You run on fumes—until you unravel.
This is the reality “Claire”, a director, faced when she came to me for coaching. Claire avoided tough conversations, fearful that confronting issues would cause everything to unravel—including herself.
She wasn’t looking for quick fixes. She wanted to understand why she kept avoiding the things that mattered most in her leadership.
So, we rewound her story.
And dropped a truth bomb:
Fear of failure doesn’t keep you safe—it keeps you small.
Years earlier, Claire had stood up for herself during a career conflict. But while advocating for herself felt courageous, it came at a high cost—her career at the time.
Ever since, she had avoided confrontation, convinced it was safer not to risk the repercussions. Claire told herself that leadership was about protecting the peace.
Her team relied on her to smooth over tensions, solve problems, and absorb conflict. But this full-time firefighting approach was costing her—and her team—far more than she realised.
Claire’s Turning Point
By rewinding her story, Claire began to see the cost of avoidance in a new light:
It wasn’t just draining her.
It was creating a drip-feed of dysfunction, holding her team back from thriving.
Here’s How Claire Rewrote Her Leadership Story
➜ Reframing Courage
Claire stopped seeing tough conversations as disruptions and began viewing them as opportunities for realignment. She reframed conflict as a tool to build stronger, more cohesive teams.
➜ Leading with Clarity
Claire learned a 5-step conflict resolution strategy to help her tackle contentious issues head-on. She brought her team into candid, productive dialogue instead of avoiding difficult topics.
➜ Empowering Others
Claire let go of the belief that she had to carry the full load herself. Instead, she empowered her team to navigate tough discussions and step into their own strengths.
The Leadership Shift: From Firefighter to Energiser
Stepping back isn’t stepping down.
It’s stepping into a leadership style that lifts others up.
By sharing the load and encouraging her team to contribute meaningfully, Claire made space for her team—and herself—to thrive.
The Results? Leadership That Energizes Everyone
Six months later, Claire’s leadership feels lighter—and stronger.
Her team isn’t just motivated; they’re thriving because they feel noticed, valued, and empowered—not micromanaged or merely facilitated.
And Claire? She’s confident, re-energized, and finally enjoying work again.
In her words:
“I thought leadership was about solving everything myself. But now I see the power of stepping back—not to disengage, but to give others the space to thrive.”
Your Turn: Rewrite Your Leadership Story
What would it take for you to rewrite your leadership story?
Ask yourself:
- Is it stepping back so others can step up?
- Is it having the tough conversation you’ve been avoiding?
- Or is it letting go of the belief that you have to carry it all?
Why It Matters
🪫 Low-battery leadership is contagious. It drains the energy of the team around you.
🔋 But so is energized leadership. It inspires collaboration, creativity, and confidence.
Which energy is your team catching from you?
Leadership doesn’t have to feel heavy. Sometimes, lightening your load is the most impactful way to lead.
