I Didn’t Lose My Leadership— I Lost My Alignment
On paper, I was thriving.
I was the superintendent of a small rural school district leading complex systems, making high-stakes decisions, and carrying responsibility that extended far beyond my own life.
I looked capable.
I looked successful.
And I was deeply depleted.
As I would later learn, “burnout isn’t a leadership failure—it’s a signal.”
A signal inviting us to realign, recalibrate, and return to who we were before survival became our strategy.
The Burnout Beneath the Surface
Here’s something we need to talk about:
Nearly 70% of leaders report feeling burned out
More than half of educators and executive leaders have considered leaving their roles
Emotional exhaustion is cited as the number one reason
On the outside, leadership often looks successful. Capable. Put together.
But behind the scenes, many leaders are quietly unraveling.
I hear the same refrain again and again in my work with leaders across the country.
And if any part of this feels familiar, you are not weak, you are paying attention.
Because you can be successful and struggling at the same time.
A Personal Reflection from 2025
One year ago, I was serving as the superintendent of a small rural school district leading complex systems, making high-stakes decisions, and carrying responsibility that stretched far beyond my own life and well-being.
Outwardly, I looked confident and capable.
Inwardly, I was exhausted. Depleted. Navigating health challenges I never talked about.
I wasn’t just tired.
I was out of alignment.
And that’s when the truth became clear:
“I didn’t lose my leadership. I lost my alignment.”
I knew my values but I wasn’t living them.
I had lost margins.
I wasn’t resting.
I wasn’t spending meaningful time with my family.
I wasn’t connecting with God the way I knew I needed to.
Slowly, I gave myself permission to stop being human in order to carry everyone else.
But leadership itself was never gone.
Because leadership isn’t a title.
It isn’t a role.
And it certainly isn’t performance.
Leadership is who you are when no one is applauding.
It’s how you respond when pressure rises.
It’s what you protect when everything feels urgent.
Three Leadership Lessons This Season Revealed
This season stripped away a lot but it also revealed what matters most.
1. Burnout is a message, not a failure.
Burnout is your body’s way of saying, slow down, rest, refuel.
For me, the message showed up through sleeplessness, loss of appetite, and health challenges.
“We only get one body—and one life. Listening matters.”
2. Alignment matters more than achievement.
I’ve always been a striver; reaching one goal only to move the finish line.
But this season taught me something new:
“When your leadership aligns with your values and the legacy you want to leave, everything feels different.”
Lighter.
More grounded.
More whole.
3. Leaders grow best in community.
Stress often leads to isolation; especially when criticism, betrayal, or fear creep in.
But growth and healing happen in community.
We need people who will tell us the truth, offer grace, and remind us who we are when we forget.
Why H.O.P.E. Matters
This is why I believe so deeply in the System of H.O.P.E.:
Habits that support well-being not just productivity
Optimistic Outlook grounded in truth, not toxic positivity
Purpose that goes deeper than performance metrics
Excellence rooted in integrity
Hope doesn’t mean pretending leadership is easy.
It means choosing clarity, courage, and compassion anyway.
And here’s what I want you to hear today:
You can be successful and struggling at the same time.
Naming that truth doesn’t disqualify you—it deepens your impact.
A Question for You
As you reflect on this past year, ask yourself:
What did leadership reveal about you?
Not what it took from you—but what it revealed in you.
If 2025 made you question yourself…
If you felt tired but kept showing up…
If you wondered whether you could keep going…
You didn’t lose your leadership either.
You’re finding it again; more grounded, more honest, and more whole.
An Invitation to Support and Community
If you’re a female leader ready to move from burnout to breakthrough, I invite you to join the Empower Her Monthly Mastermind.
📅 January 14, 2026 | 12:00 PM CST (FREE)
✨ Heart, Home, and Hustle: A Faith-Based Approach to Leadership
This experience is designed to help you gain clarity, build resilience, and reconnect with your purpose—both in life and leadership.
You’ll also find coaching resources, upcoming events, and the Hope-Fueled Leadership Kickstart—a short, focused coaching experience created to help you pause, realign, and move forward with confidence.
👉 Visit sparkhopedu.com to learn more and book your free discovery session.
