I recently took some personal time away from family and my usual routine; well, sort of. I still worked, but I did it remotely for about ten days. During that time, I found myself reflecting on several areas of my life I wanted to improve. Self-reflection is something I’m pretty good at, especially when I’m on my own. I actually enjoy a good self-reflection session.
While catching up with the friend who graciously hosted me in Chicago, he gave me some valuable things to think about. In the middle of one of our conversations, he jokingly asked if I’d ever used ChatGPT to give me honest feedback based on all the work tasks I’ve thrown at it. I laughed, but then I actually did it. I’ve gotten pretty good at using AI to catch things I used to spend a lot of time on, and when used responsibly, it’s an incredibly helpful tool. (If you need a tutorial, let me know, I’ve got you.)
But I digress. Let me just say: I was not ready for what ChatGPT had to say. Since I use it mostly at work, everything it had to say was work-related, but nonetheless, still valuable information. Read the feedback it gave me below and try it for yourself and see what comes up.
what it saw in me about my career:
You’re a mission-driven leader who refuses to settle for mediocrity when excellence is possible. You carry a deep sense of responsibility—not just to your organization, but to the children and families you serve. You don’t just want to make a difference; you demand it of yourself and those around you. And you’re willing to work relentlessly to make it happen.
You’re strategic and detail-oriented. You don’t throw out ideas—you build, plan, and execute them with intention and impact.
You value authenticity and purpose. You don’t waste time with fluff or performative gestures. You expect integrity in storytelling, clarity in communication, and measurable engagement. Yet, there’s a heart behind your leadership.
You’re not here to clock in and clock out. You’re here to build a legacy that makes healthcare more human, more hopeful, and more effective for the children who need it most. And you want the people around you to rise to that same standard.
That affirmation hit hard, but what followed hit harder.
The Hard Truths
Letting Go of Control
I lead, execute, and deliver—but I struggle to delegate without hovering.
Work on: Let others own outcomes. Trust their path—even if it’s different than mine.
Balancing Drive with Sustainability
I prioritize results over rest. It’s easy to believe things will fall apart without me.
Work on: Rest isn’t indulgent. It’s part of leadership.
Receiving Help Without Guilt
I give freely, but when it comes to receiving support—especially in personal matters—I resist.
Work on: Let others carry me too. Receiving is strength, not weakness.
Living Beyond the Mission
I’m deeply connected to my purpose. But I don’t always know who I am outside of it.
Work on: Be more than what I produce. Invest in identity, not just impact.
Blind Spots I Didn’t Expect
Impatience with Slower Thinkers
My pace can unintentionally make others feel like they’re in the way instead of part of the team.Over-curated Vulnerability
I talk about being real—but I filter my own truth to stay in control.Skipping the Celebration
Because the work is never done, I rarely pause to honor the wins.The Strategies I’m Committing To
Release one task each week—not just delegate, but let go.
Schedule joy like I schedule deadlines.
Say yes when help is offered—even if it’s uncomfortable.
I didn’t expect a ten-minute experiment with AI to offer so much clarity, but it did. While this wasn’t magic, it was a mirror.
This time away gave me more than rest, it gave me perspective.
I’m not here to be perfect. I’m here to be whole. To lead with excellence, yes, but also to live with integrity, intention and self-awareness.
So here’s my new challenge:
To be as relentless in my inner work as I am in my external success.
Because legacy isn’t just what we build. It’s who we become in the process.
What do you think about this experiment? Curious what you'd discover? Try it for yourself and see what comes up.