Leadership Development: Listening to your Inner Voice

April 1, 2025

Learning to listen. Learning to trust. Letting those moments shape what you create.

Have you ever felt like the path you’re on no longer fits? Maybe it once did. But not anymore. Like forcing your feet into old shoes that don’t quite fit, or putting on a jacket or dress that felt just so perfect a decade ago, but today doesn’t quite hit the mark.

How do you handle these moments? Do you go with the flow, force the fit, and move on with your day? Do you ask questions? Make a change? Consult trusted family or friends for their input or opinion? What about looking within?

Introspection is defined as “the examination or observation of one’s own mental and emotional processes,” but how do we get started?

When is the last time you did something for and by yourself? It can be something small, like treating yourself to your favorite coffee, preparing your favorite meal or dessert, or starting a new book and cozying up with your pet to enjoy a few chapters. It could also be something larger, like a solo trip to dip your toes in the warm waters of the Caribbean or breathe in the fresh, crisp air in one of North America’s national parks. When experiencing these moments, consider: how do you feel?

Learning to observe your own thoughts and feelings doesn’t come naturally for everyone. We live in a culture that rewards external focus—the latest trend, the loudest voice, the most incendiary take. But the rewards that come from within are quieter. Think: satisfaction, contentment, safety, peace.

And yet, so many of us—especially those building businesses, leading teams, or chasing professional success—are taught to ignore those quieter signals. We override exhaustion, bypass discomfort, and stay committed to outdated definitions of success because we think that’s what it takes to win. But what if the real win isn’t out there? What if it begins inside, with a single honest check-in?

Now that I’ve planted this seed, it’s your turn to nurture it. Within the next week, I encourage you to plan some time for yourself. Pull up your calendar now and pencil it in. Or better yet, ask your digital assistant to do it for you. (Hey Siri!)

And if you’re not sure how to spend the time, consider this:  When you were 10, what was something you looked forward to with the most joy? Do that.

Take note of your experience. What are you thinking during this time? How are you feeling? What would it take to access this state more often? What would it mean to make this appointment something that happens regularly?

You just have to show up—gently, honestly—for yourself. One moment at a time.