I had the privilege of participating in a workshop recently where a number of us worked on our declarations–essentially, our truest commitments that guide our sense of purpose and meaning.

One of the leaders who I most admire and who inspired me to take my development seriously once said that when leaders suffer, everyone around them suffers.

It’s almost cliche by now to talk about living from authenticity. To bring your whole self to work and to life. But what happens when we don’t or feel like we can’t?

First, these questions dawned on me from personal experience. Earlier in my life and career (in my late 20s), everything seemed like it was coasting just the way it was supposed to: in a loving relationship, and navigating different companies in pursuit of more fulfilling roles and income.