Letting go to lead better

Letting go is hard. Whether in life or leadership, most of us wrestle with it. We hold on to stories, memories and familiar ways of doing things, especially when those things once brought us success or comfort. But there comes a time when we must recognise that what once helped us grow might now be holding us back.As someone who has spent more than two decades in media, public relations and strategic communication, I have come to appreciate the power of storytelling not just outwardly, but inwardly too. A recent conversation with a friend made me reflect more deeply on the stories we tell ourselves. Two in particular stood out. They once inspired me, but over time, I realised they were quietly shaping how I saw myself and my path.The story that no longer served meFor many years, I often shared how I dropped out of the University of Namibia in 2007, just a few subjects short of completing a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. I used to make light of it by comparing myself to Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg, just without the billions. It was a way to ease the discomfort of a decision that once weighed on me.Thankfully, that was not the end of my journey. I found my calling in journalism and media, earned a master’s degree, and built a meaningful and fulfilling career. My time in radio, in particular, was one of the most rewarding seasons of my life. From student radio to national broadcasts, I saw the power of media to inform, connect and inspire. I had the privilege of engaging communities, shaping dialogue and giving voice to stories that mattered.Yet despite all this, I kept repeating the dropout story. It had become a part of my public persona, as if I needed to justify my journey. But in truth, I had outgrown it. I realised that while that chapter played a role in shaping me, it no longer defined who I am. Holding on to it had become a subtle way of staying anchored to the past rather than stepping fully into the present.When old success becomes a limitationThe second story is more symbolic. I have had a brown suit for 14 years. I first wore it when I co-hosted the inaugural Namibia Annual Music Awards with Uejaa Kazondunge, a defining moment in my early career that I have always cherished.That suit became my go-to for important events. My tailor patched it up more times than I can remember. Even as my wardrobe evolved, I kept going back to it. It was not the best-fitting or the most modern, but it reminded me of a proud and significant moment.But earlier this year, I looked at the suit differently. It no longer fit. It had served its purpose. And in that moment, I saw something deeper. Just like individuals, organisations often hold on to strategies, systems or habits that once worked. We patch them up, modify them slightly, and continue using them not because they are still effective, but because they are familiar. But familiarity can become a limitation if it no longer aligns with the future we are trying to create.The leadership lesson in letting goLetting go is not about forgetting. It is about evolving. It is about knowing when something has fulfilled its role and choosing to make space for something better.Leadership today requires adaptability. What worked five or ten years ago may no longer meet today’s needs. Growth calls for self-awareness and courage. It asks us to reflect honestly, act decisively and lead by example. Letting go creates space for innovation, inclusion and transformation.It is not a rejection of the past. It is an intentional move toward relevance and impact.Practical steps to let go and lead betterPause and reflectIdentify the stories, practices or assumptions you keep repeating. Ask whether they are still serving you or your team.Test their relevanceJust because something worked in the past does not mean it still does. Assess its effectiveness against current goals and challenges.Give yourself permission to evolveGrowth requires shedding what no longer fits. This is not disloyalty to your journey. It is a commitment to progress.Model it for othersYour willingness to let go encourages others to do the same. It creates trust and momentum in your team or organisation.Celebrate what was, then move on.Honour the suit, the story, the strategy. Acknowledge its role in your journey. Then release it, gratefully and gracefully. Final thoughtSometimes the most courageous thing we can do is take off the old suit and try something new. True leadership lies not in holding on, but in knowing when to let go. And often, that release is what makes room for the growth we have been waiting for.*Mufaro Nesongano holds a master’s in journalism and media technology from NUST and is certified in executive and management coaching as well as digital transformation strategy. The views expressed are his own.

Letting go to lead better

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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Letting go to lead better

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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