You Don’t Have to Give 100% to Be Enough
Leadership doesn’t always look like power suits and flawless presentations. Sometimes, it looks like showing up to a Zoom meeting in your comfiest sweatshirt, camera off, and simply saying, “I’m here.”
When stress is high—and let’s be honest, it often is—showing up in whatever capacity you can is more than enough. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be present. That’s where your power lives.
Take What You Can Off Your Plate
As women leaders, especially in mission-driven spaces like schools and nonprofits, we’re often expected to carry everything—projects, people, emotions, systems—while smiling through it all. The truth? That load is unsustainable, and it’s okay to put some of it down.
Leadership isn’t about doing everything. It’s about discerning what actually matters, and having the courage to say no, delegate, or press pause when your energy is depleted.
You’re not letting anyone down by creating space. In fact, you’re setting a healthier, more sustainable model of leadership for everyone around you.
Permission granted: You don’t have to carry it all.
Rest Isn’t Laziness—It’s Strategy
Let’s reframe this once and for all: rest is not indulgent. It’s not lazy. It’s a leadership strategy.
You cannot lead powerfully if you are constantly running on empty.
When you rest, you recalibrate. You return to your center. You gain clarity that hustle can’t offer.
And when you return to your work, you do so with renewed focus, perspective, and purpose.
This is not a weakness. It’s wisdom.
Rest is not a luxury—it’s a leadership requirement.
No One Expects Perfection from You Except… You
That voice telling you to “keep going,” “do more,” or “be better”?
That voice that says you’re falling behind if you slow down?
That’s not leadership. That’s perfectionism—and it’s not serving you.
Here’s a truth most leaders don’t hear enough: people aren’t looking for perfection.
They’re looking for authenticity. For empathy. For direction from someone who gets it.
Being human doesn’t undermine your leadership. It enhances it.
You can be powerful and imperfect. You can lead and still need support.
You can take a breath and still be on mission.
Let This Be Your Reminder.
You are doing enough. You are enough. And the world needs your leadership—not your perfection.
You don’t have to earn your worth by doing more. You don’t have to prove anything to be valid in the room. You’re already leading by showing up with honesty, care, and courage.
So today, show up however you can. That’s leadership, too.
Sincerely,
Your Leadership Coach
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P.S. If this message resonated with you, you’re not alone. I share weekly reflections and strategies for women navigating leadership with heart, strength, and sustainability.
👉 Explore the blog or reach out for a discovery call if you’re ready to lead without burning out!
Rebecca Malotke-Meslin is the founder of Pleasantly Aggressive Coaching & Consulting, where she helps women working in independent schools and non-profit organizations to lead more confidently, authentically, and unapologetically. Rebecca combines a background in social research with 20 years of sales, marketing, communications, and school leadership to create an in-depth and engaging experience for her clients. Rebecca is also the co-host of the Confidently You: Women in Leadership Podcast.
