What story do you see here?

What Story do you see here?

Composed. Focused.

The light falls just right on her face — half in brightness, half in shadow.

A portrait of grace under pressure.

Maybe you see confidence.

Maybe you see clarity.

Maybe you even see success.

But what if…

The real story can’t be seen?

What if the real story is written in tight shoulders, not spreadsheets?

In the clenching of her jaw, not the clarity of her words?

In the way she inhales quietly before speaking, steadying herself — again.

Maybe just an hour ago, she was sitting in her car, hands trembling slightly on the steering wheel.

Not because of fear — but because of the chronic hum of pushing through.

That low buzz of always holding it together.

Of always being “on.”

Of always being strong enough.

Because leadership doesn’t come with a pause button.

Because she’s learned to override — not listen.

Because her nervous system has adapted to stress so well, it looks like strength.

✨ But here’s the truth:

The body never lies.

The nervous system always keeps score.

It knows when you’re leading from alignment…

…and when you’re leading from survival.

Fight.

Flight.

Freeze.

These aren’t dramatic reactions.

They’re everyday patterns.

They show up in over-preparing, people-pleasing, second-guessing, disconnecting —

or doing everything perfectly, just to stay safe.

And what’s most painful?

We often don’t even see it.

Because it’s not dramatic.

It’s just… normal.

But normal doesn’t mean healthy.

And high-functioning doesn’t mean regulated.

💬 So I invite you to ask yourself:

What story do you tell the world?

What story do you tell yourself?

And what story is your body — your brain, your nervous system — trying to tell you?

✨ The truth is:

We can’t rewrite the leadership narrative if we don’t first listen to the story underneath.

Leadership is not about hiding what’s hard.

It’s about honouring it.

Not fixing it.

Feeling it.

Because the real story?

The one that brings safety, connection, and real power?

It starts when you’re finally ready to listen to yourself.