Let’s talk about courage for a minute.

Not the big, flashy kind we see in headlines. I’m talking about the quiet, powerful kind—the kind it takes to stop. To say, “This version of success doesn’t fit me anymore.” To pause… before deciding what’s next.

That’s exactly what ‘Aaron’ did.

After years in a high-powered executive role, Aaron made a decision that surprised a lot of people—he stepped away. No next job lined up. No secret side hustle waiting in the wings. Just a clear need to catch his breath and figure out what he actually wanted.

He called it his "Aaron Summer Sabbatical."

No consultants, no pressure, no performing. Just space to think. To reset. To grieve what he was leaving behind—and to create something new.

Because here’s the truth no one talks about: career transitions can feel like loss. Not just of a title, but of identity, structure, and certainty. Aaron felt all of it. The sadness. The fear. The “what now?”

But under it all? Courage.

Together, we rebuilt his foundation around three powerful anchors: clarity, connection, and care.

Clarity

Aaron got honest about what success used to mean—and how that needed to change. It wasn’t about job titles or bonuses anymore. It was about health, freedom, and doing work that actually meant something to him. That shift became the start of a new success story, written on his own terms.

Your turn: What version of success are you ready to leave behind?

Connection

He didn’t just disappear. Aaron reached out, gently reigniting relationships with people he respected and trusted. No “I need a job” energy. Just real conversations. Real updates. And he refreshed his LinkedIn—not to impress, but to reflect the person he’s becoming.
Authenticity became his superpower.

Your turn: Who do you need to reconnect with—not to network, but to re-align?

Care

This time, Aaron wasn’t running on fumes. He built daily rhythms of walking, journaling, learning, and actually sleeping. Not just to pass time, but to rebuild energy and clarity. Sustainability mattered more than speed.

Your turn: Where could you slow down now to move more intentionally later?

The Bigger Picture

Aaron’s next chapter hasn’t been fully written yet—and that’s the beauty of it. What he’s modeling for his children, his peers, and maybe even for you, is this:

You can be brave enough to stop.
Strong enough to feel.
And wise enough to begin again.

If you’ve been feeling the pull to pause, shift, or start fresh, take 10 minutes and sit with these:

1. If I stepped away, what would I be making space for?
2. What outdated definition of success am I still chasing?

You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to be willing to stop long enough to hear what’s next. Leading in complexity isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about staying grounded in what works, and leading others with clarity, care, and courage.

Here’s to leading with courage—one brave pause at a time.