Running a practice is demanding. Most owners were never taught how to lead teams, manage pressure, or make decisions in a steady, structured way. If you ever find yourself reacting more than leading, you are not alone. It usually means the practice has outgrown the systems that used to work.
Here are a few signs your leadership has become reactive, and the single most helpful step you can take today to shift back into a calm, intentional place.
1. You spend most of your day putting out fires
When your day is driven by issues that pop up rather than the priorities you set, it is a signal that the practice is running you. This is common in growing practices and does not reflect your capability. It means the structure beneath you needs reinforcement.
2. Decisions are made quickly to stop the pressure, not because they are aligned
You may find yourself saying yes to things you do not fully agree with or changing directions to relieve tension in the moment. Over time, this leads to inconsistency, confusion, and a team that is unsure what to expect from day to day.
3. You avoid conversations that feel heavy or unpredictable
When you are depleted or overwhelmed, avoiding conflict is a natural response. It often looks like letting small issues go, hoping things will settle, or assuming it will be easier to address later. Most leaders reach this point long before they say it out loud.
4. Your team comes to you for every decision
If your team relies on you for answers they could make on their own, it may seem like a people problem. It is usually a structure and clarity issue. Without a clear framework, your team will keep checking in because they are trying not to get it wrong.
5. You do not know what to prioritize next
When you cannot see the path forward, or too many areas feel urgent at once, leadership naturally becomes reactive. It is not a lack of skill. It is a signal that your workload and your structure are out of alignment.
The number one thing you can do today to begin turning things around
Start by grounding yourself in a single, simple question:
What is the one decision I can make today that will bring more clarity to the team tomorrow?
This shifts you out of pressure and into direction. It brings the focus back to alignment instead of urgency. It helps you move from reaction to intention with one small, steady step. Most leaders are surprised by how quickly things feel manageable again when they anchor themselves in clarity instead of pressure.
Want to learn more?
If you are reading this and recognizing patterns you have been carrying for a while, you are not alone. Reactive leadership shows up when you have been holding too much for too long, and it is completely understandable. If you want a calm place to look at what is happening and sort out your next steps, you can reach out anytime. We are here to help you find clarity at a pace that feels steady and right for you.