For years I thought strong leaders never slowed down. They kept going, solved the problems, made the decisions, supported everyone else — and asked for very little in return.

Sound familiar?

Somewhere along the way we've confused endurance with leadership. We celebrate the people who work the longest hours, answer emails on holidays, never seem overwhelmed, always have the answers.

But what if that's not strength at all? What if strength looks different?

What if the strongest leader in the room is the one who knows when to pause — who recognises their capacity, who asks for help, who creates space to think before reacting? Who says "not now" instead of "yes" to everything. Who has enough self-awareness to recognise when they're no longer leading from clarity, but from exhaustion.

I've learnt that every decision I regret has one thing in common. I made it while depleted. When my energy was low. When my mind was crowded. When I was trying to move faster instead of becoming clearer.

The opposite has also been true. The best decisions I've made weren't rushed. They came from stillness, from reflection, from creating enough space to hear what I already knew.

That's why I believe leadership begins long before strategy. It begins with capacity.

Because your team doesn't experience your intentions. They experience your energy. Your presence. Your communication. Your patience. Your courage.

If you're constantly operating from empty, eventually your leadership will reflect it.

So this week, I'd like to leave you with one question.

What would change if you stopped measuring your leadership by how much you can carry… and started measuring it by how well you lead yourself?

Perhaps that's what strength really looks like. A clear mind. An open heart. A leader who knows when to stop.

Where have you been confusing endurance with leadership?

Are you seeking to find clarity, confidence and courage?

Like to learn more about developing resilience through life challenges?

Niky offer’s her Rise UP program for women online as well as her Lead Her UP retreats for women.

• Find out more about her retreats here

• Listen in to Niky’s Synergy Women podcast here