In a recent LinkedIn post, Florence Divet ☀️ challenges the conventional wisdom that sheer hard work is the ultimate driver of success. Instead, the leadership coach argues that an unexamined approach to effort can lead to burnout and stagnation, likening it to “a very expensive treadmill.” Florence Divet ☀️’s insights suggest that true progress often hinges on a shift in perspective rather than an increase in exertion.
The Treadmill of Effort Without Direction
Florence Divet ☀️ begins by acknowledging the importance of hard work but quickly pivots to its potential pitfalls. She explains that individuals can “work longer. You can push harder. You can pile on more pressure. And still not get the result you want.” The core issue, according to Florence Divet ☀️, is not always a deficit in effort, but a potential “lack of perspective.” This framing is crucial for understanding why many dedicated professionals find themselves exhausted despite their best intentions.
“Because the issue is not always a lack of effort. Sometimes it is a lack of perspective.”
Case Study: The Rescuing Leader
To illustrate her point, Florence Divet ☀️ shares an anecdote about a senior leader she coached. This leader, described as highly capable and respected, was “completely exhausted” due to her tendency to over-involve herself in her team’s work. Her rationale, “If I want things done well, I need to stay involved,” led her to become a “safety net for everyone around her.” This approach, while well-intentioned, had unintended consequences.
The Bottleneck Effect
Florence Divet ☀️ details how this leader’s constant intervention fostered team dependency, diminished her own strategic thinking time, and inadvertently turned her into the very bottleneck she sought to avoid. The turning point came when Florence Divet ☀️ posed a pivotal question: “What if the problem isn’t their readiness but your rescuing?” This reframing prompted the leader to re-evaluate her role and its impact.
“She stopped rescuing so quickly. She started delegating differently. She created space for her team to step up.”
Shifting Energy, Not Just Effort
The leader’s subsequent actions—delegating differently and allowing her team to take ownership—led to significant positive changes within three months. Florence Divet ☀️ emphasizes that the transformation occurred not because the leader worked harder, but because she “put her energy” in a new direction. This aligns with Florence Divet ☀️’s broader assertion that “the next level rarely comes from doing more of the same. It comes from seeing what you could not see before.”
The Coach’s Role: Illuminating the Path
Florence Divet ☀️ highlights the power of coaching in facilitating such shifts. A coach, she explains, doesn’t remove obstacles but rather “help[s] you see the door you did not notice” or “spot the patterns you are too close to see.” This perspective-enhancing role is what distinguishes effective leadership development from mere encouragement of more effort.
“The best leaders are not the ones who work the hardest. They are the ones who learn fastest.”
Ultimately, Florence Divet ☀️ concludes that the “missing ingredient is not more effort. It is a better angle.” Her post serves as a compelling argument for leaders to examine their approach to work, recognizing that strategic perspective and mindful delegation can be far more effective than relentless, unexamined hard work.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Florence Divet ☀️ on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on August 12, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →