Sometimes leadership isn’t about setting a vision, managing a team, or hitting performance goals. Sometimes it’s about surviving a gut punch, like losing a project, a role, or a source of funding you’ve poured years of your life into.

Here’s how leaders can begin to navigate the emotional weight of professional disappointment, and stay connected to themselves in the process:

1. Make Space to Feel the Loss

When something ends, especially something you’ve worked on for years, there’s often a rush to "figure out what’s next." But rushing past grief can backfire. Unprocessed emotions don’t go away; they just show up later, often more painfully.

Give yourself permission to feel disappointed, frustrated, or even angry. Take time to sit with what the loss actually means to you, without trying to solve it.

Grief is not a weakness. It's part of loving your work deeply.

2. Notice What the Loss Brings Up

One leader we spoke with shared that a major project cancellation had stirred more than just sadness. It brought up regret. She realized she had prioritized work over family for years, and now felt like it might have been for nothing.

These moments of reflection can be painful, but they’re also invitations to realign. Instead of judging the past, ask: What do I want to prioritize going forward? What’s most important to me now?

Loss can be a doorway into clarity, if you’re willing to walk through it.

3. Resource Yourself, Even in Small Ways

In the middle of disappointment, you still need to take care of yourself. That means finding small ways to feel grounded or uplifted, even while the big picture remains uncertain.

Ask yourself:

• What would feel good right now?
• What do I need more of, rest, connection, movement, perspective?
• What can I say no to, just for today?

Even 10 minutes of calm or comfort can start to shift your nervous system and restore your internal resources