Are you Thriving or Surviving?
For many leaders, 2025 felt like one long sprint. The pace was relentless. The pressure constant. The pause button? Elusive.
So, in last year’s Impact Culture Session, we flipped the script. Instead of pushing for more, we asked a better question:
What would it look like to truly thrive?
We weren’t talking about hustle culture. We were talking about clarity. Calm. Confidence. The kind of leadership that isn’t just effective but sustainable.
Together with productivity expert Maura Dunn, founder of Be Productive, we unpacked what thriving really means in real-life leadership. And the answers weren’t fluffy. They were practical, grounded, and deeply human.
What does thriving actually look like?
Here’s what emerged from the session:
Prioritisation beats perfection. You don’t need to do it all. You need to know what matters.
Time and energy are assets. Protecting them isn’t selfish, it’s strategic.
Connection fuels clarity. Leadership doesn’t have to be lonely.
Your values aren’t decorative. They’re your compass.
Introducing the FOCUS Method
We also shared the FOCUS framework, a neuroscience-informed, action-friendly way to anchor your days with intention:
Frog First – do the hard thing first
One thing at a time – multitasking is a myth
Contribute to the bigger picture – keep your purpose in view
Understand your distractions – notice what pulls you off track
Stop them at the source – design your day, don’t drift through it
It’s a deceptively simple mindset shift and one that’s already changing how leaders show up in their roles.
The session made one thing clear: leaders are hungry for something different.
Not another hack. Not more noise. But space. Clarity. Realignment.
It was against this backdrop that we launched Mantra Thrive, a monthly support space designed for real leaders, doing real work, in real life.
It’s not coaching. It’s not theory. It’s a rhythm of strategy sprints, bite-sized tools, peer connection, and quarterly check-ins all designed to keep you focused, grounded, and growing.
Because thriving isn’t indulgent. It’s how the best leaders sustain their impact.
By Lisa-Nicole Dunne, Founder and CEO, Mantra Strategy
Ready to lead with intention?
Join our Mantra Thrive community and get the structure, support, and strategy you need to thrive on your own terms. www.mantrastrategy.ie/thrive
Follow the movement: #MantraThrive #ImpactCultureSessions #SustainableLeadership #ThriveIn2026
