We filled the long table and kept talking over dinner, reflecting on the workshop we had just finished. I had spoken about the relentless stress we are living with and how it stacks up. When sudden disruptions layer over prolonged strain and chronic tension starts to feel normal, the body and mind pay the price. I reminded them not to interpret exhaustion as personal failure, but as a natural response to a demanding context.
I invited them to practice presence under pressure. One strategy was to name the strengths they already use every day in finance. The way they assess risk, allocate capital, think long term, and stay composed in volatility can guide them outside the office as well, especially when applied to protecting their stamina across daily domains.
In small groups, the conversation turned to energy budgeting. We explored how to protect stamina as carefully as any other reserve. By the end of the evening, we committed to choosing more intentionally where to invest our attention. I hope they could see what felt so clear to me: without formal titles or certificates, each of these women is already a conscious leader, fully capable of operating above the line.
Gratitude to our sponsors J.P. Morgan, Principal Asset Management, Federated Hermes and Leadership Training Initiative for their above-the-line event support!