Why we can’t bypass the quiet work of leadership

Mainstream ideas of leadership over focus on visible work.

Like build your ‘executive presence’ so you can command a room. Or strengthen your communications so you can appear more polished. Or speak about your accomplishments confidently to show credibility.

What often doesn’t get talked about is the invisible work behind-the-scenes. Like the un-glamorous inner work to keep you grounded in your humanity.

For many, being a leader will surface a tonne of inner turmoil thanks to the added visibility, responsibility, complexities and pressures.

This is why we can’t bypass the quiet work of leadership.

When we uncover our shadows (the parts of us that we repress), we interrupt unconscious patterns of behaviours that don’t serve us nor our mission.

When we heal our relational wounds, we lower the risk of projecting our hurt onto others.

When we unpack the colonial + carceral ways we view accountability, we build deeper relationships that are rooted in care.

When we learn how to express our needs and expectations without shame, we create more space for clarity and kindness.

When we confront our capacity to cause harm, we increase our ability to take accountability when we mess up.

When we understand how we respond to stress, we show up with more intention in high pressure situations.

This is the hard work of being a leader. This is how we lead without losing our humanity in the process.

Ready to do the quiet work? Let’s chat.