Leading Without Losing Yourself in the Workplace

Session 6: Leading Without Losing Yourself in the Workplace

Part of the Choose to Grow x Own My Life Partnership Series: Women at Work & Leadership 2026

The Story Behind the Series

Leadership can be deeply fulfilling, but for many women, it comes at a cost. The higher we rise, the more pressure we feel to prove ourselves, to perform perfectly, and to carry the emotional weight of those around us. Somewhere along the way, we start to lose touch with our values, our wellbeing, and even our sense of self. But here’s the truth: you can lead without losing yourself. You can hold power without losing purpose.

Research consistently shows that women in leadership face unique challenges:

• 42% of women leaders report burnout due to emotional labour and lack of psychological safety (McKinsey, 2024)

• 1 in 3 women executives say they’ve considered stepping down because they no longer feel authentic in their roles (Deloitte, 2023)

• Women are far more likely to take on “office housework” the unrecognised work of supporting others which can erode self-identity and confidence (HBR, 2022)

  
  

That’s why Choose to Grow and Own My Life partnered to create this series, to give women practical tools, community, and confidence to thrive in leadership roles without compromising their values, boundaries, or wellbeing. Whether you’re leading a team, a business, or your own life, this 30-minute session will help you reconnect with your purpose and power.

Session Format

1. Welcome & Framing the Conversation

2. Awareness: The Hidden Costs of Leadership

3. Theory: The Psychology of Authentic Leadership

4. Practice: Leading Authentically & Sustainably

5. Close & Call to Action

Why This Series Exists

The Choose to Grow x Own My Life Partnership Series helps women recognise and unlearn the conditioning that leads to burnout, silence, or self-sacrifice at work. This isn’t about changing who you are, it’s about reconnecting with who you’ve always been. Each 30-minute session gives you insight, practical tools, and community support to build confidence, boundaries, and balance in leadership, so you can lead with strength, empathy, and authenticity.