Author: Rita Schoeman

Intelligence is rarely the problem in leadership. Many leaders who feel most stuck are highly capable. They read extensively, participate in strategy sessions, and grasp complexity. They can accurately analyse markets, systems, and people. And yet, when pressure rises, they revert. They micromanage.They avoid difficult conversations.They overextend themselves.They withdraw.They rescue.They control. Not because they lack…

Most leaders don’t intend to foster toxic cultures. In reality, many are thoughtful, well-meaning, and genuinely dedicated to their teams. Still, toxic behaviours often continue under their leadership, becoming unchecked, normalised, or quietly accepted. What makes this challenging is that enabling toxicity is seldom obvious. It typically doesn’t involve shouting, abuse, or outright misconduct. Instead,…

Most leaders I work with are highly capable, deeply committed, and genuinely want to do well for their teams, their organisations, and their families. Yet beneath competence and responsibility, many quietly feel exhausted, disconnected, or stuck in a constant state of effort. They lead well on the outside, but inside, everything feels tight, driven, or…

I hear it often in my coaching conversations. Sometimes it’s spoken quietly, almost apologetically. Other times it arrives with displeasure or exhaustion. “There must be more to life than this.” What stands out to me is not the frequency with which it is said, but the identity of the speakers. These are highly capable, responsible,…

A broken heart can feel like the end of love. When something precious dissolves, whether a relationship, a dream, or a future we imagined, the pain can be so consuming that it convinces us of a terrible lie: that love has been exhausted. But a broken heart does not mean love has failed. It means…

In a world where leaders are pushed to move faster, deliver more and stay constantly visible, gratitude can seem too simple—almost too gentle—to matter. Yet research continues to show that gratitude is not a soft skill; it is a strategic advantage. Leaders who intentionally practise gratitude cultivate stronger teams, better decision-making and more sustainable influence….

In today’s world, leadership development often focuses on strategy, KPIs, emotional intelligence, communication frameworks, and performance metrics. However, the skill that quietly determines how effective any of these become is the one most leaders overlook: awareness. Every leader discusses self-improvement, but few understand that true change requires awareness. It’s not about behavioural tweaks, adopting new…

Leadership can determine a workplace’s success or failure. However, when the person in charge, or even your immediate supervisor, displays toxic behaviours, the effects can be significant: stress, burnout, decreased performance, and a widespread sense of fear. Recognising toxic managers early and safeguarding yourself strategically is crucial not only for your career but also for…

Most of us are taught how to think, plan, analyse, and perform. Very few of us are taught how to listen inwardly. Nevertheless, the most transformative growth does not arise from effort alone, but from a relationship — a relationship with the deeper layers of the psyche. Carl Jung referred to this process as inner…

In a world of constant change, complexity, and expectation, leadership is no longer just about strategy, skills, or results. The modern leader must also carry emotional agility, self-awareness, and the capacity to adapt — both inwardly and outwardly. In 2026, especially when teams are more diverse, workplaces are more fluid, and uncertainty is more common,…

The most impactful leaders are not always the fastest; they are the most attuned. While speed is often praised, quick decisions, rapid execution, fast communication, and meaningful leadership depend on a deeper quality: attunement. And attunement requires stillness. Stillness is not inactivity. It is not passivity. It is the strategic pause that allows leaders to…

Self-Compassion Creates Safety — First Internally, Then Externally We cannot offer others a sense of safety if our own inner world feels unsafe. When you criticise yourself severely, demand perfection, or reject your mistakes, you foster an internal atmosphere of fear. And leaders subconsciously transmit this environment to their teams. A leader who is at…

We live in a world obsessed with rapid change. Social media shows us dramatic before-and-after moments, “10x productivity” hacks, and overnight success stories. It is no surprise that many of us feel pressured to change quickly, visibly, and perfectly. But real growth rarely happens in the spotlight. From my own inner work, through coaching, the…

There’s a saying that has echoed in my mind for years:“Projection makes perception.” It means that what we see “out there” in the world is shaped by what we believe “in here” — within ourselves. This truth isn’t just psychological theory; it’s something I’ve observed repeatedly in my own life and in my clients’ lives….

As a leadership coach, I often hear people say, “I can’t afford to invest in myself right now.” Yet, upon closer inspection, I notice how much they unconsciously spend on things that offer temporary comfort, validation, or distraction. Low self-esteem quietly drains both your confidence and your bank account. It doesn’t always manifest as reckless…

As a leadership coach, I’ve noticed that one of the most subtle yet powerful themes in people’s lives, including my own, is the longing for approval. It assumes many forms: perfectionism, over-achievement, people-pleasing, constant performance, or a quiet fear of disappointing others. It may seem like you’re always saying yes when your whole being wants…

When I reflect on Chapter 34 of The Pearl Beyond Price, Aloneness, I feel that A.H. Almaas touches something very tender and very challenging in the human experience. Most of us are afraid of being alone. In fact, much of our ego structure is built to avoid exactly that feeling. We seek connection, recognition, and…

Not long ago, I had a seemingly ordinary exchange with my brother while trying to figure out a six-digit password. I only managed to catch the first four digits, and when I said, “It doesn’t fit,” he replied simply: “You must listen.” And in that moment, I didn’t just hear my brother; I listened to…

As a leadership coach, one of the questions I hear most often is: “How do I stop self-sabotaging patterns?” It’s asked with a mix of urgency and hope, as though there might be a simple answer, a quick fix that can break years of entrenched habits. I wish I could tell you there was such…

As a leadership coach, I am often asked the same set of questions, sometimes quietly, sometimes urgently, often with the underlying hope that I can provide the “golden key” to unlock an easier life: How do I reinvent myself?How do I reset myself?How do I live my full potential? These questions are profoundly human. They…