ACTSHEON™: Set Boundaries and Ask for What You Need to Lead

Friend, welcome back to ACTSHEON™, where There Is Always a She in Action.™ 

This one’s for every woman without boundaries, who’s been holding it all together at work, quietly carrying more than anyone knows—because somewhere along the way, she learned that asking for help meant she wasn’t strong enough. 

Well, it’s time to unlearn that. Because staying silent isn’t strong leadership. It’s self-sabotage in disguise. 

The High Cost of Staying Quiet 

Let’s get honest—many women in leadership roles are exhausted, not because they can’t handle the work, but because they’re silently handling too much of the wrong work. 

You take on task after task, hoping someone will notice. 

You say “yes” to one more project even though your plate is already overflowing. You don’t speak up in meetings when your bandwidth is maxed out. And in the process, you miss out on the very opportunities that showcase your leadership potential. 

This habit of not asking for support is more than a personal issue—it’s a career blocker.

Studies have shown that women tend to take on more “non-promotable work” (like planning the team offsite or organizing birthday parties), which eats up time but rarely leads to advancement. In fact, women are 48% more likely than men to volunteer for these tasks, even when they don’t benefit their careers. 

What Leaders Really See (or Don’t) 

Here’s the hard truth: when you never speak up, your leaders assume you’re managing just fine. They don’t see you continue to work from home, the sleepless nights, or the stretched-thin bandwidth. They see someone who's always available—someone who handles the “busy work” but may not be ready for next-level leadership. 

By staying quiet and accepting every task, you unintentionally train others to underestimate your potential. 

Meanwhile, that high-visibility project? That stretch opportunity? That mentorship program? The very things that could move the needle in your career or budding business? You’re too buried in all the things to even consider them, let alone raise your hand for them. 

And your career? It’s quietly, invisibly stalling. 

Why Women Stay Silent

So, why don’t more women speak up? Because we’re often conditioned to equate asking for help with weakness, or fear we’ll be seen as incapable. Add in the pressure to “prove” ourselves in male-dominated spaces, and it’s no wonder so many of us silently carry the weight. 

But here’s what’s true: asking for help is a leadership skill. 

It signals emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and a commitment to working smarter, not just harder. 

A report from LeanIn.org found that women leaders are burned out, significantly more than men in similar roles, and yet continue to push through silently, often without asking for the resources or support they need. 

Speak Up to Step Up 

You must speak up if you want to lead, grow, and be recognized for your true potential. Not from a place of frustration, but from a place of clarity and confidence. Leaders aren’t just doers—they’re communicators. Advocating for what you need is part of the job. 

Here’s how to do it with intention: 

1. Be honest about your workload, with strategy.

You’re not just venting; you’re being proactive. When your plate is full, say so—and invite a conversation that aligns your work with the organization's highest priorities. 

Try: I’m currently managing A, B, and C. To stay focused on our biggest goals, I’d like to discuss what might be reassigned or adjusted so I can stay aligned with our top priorities.” 

2. Ask for what you need.

Support. Mentorship. Opportunities. You deserve to have them, but people can’t offer what they don’t know you need. Ask with confidence, not apology.

Try: "I want to grow in [insert skill or area]. If there’s an upcoming project or initiative where I can contribute, I’d love to be considered." 

3. Swap low-impact tasks for leadership-building ones.

If your time is spent on tasks that don’t showcase or stretch your leadership, it’s time to advocate for a trade-up. Speak up for the work that supports your development and visibility.

Try: "I’d like to discuss transitioning some of these admin responsibilities so I can take a more active role in leading [a strategic initiative or mentoring opportunity]?" 

The ROI of Speaking Up 

When you stop trying to silently “prove” you can handle everything and start advocating for what you need to lead, things begin to shift: 

• You gain time back for networking, mentorship, and strategic projects.
• You stop being the go-to for busy work and start being seen as the go-to leader for impact.
• You build trust, not just by doing the work, but by owning your capacity and setting healthy boundaries.
• You show up for yourself, and others follow your lead. 

Speaking up builds visibility, which builds influence, which opens doors. 

Period. 

Your Call to ACTSHEON™ 

You weren’t meant to lead from exhaustion. You were meant to lead with power, presence, and clarity. 

So stop trying to do it all alone. 

Swap the burnout for boundaries. Speak up about what you need, what you want, and what you’re capable of. Trade the silence for a seat at the table. Let your leaders—and the world—see what you’re truly capable of. 

Because no one can recognize your brilliance if you’re buried under tasks you never should’ve accepted in the first place. 

And you, my friend, were made for more than invisible work. 

Let’s rise—with our voices leading the way.