Most of the time the skies are clear and the air smells pure, but there are the occasions when storms rage and release a harsh torrent of rain on the land, or in this case, on you, as a leader.
You may be falsely accused, betrayed, or lied about — and it can be painful. It might be that you discover someone close to you has embezzled funds, or has sold company secrets, or worse, personal secrets.
In my life, that storm came when my dad died in October, my mom in December, a cousin in March, and in May I was fired from a job I loved…apparently because my boss was jealous of my reputation and the fact I was liked by most people, visible, and reportedly did my job well. In her mind, that was a threat worth firing me over and she did. That was a difficult season.
These level of storms can challenge our identity and purpose and good recovery takes time and pointed effort. Recovery might mean remembering why we chose a particular career or industry; or re-thinking objectives, locations, or relationship.
But it also opens us up to reevaluating our interests and priorities. Maybe now is the time to pursue one’s own business; close doors on relationships or a career. It could mean addressing an inability or lack; or seeking input of a trusted peer to discover something we’re blind to whether positive or negative.
For me, it took a lot of courage to make luncheon appointments with the five people I’d worked the most closely with — because I needed to hear the truth. Did I do something wrong? Am I blind to a fault I possess? Do I have an attitude? Was I good at what I did? Did you see this coming? Why did this happen?
Your storm may be different from the one I endured, but when they come they aren’t fair or easy — but recovery can happen.
In deserts, when monsoons arrive bringing torrential rains, powerful winds and rapidly lightning strikes, soil is washed away; streams rush dangerously through dry riverbeds with rocks or trees cutting into the soil. These kinds of storms are damaging.
Despite the storms which have come and gone on the mountains and desert pictured here, they remain. And you can too. Sometimes the storms simply reveal who we are. Sometimes we will crumble under the weight of storms; and sometimes the storm makes us better realize our strengths and abilities, and we are better for having endured the storm.
I believe you can withstand the current circumstance you’re experiencing — despite its intensity. I believe you have the capacity to return to a full life and to live well after this storm; to again prosper and be in good health.
After storms pass, birds chirp again and little creatures come out of hiding to sun on their perch, and after a while life returns to normal. The air is fresher, cleaner and more vibrant.
If you’d like to talk through this process with a trustworthy person, I invited you to make an appointment on the calendar page and let’s chat. The first session is 30-minutes and is pro-bono.
“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” - C.S. Lewis
Written by Lori Elliott; Copyright 2026; Forward Movement Coaching, Redding, California