How do you manage the overwhelming tsunami of change and challenge?
Because it ain’t going to stop.
Let’s go beyond the rational stuff you’ve already heard. The advice that tells you to just “prioritise better” or “delegate more.” You’ve tried all that. And still, you’re overwhelmed.
If you’re wondering when the madness will end, just remember what they say in the sci-fi movies: “You are not alone.”
A recent Gartner report (Top 5 Priorities for HR Leaders in 2025) revealed that 75% of HR leaders say their managers are overwhelmed with the expanding scope of their responsibilities.
That’s:
- Daunting
- Demotivating
- Relentless
- And… here to stay.
So no—it’s not going to stop.
But you can find your feet. You can find peace. Not by staying in control (that’s a myth), but by shifting how you show up for yourself and others.
Yet, before you can lead others, you need to lead yourself. That’s where the “Three Ts” come in.
The Three Ts
- Own Your TRUTH
- Discover your TALENTS
- Live you TAO
Own Your TRUTH
Shakespeare nailed this years ago (As an ex-English teacher, I’m a big fan of the Bard):
“This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.”
What does that mean in practice?
It means getting crystal clear on what you stand for—your top values, your boundaries, your leadership stance. Not what you think you should stand for. What you actually believe. Then, day by day, moment by moment, checking in:
Is this action I’m about to take truly aligned with my values?
That’s why in our essential leadership skills programme, Basecamp: Leadership Essentials, the very first module is Leading Self. Even before participants walk into the room, they’ve reflected on their values through the prework. Then in the session, we go deeper. It’s one of the most powerful moments in the programme—when new leaders get to name their core values and take pride in them, not just as words on a wall, but as ways they want to lead.
Now, it’s not always easy. Sometimes living your truth means taking a short-term hit. One of my core values is “Family and Friends.” There have been seasons where work pulled me away more than I wanted. But rather than letting that value slide, I found ways to weave it in—like stepping away during trips to make a few calls, then being fully present the rest of the time.
There’s no perfect balance. Honestly, the whole “work-life balance” thing? I think that’s a BS concept. At your level, it’s a bit of a myth. It’s not about balance—it’s about integration.
The real danger isn’t the workload itself. It’s the integrity gap: the disconnect between your values and your behaviour. That gap isn’t just stressful—it’s exhausting. It drains your energy, your clarity, your confidence.
So, get clear. Choose your top 3–7 values. Make them your daily touchstone. Because when your actions align with your truth, you won’t just feel better—you’ll lead better.
And that’s when people truly want to follow.
Discover your TALENTS
Leadership feedback often starts with what you need to fix. But what if you started with what’s already working?
Believe me, you have so many strengths—often far more than you give yourself credit for. They can go unrecognised, even by you. You work your arse off, put in extraordinary hours, hit the numbers… and sometimes the reward?
Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Undervalued. Underpaid.
But here’s the thing: while it’s great to be recognised by others, the real work—the real ownership—is valuing yourself.
Gallup found that people who use their strengths every day are six times more likely to be engaged. That’s not fluff. That’s effectiveness.
Ask yourself:
- Where have I naturally excelled?
- What activities made me feel energized and alive?
- What strengths have others consistently appreciated in me?
- What do I just love doing?
(And yes, a reminder: loving something doesn’t always mean you’re naturally brilliant at it. I love golf, but trust me, the PGA Tour isn’t calling.)
Once you spot your talents…
Toot your own horn—graciously.
Not from ego, but from service. Let people know how you can contribute at an even higher level. Let them know about your talents and how they can be useful—not just how they deserve to be recognised.
Because here’s the truth: you have an obligation—a duty—to be all you can be. Not just when people notice. Especially when they don’t.
Don’t pull back on your talents because someone else hasn’t clapped loudly enough. Don’t try less, do less or be less than you can be just because others don’t recognise it. It’s not good for the soul.
The judgement that matters most? It’s yours.
Own your talents. Use them. Grow them. Because when you shift your focus from overwhelm to ownership, you’ll be amazed at how much more you can bring—to your leadership, to your teams, and to yourself.
“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”
Wayne Dyer
Live your TAO
Tao means a road, a path, the way in which you do something.
Your Tao is your way. Your unique leadership path. It’s not about being perfect or having all the answers. It’s about living a life that’s yours—not someone else’s expectations or your inner critic’s checklist.
To me, as a leader, it means getting clear on your mission, your life purpose. Why you have chosen to lead in the first place.
Many leaders I coach have spent extraordinary energy developing their organisation’s mission, their team’s purpose, even their five-year strategies.
But when I ask about their own personal mission?
I often hear:
“I’ve been too busy.”
“I never really thought about it.”
“I put it in the too hard basket”
Here’s the truth: that’s not good enough.
At the human enterprise, we ask every leader we coach to create their own “Letter from the Future,” a vivid look ahead that, among other things, includes their leadership mission.
Because your personal Tao—your reason for leading—will sustain you through the terrific, the tender, and the tough times.
It keeps you anchored when the wins aren’t easy.
It keeps you humble when the wins come fast.
And here’s something even more important…
Your Tao will only truly keep you motivated if it’s not all about you.
It has to be bigger than ego. Bigger than status.
It has to be about serving others, making a difference, creating something meaningful.
On a personal note, my own Tao has kept me alive again and again, despite the “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.”
It’s simple, but it’s everything: “To inspire all I touch to lead magnificent and meaningful lives.”
Inspire — to breathe life into.
Touch — to commit and genuinely meet people where they are.
Magnificent — to magnify their impact.
Meaningful — to make their time here truly count.
So, ask yourself:
- What matters most right now—and how can I honour that?
- What’s the bigger game I’m playing through my leadership?
Living your Tao isn’t a grand speech. It’s daily practice. It might mean protecting time for deep work. Reconnecting with your team. Choosing rest over reactivity.
It’s about small tweaks. Daily choices. Moment-by-moment ownership.
As Mary Oliver challenged us:
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
I get it.
All the other strategies matter too—
- Getting clear on what your boss needs.
- Delighting your clients.
- Setting up the right KPIs.
- Nailing your meeting cadence.
They’re important. And you probably know all that already (or are learning fast if you’re a future leader).
But here’s the real shift: You’re not just managing tasks. You’re leading yourself. You’re getting clear on your own Three Ts—your Truth, your Talent, and your Tao.
And it all starts with Small Tweaks: simple, consistent actions that move you from overwhelm to ownership.
Small Tweaks
Own Your TRUTH
- Name your values. Do a simple values sort or write down the 5–7 principles you want to be known for—then gut-check how you’re living them. We do this with all participants right at the start of Basecamp: Leadership Essentials.
- Audit your energy. Where are you spending your time, money, and focus? That’s what you’re truly valuing. Are you aligned—or off course?
- Clarify your “why.” Separate ends values (what really matters) from means values (how you get there). Money might be a means. Freedom could be the end.
- Speak your truth. Share your views in meetings—not as demands, but as contributions. Try “In my view…” or “I believe the right thing here is…”
Discover Your TALENTS
- Take a Kolbe A™ Index. (Included in our one-on-one coaching and Higher Ground: Peer Advisory Coaching). It’s a shortcut to understanding your natural instincts—how you’re wired to operate at your best.
- Ask for insight. Reach out to 3–6 trusted colleagues: “What do you see as my top leadership strengths?”
- Name it, claim it. Notice what energises you. Start saying “I’m at my best when…” or “I’d love to contribute more through…”
Live Your TAO
- Ask around. Ask others about their personal missions. You’ll be surprised at how few have one and enthralled by those who do.
- Craft your mission. Reflect on the biggest gift you can give to those around you. Use this simple frame: “I [what you do] [who you serve] to [impact you create].” e.g., “I empower emerging leaders to lead with head and heart.”
- Anchor to it. Read your mission weekly. Let it guide your decisions when the pressure’s on.
- Protect what matters. Set one small boundary this week that honours your Tao—whether it’s family time, creative thinking, or simply space to reflect.
From overwhelm to ownership starts with the essentials.
If you’re ready to lead yourself more powerfully—and help others do the same—download our free guide: 10 Essential Leadership Skills for Leaders at Every Level
It’s full of practical actions you can take right now, no matter your role, to lead from any chair, live your values, and energise your team. Get your copy here.
Until Next time…
Find the passion.
Develop the skills.
Make the numbers.
Make a difference.
Paul Mitchell
“APAC’s most respected transformational leadership performance coach”
Paul Mitchell (@Paul_S_Mitchell) is a speaker, author, transformational leadership coach and founder of the human enterprise. Through leadership coaching, leadership development programmes, keynotes and facilitation, Paul works with organisations to build cultures where everybody leads.
