If you lead people, you’ve probably had this thought:
“How can I do this better?”
Not because things are falling apart - far from it. You’re a high performer. You’re delivering results, working with capable people, and leading complex projects through constant change.
But behind the scenes, you might be asking questions like:
• How do I get more from my team without driving them to burnout?
• How do I influence the system with less friction - and maybe even a little more joy?
• Why does it still feel so hard to make change stick?
In fast-moving, high-pressure environments like funds management, technical competence and sharp analysis only get you so far. At a certain level, the question shifts from what you know to how you lead.
Progress isn’t about more action - it’s about more awareness
If your go-to move when things get tough is to produce a new strategy, a tighter framework, a better argument - you’re not alone. It’s what smart, capable leaders do. But often, it’s not the system that needs more tweaking. It’s how we’re showing up to lead it.
Because even with the best ideas in the world, you’ll still face pushback. Competing agendas, delays and defensiveness. And the cycle continues: another round of analysis, revised timelines, renewed energy - until the next bottleneck.
What if the unlock isn’t external?
Here’s a different lens: what if the biggest lever you have isn’t in your project plan, but in you?
Specifically, in your capacity to lead with more clarity, presence, and intention under pressure. To pause before reacting. To notice the defensive tug, the impulse to withdraw, the urge to take it all on yourself, and to choose differently.
This is what it means to work on your inner game.
And in today’s leadership landscape, it’s not a “nice to have.” It’s your competitive edge.
Leaders who know themselves lead better
We’ve all felt the difference. The leader who walks into a room grounded and calm, who listens deeply, speaks with purpose, and challenges constructively. They don’t dominate, they hold space. And because of that, people lean in.
That kind of presence doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from self-awareness.
It’s built by noticing your triggers. Understanding the beliefs that drive your behaviour. And choosing to lead from a place of trust rather than reactivity.
It’s hard work. But it’s transformative.
What changes when you lead from within?
When you build your inner game, the shift is subtle at first, but profound.
You start to notice when you’re reacting instead of responding. When you’re slipping into blame, defensiveness, or avoiding hard conversations. You begin to catch the voice in your head that labels others as villains or yourself as a victim - and you choose something better. You chose to invest in trust – trust in yourself and trust in others.
From this awareness comes freedom. Suddenly, new options open up.
You speak with more clarity and gravitas. You listen with curiosity instead of judgment. You become more influential - not because you’re pushing harder, but because people feel heard, respected, and engaged.
You challenge others constructively. You set clear agreements and follow through. And most importantly, you lead in a way that lifts everyone around you.
And here’s something the research backs up: being honest about your flaws doesn’t diminish your authority - it enhances your leadership. According to Harvard Business Review, leaders who own their imperfections create deeper trust, stronger teams, and more resilient cultures. Why? Because people don’t follow perfect leaders. They follow human ones. And when you're willing to acknowledge your own shortcomings, you give others permission to do the same.
This is the real work of leadership. Not just getting things done, but getting better while doing it.
Ready to take your leadership to the next level?
Our Amplify Leadership Program is designed for leaders who want to empower others and drive performance. Find out more about the program here or join me at our information session on 12 June to explore whether this program is a good fit for you.
For more great content from Yolanda and the Future IM/Pact team, subscribe to our newsletter.
Share:
