You can't lead clearly from a cluttered mind - read this if your head feels full!

The veterinary leaders I often meet are smart, capable, and deeply committed. They care a lot about their team, their patients, their standards, and their role. And, they are holding it all together - at least on the outside. 

But inside...

Their mind is noisy. Their gut says one thing, but their head won't stop spinning. They're second guessing, over-carrying, overthinking - all while trying to project a calm authority. 

Inevitably, one of the things they'll say to me is:

"I just want some clarity. I don't know what to do next."

But clarity doesn't come from thinking harder. It comes from clearing space.

The Inner World of a Leader

Leadership isn’t just about what you do, it’s about what you carry.

I’m talking about:

• The beliefs you haven’t questioned in years (“I should be able to handle this alone.”)
• The fears you don’t say out loud (“What if I lose their respect?”)
• The patterns you keep repeating (“It’s just easier if I do it myself.”)

It builds up quietly. And over time, that mental clutter starts driving your decisions - usually without you realising it.

You start avoiding the tough conversations. You stay in roles or relationships longer than you should. You say yes when everything in you is screaming no. 

And then you wonder why you feel stuck, resentful, or burnt out.

✨ The Magic Is in the Work You’re Avoiding

This is one of my favourite truths in coaching. Because every leader reaches a point where they know what they need to do, but they don’t want to go there.

Not yet, not today.

Here’s what that avoidance can look like:

• Not setting boundaries with the team member who’s constantly overstepping.
• Not delegating because “they won’t do it right.”
• Not acknowledging that you’re tired of pretending to have it all together.

But avoidance doesn’t make the weight go away. It just builds it quietly.

The amazing thing is - the moment you turn towards the thing you’ve been dodging - you free up energy. You reclaim your power. And, you finally start to lead from a grounded place again.

So How Do You Get Uncluttered?

Try this simple three-step reflection:

1. What’s taking up most of your headspace right now?
   (Even if you’re pretending it’s not.)
2. What have you been avoiding?
   (Be honest - what conversation, decision, or truth is quietly waiting?)
3. What would shift if you faced it gently, this week?
   (Not perfectly. Just honestly.)

You don’t need to fix everything at once, but you do need space to hear yourself again.

Because you can’t lead clearly from a cluttered inner world, but you can lead powerfully from a centred one.

And that starts with turning towards what matters most - even if it scares you.

And hey - if you’re willing to share, I’d genuinely love to hear your answers. Just hit reply and let me know what came up for you. I read every message myself.

Want a little help doing that?

The How Sustainable Is Your Leadership Style? scorecard is a great place to begin. It’s free, takes 2-3 minutes, and can show you what’s draining you, where you're strong, and where your leadership might need rebalancing.

Take the scorecard here
👉 https://rachael-bqchoktp.scoreapp.com