This is Heavy!

A leader I was working with recently shared a moment that completely shifted their perspective on self-awareness in leadership.

They were in the middle of a chaotic week—deadlines approaching, projects stacking up, and everyone feeling the pressure. In the middle of it all, they happened to notice one of their team members, we'll call them "Alex". Alex wasn’t the loudest person in meetings, nor the one always taking credit, but they were always the one stepping up when things got tough.

On this particular day, Alex was handling a last-minute schedule change, covering for a coworker who had called out, while also keeping their own workload on track. They weren’t complaining, just doing what needed to be done.

The leader admitted that, until that moment, they had never really seen how much Alex carried. “I always assumed they had it handled,” they told me. “But that day, I actually saw it. I saw how much weight they carried so that the rest of us could keep moving.”

They decided to do something different. Instead of just assuming Alex was fine—because they always seemed fine—they stopped and acknowledged them. A simple, “Hey, I see how much you’re doing. I appreciate you.”

The leader noticed Alex’s body posture and face completely change!

Alex didn’t brush it off. Instead, they exhaled, smiled, and said, “Honestly, that means a lot.” The leader realized: Just because someone isn’t asking for support doesn’t mean they don’t need to feel seen.

This was the leader's ah-ha moment, recognizing the power of acknowledgment and how easy it is to overlook the people who quietly keep everything running.

That conversation led them to think differently about leadership. Now, they make it a habit to:

✔️ Pause and notice who is carrying more than their fair share.

✔️ Acknowledge effort, not just outcomes.

✔️ Check in on people—even the ones who seem like they’re “handling it.”

Because the strongest teams aren’t just about getting things done, they’re about making sure no one carries the weight alone.

As Self-Aware Leaders, when we take the time to:

✔️ Notice when someone seems off and check in

✔️ Acknowledge a team member’s hard work—not just their results

✔️ Offer support when we see someone carrying more than their share

✔️ Simply see people beyond their role—as people

When we do this we create spaces where people feel valued. And when people feel seen and supported, they don’t just function better, they thrive.

The next time you’re in a meeting, in a conversation, or just passing someone in the hallway, pause. Ask yourself:

• Who on my team might be carrying a heavier load than they’re letting on?

• How can I acknowledge someone today in a way that helps lighten their burden—even just a little?

• Am I only focusing on the work, or am I noticing the person?

A simple smile, a word of encouragement, or a moment of genuine acknowledgment can make all the difference.

Because at the end of the day, it is the person, beyond the employee, that truly matters. How can you show your team this is a value you hold? Let me know here!