106: Julie Jakopic on Worthiness, Joy, and Leading Without Living in Crisis

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when leaders measure their value by how busy they are?For many nonprofit and government leaders, the pressure to respond to every crisis becomes a badge of honor. The calendar fills up, the phone never stops, and the mission feels too important to slow down.But that approach comes with a cost.In this episode of Business Origin Stories, Julie Jakopic joins Amy Schutte to talk about leadership, worthiness, and the dangerous habit of living in constant urgency.Julie works with nonprofit and government leaders who want to create meaningful impact while still having a life they love. Through retreats, coaching, and leadership development, she helps leaders ask better questions, identify what is actually theirs to carry, and make intentional decisions about how they spend their time.Earlier in her career, Julie lived the same pattern she now helps others break. In environments where there was always more need, she pushed herself to solve every problem. Eventually she realized something critical: her misery was not helping anyone. In fact, it was making things worse.That insight changed how she approached leadership.Instead of reacting to every crisis, Julie began focusing on better questions, personal responsibility, and helping leaders recognize their own worthiness outside of their roles.In this conversation, you’ll hear Julie share the exercises and frameworks she uses in her retreats to help leaders clarify what they truly want and begin building a plan to pursue it.Inside this episode:Why leaders often measure their importance by busyness and crisisThe hidden cost of living in constant urgencyHow asking better questions changes leadership decisionsWhy worthiness is often the real barrier to changeThe exercise Julie uses to help leaders identify what they truly wantJulie also explains why creating space for reflection and community with other leaders can unlock clarity that busy schedules often prevent.If you’ve ever felt trapped by your calendar or unsure how to balance impact with personal life, this conversation offers a practical starting point.Connect with JulieWebsite:thewomenwholead.comMore information:ileadstrategies.comInstagram: @amyschutte_Work with us: www.hudsonandco.co