Why High Performers Don’t Go It Alone: The Leadership Shift That Changed Everything
For most of my life, I believed success meant figuring everything out on my own.
At university, I was surrounded by people who had built-in safety nets - family wealth, powerful networks, and mentors who paved the way for them. At work, my colleagues seemed to belong effortlessly. Most of them had connections, industry insiders, and people who could guide them.
I didn’t.
I was used to being the odd one out—the person who had to work twice as hard to keep up, make things happen, and ensure I had a plan for every possible setback. If something went wrong, the buck stopped with me. There was no backup, no safety net.
So I built my own scaffolding—meticulously planning, thinking two steps ahead. It made me incredibly self-sufficient and fuelled my success, but it also slowed me down, made me risk-averse, and left me carrying everything alone.
Then, I had a conversation with my coach that changed everything.
The Moment I Realised I Was Just Holding It Together
“I don’t have time for burnout, I have to hold it together”
I remember saying that to my Coach. She paused and asked, “What would happen if you didn’t?”
I laughed. The idea felt impossible. Because when you’ve spent your whole life making sure nothing falls apart, the idea of letting go feels dangerous.
But in that moment, I saw my blind spot: I wasn’t leading my life - I was just holding it together.
I had spent so much time managing, problem-solving, and anticipating every obstacle that I wasn’t giving myself space to step back, think bigger, and design my next chapter with intention. I was in maintenance mode, not leadership mode.
That realisation shifted everything.
The CEO Mindset: Why No Great Leader Goes It Alone
I started asking myself: If I were the CEO of my life, how would I operate differently?
No CEO builds an empire alone. The strongest leaders surround themselves with people who make them better. They don’t waste time trying to figure everything out in isolation. Instead, they bring in trusted advisors, thought partners, and mentors who help them see beyond their blind spots.
✨ High-achievers love the idea of being “self-made.” But no great leader is truly self-made.
They accelerate their growth by investing in the right support, the right insights, and the right people. That’s what coaching gave me - a space to challenge my thinking, see myself more clearly, and make decisions from a place of strategy rather than survival.
Coaching as a Clarity Accelerator
For many high-achievers, the challenge isn’t a lack of ambition - it’s the weight of constant decision-making, overcommitment, and the belief that no one else can handle things the way they can.
Maybe you’re juggling endless priorities, feeling like there’s never enough time to focus on what truly moves the needle. Maybe you know something needs to change, but every option feels overwhelming, so you delay making a decision and just keep pushing through. Or maybe you’re holding onto work you should be delegating—because letting go feels like a bigger risk than doing it all yourself.
This is where coaching acts as a clarity accelerator - cutting through the noise and providing the structure, reflection and guidance needed to move forward with confidence.
It’s not about working harder. It’s about working smarter, so you’re making bold, intentional moves instead of just keeping up.
Coaching Isn’t About “Needing Help” It’s About Thinking Bigger
There’s a common misconception that coaching is for people who are stuck, lost, or struggling. But the best time to invest in coaching isn’t when you’re drowning - it’s when you’re ready to grow.
Coaching isn’t about fixing a problem. It’s about expanding your thinking, accelerating your progress, and making success sustainable.
I used to believe I had to do everything on my own. Now I know that real leadership isn’t about carrying the weight of everything alone, it’s about knowing when to seek perspective, challenge, and support.
✨ We all have blind spots. We all get stuck in our own perspective. And sometimes, the right insight at the right time can change everything. So I’ll ask you: What’s one decision or challenge you’ve been overthinking that could use a fresh perspective?
