Small Steps to Big Impact: How Leaders Grow through Connection

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been writing about the foundations of resilient leadership – what it is, what it isn’t, and how small shifts in mindset, behavior, and presence can make a real difference, no matter your title or experience level.

Each post explored a core belief: You don’t have to wait for a promotion, a title, or a perfect moment to lead.

Resilient leadership is something we can (and should) be practicing at every level – from admins and analyst to CEOs and board members.

Because leadership has nothing to do with your position – it's all about how you choose to show up.

A Quick Recap: What We've Built Together

Here’s the heart of what we explored:

• You’re Not Failing—You’re Stressed: Chronic stress reduces your brain’s ability to lead with clarity. Learning to work with your nervous system – not against it – is a powerful form of leadership.

• Busyness Is Not a Badge of Honor: Overworking and multitasking don’t make you better. They make you slower, more scattered, and more reactive. Resilient leaders prioritize intentional action over busy action.

• Leading with Humanity: Resilient leaders accept openly that they do not have all the answers. Vulnerability isn’t a weakness – it’s a strength that builds trust, collaboration, and innovation.

• The Power of Positivity: Happiness doesn’t wait for us on the other side of success; it fuels it. Leading with optimism, appreciation, and trust is both strategic and transformational (personally and professionally).

Stronger Together

One of the biggest myths about leadership is that you have to do it solo. That the burden is yours alone to carry. That asking for support somehow makes you less capable.

That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Real leadership thrives in community. As it turns out, "it takes a village" also applies to leadership, progress, and sustained success.

Connection, collaboration, and support are critical ingredients for resilience, sustainable growth, and genuine impact.

Here are a few ways you can start building your own meaningful community:

• Find Your People: Look for spaces in which you feel a sense of alignment and where real conversations are happening around growth, challenges, and leadership. Mentorship groups, professional communities, alumni networks, running groups, or book clubs can all be equally powerful.

• Prioritize Relationships: Leadership isn’t just about what you know – it’s about how you connect. Invest time in building authentic relationships at all levels and with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. What's more? Listen deeply. Support generously. Learn as much as you can from everyone around you.

• Consider Coaching: Coaching is a powerful tool that can unlock your potential, elevate your performance, and help you achieve both personal and professional growth. Research has shown it improves work performance, enhances leadership skills, increases self-awareness, and helps participants to create better balance in their lives.(You can learn more about my specific approach here).

Connection isn’t about fixing you.

It’s about helping you uncover the clarity, strength, and capacity you already have – and amplifying it.

Because you don’t have to build your leadership journey alone.

And you were never meant to.

Final Thoughts

If you take only one thing from this series, let it be this: resilient leadership isn’t reserved for the select few at the top of the management chain.

It is for you. Exactly where you are.

In the conversations you have. In the way you show up for yourself and others. In the choices you make when things feel amazing. And in the choices you make when things feel messy and uncertain.

You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to start where you are.

So please just take a moment.

Breathe.

Remind yourself of that beautiful proverb: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

Your next step – however small – is enough.

You’ve got this.

And you don’t have to do it alone.

--

Great leadership isn't about pretending to know it all – it's about connection. To yourself, to others, and to your purpose. If you're ready to grow your impact, I would love to support you along the journey. Schedule your first coaching session today!