Dear High Achiever,
What’s scarier: taking a leap into the unknown, or staying in a role that no longer feels like you?
A year ago, I took the scariest leap of my career.
After decades in senior corporate roles — leading global teams, navigating restructures, delivering big wins — I walked away from the safety of my title and stepped into the unknown as a coach.
It felt terrifying.
What if I failed?
What if I wasn’t ready?
What if the leap cost me everything I’d worked for?
But here’s what happened instead:
It became the best year of my life.
😨 The Fear Behind the Leap
For many senior leaders, the idea of change is not blocked by lack of opportunity, but by fear.
Fear of failure → “What if I leap and it all falls apart?”
Fear of judgement → “What will people think if I walk away from something prestigious?”
Fear of losing identity → “Who am I without this title?”
These fears are real. But here’s the truth: staying stuck carries a bigger cost than moving.
🌱 5 Lessons From My Scary Leap
The work that energizes you most is the work you can’t ignore. For me, it wasn’t the fire-fighting or the presentations — it was the coffee chats, helping colleagues navigate uncertainty.
Clarity comes from action, not planning. I didn’t figure it out on paper first. The clarity arrived once I began.
The biggest career risk isn’t leaving — it’s staying too long. The role that got you here won’t always take you there. Waiting until you’re miserable only makes the leap harder.
Your tribe changes everything. Surround yourself with people who see your potential before you do. That support makes the leap survivable — and transformative.
Consistency compounds. On the hardest days, I showed up anyway. Every call, every post, every action built something I couldn’t yet see.
🔑 Signs You’re Ready to Leap (Even If You Don’t Feel Ready)
Wins feel hollow, even when targets are met
You’re succeeding, but restless
You keep saying: “I’ll just hold on until…”
You’re more drained than energized at week’s end
You can imagine yourself leaving — but not staying another five years
If any of these resonate, you’re not failing. You’re evolving.
💸 What Happens When You Stay Too Long
Loss of confidence → the longer you wait, the more you question your readiness
Missed opportunities → roles and projects pass you by while you hold back
Burnout creeps in → alignment erodes your energy, one day at a time
Identity erosion → staying in a misaligned role too long makes you forget who you are outside the title
🛠 Actionable Step for This Week
Ask yourself: If I could design my next chapter freely, what leap would I take?
Then, take one small action toward it — a conversation, an experiment, or even blocking time for reflection.
🧠 Bottom Line
Your scariest leap might just hold your greatest return. The real risk isn’t moving.
It’s staying stuck in a version of success that no longer fits.
To your bold shift,
Melissa
📌 Ready to leap with clarity and confidence?
That’s exactly what we do in The Bold Shift™ — my 12-week executive career strategy programme for senior leaders navigating major transitions. 📅 Book a call here.
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Your leadership deserves space to breathe, reset, and evolve. Let’s create it together.