Focus on Enough

Listening back to this week’s Focus on WHY episode 492 featuring Alison Maitland and Liz Walker, one theme rose to the surface: the liberating idea that being enough, exactly as you are, isn’t merely acceptable but vital for genuine leadership and a grounded sense of self.

Alison spoke openly about the significant challenges she has faced, including breast cancer, yet her instinct has always been to operate from a place of possibility. She wasn’t striving to become someone else. Instead she embraced who she’s always been: someone who walks alongside others, creating space for growth, opportunity and hope.

This contrasted with a story Alison and Liz shared of a client who'd felt pressured to be ‘more something’ in her professional world. Through vertical development, she began to recognise the strength in embracing all versions of her true self, stepping into conversations and situations with the freedom to live and lead unapologetically.

Vertical development focuses on strengthening the core of who you are, rather than encouraging you to endlessly bolt on new skills or competencies in the hope they might somehow complete you. Alison described how another client had realised she'd spent years bending to please others, only to discover, with reflection, it had left her feeling smaller.

Many of my podcast guests and coaching clients speak of this same urge to be more, or the sense of not being enough, which eventually becomes an internal whisper of inadequacy. It raises a powerful question: how often do you shrink yourself to fit someone else’s narrative or expectation? What might shift if you acted from a place of enough right now? Sometimes, the next step is to acknowledge your current wholeness.

The insights Alison and Liz shared reach far beyond organisational leadership. They serve as a reminder that the pursuit of ‘more’ can cloud the truth that you already are 'enough', that you have everything you need to begin right now. Often the most transformative step is simply recognising your existing wholeness.

This week, pause in one conversation or challenge. Notice any instinct to add, prove or perform, remind yourself of being enough and instead simply show up as yourself. You may find that recognition and impact follow authenticity far more readily than striving. 

Focus on Enough. Focus on Why!

REFLECTION WITH ACTION: Where in your life are you trying to do more rather than be enough?