The Power of Starting Over | Volume 1, Edition 1
May 25, 2025
In this powerful first edition of Lead Anew: Insights and Growth, I share what it truly feels like to reboot a leadership journey in midlife, with honesty, hope, and hard-earned wisdom. Whether you're shifting careers, rediscovering your purpose, or simply seeking inspiration to keep moving forward, this issue offers genuine encouragement for anyone bold enough to start anew. Subscribe to join a growing community of resilient, purpose-driven leaders who are redefining what success looks like in their next chapter.
Welcome to the very first edition of Lead Anew: Insights and Growth. Whether you're here because you're navigating a new leadership path, considering a mid-career shift, or simply craving inspiration to keep growing, you’re in the right place. This space was created for those of us who understand what it’s like to begin again, not because we failed, but because we refuse to stop evolving.
At the age of 52, I found myself at a professional crossroads. With decades of experience in healthcare leadership behind me, I made the bold decision to return to school full-time, juggle a full-time management role, and pursue a future that felt more aligned with my purpose. What I’ve learned since then is that reinvention isn't just possible; it is powerful!
A significant turning point in my leadership journey occurred when I was informed that my job had been eliminated. I received this news at the end of the business day, leaving me no opportunity to say goodbye to my colleagues. This experience left a lasting impact on me, teaching me the importance of treating others with dignity, especially during difficult transitions.
Initially, I was told that I could not share this information with my team personally, but I insisted otherwise. I believed that no one should be caught off guard by such news. I made it a priority to ensure my team had the time they needed to process the situation, say their goodbyes, and leave with dignity. I learned that respect and transparency are not just optional qualities in leadership; they are fundamental to building a strong, trusting team.
A turning point can initially feel like a disruption, unexpected, uncomfortable, and sometimes even painful. However, with time and perspective, we often recognize it as a blessing in disguise. It’s during these moments of change that we are compelled to pause, reflect, and choose a new direction. A job elimination, a layoff, a relocation, or a decision to return to school, these shifts can serve as powerful catalysts for growth. They push us beyond what we believed we were capable of and open doors we may not have noticed if everything had remained the same. Sometimes, it is in starting over that we truly embrace who we are meant to become.
In this newsletter, I’ll share lessons from leading in your “second act”, insights drawn from real experiences, mistakes that fueled growth, and stories from others who dared to hit reset. Together, we’ll explore what it means to lead with renewed purpose, deeper empathy, and the kind of wisdom that only time and tenacity can offer.
So, if you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to pivot, evolve, or become the leader you were always meant to be, let me assure you, it is not. The journey may look different in this season, but it’s still meaningful. In fact, it might be even more meaningful!
Here’s to second acts, bold steps, and the courage to begin again.
Stay tuned, and thank you for leading anew, right alongside me.
#LeadAnewWithKim #SoarWithPurpose #YourSecondSeasonRedefined #LeadAnewInsightsandGrowth
© 2025 Kimberly Weisner, All Rights Reserved
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