Great Leaders Lead Themselves Well
When we focus on our strengths and our blindspots and hone our key human skills (communication, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, negotiation, etc.), we become more impactful.
Read on to reflect alongside Melissa about how you can best set yourself up for success as a leader.
Slow Down to Go the Distance
Leadership is demanding—and without space to pause, reflect, and reset, it’s easy to slip into reaction mode instead of leading with intention. In this post, I share why slowing down isn’t a weakness but a strategy for endurance leadership. From simple reflection practices to real-time resets, learn how to create the clarity you need to lead for the long game.
It's Not You, It's Me...
Sometimes our drive to achieve backfires. In this post, I share a personal story of how pushing harder in a competitive environment actually drained my energy, strained my leadership, and hurt my team. The lesson? Doing more isn’t always the answer. Sustainable leadership means balancing achievement with awareness—leading in a way that fuels impact without burning yourself out.
Is their performance my fault?
Performance conversations can feel heavy—not just because of the issues at hand, but because of the questions leaders wrestle with: Did I set expectations clearly? Am I part of the problem? Should I be more supportive or more direct? In this post, I share why these doubts matter, how to reframe them, and why clarity—not guilt—is the key to moving forward with confidence.
Funny how change sneaks up on us
Seasons shift quietly, just like changes in our work and leadership. In this post, I reflect on how small, often unnoticed changes can build up over time—and why creating space to pause, notice, and adjust is essential. Leadership endurance isn’t about sprinting through change, but having the rhythm to recognize what’s shifting and respond with intention.
Is your work fueling you—or draining you dry?
How much of your work actually energizes you—and how much drains you? In this post, I share why your work-to-energy ratio matters, how to find your ideal mix, and why adding more of the “good stuff” without subtracting the draining work can lead to burnout. If your battery is constantly in the red, it may be time for a reset.
Re-entry from vacation hit harder than I expected
You planned your time off like a pro—but coming back still felt heavier than expected. If you’ve ever struggled with the internal pressure to instantly perform after a break, you’re not alone. In this post, I unpack why rest guilt shows up, how to ease re-entry without burnout, and why rest isn’t a detour—it’s part of the leadership journey.
Endurance in Action: Lessons from the Highlands of Guatemala
What does real endurance look like? After a week in the highlands of Guatemala, I returned with fresh perspective—from the quiet grit of women washing clothes at dawn to the leadership legacy of my 80-year-old mother. In this post, I reflect on the powerful lessons in strength, patience, and purpose I witnessed in a community that knows what it means to endure. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep going when the work is hard but meaningful, these stories might be the reminder you need.
Grit or Quit? The Hardest Part Is Knowing Which One You Need
Struggling to decide whether to push through or walk away? Explore the tension between grit and quit—and how to know which path supports your growth and goals.
Choices Are Everywhere—Even When We Pretend They're Not
Overwhelm often stems from unmade decisions. Explore how everyday choices—whether conscious or automatic—shape your energy, focus, and leadership effectiveness, and learn simple strategies to reduce decision fatigue and lead with more intention.