Why You Need a Cheerleader in Your Professional Life

Andrea Clarke’s leadership book, Future Fit, outlines the need for every leader to have a Board of Directors—a team of unofficial advisors. As my mum would say, “A problem shared is a problem halved.” Having trusted people to confide in is invaluable, but not always attainable.

Think back to the last time you shared a problem with someone you trust. How did you feel afterward? Lighter or heavier? Certain or confused? Hopefully, the former in both cases.

By opening up, you unburdened your Emotional Backpack. You reduced the cognitive load simply by sharing and gaining perspective. Yet, in today’s fast-paced world, finding the time and the right person for these conversations is increasingly difficult.

And be clear—it must be a conversation. A text or email might initiate it, but they can’t replace real dialogue. Life is busy, and people are juggling their own struggles. But sharing a problem isn’t just about finding a solution—it’s also about getting the encouragement to keep going.

Hearing the Positive Amid the Pressure

Lately, I’ve had the privilege of coaching incredible school principals. They are leading with passion and dedication, yet the relentless pressures of education create a fog that is debilitating. The word “cooked” comes up frequently. These committed leaders are being stretched beyond their limits.

Decision fatigue sets in, mistakes happen, and vision gets clouded by distractions that seem important but aren’t. Sound familiar?

• I have so much on my plate that I stay at work later than I should.

• I start the day with a clear to-do list, but by evening, all I’ve done is add more to it.

• I feel more like a firefighter than a leader.

• I expect others to lighten the load, but instead, it just feels heavier.

It’s incredibly hard to step back and see the bigger picture when you’re in the thick of it.

Enough is enough.

Your Leadership Cheerleader

I am a cheerleader. Not the pom-pom-waving, halftime kind (though I wish I were that athletic), but more like a golf caddy. A caddy advises, encourages, and is fully invested in the player’s success. They don’t take the shots, but they make sure the right club is in hand for the right moment.

That’s what I do for the leaders, I coach. I check in. I’m there when they need me—sometimes at 6:00 p.m. on the drive home, because issues don’t work a 9-to-5 schedule.

To me, they are not just professionals—they are humans doing an extraordinary job under extraordinary pressure. And every leader deserves someone in their corner, reminding them that they can do this.

Who is your cheerleader?