Leading with Grace: Essential Strategies for Busy Moms and High-Impact Leaders

For most of my career, I’d eagerly look forward to my holidays, only to fall sick the moment they began and spend the entire week recovering. Later, I found myself working day and night, even stopping at gas stations to send last-minute emails. I believed I could switch off my thoughts and be present with my family, but I soon realized I couldn’t.

I kept hitting a wall, always being available, always responsible. Serving myself was never an option, and the consequences were heavy, affecting both me and my family. My bosses might have said, “Don't work so hard – think about yourself,” but no one showed me how to think or act differently.

Only through the guidance of mentors did I learn to reclaim my power.

Now, I want to share these insights with you so you can prepare for your summer with confidence and clarity:

1. Not Everything is Essential:
Focus on what truly matters. Often, what you deliver isn’t even used or read. Understand what’s important, how it will help your peers, and when they will use it.

2. Say NO:
When you know what’s essential, saying no to what’s not becomes easier. This frees up your time and energy for what truly matters. 

3. Slow Down:
When overwhelmed, you focus on what’s not working and your endless to-do list, which only increases stress. Frustration isn’t productive. Slow down, tap into what’s essential, and let a calm mind lead the way.

4. Be Unavailable:
You don't have time to be available all the time. I can't tell you how often I help leaders embrace the deep rooted fears when it comes to why they don't delegate and why they feel they have to be involved in operational matters. You have to trust your team members and you have to properly set them up for success. Proper delegation requires time. Clear communication and proper onboarding prevent frustration and ensure tasks are done right. Invest time in this process.

5. Indulge in New Ways of Working:
Habitual patterns can hinder even the best leaders. Embrace new methodologies and technologies that boost productivity and creativity.

6. Embrace Risk:
Being a great leader demands risk-taking - also when it comes to saying no, focusing on what's essential and asking those bold questions that would get your peers to pause and reflect. Step out of your comfort zone and encourage your team to do the same. Remember, playing it safe can mean missing out on great opportunities. Managers implement; leaders strategise. If you are involved in busyness it's time to pause and recalibrate over the summer what to differently. Maximum output comes from focusing on the essential. Slow down to achieve this.

7. Stand in Your Power:
I can't tell you know many times clients have told me they felt they had to be available during vacation. Standing in your power means recognising your worth and setting boundaries that protect your well-being. Because nobody else will do it for you. You're worthy of having time of. You are worthy not to be available all the time. You are worthy of waking up rested the next morning. You are worthy of engaging in uncomfortable conversations because you know your greatest gift is to serve others.

Embracing Authentic Leadership

My journey with my mentor was transformative. I realised I wasn’t standing in my power. I realised that I tolerated too much. I didn’t feel worthy of a holiday. I conformed to others' expectations, sabotaging my health by telling myself I’d be fired if I didn’t deliver. I was canceling my most important commitment - being a mom and honoring myself. If I continued neglecting myself and playing small, I’d face even bigger consequences. This realization was both terrifying and liberating. It was time to stop caring excessively about others' opinions and start embracing my true self.

Are you worthy of spending your time on irrelevant tasks? Are you worthy of compromising time with your children to serve your boss? I guess the reason you are reading this blog is that you want to break free from the unhealthy patterns. It's time to recalibrate your perspectives of what is essential. Be curious about the voices making you give away your power and control over your life. Be curious about how you lead today and how you want to lead. you can cultivate a more innovative and authentic leadership style. Being true to yourself is the most powerful way to lead.

P.S. Ready to step into your power and embrace your true potential? Book a private session with me today, and let's unlock the leader within you. Start here: https://calendly.com/camilla-calberg/discovery-call-with-camilla-calberg-private-invitation

Together, we can create a roadmap to success that aligns with your values and aspirations. Don’t wait—your journey to authentic leadership starts now.

https://calendly.com/camilla-calberg/discovery-call-with-camilla-calberg-private-invitation