Breaking the Good Girl Rules: Lead Differently This Holiday Season

Let me paint you a scene I lived through every December: There I was, drowning in patient files, juggling family expectations, and trying to maintain that picture-perfect leadership facade we're all supposed to wear.?

Sound familiar? I thought so.

The holiday season in healthcare isn’t just busy—it’s a pressure cooker.?

And for women leaders, it’s a whole other level.?

We’re expected to be the boardroom warrior, the domestic CEO, and the embodiment of festive cheer—all without breaking a sweat.

Shattering Leadership Myths (Because Someone Has To)

Starting with demolishing these toxic beliefs:

"Good leaders don't struggle"

The most inspiring leaders I know aren't the ones with perfect hair and rehearsed speeches.?

They're the ones who had the courage to say "This is hard, and we're going to figure it out together."

"Asking for help means you're weak"

Newsflash: Building an empire requires an army.?

Stop trying to be a one-woman show.

Delegation is strength, not surrender.

"I can't let anyone down"

Here's your permission slip to disappoint some people.?

Because guess what? You're already letting down the most important person - yourself.

Let's cut through the festive fluff:

• While we make up 75% of healthcare's workforce, we're still fighting for our seat at the leadership table
• Society expects us to be both boardroom warrior and domestic CEO
• We’re expected to shoulder the mental load at work and home, without ever dropping the ball.
• And don't get me started on the unspoken expectation that we'll somehow manifest the "holiday spirit" while managing a department in crisis

Here’s what frustrates me to no end:?

Watching brilliant women leaders dimming their light because they're trying to fit into a leadership mold that wasn't even made for them.

It’s time to disrupt the status quo.

This isn’t about surviving the holiday mayhem—it’s about owning it.?

Ready to lead with boldness, empathy, and impact??

Let’s flip the script on how we lead during chaos;

1. Embrace the Beautiful Mess

Stop apologising for being human. Your team doesn’t need a perfect leader—they need an authentic one.?

When chaos strikes (because it will), let them see you strategise, prioritise, and rise.

2. Weaponise Your Empathy

• Emotional intelligence isn’t softness—it’s your superpower. Use it to:
• Create psychological safety within your team
• Make decisions that balance business impact with humanity
• Build loyalty that transcends traditional hierarchy

3. Demolish the Mental Load

The invisible work stops here.?

Have unapologetic conversations about workload distribution.?

And yes, this includes at home. Your partner can figure out how to stuff a turkey, trust me.

4. Transform Scarcity into Strategy

When everyone’s yelling, “There’s not enough time!” be the leader who asks, “What if we did this differently?”?

Lead from abundance by:

• Questioning outdated traditions
• Reimagining resources and workflows
• Building systems that serve your team instead of draining them

Your Bold Leadership Challenge

Here's my challenge to you: Pick one thing you're doing just because "that's how it's always been done" and blow it up.?

Reimagine it.?

Make it serve you, your team, and your values.

This isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters.

Make 2025 the Year You Break Free

Here’s what I know for sure: The future of healthcare leadership doesn’t need more women conforming to outdated rules.

It needs women brave enough to break them.

Ready to lead with audacity, authenticity, and purpose??

My coaching programs aren’t about squeezing you into the system—they’re about giving you the tools to transform it.

Your leadership revolution is waiting.?

The rebellion has started!?

The question is: Are you ready to Start 2025 leading like you mean it!?

PS? You know it’s time to tear up the rule books that no longer serve you - they never did to start?with

Tomorrow I’ll be sharing 5 Lemony survival snippets and an exclusive 2024 strategic leadership audit full of powerful self reflection that will create the boldest year yet on your journey.

No playing small. Dream bigger.?

Create a ripple. Make an impact.?

PPS EmpowHER is getting a makeover and being relaunched and rebranded - Hoping you stick around for the exciting new magazine, community, live events and workshop under the umbrella of "The LeadHERship Collective" lots of collaborations and a new editorial board of global healthcare experts, innovators and change makers.

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#Hellomyname is Rachael ??

Leadership Coach | Mentor | Career Strategist | Advocate for Women in Healthcare

Bold leadership coaching that challenges?the norm, saying what needs to be heard?

- even when it's tough to admit,?but impossible to ignore!

Mentorship for high achievers to become impactful leaders starting with themselves, their career and their business.?

I offer real, unapologetic transformation for women who are done compromising.

Ready to own your power, redefine your career, and create a life you don’t need an escape from??

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Book your free discovery call today and lets talk about how working together can help you!