I’ve always loved autumn, especially the golden Polish kind from my home country, where trees turn into living paintings of reds, browns, and golds. As a child, I ran through piles of leaves just to hear them crunch, and yes, I still do, now walking through the parks near my home in Mainz and sometimes in Wiesbaden, Germany. It’s my little act of joy.
Back then in Poland, we were reminded to take our Vitamin C to stay strong through the colder months. Years later, after living in five countries, I’ve learned that the same rule applies – not only to our health but also to how we live and lead. Every season, in nature or in leadership, calls for a different kind of presence. Some invite us to grow fast, others ask us to slow down and let things be. But through them all, one thing remains constant: the need for our inner Vitamin C dose: Courage, Clarity, Care, Curiosity, Creativity, Connection, and Consciousness. Not buzzwords, but living qualities to explore and apply in our own way – pick and mix as needed. Define what each means to you and what daily dose feels right.
I’ll start with the one I was recently told is my strength and that continues to intrigue me and take me to the most unexpected discoveries about myself, as well as to incredibly inspiring people, places and situations.
The First Dose – Courage
On my recent flight from Warsaw back to Germany, a magazine caught my eye at the airport – Harvard Business Review, with a lion in a suit on the cover and the headline: “A Playbook for Courageous Leadership. Uncertain times call for bold action.”
My first thought? “Oh, really? We’ve just rediscovered boiling water.”
Then I smiled, dropped the judgment, and leaned into curiosity. Because courage is timeless – and every generation of leaders must rediscover it for themselves.
The article said, “Bravery is a skill everyone in business must learn and teach to others.” I couldn’t agree more. Yet, what strikes me most is how easily we forget that true courage isn’t about being fearless – it’s about caring for our shadows and daring to move with them.
After all, the word courage comes from the Latin “cor“, meaning “heart“. Originally, it meant “to speak one’s mind by telling all one’s heart.”
And maybe that’s what leadership – and life – really needs more of: a bit more Vitamin C, straight from and to the heart.
Sometimes courage isn’t about bold moves or big decisions. It’s the small, honest act of pausing – admitting that the wheel we’re running in might be one we built ourselves.
One of my clients recently wrote: “Thank you, I fell in love with the process.” Coming from a leader whose biggest saboteur is the hyper-achiever, that message made my heart sing. Because that’s also leadership – the courage to slow down, reflect, and let go of the illusion that more and faster equals success. Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it just whispers, “Enough. Let’s try a different way.”
Through the Seasons with Ease (Not Disease)
Seasons change – in nature, in business, in us. Some bring light and bloom, others invite rest, even grief. But with the right dose of our “C” elements, we can move through each phase with more ease and less disease. That’s the Vitamin C I want to share – one that strengthens not only our immunity but also our integrity.
My recent newly discovered “supplements”? A mix of creativity, curiosity, and connection: Gaga movement language and Improv theatre. They help me remember how to move freely, laugh deeply, and stay human – even when life feels heavy. Because caring for our own humanity, and for the people around us, is for me being a conscious leader, beyond any fancy titles and roles.
To all leaders who dare and care – thank you! You’re proving that leadership with heart is not a luxury; it’s a necessity.
Enjoy also reading the HBR article that caught my attention: Click here!
