Did you know the leaders who perform best aren’t always the most talented?
They’re the ones who reduce the noise…
Running a business—is both exhilarating and exhausting. We feel the amazing freedom of shaping our own path, and we also feel how daunting it is to carry so much responsibility alone.
When I launched Elevate Leadership nearly two years ago, it was a long-held dream finally realised. But it took a tough moment—my corporate role being disestablished—to give me the push I needed. If I had to sum up that first year: wild, scary, and exhilarating.
That mix of emotions is familiar to many of the executives I coach. We have so much potential, yet often feel weighed down by self-doubt, comparison, or unhelpful habits. I’ve been there too.
That’s why I return often to a simple formula:
Performance = Potential – Interference
(Timothy Gallwey, The Inner Game of Tennis, 1974)
If we want to increase performance, we have two levers:
- Unlock more of our potential.
- Reduce interference.
The most common interference? Ourselves. That inner critic. The endless noise in our heads:
- “Am I really ready for this?” (self-doubt)
- “I’ll just tweak it once more.” (perfectionism)
- “Everyone else is ahead of me.” (comparison)
For me, it’s overthinking. The form differs, but the impact is the same: our energy is drained, our potential muffled.
Clearing the Noise
The good news. Reducing interference isn’t about doing more. It’s about gently removing what’s in the way so our potential can breathe.
Some practices I use myself and with leaders I coach:
- Name it to tame it
When a thought pops up, ask: “Is this a fact or a feeling?” Naming it—creates space to respond differently. - Simplify focus
What is the 1 thing that truly matters today? Choosing 1 meaningful action cuts through noise – Momentum builds motivation. - Reset rituals
Journaling has been a lifeline for me. Looking back on entries shows growth I couldn’t see in the moment. Small resets—like walking or box breathing—also clear clutter. - Play to our strengths
Gallup research shows people who use their strengths daily are 6x more engaged and 3x more likely to report a better quality of life. Leaning into what we naturally do best helps quiet the noise and focus on impact.
Questions to Ask Ourselves
- What’s getting in the way of me showing up at my best right now?
- If I trusted my capability fully, what would I do differently?
- How would I act if I already believed this would succeed?
Final Thought
We already carry the potential. Performance rises when interference falls.
My first year in business reinforced this truth: courage creates confidence.
Each time I cleared the noise and backed myself, clarity and momentum followed.
I’m an Executive Coach, working with leaders to identify strengths, unlock potential, and help them deliver better results. If you’d like to explore your strengths, I’d love to chat: josette@elevateleadership.co.nz
Josette Owen – CEO & Founder – Executive & Organisational Coach – Elevate Leadership
