Leadership is like tending a garden - it requires attention to both immediate needs and long-term growth. This framework offers practical ways to stay energized and effective, especially during challenging times. It's about making your good work sustainable while expanding your impact.

Traditional leadership frameworks often focus on what you need to do - skills to master, behaviors to adopt, or competencies to develop. They promise that if you follow certain steps or acquire specific abilities, you'll become a more effective leader. But these approaches can feel like adding more to your already full plate.

The Leadership Renewal Framework, developed by Jennifer Brady at Development Without Limits, takes a fundamentally different approach. Rather than giving you more to do, it helps you identify where to direct your energy for maximum impact while maintaining your vitality. Through our work with hundreds of leaders across education, nonprofit, and social change sectors, we've observed that sustainable leadership isn't about doing more - it's about choosing wisely where to focus your attention and energy.

Drawing from research in positive psychology, organizational behavior, and systems thinking, including works by Dacher Keltner, Rita McGrath, and Donella Meadows, this framework addresses what traditional approaches often miss: the conditions that allow you to thrive while leading complex change. Over fifteen years of supporting leaders through significant challenges, we've seen that those who maintain their effectiveness and energy over time aren't necessarily doing more - they're being more intentional about where and how they engage.

These seven interconnected practices offer practical ways to navigate challenges while staying energized and focused on what matters most. Whether you're dealing with systemic constraints, organizational change, or personal burnout, this framework helps you find your path forward without sacrificing yourself in the process.