HAPPY Sunday, Achiever! 
What if putting everyone else first isn’t leadership—it’s a slow form of self-erasure?
We’re taught that great leaders give their all. But what happens when “giving your all” leaves you with nothing left?
Marie—a school principal deeply committed to her team and family—didn’t come to coaching because she lacked skill or drive. She came because she was quietly running on empty. And like so many high-performing leaders, she didn’t ask for help until the cracks started to show.
She wasn’t failing.
She was fatigued.
Because holding everything together is not the same as being strong.
From Self-Sacrifice to Sustainable Strength
Marie is the kind of leader who holds a lot—with heart, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to her people.
When she came to coaching, she wasn’t looking for tactics. She was looking for space.
Space to think.
To breathe.
To lead with purpose—without always carrying the emotional weight alone.
As a principal, Marie was used to showing up for everyone else. Whether it was guiding her team through complex changes or holding space for students and staff, she was the one people leaned on. And at home, she was navigating the deep emotional demands of supporting teenagers.
She often felt torn between two worlds—school and home—and quietly questioned if she was doing enough in either.
Through coaching, Marie realised she didn’t need to choose between being a strong leader and a present mother. She just needed a different kind of strength—one that started with her.
- She got clear on what mattered most, both professionally and personally.
- She began creating space in her day for movement, mental reset, and micro-moments of recovery.
- She let go of guilt around self-care and redefined leadership as something sustainable, grounded, and deeply human.
- She leaned into courageous conversations with her staff, speaking from truth—not tension.
Today, Marie still leads with heart. But she’s also leading with boundaries, intention, and a renewed connection to her purpose.
She’s modelling a new way forward—not just for her team, but for her family, and for herself.
She’s not holding everything together anymore.
She’s holding what matters most—and doing it on her own terms.
Reactive vs. Responsive Leadership
Let's see how this looks like:
