Anchors in the Storm: Leadership, Loss and Mental Health

This year, my mid-year review happened to fall on World Mental Health Day. It struck me as an oddly fitting coincidence — both moments invite reflection.

I’ll be honest: I’ve always been someone who relishes setting objectives. For many, they can feel like an administrative exercise or even a source of pressure. But I’ve come to see their value differently. For me, the review process isn’t about ticking boxes — it’s about taking stock. It’s a pause to ask: where was I heading six months ago, and does that still feel like the right direction now?

When I set my objectives earlier this year — a mix of professional and personal (yes, I’m one of those people who writes both!) — I couldn’t have known what the next six months would bring. Soon after, my younger brother took his own life. That single event changed everything.

Those objectives I had written with such optimism and energy quickly faded into the background. But, in another way, they became an anchor. They reminded me of who I was, and what mattered to me at that point in time. They gave me something steady to hold on to when the world felt anything but steady.

Every Day Is Mental Health Day

While World Mental Health Day is an important annual marker, I’m always mindful that every day is a mental health day. I rarely post on the day itself because, for me, mental health isn’t something that can be confined to a single date — it’s part of our daily reality.

We never perform at 100% all the time. To lead or manage teams as though we should is both unrealistic and unhelpful. The real skill — and compassion — lies in understanding our own resilience, knowing when to surge forward and when to take a step back. Our moods, reactions and capacity to cope can shift without warning, and sometimes our brains struggle to make sense of that.

Every day brings both challenge and opportunity. Some days we’re at our best — setting direction, shaping ideas and driving progress. Other days, leadership means steadying the ship: showing up with intent, creating calm, and helping others stay focused even when we’re not at full strength ourselves. That’s still leadership — it just looks and feels different.

Progress, Even When It Doesn’t Feel Like It

Looking back, I’ve realised how much we can achieve even when we don’t feel at our best. Setting objectives in steadier times gives you direction — a compass to follow even when energy or confidence wavers.

I’ve also come to value more than ever the importance of having both a close team and a wider community around you. None of us can be at 100% all the time, but together we cover the gaps. On any given day, some of us will be firing on all cylinders, others quietly keeping things moving. That balance — the collective strength of the team — is what makes sustained progress possible.

Finding Safe Spaces

Before all this, cricket was my outlet — a space where I could switch off and recharge. But lately, I’ve found it harder to focus on the game. Too much time to think while standing in the field or waiting to bat (especially given the modest length of my innings!).

These days, golf has become my new safe space. Four hours of focused concentration on the course gives me both escape and reflection. It’s become a form of therapy. Coding — another outlet I’ve enjoyed in the past — will return in time. The key is learning to understand yourself and recognising when different things serve your wellbeing.

The Power of Support

The support I’ve received from colleagues and friends has been immense. We’re all carrying something, often silently. You never really know what someone else is going through — whether they’re your teammate, the person sending that slightly sharp email, or someone navigating the justice system itself.

Approaching each interaction with empathy helps. Understanding the pressures or emotions behind a message doesn’t mean excusing poor tone or overlooking the need for respect — it simply helps us respond with perspective rather than react with frustration. We can hold each other to high standards of professionalism and still choose to do so with kindness.

Be kind. Be patient. Be there for each other.

Final Thought

Mental health isn’t a topic we tick off once a year. It’s part of who we are — as colleagues, leaders, and human beings. This year has reinforced for me how fragile and strong we can be, often at the same time.

Every day is mental health day. And every day is a chance to lead with empathy, purpose and care — for ourselves, for our teams, and for those we serve.

Go well! JL