Too many business owners never talk about the hardest part of leadership:
It’s not scaling. It’s not systems. It’s not even sales.
It’s showing up when life punches you in the face.
Yesterday, one of my coaching clients taught me this lesson again.
The Conversation That Hit Different
We were celebrating some big wins on our call:
- 4X the volume from last year
- Team firing on all cylinders
- Systems finally clicking into place
From the outside? Everything looked perfect.
But then his voice dropped.
“And at the same time… I’m going through one of the hardest times of my life.”
Damn.
Behind the scenes?
- Personal challenges.
- Family stress.
- Health battles.
Life was throwing haymakers at his chin.
And still — he was leading.
Not because it was easy. Not because it was convenient. Not because everything was perfectly lined up.
Because his people needed him.
The Difference Between Good Leaders and Great Ones
Here’s the brutal truth:
- Anyone can lead when life is good.
- The real ones lead when life is messy.
Great leaders don’t disappear when their world falls apart.
They don’t:
- Ghost their teams.
- Blame everyone else.
- Collapse inward.
They show up — even when every part of them wants to hide.
What “Showing Up” Really Means (It’s Not What You Think)
Showing up doesn’t mean pretending everything’s perfect.
It doesn’t mean putting on a fake smile and acting like a robot.
It means:
- Being honest (without dumping your pain onto others)
- Staying consistent (even when you’re tired, scared, or hurting)
- Keeping your promises (especially the ones nobody else sees)
It means your team and your family know:
“Even when things are hard, you’re still here. Still leading. Still fighting.”
Practical Ways to Lead When Life Gets Hard
If you’re in a storm right now — or you know one’s coming — here are 5 ways to keep showing up:
1. Protect Your Core Routines
Even if everything else falls apart, protect:
- Morning routines
- Daily check-ins with your team
- Critical client commitments
Anchor yourself with habits you can control.
2. Communicate Honestly (But Wisely)
It’s okay to say:
“I’m dealing with some things personally right now, but we’re still moving forward.”
You don’t owe everyone full details. But transparency builds trust.
3. Delegate and Empower
When you’re at 60% strength, your team needs to step up. Let them.
- Delegate decisions.
- Empower others to solve problems.
- Share the load — don’t carry everything alone.
Resource: Leadership Delegation Tips – Harvard Business Review
4. Prioritize Ruthlessly
When energy is limited, focus only on:
- Protecting revenue
- Protecting relationships
- Protecting reputation
Everything else? Trim, pause, or kill.
Resource: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
5. Take Micro-Restorations
You might not get a full vacation. But you can:
- Take a 10-minute walk without your phone
- Meditate for 5 minutes between calls
- Sleep an extra 30 minutes when possible
Tiny resets keep you in the fight longer.
Your Family and Your Team Still Need You
When your world feels like it’s falling apart, it’s easy to think:
“Maybe I should pull back. Maybe I’m not good enough to lead right now.”
But that’s exactly when you are needed most.
- Your team still needs your guidance.
- Your family still needs your presence.
- Your business still needs your heartbeat.
Not your perfection.
Your presence.
Final Reminder: Real Leadership Shows Up, Even When It’s Hard
Leadership isn’t about standing tall when the sun is shining.
It’s about showing up when the storms rage.
It’s about being the steady hand when everything else feels shaky.
It’s about reminding the people around you:
“No matter what, I’m here.”
Even if your voice shakes. Even if your hands tremble. Even if all you can give today is 60%.
You showed up.
And sometimes? That’s the greatest leadership move of all.
Related Resources:
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