New month, same you (and that’s the point)
Why you don’t need a reinvention this September
September often comes with a quiet pressure. New notebooks, back-to-school routines, packed calendars, everything whispers that it’s time to reinvent, refocus, and ramp up.
But here’s the truth:
You don’t need a new version of yourself this season. You need a version that’s supported.
After coaching dozens of leaders across tech, I’ve seen the September Shift play out again and again. We charge into the month trying to be more efficient, more strategic, more energised, without actually checking what’s fuelling (or draining) us.
The result? Overwhelm dressed up as productivity.
Stop reinventing. Start reconnecting.
You already hold the insight, creativity, and leadership instinct you need. What most leaders are missing isn’t ambition. It’s alignment.
If you’re returning from a summer that brought even a flicker of clarity or calm, don’t brush it off. Build on it. Reflect on the moments where you felt most energised or engaged. Those aren’t distractions. They’re clues.
The work this September isn’t about overhauling who you are as a leader. It’s about tuning into the approach that helps you show up with confidence, clarity, and calm.
That might mean:
Letting go of leadership habits that feel performative
Carving out time for deeper thinking instead of constant reaction
Saying no to a shiny new project that isn’t aligned with your real goals
Recommitting to values-led leadership, even when things get noisy
Real influence comes from real you
In fast-paced, innovation-led environments like tech, there’s still so much pressure to perform leadership, to be polished, strategic, and always on.
But authentic leadership isn’t about acting a part. It’s about showing up with honesty, clear thinking, and real presence. That’s what builds trust. That’s what creates psychological safety. That’s what teams respond to.
So as the inbox fills and meetings multiply this month, resist the urge to power through by default. Instead, ask:
What actually supports me in leading well?
What drains me or pulls me out of alignment?
What do I want to stand for this season?
Those aren’t soft questions. They are strategies.
The research backs it up
Authentic leadership isn’t just a feel-good idea; it’s proven to make a difference.
Research shows that authentic leadership increases organisational commitment and decreases burnout by fostering a positive climate, open communication, and genuine relationships—a powerful reminder that being yourself matters
When leaders feel confident showing up as themselves, they create environments where others can do the same, and that’s when innovation, trust, and real productivity thrive.
Start with you
If you’re looking for a grounded way to start the month, I’ve created a free guide, Lead Like You: The Eccentric Leader’s Guide to Authenticity and Influence. It’s packed with reflection tools and mindset shifts to help you lead in a way that feels sustainable, clear, and real, no reinvention needed.
And if you’re ready to go deeper, I offer 1:1 coaching for leaders who are tired of the performative version of leadership and ready to lead from a place of calm confidence.
This September, don’t lose yourself trying to keep up.
You’re not behind. You’re not broken. You don’t need a brand-new you.
You just need space to reconnect with what’s already strong.
