Ever found yourself in a meeting, surrounded by people, and felt your energy draining away, wondering why it feels so unbearable?
The work isn't the problem. The mission still matters. But something feels off—like every ounce of energy is being sucked out of you. It's not what you're doing. It's not even why you're doing it. It's who you're doing it with.
Maybe you've heard of Simon Sinek's book, Start with Why. Even if you haven't, the idea is simple: knowing your "why"—your purpose —is crucial for success and fulfillment. And he's not wrong. But, before finding your why, you need to start with who. The people around you can either propel you forward or hold you back. They can fuel your purpose or drain you until there's nothing left.
I recently met Natasha, who knew this feeling all too well. She had a dream job at a well-known organization, working on world-changing projects. But every day, Natasha came home exhausted—not from the work, but from the people. Her team was full of ego-driven, toxic personalities, and even the most inspiring projects turned into emotional quicksand. She needed a change.
So Natasha took a risk. She left the company and........