What if the hustle, the grind, and the endless ladder-climbing weren’t the hallmarks of success, but the warning signs you’re chasing the wrong thing?

The way we define leadership and success today looks nothing like it did 30 years ago, even 5 years ago. If you’re still leading the way you did back then, you might be inspiring burnout more than balance…

We’ve all heard the old corporate food chain analogy: “You work your way up from plankton to predator.” But who decided we all wanted to be sharks? Sharks don’t sleep. Sharks spend their lives constantly moving or they die. That’s no way to live.

Death to the Hustle
Historically, leadership was tied to a one-dimensional pursuit: climbing the corporate ladder, making more money and accumulating titles. Back then, success meant working yourself into the ground and wearing your “100-hour workweek” badge with pride, driven by an addiction to what could be rather than appreciating what is.

But times have changed. Leaders today need a new narrative; one that redefines success as balancing a life of purpose and fulfilment while energising your team to thrive, without the frenzy.

We are prioritising meaningful, fulfilling lives over the grind, focusing on flexibility, passion and aligning work with personal values. Success today is as much about balance as it is about achievement.

Controlling the Controllables
Believe it or not, you can’t control everything. Effective leadership isn’t about obsessing over what’s out of your hands; it’s about focusing on where you can make a real impact.
When you stay calm, prioritise balance, and lead with purpose, your team will follow your example. Authentic leadership delivers results while creating harmony, showing that balance is achievable and essential. It’s about riding the waves of challenge without getting swept away.

The Long Game
Unfortunately, the workplace marathon isn’t getting shorter. If anything, the finish line keeps moving farther away. The average time spent in the workforce has ballooned. In Australia, the expected working life for a person today is around 40 years, with some estimates pushing that number even higher as retirement ages rise. Simply put, we’re going to be working forever – or at least it feels like it. So why spend those decades sprinting toward burnout?

To thrive rather than merely survive, leaders must embrace sustainable success, shifting the focus from relentless hustle to finding joy and purpose in the journey.

Authentic leadership isn’t about showing off your 4am wake-up routine or bragging about how you crushed 14 meetings in a day. It’s about bringing focused energy. At Be Challenged, we call it Your Buzz: the steady, empowering energy that inspires teams and creates meaningful impact.

So, here’s my challenge to you: Ditch the “shark” mentality and channel your inner dolphin. Dolphins are smart, social, and, most importantly, they know how to have fun while getting the job done. They’re a far better role model than a sleep-deprived predator.

The next time you find yourself tempted to dive into hustle culture, pause and ask: Is this the example I want to set? Because the most powerful leaders aren’t just at the top of the chain; they’re in the middle of it, guiding, supporting, and inspiring.

Ready to level up your leadership? Our Team Development programs are all about building real skills, strengthening teamwork, and making a lasting impact – without the boring stuff. Let’s create a culture where success is sustainable, and results speak for themselves. Reach out to the team today for a chat!

Thanks for reading,
Oliver Sheer
Be Challenged | Managing Director