When Leadership Feels Heavy: A Message to the Weary Practice Owner

No business is perfect. No leader is flawless. No journey is without its setbacks. These aren’t just comforting phrases—they're truths that many of us come to understand more deeply with each passing year in leadership. As the owner of a practice, I’ve experienced moments of triumph, yes, but also seasons of discouragement, missteps, and deep self-doubt.

There are days when team dynamics are tough, when communication breaks down, when people are unhappy, or payments don’t come through as expected. There are days I wake up feeling confident and end the day wondering if I’m in over my head. Sometimes, I make mistakes—ones that are hard to ignore, and even harder to forgive myself for. In those moments, the weight of leadership feels almost unbearable. And when that happens, I do what many practice owners do: I turn inward.

I start to question everything.

Where did I go wrong?
What could I have done differently?
How can I fix it before everything unravels?

These questions are familiar companions in leadership. And while self-reflection is a valuable tool for growth, it can easily slip into self-criticism. For me, that line blurs far too often. I find myself taking every criticism to heart—treating every bit of feedback, whether fair or not, as fact. I don’t just listen to critiques; I internalize them. I let them define my worth as a leader, a business owner, and even as a person.

But lately, God has been reminding me of something I too often forget in the swirl of striving and stress: He is the one who placed me here. This position of leadership—this very practice—was not a random occurrence or simply the result of my own hustle. It was given to me, entrusted to me, by Him. And if God has placed me here, then He has also equipped me to stand here.

This realization doesn’t make the hard days disappear. It doesn’t mean I won’t make mistakes, and it certainly doesn’t mean I should ignore honest feedback or stop striving to improve. But what it does mean is this:

I am not leading alone.

I’m not here because I’m the smartest, most experienced, or most naturally gifted. I’m here because God saw something in me and gave me the opportunity—and the grace—to lead.

And when I forget that, I begin to crumble under the pressure of trying to prove myself worthy of a position that was never meant to be earned, but rather stewarded.

The Battle of the Mind

As leaders, we are often our own worst critics. We measure ourselves against impossible standards, compare ourselves to peers, and analyze every decision through a lens of perfectionism. This mindset is exhausting—and unsustainable.

But God doesn’t expect us to be perfect. He calls us to be faithful. There’s a world of difference between those two ideas. Faithfulness means showing up, staying grounded in truth, admitting when we're wrong, and leading with humility and grace. It means leaning on Him, not just when things are falling apart, but daily—moment by moment.

We need to filter every voice we hear—our own included—through the voice of the Father. Just because someone says something about you doesn’t mean it’s true. Just because you feel inadequate doesn’t mean you are. Feelings are real, but they are not always facts.

God's truth speaks louder than criticism, louder than fear, louder than your inner perfectionist. And His truth is this:

You are called. You are capable. You are empowered through Him.

Let that settle in your spirit for a moment.

Leadership Isn’t About Perfection

Too often, we buy into the idea that successful leadership looks like control, confidence, and constant wins. But in God’s kingdom, leadership is about service, surrender, and stewardship. Some of the greatest leaders in Scripture—Moses, David, Peter—were deeply flawed. They doubted, failed, ran, and denied. And still, God used them, not in spite of their humanity, but through it.

Their mistakes didn’t disqualify them from leadership; they became part of their testimony.

So if you’ve messed up recently, if you’ve been discouraged, if you're wondering whether you’re really cut out for this—know that you are in good company. Leadership is not for the faint of heart. But it is for those who are willing to walk humbly with their God.

God is not asking you to lead perfectly. He’s asking you to lead faithfully.

Practical Steps for the Weary Leader

If you’re in a season where leadership feels heavy, here are some steps that might help:

1. Take Time to Reflect—But Don’t Dwell in Shame
   Journaling, prayer, or a conversation with a trusted friend can help bring clarity. Don’t just ask, “What went wrong?”—also ask, “What did I learn?” and “Where was God in this?”
   

2. Seek Wise Counsel
   Allow others to speak into your life—mentors, fellow practice owners, spiritual advisors. Don’t isolate. But remember to filter all advice through God’s truth.
   

3. Establish Rhythms of Rest and Connection
   Leadership can’t be sustained on burnout. Schedule time to rest. Prioritize time with God. Get away from the noise and allow your soul to breathe.
   

4. Remind Yourself Daily of Your Calling
   Whether it’s a note on your mirror or a Scripture on your phone lock screen, put truth in front of your eyes every day. One of my favorites is:

   
   “The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:24
   
   

5. Celebrate the Wins—Even the Small Ones
   Sometimes we’re so focused on what’s going wrong that we overlook what’s going right. Did someone on your team grow this month? Did a patient leave a heartfelt review? Did you keep showing up, even when it was hard? That’s a win.
   

Final Encouragement

If you’ve read this far, I want to encourage you with this: You were never meant to carry the burden of leadership alone. God is with you. He’s in your office, your decision-making, your late-night worries, your budget meetings, your conflicts, and your victories. And He hasn’t made a mistake in placing you where you are.

You may feel unqualified. But you are called.
You may feel overwhelmed. But you are empowered.
You may feel like giving up. But you are not alone.

Stand strong in that knowledge. Keep showing up. Keep seeking the Lord. Allow others to speak into your life, but always bring it back to the Father. Let His voice be the loudest. And let His truth shape the way you lead—not just for today, but for every day that follows.