Header Logo
Transform With Tab Meet Tab Educator Resources The Inside-Out Newsletter Contact Blog Book a FREE Strategy Call
← Back to all posts

Lead from the Inside Out—Not from the Edges

Jun 28, 2025
Connect

 

 

HAPPY Sunday, Achiever!🙌

 

There’s a truth we don’t talk about in leadership circles — but we all feel it.

The invisible rankings.
The constant second-guessing.
The pressure to be more, do more, lead more… with less.

It’s the stuff that keeps you up at night.
The quiet comparisons.
The energy you pour into your school — that no one ever pours back into you.
The fear that maybe, just maybe, you’re the only one who doesn’t have it all together.

Let’s say it out loud: this role is heavy.
You shouldn’t have to carry it alone.

 

 

You sit at the principals’ cluster meeting, nodding at the right times, offering insights when asked. You’ve learned the rhythm of the room—the subtle shifts in posture when someone more “established” speaks, the glances exchanged when someone else shares an idea that falls flat. And despite your best efforts, deep down, you feel it:

You’re not in it—you’re around it.
Present, but not powerful.
Valued, but not quite visible.

You watch as Mike commands the room with quiet authority—he doesn’t need to prove anything. Jane, ever impressive, updates the group on her five advisory roles and how seamlessly her school ran while she was away at a conference. You think about your own school. You left for a day last week. Chaos.

You came back to tears.
Exhaustion.
Unspoken disappointment.
And you thought:
“Is this my fault?”

You question whether you’re cut out for this.
You wonder if your school’s behind.
If your team is missing out.
If your students are.

But your staff are already stretched.
Your energy is fraying.
And you're still expected to carry it all.

You blend in. You speak less. You tell yourself it’s safer that way.
You quietly wish someone would see the version of you behind the calm expression.
The version that’s tired of comparing.
Tired of pretending.
Tired of feeling like no matter how much you give, it’s never quite enough.

This is what no one talks about.
The cost of holding it all together while wondering if you belong.

But what if this wasn’t the whole story?
What if you didn’t have to keep doing it alone?
What if support wasn’t a weakness, but the very thing that would help you feel strong again?

This could be the turning point. ↓↓↓

Subscribe to keep reading this post

Subscribe

Already have an account? Log in

Loading...
From Self-Sacrifice to Sustainable Strength
  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 run...
From Overidentifying to Empowered, Intentional Leadership
  HAPPY Sunday, Achiever!   How Mike Reclaimed His Energy, Boundaries, and Impact   1. Challenging the Common Belief Leadership isn’t about carrying it all. Many high-performing leaders believe that being “good” means being available, approachable, and ready to solve everyone else’s problems. But what if that belief is quietly draining your energy, dulling your impact, and costing your team t...
The Unspoken Hierarchy: Why Principals Still Feel Like Outsiders in Leadership Clusters
  HAPPY Sunday, Achiever! You're a principal. You’ve earned the title. But every time you enter a cluster meeting, there's a quiet undercurrent that says, “You’re not quite in.” Seniority. Decile. School size. Advisory board seats. These aren’t on the agenda—but they are the real conversation. This is social comparison theory in action.It’s why some speak freely while others shrink back.Why i...

The Inside-Out Newsletter

The Inside-Out Newsletter is for mission-driven leaders who are brilliant at their work—but now find themselves stretched, second-guessing, or navigating the weight of leading others. Each week, you’ll receive high-impact insights, practical tools, and powerful mindset shifts rooted in the Inside-Out Leadership System™—designed to help you lead with clarity, confidence, and calm, even in the chaos. This isn’t just another leadership tip sheet. It’s your space to pause, reflect, and realign with the habits and presence that create true influence—from the inside out. Whether you’re managing team dynamics, adapting to rapid change, or simply craving more energy and meaning in your role, this newsletter helps you reconnect with your purpose, sharpen your focus, and lead with intention. Think of it as your weekly reset—your reminder that leadership doesn’t have to cost you your energy or identity.
Footer Logo
© 2025 TABITHA LEONARD NZ. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Join The FREE Challenge

Enter your details below to join the challenge.