When Something’s Off: Feelings Are Information

None of us likes to sit with uncomfortable thoughts—nagging worries, grouchiness, that vague anxious feeling about what’s ahead. We’d all prefer to move past them, shake them off, and get on with the day.

For people in significant leadership roles, these kinds of feelings can seem like distractions. With so much to do and so much coming at them, many leaders see emotional undercurrents as noise, getting in the way of focus, clarity, and, most importantly, productivity.

But the most effective leaders I’ve worked with take a different approach.

They learn to treat those uncomfortable feelings not as distractions, but as information.

They don’t ignore them—but they also don’t get swept away. Instead, they get curious.

A Simple Strategy That Helps

When something feels off—when you’re uneasy, distracted, or just not quite right, try imagining that the feeling is there for a reason. That it’s shown up to give you a message or nudge you toward something important.

Ask yourself:

• What is this feeling trying to tell me?

• Is there something I’m avoiding?

• What might I need to pay attention to, even if I’d rather not?

So much of leadership is about how you sit with your experience, not just how you act. It’s about how you carry yourself through complexity and discomfort, and how you show up for others when things are unclear or unsettled.

It’s more about being than doing.

How do you think about this? What helps you get unstuck and move forward with intention?

Coaching offers a space to explore your experience as a leader—with curiosity, support, and safety. Over time, you build a personal “toolkit” to help you process, integrate, and act with greater clarity and speed.

If you’re at a stage in your career where that kind of work feels valuable, let’s talk.

Schedule a 30 Minute Introductory Call