When the calendar is full and the title looks impressive, why can the work still feel empty? Lois digs into that uneasy gap between outward success and inner drive, sharing a candid story of a senior leader who looked unstoppable on paper but felt depleted in practice. The conversation moves from recognition to action, showing how small, practical shifts can restore meaning without blowing up your career.

We start by getting honest about what changed. Early joy often came from learning, solving problems, and building relationships; over time, roles tilt toward managing up and mitigating risk.

You’ll hear how to map energizing versus draining tasks and redesign your week to make room for what matters. Then we zoom in on who you serve. By naming the real people affected by your leadership—your team, customers, students, or community—you regain a clear North Star for decisions, boundaries, and focus. Mentoring stops being “just another meeting” and becomes a direct way to create impact.

Finally, we connect daily work to a larger ripple. Leadership shapes culture, models behavior, and influences how people experience work. When you act from that bigger lens, even routine tasks carry weight. The result for our guest story was striking: fewer yeses, clearer values, renewed energy, and ironically, a deeper form of happiness that followed purpose rather than chased it. You’ll leave with simple prompts you can use this week: list what energizes you, protect two time blocks for it, write one sentence that names your North Star, and note one ripple you created each day.

If the phrase “my alarm clock gets me up” hits a little too close to home, this is your reset. Subscribe, share with a leader who needs it, and leave a review with one action you’ll take to reconnect with your why.

Leadership Horizons - Helping You Lead Beyond Boundaries