I’m about to reach 5,000 connections and have just over 650 subscribers to my LinkedIn newsletter that I started in January 2025. And before anyone starts the comparison fight (I’ve got more than you!) let’s be real. There’s no way I truly know all those people.

As I’ve been watching those numbers quickly go up, something felt off. I realised I was chasing the same thing everyone else was. But starving my soul in the process.

It made me stop and think.

If I wanted just one conversation with each of my connections, I’d need to talk to 14 people every single day for an entire year. Then wait another full year before speaking to any of them again.

Complete madness!

But isn’t this what we’ve come to believe success looks like? More connections. More likes. More comments. We chase these numbers because that’s what everyone else is doing. Because somewhere along the way, we started believing that’s what growth means.

But we forgot something important. We’ve built networks that impress the world, but do they really nourish our souls?

And I get it. The pressure is real. No one wants to feel left behind.

But chasing what everyone else is chasing often leads to the same place: exhaustion, disconnection, and emptiness.

Think about walking down a street. You’ll pass dozens of people:

• Some rush past, eyes down.
• Others give a quick nod or say hello.
• And then every so often, there are those wonderful moments of joy when you actually stop and talk.

Those rare conversations? They’re the ones that nourish our souls. They energise us, challenge our thinking, and sometimes even change our direction.

But they don’t show up in the stats.

You see, when I connect with someone new, I send a message. My way of saying “Hello” or “Good morning!” as we pass on this digital street. Not because some LinkedIn guru told me to, but because it feels right. Not to sell you anything, but because I’m just being myself, being genuinely curious, and seeing what unfolds naturally.

What happens next is up to them:

• Some keep walking. That’s perfectly fine.
• Some say hello or wave back. Also fine.
• And sometimes, we stop and have a real chat. That’s where the magic happens.

Just like in real life, not every connection is meant to be deep. Sometimes a quick hello is exactly right for that moment. What matters is that it’s real. Authentic on both sides.

So, as I’ve been sat here writing this article, I made a decision. I’m done playing this numbers game. I’m choosing a different path – one that feels more like me. One that helps me look at my connections differently.

• Who makes me think?
• Who challenges me?
• Who shares their struggles as well as their highlights?
• Who gets in touch with me …just because?

And you know what I found? The people who’ve shaped my career, sparked new ideas, and offered genuine support aren’t in the thousands. They’re in the dozens.

My newsletter is where I plant seeds of thought about authenticity and breaking free from external expectations. But it’s through personal conversations, like my “Soulful Connection Calls,” where these seeds can truly take root and grow. Where we can explore what being authentic means for you.

So, I’m trying something that might feel counterintuitive in a world obsessed with “more.”

I’m slowing down.

Reaching out to my connections, one by one, just to say hello and reconnect. No script. No agenda. Just a simple check-in: How are you? It might seem small. But imagine if we all did this? What kind of networks would we build then?

And I invite you to do the same. Send a message today. Not because you need something. But because you care. Because you’re human. Because you want to see what unfolds when you show up as yourself.

Because in the end, we don’t need more connections. We need more connection. We don’t need wider networks. We need deeper ones.

So, maybe it’s time we stopped chasing what everyone else is chasing, and started creating something that actually matters to us. Because when we strip away the numbers, the noise, and the pressure, what we find is what our hearts and souls have been longing for all along: each other.

Real growth isn’t in how many know your name. It’s in the few who truly know your soul. Those are the people who stand with you when the noise quiets down. Who see beyond the highlights, and care about the person behind the profile.

Sometimes, all it takes is starting a real conversation.

If these words resonate with you, I invite you to:

• Book a free “Soulful Connection Call” with me. A genuine conversation where we can talk about what authenticity means for you, and see what unfolds. No pressure, no agenda – just real connection.
• Share your thoughts in the comments below.
• Message me privately for a genuine chat.
• Or simply take a quiet moment to reflect.

Whatever feels most authentic to you.

Until next time.

Andrea – your “Soulful Challenger.”

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The secret to great leadership starts with you.

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About Andrea

Over the last two decades, I’ve supported Executives and Leaders across the NHS, private health, Local Government, transport, consultancy, sports, education, engineering, and marketing.

These have included leaders with job titles like Executive Directors, Clinical Leads, Headteachers, Consultants, Heads of Department, and Managing Directors.

I’m a firm believer that Great Leadership starts with you, which is why I’ve designed the “5 Principles of Great Leadership” – my unique perspective on leadership that emphasises the importance of your inner world (aka the ‘internal stuff’).

If you choose to embrace the ‘internal stuff,’ awaken your inner leader, and put yourself at the heart of leadership, let’s chat! Schedule a 30 minute complimentary call with me to explore how I can help you thrive as a leader by focusing on you.

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