Accompanying leaders as they navigate the complexities of their roles, I often witness how they become entangled in a web of expectations and obligations, feeling pressured to say "yes" to an overwhelming number of demands and opportunities. However, I notice their efforts inadvertently become diluted, spread thin across a multitude of endeavours.
Anne Lamott once said, “No is a complete sentence." This simple yet profound statement holds a key to reclaiming agency as leaders and restoring balance.
While saying "yes" to everything may seem like an act of generosity and care, I've come to understand that it often stems from a deeper need within ourselves – a need for validation and significance. Often, there's a deep desire for belonging. If indispensable you’ll never be left aside.
In the pursuit of being seen, valued and ultimately being sure that they belong, many leaders often sacrifice their well-being, perpetuating a cycle of disillusionment. They are doing so much and still they don’t feel seen and valued! On the contrary, they feel miss-understood and under-appreciated.
However, there is a path forward. It is the path of saying "yes" with purpose and conviction, guided by who we are, what is your role and associated responsibilities based on your core values and vision for the the experiences we want to live.
This authentic "yes" is not a mere compliance, but a commitment to our principles and a genuine desire to make a meaningful impact. It empowers us to prioritise what truly matters and to channel our resources effectively.
Unless you’re willing to offer a genuine, clear ‘no’, you can never be sure that your ‘yes’ really means anything at all.
