Leading with Less: The Power of Letting Go in Mindful Leadership

The need to always “be there” used to keep me up at night. 🕓

I spent years convinced that great leadership meant being endlessly available, firefighting, having an opinion around everything. If someone needed support, I’d be there. If they veered off track, I’d coach them back. I thought that was how I’d make a real impact.

But, guess what? I ended up burning out… and ironically, showing up less for my team.

One night, I was lying awake, running through a to-do list in my head, and it hit me: this obsession with “being needed” was backfiring. I was doing it out of habit, not because it was effective—or sustainable. ❌

👉 And above all: It was MY need to be needed. Not my team’s.

We all have attachments to these ideas of “success” that we barely even see or question.

Whether it’s a fixation on proving ourselves, needing recognition, or shouldering every burden alone, they can turn into self-imposed prisons.

Here’s my biggest takeaway:

Sometimes, letting go of control is actually the most empowering thing we can do for ourselves—and our teams.

When we loosen our grip and step back, we give others the space to step up, share ideas, and grow.

Hi, I’m Maria, an ICF PCC coach specializing in mindfulness for organizations. 🌱

Mindfulness practice is a safe, low-stakes way for leaders to train the skill of letting go.

If you’re interested in supporting your team’s emotional intelligence, I offer corporate mindfulness and yoga packages designed for exactly that. Whether you’re planning an end-of-year event or looking for a fresh start in the new year, let’s connect!

Drop me a message, and let’s explore what we can build together. 💌

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Maria