The bridge month between summer and fall is well underway, and somehow, it always creeps up on us. One minute it’s long evenings and looser schedules… and the next, we’re staring down a calendar full of meetings, deadlines, and pressure. Backpacks are packed. Routines are reinstated. And for most leaders, it’s not just “back-to-school” season, it’s prove-it season. Q3 is winding down. Q4 is coming in hot. And the pressure to perform, push, and “finish strong” is everywhere.
I was reminded of that tension just last week when a friend offered to take care of a small personal project for me. It was something that would probably take her two hours, but it was something I had been putting off for weeks, repeating (and repeating) that I just didn’t have time. Even though she assured me it was something she wanted to do to support me during an especially hectic period, I noticed how much resistance came up when she offered. It took me three days to finally accept her help, and then almost immediately, I got the notification it was done. Handled. Off my plate, and oh my goodness, it felt like such a gift! Yet I almost missed it!
That resistance to receiving help is something I see so many leaders wrestle with, and it can be all the more evident this time of year.
So I want to explore a different kind of narrative. Because behind the scenes, here’s what I’m noticing:
Everyone is carrying something extra right now, and it’s heavy.
- A health scare that shook your foundation.
- A wave of business uncertainty just as things were stabilizing.
- A key hire gave notice, and now you’re back in the weeds.
- You just got laid off, and your spouse did, too.
- You’re going through a quiet divorce that no one at work knows about.
- You’re grieving someone you love, but haven’t had space to process it.
- You’re in burnout, but hiding it so well that even you can barely tell.
- You’ve built the business everyone admires… but deep down, you’re wondering if you even want it anymore.
- A family transition is weighing heavily while you try to stay focused.
- The emotional toll of always being “the steady one” is starting to show, just not on the outside.
These aren’t small things. They’re the kind of challenges that don’t show up in your Q3 report, but absolutely shape how you show up, lead, and live. Still, so many of us default to what we know best:
Power through.
Push harder.
Carry more.
Don’t drop the ball.
Don’t let anyone down.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re the strong one.
The one your team leans on.
The one your clients trust.
The one who handles it all, and usually does.
But that strength can become a trap, especially in a season like September. You start taking back tasks that were delegated because “it’s faster if I do it.” You say yes when you’re already at capacity, because you don’t want to disappoint. You equate “finishing strong” with “doing it all yourself,” even when your plate is overflowing.
Let’s clarify something: that’s not Empowered Leadership, that’s exhaustion, wearing a mask, and it’s not sustainable, especially when life outside of work is demanding more of you, too.
Here’s a hard truth: the highest-performing leaders aren’t the ones who push through alone; they’re the ones who build support, who delegate with clarity, who know when to pause, and when to pass the baton. Think about it: when kids go back to school, they don’t succeed because they’re handed more to do alone. They succeed because they’re surrounded by structure, guidance, and support.
Why should leadership be any different? Support isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a force multiplier. It frees you up to focus on what only you can do, and trust others to carry the rest.
If the pressure of Q3 is stacking up alongside real-life challenges, here are some tips to shift from solo strength to supported strength:
1. Delegate with Intention, Not Just Urgency
- Choose one recurring task you’ve been holding onto and hand it off this month.
- Pick something that drains you but doesn’t require your genius.
- Notice how much lighter you feel, mentally and emotionally.
2. Build Routines That Include Real Support
- Don’t just optimize for productivity.
- Build rhythms that include check-ins, accountability, and yes, actual rest.
- The right systems don’t isolate you; they amplify you.
3. Let People Actually Help You
- Leadership doesn’t mean carrying it all.
- Look around: who can you trust with real responsibility? Then let them own it.
- Strong leaders don’t hoard decisions; they scale them.
4. Aim for Sustainable Momentum, Not Perfection
- Q3 doesn’t need to end in burnout.
- Your goal isn’t to do it all, it’s to enter Q4 clear, grounded, and ready for what’s next.
September brings structure, rhythm, and momentum. But don’t confuse that with doing it all alone. The strongest leaders I know right now? They’re not sprinting the hardest. They’re the ones who’ve built systems they trust, teams they don’t micromanage, and space to navigate life, not just work…and the ones who accept help and support, because leadership isn’t about how much you can endure. It’s about the conditions you create, for yourself, your team, and your business, to thrive, even when life is heavy.
So if this season feels like a lot (because it is a lot), you don’t have to white-knuckle your way through. You don’t need to earn your strength by going it alone. You’ve already proven your capacity. Now it’s time to build the support that lets you lead with it.
If you’re navigating the dual pressure of running your business and managing real-life challenges behind the scenes, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to do it alone. Our team specializes in operational and strategic support for high-performing leaders like you, so you can stay focused on the decisions, relationships, and vision that truly move the needle, with the support of a trusted partner and high-caliber expertise by your side.
Because sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do… is let someone else carry some of the weight.
