State of Leadership: It’s Time to Move Forward

By Julie Gillespie | Well-Led Workplaces

We’ve spent the last few years working under conditions set to 'burnout mode' by default. Not on purpose. But let’s be honest, it wasn’t exactly subtle.

For a while, it seemed normal to lead without a pause button. Meetings back-to-back. Expectations multiplying. Uncertainty baked into every decision. And still, we smiled. We kept the lights on. We tried to make it work.

But here’s the kicker: just because we got used to it doesn’t mean it was okay.

We adapted. We made it look functional. But the cost? It stacked quietly until leaders couldn’t think clearly, respond effectively, or feel anything but stretched.

We told ourselves “everything's fine.” Until it wasn’t. Until we couldn’t think clearly, lead effectively, or feel anything but stretched.

But something shifted this week. Can you feel it? It's like we’ve moved out of the black hole and are catching a glimpse of the horizon again (it's slim, but it's there!).

This is a message for leaders who are ready to move. Not just back to business as usual, but forward to something far more intentional.

Why We Need to Move the State of Leadership Forward

The psychological contract between leaders and teams is fractured.

Burnout is rampant, not because people are fragile, but because the systems they operate in haven’t adapted. Add in the pressure of AI disruption, workforce reshuffles, and fragile trust in institutions, and it’s no wonder leaders are at capacity.

But here’s the reality: we don’t have the luxury of waiting. Leadership is no longer about charisma or control. It’s about clarity in complexity. It’s about choosing to become a horizon-seer - someone who can spot what’s coming, make sense of it, and act with purpose.

We can’t wait for a “return to normal.” We’re already living the new normal. The question is, are you ready to lead inside it?

What We’re Moving Forward With

We’re not leaving scorched earth behind us! We’re walking forward with clearer eyes and fuller backpacks. The aim isn’t to start from scratch, it’s to carry forward what works and let go of what drains us.

We’re packing strategically. We’re stepping into this next chapter with systems thinking, not solo heroics.

We’re ditching the outdated version of resilience, the one that pushes leaders to power through instead of pause, delegate, or ask for help. Instead, we’re building burnout-proof businesses with delegation, trust, and clarity as cornerstones.

Here's what's coming with us

• Clarity: In a fog of uncertainty, people need direction, not spin.

• Adaptability: Plans change. You have to move with them.

• Courage: Not performative bravery, but the guts to lead when the path is still forming.

• Systems Insight: Leaders need to see root causes, not just manage symptoms.

• Social Intelligence is rising to the top of the leadership toolkit. It’s not just about reading a room, it’s about reading the system the room is sitting in. It’s how leaders build trust, adapt in real time, and lead teams without burning them out.

And most of all: We’re done waiting for the “perfect moment” to act. This is it. The moment is now. The temperature’s rising in different ways, and this time, we’re not sitting still.

Some of us are finally stepping out. Not in panic, but with purpose. We’re still carrying the lessons. We’re just no longer pretending it’s fine to stay stuck.

How We Move Forward? Together.

We stop talking at people and start leading with them. Authentic leadership means saying the hard (not harsh!!) things out loud and letting them be tested in reality. It means acknowledging what’s broken and getting curious about what’s possible.

It’s time to move from reactive leadership to intentional, applied leadership. 

From heroic sprints to sustainable systems. 

From isolation to collective clarity.

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. In fact, you can’t. And that’s not a weakness, it’s a strategic insight.

Collective clarity doesn’t mean everyone agrees. It means we stop pretending we don’t need each other.

What’s Next

This is the beginning of a new chapter, not just for how we lead, but for how we build together. Some leaders are ready to leap. Some are still processing. Some are watching quietly, waiting to see who moves first. All of that is okay.

What matters now isn’t having all the answers. What matters is recognising that we don’t move forward alone, and we don’t need to be ready for everything, just ready for anything.

We move with each other. We make leadership less lonely. We build systems that support, not just stretch. Here's a tool that we love to share to help leaders create clarity for their teams: The 3 Pillars of Leadership Clarity is our go-to for aligning expectations, communication, and accountability across teams.

So, here’s what to expect from Well-Led Workplaces in this new series: 

• Strategic pulse checks on the real state of leadership

• Tools that help leaders make decisions without burning out 

• Insight into what’s shifting and what’s stubbornly staying stuck 

• Language to lead with clarity, curiosity, and care

Because leadership isn’t just about surviving the heat. It’s about knowing when to pause, when to pivot, and when to gather the others and go.

Want to Lead What’s Next, Not Just Manage What’s Now?

Let’s build a system around you. One that’s strategic, human, and actually sustainable. Follow our page, check out our website, our tools, and say hello to Julie Gillespie and Emma Schneider to find out how we're helping leaders get ready for anything, together.