The New Year often brings a flurry of resolutions and pressure to become a “better you”. But what if I told you that absolutely nothing will change this year, at least not in the way you might expect? What if the key to unlocking your leadership potential isn’t about striving for constant self-improvement, but about embracing the truth that you are enough, right here, right now?
The perpetual self-improvement trap
At the heart of my work as a leadership coach is the core principle of “Leading Beyond the Self“. It’s the recognition that the relentless pursuit of self-improvement, the endless chase to become the so-called “best version” of ourselves, can actually be a trap. Who else would you be right now if you were not already that person?
We’re bombarded with messages telling us to do more, be more, achieve more. Even the seemingly harmless goal of improving 1% a day can create a never-ending cycle of pressure and stress with no finish line in sight. It’s a constant striving that often leads to burnout and the feeling of never really measuring up. The elusive “better you” that is always out of reach.
My story: From corporate exhaustion to leading beyond the self
I remember those January days in my corporate career. Every new year was filled with the same ambitious pronouncements: “This will be THE year.” The year my career would finally take off, my problems would magically disappear, my health would be perfect and I’d find the love of my life. I was convinced that “this year MUST and WILL be fundamentally different from anything I’ve ever experienced”.
It was a belief fuelled by the constant pressure to improve, to achieve that elusive ‘good future’. But it was a trap. A trap that kept me striving but never really arriving. It took leaving the corporate rat race to come to this realisation.
The power of presence: Leading from “you are enough”
The truth is that real leadership, effective leadership, doesn’t come from chasing an idealised future self. It comes from presence, from awareness, from recognising your inherent value in this moment. It comes from leading beyond the limitations of the ego, beyond the need to constantly prove yourself.
“Leading Beyond the Self is about embracing the power of “you are enough”. It’s about finding that moment of relief from the pressure, the striving, the constant need to do more, and recognising that you can be more, just by being present. When you lead from this place of wholeness, you connect more authentically with your team, make clearer decisions and create a more positive and productive working environment. Instead of reacting to situations and people from a place of stress, you can approach them with a sense of calm and purpose.
The choice is yours:
Do you long for that moment of relief? Do you want to experience the power of leading with awareness and presence, rather than from a place of reaction and pressure? You can. Right now.
Where will you go from here? The path of constant striving or the path of self-acceptance and authentic leadership? The choice is yours.
Ready to talk to you when you feel ready. And connect on LinkedIn.
