DearReader
The Moment We Dream Of…
I was recently working with a client who had helped create real momentum in their sector.
This wasn’t overnight success.
It came after years of:
- Producing evidence and publishing insights
- Testing and refining models - learning from what worked (and what didn't)
- Tireless engagement with partners, governments and funders
And then - finally - things begin to shift.
Momentum was visible. Interest was growing. New players were entering. More money was flowing in.
It was the milestone they had worked forward all along: recognition that the problem was bigger than any one organisation, and that others needed to step in.
The Paradox of Success
And yet... under the celebration was quiet frustration:
- Why aren’t we cited more often for making this happen?
- What about our intellectual property?
- Will funders truly recognise our role or do we need to spell it out?
I know this tension first-hand. When I was leading a team through a similar moment, we had to shift from being out front - with our brand everywhere - to working more in the background.
Some team members struggled with this. Others felt proud, even if the spotlight wasn’t on us. Unexpectedly, our hiring teams worried our employer brand would suffer. And yes, we all felt frustrated when others shouted louder and were more visible.
But we kept reminding ourselves: we had been central in getting this started and we were shaping where the lasting change was heading.
The Mindset Shift
In both cases - my client’s and my own - the leadership challenge was the same: helping people embrace new mindsets.
- Seeing invisibility as influence.
- Taking pride in the change, not the credit.
- Becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable.
That’s what it takes to move from being the driver to being part of a wider movement.
Two Questions for Leaders
So how do you navigate this tension?
- How do you balance the deep wish (and strategic need) for credit with the bigger mission of creating change?
- How do you help your teams rise above frustration when the spotlight shifts and see this as success, not loss?
These moments are more than growing pains. They shape not just your funding pipeline, but also your culture, resilience and legacy.
Warmly,
Liz
Strategic Advisor | Former CEO | Founder, Volante
Based in Kenya, available globally
PS - If you are navigating this shift, you don't have to do it alone - I am working with leaders at exactly these moments - when growth brings both opportunity and frustration.
