You’re Not a Bad Leader — You’re Just Leading on Empty
I’ll never forget the day I realized something was off.
I had just finished a long board meeting. On paper, everything looked fine: budgets were balanced, enrollment was steady, and our staff had rallied through another year. I smiled, nodded, and gave all the right updates.
But on the drive home, I gripped the steering wheel and thought: I don’t have anything left to give.
That moment didn’t mean I was a bad leader. It meant I was leading on empty.
The Lie We Believe
Many Christian school leaders confuse exhaustion with failure. We think:
“If I were stronger, I could handle this.”
“Other leaders don’t seem to struggle like I do.”
“If I admit I’m tired, people will think I’m not called.”
But the truth is, running on empty doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’ve been pouring out without being refilled. Even Jesus took time to step away and rest (Matthew 14:23)
The Signs You’re Leading on Empty
When you’re leading on empty, it shows up in subtle ways:
Passion turns into duty. What once felt like calling now feels like a checklist.
Decisions get heavier. Every choice feels like wading through mud.
Wins don’t feel like wins. Even good news feels flat.
Your family notices before you do. They see the weariness you try to hide.
Recognizing these signs isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom.
What To Do Next
If you see yourself in these words, take heart. You’re not failing — you’re human. And you don’t have to keep pushing alone.
Here are a few first steps:
Name it. Admit to yourself (and maybe to a trusted friend) that you’re not okay. That honesty opens the door to change.
Create margin. Even one small boundary — like reclaiming a quiet morning each week — can start to refill what’s been drained.
Find your people. Don’t walk through leadership isolation alone. Whether it’s a coach, a mentor, or a peer, you need space to process.
Why I Built Lead Forward
I’ve been there. I know what it feels like to wonder if you can keep going. And I know the power of someone walking with you when the tank is empty.
That’s why I built Lead Forward. It’s not about hype or formulas. It’s about creating honest, faith-rooted spaces for leaders to recover clarity, courage, and calling.
I even put together a free resource called “7 Signs You’re Leading on Empty.” It’s a short guide that helps you recognize where you are — and what your next step could be.
You’re not a bad leader. You’re just leading on empty. And that can change.