From Star to Stuck: Escaping the Doom Cycle

I see this so many times in the work that I do. Here is the scenario:

She( lets call her Sarah) started out energised, ready to make an impact in her new senior role. High motivation, big ideas, deep care.

But within months, the spark was gone.

Sarah had entered what I call the doom cycle: high motivation and high ability that led to the promotion, becomes self doubt and uncertainty = lower motivation meets low ability (or perceived low ability), leading to overwhelm, self-doubt, and eventually—disengagement.

When we began working together, Sarah whispered, “I feel like I’m failing.”

So we didn’t start with strategy. We started with silence. With breath. With a simple question: Where do you feel this in your body?

In our sessions, we blended practical grounding approaches including mindfulness and somatic awareness together with speace and time to reconnect with who she was—guided by both Eastern wisdom and Western psychology. Slowly, she reconnected with her confidence, not as performance, but as presence.

Now? She’s thriving. Not by knowing all the answers, but by leading with clarity, compassion, and courage.

This is what happens when we make space for the whole leader—not just the role.

Leadership isn't about perfection. It's about alignment, connection, and the courage to keep evolving.

Let’s stop normalising burnout in brilliant people. Let’s rethink leadership.

If this resonates with you or someone you know then take that step and book a call, nothing to lose apart from 15 minutes :) and lots to gain.

https://www.carrollmacey.coach/booking-calendar/free-15-minute-chat

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