speaker 3: HMM hmm. Makes sense. Makes sense.

00:17:36 Kara Steel: I think if it drains your energy, it's a capacity issue, right? If you're just exhausted. But if it scares you, um, it's a discomfort issue. So are you. Are you drained or are you scared?

00:17:50 Speaker 3: Yeah. Yeah, I think that's that's a.

00:17:54 Sana: That's a good point to start with? Yes, good point to start with. It may be uncomfortable in the beginning, but I think it really kind of sometimes open opens many doors out there to think about different, different possibilities.

00:18:09 Speaker 3: I agree. Um.

00:18:13 Sana: Let's take it in the business culture perspective. Uh, there's this assumption that expansion is always the goal. You know, more revenue, more deals, bigger teams. Um, but then some people, they reach that level of success and they realize the next step, it is actually reduce their quality of life. So do you believe that there's a point where expanding capacity actually stops serving someone? I mean, there are multiple examples. You know, when, um, companies, uh, in that, in that run of expansion, they actually lost that very Vision on on which the entire company was built. So you know, what's what's your view of this point on this point?

00:19:05 Kara Steel: My, my view is this if you get to that level of success and you find yourself still not satisfied, I think you did it wrong. I think you worked into a number or a tangible goal that you that you were working towards for, for that time being instead of backing into the goal. So if you were working more on who you're trying to become or who do you need to become to be a certain way you're when you get there, you're going to be comfortable and you're going to be happy with yourself. But if you are expecting to make a certain dollar amount and you get there and you've lost yourself along the way and you don't recognize yourself anymore, that's where the problem lies. So I think if you can back into who do I want to be in two to three years, What do I want that to to look and feel like? And from there, align. Align that with your goal. I think when you get there and achieve that level of success, you're not going to be disappointed because you've become the person that you were always striving to be. Versus I hit a dollar amount and I never expected to feel this crappy once I hit it. You know, I think we have an idea in our head. If I make X amount of dollars, my life is going to be perfect. And it's amazing, right? But when you get there and you're. You don't even recognize yourself anymore. You're not happy.

00:20:36 Speaker 3: Of course, of course. Yeah. And now.

00:20:41 Sana: Also.

00:20:41 Speaker 3: Let's.

00:20:42 Sana: Leave our listeners with some, you know, um, something that I can also do personally. So for, for me and all the listeners out there, you know, maybe they can be a real estate professional and entrepreneur or leader, you know, just someone who feels like that they have hit a ceiling. Um, can can you suggest any practical ways that, you know, um, we can begin expanding our capacity probably starting this today or maybe this year.

00:21:11 Speaker 3: Yeah.

00:21:12 Kara Steel: I would say write down your goals. If you haven't, I would, I would say anybody on listening to a business podcast probably has written down their goals already, but truly identify what success looks like to you and where you find yourself making excuses. And I would start there and I would start on those on those two to three things that are holding you back and work on the capacity within those. So is it mental? Is it emotional? Is it operational, or is it something within who you are as your identity that you identify with that's holding you back? And I would choose one or two of those and I would focus there first.

00:21:58 Speaker 3: MM. Okay. Okay. I think that's.

00:22:01 Sana: You know, sometimes we kind of want to want to run away from thinking about it, especially the, the areas, you know, where we think that, you know, um, we are scared to or we are just avoiding, we kind of do not want to think about because that makes us uncomfortable. But I think that that discomfort itself could be a good beginning point, a good starting point to begin with. Um, so, you know, it once again comes back to something that you mentioned. Is it about the discomfort or the, or the fear that, you know, that is driving our decisions?

00:22:41 Speaker 3: Mhm.

00:22:42 Kara Steel: Yeah.

00:22:44 Speaker 3: Oh, great.

00:22:45 Sana: And of course, our listeners, uh, they would like to connect with you. Um, I mean, also they would like to share probably their own thoughts and opinions, and they would like to explore the work that you are doing. What's the best way?

00:23:00 Kara Steel: Uh, I would say Instagram is the best way you can find me at the carousel dot com or at the carousel.

00:23:08 Sana: Okay, great. So listeners, I would recommend all of you to connect with Kara for sure. And to make that easier for all of you, I'll have all the links in the show notes. So yeah, just hover over to them, find them attached along with this episode on whichever platform you are tuning into this podcast right now. And I think, um, let's, let's, uh, take a quick take away from today's conversation. I think listeners, your next level may not require a brand new strategy. I believe it requires or may require a bigger version of you. Um, more emotional capacity, more leadership maturity, more clarity about what you actually want to hold and that kind of growth. It really happens instantly or overnight and happens definitely through conversations like this one, through mentors, communities, and honest, true reflection. So, Kara, thank you so, so much. I really loved how you kind of, um, you know, I got introduced to this concept of capacity because I am very sure it has removed many of the misconceptions around it. And of course, thank you for the work that you're doing.

00:24:27 Kara Steel: You are welcome. I hope you have a great rest of your day.

00:24:32 Sana: And thank you to all the listeners. If this conversation made you think deeper or sparked something for you, maybe a new question about your own capacity, your leadership, or your next chapter, consider following this blend. Connect with Kara. And until next time, this is your host Sana signing off from this blend. Thank you.

00:24:53 Kara Steel: Thank you.