The Lighthouse in the Storm

Shyna had always been the go-to person for getting things done. Sharp, reliable, and unshakably calm under pressure. But now, as the newly appointed head of a fast-growing startup division, she found herself facing unfamiliar waters. Her team was diverse, talented—but weary from change. Tight deadlines, remote miscommunications, and burnout hung thick in the virtual air. Shyna knew she couldn’t just manage anymore. She had to lead. She started by looking inward. She remembered an old mentor's words: “Before you can lead others, you must know who you are.” Shyna took the time to reflect on her leadership style. She realized she was a natural problem-solver—pragmatic, grounded—but often too focused on execution to notice the emotional pulse of the room. She decided to seek feedback from her team, using tools like CliftonStrengths1, and was surprised to hear how much they appreciated her reliability, but craved more empathy and visibility. Determined to evolve, Shyna shifted gears. She started morning check-ins not just for project updates, but for emotional check-ins too. She shared her own challenges, modeling transparency and resilience. Slowly, she noticed a change—people were speaking up more, suggesting bold ideas, even laughing again. One day, during a tough sprint, her team faced a critical failure that could’ve derailed a launch. Instead of reacting with urgency and pressure, Shyna paused. “Let’s regroup tomorrow. We’ll solve this together.” It wasn’t just what she said—it was how calmly and confidently she said it. The next morning, they not only fixed the issue but found a smarter workaround. Her consistency built trust. Her openness nurtured connection. And her ability to adapt, while still steering toward the company’s larger vision, turned her into what her team now fondly called “the lighthouse in the storm.” Balancing leadership with her personal life wasn’t easy. Shyna learned to sign off by 6 PM, took up yoga again, and encouraged her team to take mental health breaks. She no longer wore stress like a badge of honor. She wore clarity, empathy, and foresight instead. Months later, during a quarterly review, her team’s retention rate was the highest across departments. Feedback from across levels poured in—words like “trustworthy,” “steady,” and “inspiring.” But what made Shyna smile most was a note someone left anonymously: “She makes us feel safe to grow.” That, Shyna thought, was real leadership.