When Your Winning Formula Stops Working

Updating the formula that once made us successful.

For most of my life, my winning formula was simple: Work hard. Push through. Get results.

It shaped how I operated in the world – in my career, my business, my relationships, and even in the way I coached. It served me well. Until it didn’t.

As a coach, I brought that same energy into my conversations – focused, fast, outcomes-driven .And for a long time, it worked. Clients made progress. Things moved forward.

But recently, I noticed a shift.

My clients were asking for something different. And so was I.

My work had changed.

My business had evolved.

And I had, too.

The old pace and pressure didn’t feel aligned anymore. The strategies that once felt strong started to feel… narrow.

It wasn’t failure. It was evolution.

We outgrow a winning formula not because it’s broken – but because we’re becoming someone else.

Maybe more seasoned.

More aware.

More attuned to a different way of leading and living.

The Story: A Client Realisation

One of my senior leader clients captured this perfectly in a recent session:

“I’ve always been good at this – leading under pressure, making quick decisions, moving fast. But lately, it just doesn't seem to work anymore.”

We explored what she’d always relied on: structure, clarity, drive. They had served her brilliantly for years.

But now, with a global team, shifting expectations, and more ambiguity, that same approach was wearing thin – for her, and for those around her.

She didn’t need to discard it all.

She simply needed to evolve how she led.

We slowed things down.

Reconnected her with her values.

Introduced practices to help her stay grounded and intentional.

Her leadership became more human.

More present.

And ultimately, more impactful.

The Neuroscience: Why Updating Our Approach Matters

What we call a “winning formula” is really a well-worn neural pathway – a set of thought and behaviour patterns that we’ve reinforced over time.

Neuroscience tells us that the brain is adaptable. Thanks to neuroplasticity, we can rewire those patterns to meet the moment we’re in.

And here’s the nuance:

Yes – novelty and newness activate the brain’s dopamine system, enhancing focus, motivation, and learning.

But… the brain also craves certainty and familiarity.

Which means: change can feel hard not because you’re doing it wrong – but because your brain is wired to prefer the known.

It’s not weakness. It’s wiring. Still, with small shifts and supportive environments, we can build new circuits – and with them, new ways of leading and living.

So evolving your leadership style isn’t soft.

It’s smart.

It’s how we stay sharp, relevant – and resilient.

My Own Reflection: Coaching with More Space and Depth

These days, I coach and lead differently.

Still with structure and challenge, but now with more presence, depth, and trust.

I’ve learnt to leave more space.

To listen more closely.

To let intuition guide the process.

There’s less urgency.

More calm.

More clarity.

And interestingly – often better results.

As a founder, this has been one of the biggest mindset shifts I’ve made.

One I didn’t expect, but needed.

I still have access to the old formula.

I can switch it on when the moment calls for it.

But I no longer live there.

Because the truth is:

You can’t build the next version of your business, leadership, or life using yesterday’s mindset.

At some point, we all need to update the formula

– not because the old one was wrong, but because we've grown.

And growth asks something different of us.

An Invitation: What’s Your Winning Formula?

What mindset, strategy, or habit once served you – but now feels like it’s run its course?

What would it mean to loosen your grip on it – and allow space for something new to emerge?

This isn’t about abandoning what’s worked .

It’s about evolving it – in service of who you’re becoming.

You haven’t failed. You’ve grown.

✨ Curious to explore how we could work together?

I support leaders in transition who are ready to evolve how they lead – with clarity, science, and soul.

Let’s build the next version of your leadership, together.

📞 Book a discovery call.

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