Language of Leadership: The Power in Powerlessness
This past week, I re-engaged with something deeply personal—working the 12 Steps with a new sponsor.
And I started with Step 1:
“We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.”
Now, don’t get it twisted. Step 1 isn’t about giving up.
It’s about giving in—to truth.
It’s the recognition that willpower, grit, and hustle—while powerful—can’t solve every problem. Especially when the problem is you.
That’s a lesson leaders tend to resist.
We’re wired to take charge. Fix things. Muscle through.
But there’s a darker side to that wiring: control.
And when you cling too tightly, you don’t just grip the wheel—you white-knuckle your way into burnout, poor decisions, and a disconnected team.
Step 1 taught me this: Surrender isn’t weakness—it’s the starting point of strength.
Great leadership requires humility.
It requires saying, “This isn’t working.”
It requires space for feedback, honest inventory, and realignment.
So this week, I’m challenging you to take inventory.
- What’s become unmanageable in your life or business?
- Where are you muscling through when you should be stepping back?
- What would it look like to surrender the illusion of control—so you can finally lead with clarity, curiosity, and compassion?
Leaders go first. And sometimes, the first step is stepping aside from ego.
There’s power in powerlessness—if you’re brave enough to admit it.
