Danielle E. Leads

Well, what a wild trip it’s been! Welcome back to Danielle E. Leads.

A LOT has happened since I was posting about the working conditions of higher education. Let me tell you a story about where I have been, and where I am going.

My job was (yes was), the kind of role that is portrayed in movies and tv shows with the high powered, beautiful (of course), fashionable (duh), successful “Boss Babe” we should all want to be. I had a big title, I had a BEAUTIFUL team, and I was respected and admired by many. I even won a leadership award which I was VERY proud to receive, because I was nominated by my team.

So, why am I talking about it in the past tense?

I resigned from my position in September of 2023, because I literally became someone I didn’t recognize as myself. I was burnt out from making the mission of my institution my own personal mission. I assumed the responsibility for making that mission go at any cost, even though I didn’t believe in it anymore. My institution’s values no longer aligned with my own, or with my life’s purpose. I continued to grind, until my soul spoke to me in a moment of desperation and begged me not to go back.

Thankfully I listened. The last six months have been scary, heartbreaking, trying, beautiful, and bountiful. I have been able to discover new ways to spend my time, and heal old wounds with my family and friends, who were neglected as I was “so busy” being “successful.” I knew it would become important to tell my story, and although a good friend insists that I write a book, I think my blog is good for now.

I want this space to be safe for people to discuss their struggles with shifting their mindset from the endless grinding to get ahead, to the healthy slowdown of discovering their dreams. This is a place to dig in, disagree, push through, and come together. At least that is my goal. Let’s give it a shot!