There’s a part of leadership no one really prepares you for: the letting go. But letting go isn’t just about loss. It’s a necessary step to growth.
The letting go of services that once defined your business.
The letting go of habits that made sense in an earlier chapter.
The letting go of what used to work in order to step into what will work now.
This past year, I made one of the hardest and most necessary decisions in my business: we began the process of sunsetting our traditional psychotherapy services.
When I started this work, we were the only organization in the area focused on providing therapy specifically for our community. That offering came from a deep place of purpose, and for a long time, it was the heart of what we did. Over the years, as more Black therapists opened practices of their own, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing and supporting that growth.
Seeing the field expand and playing a part in helping therapists obtain their clinical licenses has been a source of immense pride. Change happens, and in this case, it created space for us to ask a powerful question: Where can we make the greatest impact now?
What many people may not realize is that for the past seven years, psychotherapy has only accounted for about twenty percent of our business. But the majority of our work has focused on partnering with organizations to build emotionally healthy, inclusive workplaces, places where people feel safe, seen, and supported. That is the work we are most called to do, and it is where we can make the most lasting difference.
Letting go of therapy as a service offering has been about honoring our evolution. It was about focusing our energy, resources, and expertise where they are most needed now. Once I made the decision, everything sharpened. Letting go made room for clarity.
This season has reminded me that growth often comes with grief, even when it’s the right move. But it has also reminded me that alignment is a form of leadership. Being honest about who we are, what we do best, and where we are headed is not just good business but necessary for living fully.
So, if you’re standing in that in-between space where something once meaningful is now getting in the way of something even more aligned, I’ll leave you with this:
Sometimes the bravest, smartest, and most strategic thing you can do as a leader…
is let go.
What are you holding onto that may be time to release?
Sometimes, it’s releasing our silence and saying what needs to be said. If you’re preparing for a challenging conversation or want to lead with more ease in tense moments, join me on June 17 for our next free webinar:
Say What Needs to Be Said: How to Have Uncomfortable Conversations with More Ease
We’ll talk about how to communicate with more clarity and courage even when it’s hard.
Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. ET; Free 45-minute webinar
Facilitated by: Tonya Ladipo, LCSW Founder & CEO of The Ladipo Group
