We have created a mythology around strong leadership.

The strong leader walks into the room already knowing what to do. They are decisive, confident, and self-sufficient. They have answers. They don't need much help. They make the hard decisions and, somehow, usually make the right ones.

And when things get difficult, they carry more.

I believed some version of this for a long time. I also spent years working alongside brilliant leaders who believed it, too.

For decades we've treated people as resources. We've measured success by productivity and performance. We've rewarded exhaustion and constant availability, expecting leaders to be everything to everyone. These aren't new ideas. They've become the accepted norms of our workplaces—especially here in the United States.

If you're visiting my website for the first time, the first words you'll see are Leading Without Losing Yourself.

Those words weren't written by a branding agency. They came from more than two decades of watching brilliant, compassionate people slowly disappear inside careers they once loved.

How is your organization investing in its leadership? You may have a bold and beautiful strategic plan that provides a road map but without a leader who has capacity, energy and support, the plan will likely not be realized.

As a leadership and longevity coach who has worked one-on-one with clients since 2020, one of the most common questions I’m asked during my 30-minute complimentary consultations is: “How do I know if I need a coach, or if I should be seeking a mentor?”