As leaders on a journey, we often find inspiration in models that guide our path and timeless wisdom that transcends generations. It’s a new year with all that juicy fresh energy, so let’s explore the convergence of transformative leadership and the profound insights encapsulated in the “Top 5 Regrets of the Dying.”

Bronnie Ware was a woman who had found life unfulfilling and without meaning but stumbled into a role in palliative care.

Her life was transformed by caring and listening to dying patients and using what she had learned from them.

Heeding the warning of their regrets and courageously implementing these elements into her own life.

🧐 Contemplating and exploring the elements of a good life have always been essential. This image has been on my wall for many years as a guide.

From time to time in ICU I would have to nurse or sit with an individual as they pass away. I always felt the privilege of that time. As a nurse, death is a part of life, and I don’t ever want to take my life for granted.

It’s why I want to be a part of important work. Have important conversations that include thoughts of possibility, not sitting in what Mary Morrisey calls common hour thinking that reflects the status quo.

In your quest for impactful leadership, you embark on a journey that mirrors the stages of aspiration, avoidance, inconsistency, feeling overwhelmed, deliberate holistic focus, transformational embrace, and creating a legacy.

Holistic Impact

As we progress through the deliberate phase and beyond, a crucial pivot occurs—our focus becomes holistic. Decisions and actions are no longer confined to isolated parts but extend to the interconnected web of our organisations and communities. This shift acknowledges that true impact is found in the harmony of the whole.

Integrate the Wisdom of Regrets

Let’s draw wisdom from the “Top 5 Regrets of the Dying,” a poignant reflection on life’s lessons:

1. “I wish I had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”

• Embrace authenticity in leadership. Align your actions with your core values, foster a genuine connection with your purpose, and be courageous enough to have a vision that perhaps no one else can see right now. But hold it long enough, and they will. Be humble enough to bring everyone along as equal partners.

2. “I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.”

• The pursuit of a balanced life is not a compromise but a necessity. Prioritise well-being, relationships, and self-care in the relentless pursuit of goals and help others you lead do the same. let it come from activating a part of you that comes alive with purpose.

3. “I wish I had the courage to express my feelings.”

• Effective leaders communicate openly and authentically. Cultivate an environment where feelings and perspectives are valued, fostering a culture of trust and care.

4. “I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.”

• Relationships are the fabric of a meaningful life. Prioritise connections, acknowledging that your network’s strength often mirrors your impact’s strength.

5. “I wish that I had let myself be happier.”

• Happiness is not a distant goal but a daily choice. Find joy in the journey, appreciating the positive impact you create every step of the way. Lead with your energy.

Impact and Regrets

Let’s weave these lessons into the fabric of our journey. Embrace the holistic impact, align with authenticity, prioritise well-being, nurture relationships, and choose happiness. In doing so, we transform our organisations and communities and craft a legacy free of regrets—a testament to a life lived with purpose and intention.

Take care,

Michelle