The Silent Struggle
Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get nearly enough airtime in professional spaces—perimenopause and the way it silently disrupts leadership confidence.
For many women in midlife, perimenopause arrives with an unexpected side effect: a powerful wave of self-doubt. It creeps in subtly but has a profound impact. And yet, most of us are pushing through it quietly, trying to hold it all together.
The Leadership Crisis No One Talks About
In leadership, confidence is currency. We’re expected to be decisive, clear, visionary. But what happens when your hormones hijack your brain?
Some days, I feel like I’m metaphorically clinging to the walls—just trying to survive the day.
My anxiety spikes. I can’t find the right words. Names and simple facts evaporate. And that sharp, assured inner voice I’ve relied on for years? Suddenly, it’s shaky.
Other days, I’m firing on all cylinders—full of energy, vision, and bold ideas. I’m the leader I’ve always known myself to be.
And that’s the paradox. Both versions of me are real. Both exist within this new season of life. And I’m learning to embrace them both.
A Shared Language of Struggle
Recently, I coached a 19-year-old woman who spoke about her ADHD brain. I shared my own experience of perimenopause, and we laughed at the similarities. Despite the generational gap, we both struggle with concentration, emotional regulation, and self-trust.
That moment reminded me how powerful it is to speak about what’s really going on—without shame, without filters.
Why This Matters in the Workplace
The workplace still treats menopause as a private, even taboo, issue. But this silence has consequences.
Leaders in perimenopause are often navigating:
• Brain fog and memory lapses
• Increased anxiety and mood fluctuations
• Physical symptoms that drain energy and focus
• A sharp decline in self-trust and confidence
And many are doing this while managing teams, driving strategy, and showing up as “the strong one”—all while staying quiet about what’s going on inside.
Redefining Leadership in Midlife
What if we allowed a new definition of leadership -one that made space for honesty, vulnerability, and hormonal reality?
What if strength didn’t mean stoicism, but self-awareness?
What if high performance included asking for support when you need it?
You don’t lose your leadership edge in perimenopause. But you might need new tools, more compassion, and better support.
Let’s Normalise This Conversation
If you’re reading this and nodding along, I want you to know:
• You’re not failing.
• You’re not broken.
• You’re evolving.
Speak to your doctor. Reach out to a coach. Confide in a trusted friend or colleague. Don’t carry it alone.
Because when we talk about this—really talk about it—we make it easier for others to do the same. And that’s how change happens.
Let’s lead the way by showing that leadership in perimenopause is not about hiding—it’s about owning who we are, exactly as we are.
You owe that to yourself. We all do.