5 Important Signs Strong Leaders Often Miss or Ignore About Their Careers

My experience with working with leaders like you is that you’re a sharp bunch. (That’s actually one of the things I love about you!) 

You didn’t get where you are today without knowing how to get things done, how to handle yourself, and how to play well with others.

To the outside world, things are probably looking pretty good. 

But just between you and me, I know that how things look isn’t always how things feel. 

Success can feel lonely, empty, stressful, and exhausting.

So instead of discussing typical success markers, like navigating into the corner office, getting that raise, or joining a new board…

…I’m going take us into a deeper conversation.

Not about your career path. You’re pulling that off beautifully.

But about you. 

How are you doing? 

Your spirit. 

Your energy. 

Your well-being.

How are you?

There’s no judgement here. Let’s just take a beat and check-in together.

Below you’ll find five areas that strong leaders often miss or ignore: their bodies, their emotions, their natural way of being in the world, their values, and their heart’s desires.

There are a few questions under each category. 

Affirmative responses to these questions indicate that something is OFF.

1. Physical Symptoms

Do you have generally unpleasant physical sensations around your work? These might be things like a sinking feeling in your gut when you enter your office, tightness in your throat during meetings, or overall fatigue as you sit down to work.

Are you noticing more pervasive or exacerbated symptoms, like weight gain, chronic pain, or heart palpitations?

2. Emotional Symptoms

Are you often grumpy, stressed, or disheartened as you head into work or as you come home from work?

Do you notice you are less patient with your loved ones during the workweek? 

Are you so drained from work that you have limited energy for your health, friendships, or extracurriculars?

Are you experiencing panic attacks, anxiety, depression, or suicidal ideation that is associated to your career or work-related identity?

With either your physical or emotional symptoms, do you find you need medication to withstand your workday?

3. Dual Identity

Do you feel like you’re playing a role at work that doesn’t match up with who you really are? 

Do you “suit up” when you go to work? 

Do you feel constantly on guard? 

Does maintaining this work identity leave you feeling exhausted?

4. Values Conflict

Do you feel at odds with the values of your organization or the mission you’re working on? 

Is your career success coming at the expense of something that is actually more important to you?

5. Heart’s Desire

Do you have an inkling that your heart is yearning for something different?

Do you have a dream that you’ve been shelving for some time?

Do you wish for something better for yourself?

What did you notice? If you answered “Yes” to a few or a lot of these questions, keep reading. It may be uncomfortable to acknowledge these things, but it’s really good information to now have.

Strong, smart leaders like you can acclimate to and handle plenty of tough situations. 

This is overall a great thing. Your resilience is a tremendous asset.

However, it becomes problematic when the situation you’re suiting up and handling is one that is breaking you apart.

The symptoms I’ve described above are signs that something is out of whack with your career.

My specialty is helping leaders like you find their career alignment, so that they are using their creative power in the world from a foundation of well-being, health, and centeredness.

Can you begin to imagine a life where your answer is an emphatic “NO” to each of the above questions?

What would it mean to you to be in touch with and living from your truth?

If this idea speaks to you and you’d like to talk more about it, my invitation is to hop on my calendar. I’d love to hear more about what’s going on and support you in finding your best, next step.

Our appointment will be for 30 minutes. There’s no fee or obligation to work together. We’ll just step back and explore what’s happening together from a place of kindness and compassion. I look forward to speaking with you soon!

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