We’ve been told “no” is a complete sentence. But let’s be honest, it rarely feels like one. Sure, it’s technically true. But professionally? Socially? Saying just no can feel more like a slap than a boundary.

Last week in one of my private Leading Through Complexity cohorts, a leader asked me: “What’s the real difference between a manager and a leader?” It’s a question I’ve been asked before. But this time, it hit differently.

If you've ever taken a personality test and thought, "That's so me..." or "Wait, what if I'm doing this wrong?" you're not alone. We LOVE a good personality quiz. But here's the real question...

Sometimes, the hardest thing isn’t the actual growth you’ve done, it’s getting OTHER people to see it. That gap between who you are and how you’re seen is where burnout, frustration, and stalled promotions love to live.