As we step into a brand-new year, this is the question that’s been sitting with me:
Are you—and your team—truly living up to your full potential?
It’s a big question, but an essential one. At The Networking Company, we work with leaders across South Africa who are committed to growth. Yet, so many find themselves stuck in the same cycles of burnout, distraction, and the constant feeling that time is slipping away.
Two Common Barriers That Hold Leaders Back
After years of facilitating leadership development programmes, I’ve noticed two recurring themes that prevent people from stepping into the life—and leadership—they’re capable of.
1. A Lack of Intentional Living
We’re not fully present. We’re rushing through the days, missing the moments, and wondering where the months have gone.
Many of our delegates share the same feeling:
- “It’s Monday and then suddenly it’s Friday.”
- “It was January and now it’s October—how did that happen?”
This isn’t just anecdotal—it’s symptomatic of the fast-paced, reactive way so many professionals are working.
I know this story well. It took a serious health scare, two burnouts, and losing close friends to stress-related illnesses for me to reassess how I was living—and leading.
At 54, I’m conscious of time. If we live for an average of 4,000 weeks, I’ve already used 2,648 of them. That leaves 1,352 weeks to make every day, every interaction, and every decision count.
“A person who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.” — Charles Darwin
As leaders, this level of awareness and intention isn’t just helpful—it’s transformational. When we show up mindfully, our teams follow suit.
2. A Lack of Action
We’re not short on knowledge. We’re overwhelmed by it. But knowledge isn’t power. Knowledge that’s implemented is.
One of the key values we live by at The Networking Company is GSD: Get Stuff Done. We don’t wait for perfect. We start. We experiment. We take action.
It’s this bias for implementation that drives both our personal and professional success—and it’s one of the top behaviours we help leaders adopt in our programmes.
The Call to Action for Leaders and Teams
This year, don’t let your leadership team sleepwalk through another quarter. Don’t wait for burnout or crisis to trigger change.
Let this be the year your people:
- Lead with clarity and presence
- Prioritise action over perfection
- Reconnect with what truly matters—both at work and beyond
Because when your leaders wake up, your business does too.
👉 Learn more about our leadership programmes for intentional, action-driven teams. Get in touch with us today by contacting our Head of Sales, Cindy Cant, via email, cindy@tnco.co.za or cell +27 0720311272.
Here’s to a mindful year, filled with meaningful action.
Let’s help your team close the gap between where they are—and where they’re capable of going.
Big love,
Helen Nicholson
CEO and Founder, The Networking Company
