Tag: mental-health

Book Review: Leveling Up by Ryan Leak

Posted on by Rosemarie

When I heard Ryan Leak speak at a leadership conference in January, one phrase landed hard with me: “fail forward.” That message came to life even more as I read his book Leveling Up. At the time, I was in a relatively new executive role and navigating the uncertainty and stretch that comes with it. Leak’s perspective reframed failure for me, not as a stopping point, but as data I could use to grow.

Since then, I have gone on to read all of his books, but Leveling Up is the one that continues to shape my day-to-day leadership. Leak makes a compelling case that growth does not happen when we wait for perfect conditions. It happens when we are willing to move forward before we feel fully ready. That lesson is especially relevant for leaders, because our teams often need to see us take the first step before they will feel comfortable doing the same.

It can be tempting to see obstacles as proof that we are not cut out for the next step, but Leak encourages us to interpret them differently. If things feel too easy, we are probably not stretching ourselves. For me, that shift in perspective has been powerful. Challenges are not signs of weakness, but signs of progress.Failures and setbacks are not evidence that we should stop, but opportunities to learn and adjust. This idea of failing forward is not just about personal growth, but also about how we lead others. When teams see failure treated as information rather than punishment, they become more willing to innovate, to take risks, and to bring forward new ideas.

One of the things that makes Leveling Up so powerful is how Ryan Leak frames growth around twelve guiding questions. These are not meant to be answered once and filed away, but to be lived with, wrestled with, and returned to often. As I reflected on them, I found they naturally fall into three themes: vision, connection, and rhythm.

When it comes to vision, Leak pushes us to define success on our own terms and to stay aware of how we show up for others. He asks, What is my definition of success? What is it like to be on the other side of me? How can I get better? These questions invite clarity, honesty, and humility. They are qualities every leader needs.

The theme of connection focuses on how we interact with and support others. Questions like What credit can I give away? Whose dream do I need to support? What mistakes can I own? remind me that leadership is not only about personal achievement. It is about lifting others up and creating space for shared wins.

Finally, there is the theme of rhythm, the pace and posture with which we move through life. Leak challenges us with questions like What risk do I need to take? What is the right thing to do? How am I managing my time? Do I have to do it all? Am I enjoying it? Who knows who I really am? These are the questions that hit hardest in the daily grind, because they call us back to balance, authenticity, and joy.

Seeing all twelve questions together makes it clear why Leak calls this book Leveling Up. They are not about chasing perfection. They are about building awareness and courage at every stage of growth. They serve as checkpoints that help us see where we are, where we are headed, and how we want to show up along the way.

  1. What is my definition of success?
  2. What is it like to be on the other side of me?
  3. How can I get better?
  4. What credit can I give away?
  5. What mistakes can I own?
  6. What risk do I need to take?
  7. Whose dream do I need to support?
  8. What is the right thing to do?
  9. How am I managing my time?
  10. Do I have to do it all?
  11. Am I enjoying it?
  12. Who knows who I really am?

Leveling Up is both motivating and practical, blending inspiration with tools that leaders can apply right away. It is a book about courage, mindset, and the small but meaningful choices that move us toward the next version of ourselves. For me, it has been a reminder to stop waiting for the perfect moment and to embrace the process of growth, with all of its challenges and rewards.

As I continue to reflect on Leak’s work, I find myself asking the same question I will pose here: what is the next area of your life or leadership that you are ready to level up?

Book Review: Over Work

Posted on by Rosemarie

Over Work: Transforming the Daily Grind in the Quest for a Better Life by Brigid Schulte

Brigid Schulte’s Over Work is a timely and transformative read for anyone striving to find balance in an increasingly demanding professional world. The book dissects the entrenched systems and cultural expectations that fuel our overwork tendencies and provides a compelling vision for a more balanced, intentional approach to life and work.

As a new executive, I approached this book not just with curiosity but with a pressing need for clarity. Leading a team and setting the tone for how work is approached for an entire organization has heightened my awareness of how much our workplace cultures glorify busyness at the expense of true productivity and well-being. Schulte’s insights resonated deeply, offering a framework to rethink not only my personal habits but also the norms I help reinforce within my organization.

One of the book’s most striking revelations is the persistence of the “ideal worker” archetype – the expectation that the most successful employees are those who are constantly available, sacrificing personal time for professional advancement. In my own experience, stepping into my new role at work has only amplified this pressure. Schulte’s analysis reminded me that leadership is about outcomes, not optics, and that modeling healthy boundaries is critical to fostering sustainable productivity in my team.

Schulte doesn’t shy away from highlighting the systemic roots of overwork, particularly its disproportionate impact on women. As I reflect on my career, I’ve seen firsthand how societal expectations often burden women with invisible labor at home and in the workplace. Her call to action, to challenge these inequities and advocate for structural change, felt particularly urgent in my role as a leader who can influence organizational culture.

One of my leaders likes to say it’s about “work / life tradeoffs” not “work / life balance”. Keeping that in mind, this book’s pragmatic approach to combating overwork is one of its greatest strengths. From rethinking meeting structures to encouraging flexible work arrangements, Schulte provides actionable strategies that can benefit both individuals and organizations. Since reading the book, I’ve already begun experimenting with some of her suggestions, such as prioritizing deep work blocks over reactive tasks, and I’ve encouraged my team to do the same.

Reading Over Work coincided with my transition into executive leadership, a time when the stakes, and the demands on my time, have never been higher. It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that success in this role requires perpetual availability and constant multitasking. Schulte’s work challenged me to redefine what it means to lead effectively.

For example, I’ve started asking myself more often: Am I modeling the type of work culture I want my team to emulate? There have been moments when I’ve caught myself emailing late at night or overloading my calendar, inadvertently signaling that this behavior is the expectation. After reading Schulte’s analysis, I’m more intentional about how I structure my time and communicate priorities, both for myself and my team. My teams status isn’t always green these days, and I try to remember to log out at a reasonable time, further signaling unavailability after hours.

Schulte’s call to reimagine work isn’t just about personal well-being, it’s about the collective need to challenge a culture that equates busyness with value. For executives, the stakes are even higher; we set the tone for how work is approached in our organizations. Over Work reminded me that leadership isn’t just about driving results but also about creating environments where people can thrive.

I think Over Work is essential reading for anyone seeking a more meaningful relationship with work. It’s a book that challenges us to confront not only our personal habits but also the broader systems that perpetuate overwork. For those in leadership roles, it’s a powerful reminder of the responsibility we hold to model a better way forward.

As I continue to navigate the challenges of leadership, Schulte’s insights remain top of mind. They’ve given me the tools, and resolve, to not only manage my own workload more effectively but also to foster a culture that prioritizes balance and well-being without compromising excellence. I highly recommend this book to anyone ready to rethink the way we work.