Kindness Starts With Me - And That's Leadership

Lately, I’ve felt the weight of burnout creeping in — a familiar companion in roles where we give so much to others. So, I've been taking some time out; time away from work, less time on social media, way less productivity in all areas of my life.

Inspired by Sam Clift’s honest reflections on LinkedIn and his Sam Clift Talks series on YouTube, I’ve realised the cost of pushing through without pause. Sam’s story reminds us that rest isn’t weakness — it’s a necessary act of courage.

Dr. Laurence Bolotin, CAE, often speaks about self-compassion as a leadership strength, not a flaw. His posts have challenged me to treat myself with the same empathy and care I offer others — especially in hard moments.

And in Kind: The Quiet Power of Kindness, Graham Allcott’s first principle is simple but powerful: kindness starts with you. That means setting boundaries, taking breaks, and acknowledging when I need help. It means trusting that stepping away doesn’t mean stepping down — it means honouring my health so I can show up more fully later.

This is me choosing to pause. Not to quit, not to disappear — but to heal. Because I matter too. And if you’re running on empty, maybe it’s time to be kind to yourself first, too.