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What to expect from this newsletter!

For a long time, I was caught between what truly energized me and what the algorithms wanted. On one hand, I love genuine conversations, especially when someone spots something in my sketches or writing that sparks their own idea, or points out a perspective I never even considered. That’s the sweet stuff: connection, learning, and dialogue.

On the other hand, the need to post at specific times, chase engagement metrics, and rapidly respond to comments just to appease the algorithm drained me. It felt like a hamster wheel, always trying to stay visible. The gap between genuine enjoyment and forced posting widened, and it got me thinking:

Who am I doing this for?

Initially, I just wanted to share creative insights. It’s why I created Sketchwell to start branding my sketches. I got positive feedback and found myself inadvertently gaining a reputation as “the LinkedIn sketchnote guy.” While that recognition opened some doors, it also created some new, perceived obligations. I felt the need to have post more and always have them receive strong engagement and even creating a bi-weekly newsletter. At times it became a chore. So, I took a break. I stopped posting for 30 days. And it felt good. I didn’t miss it as much as I thought. But I did lose some motivation to create. And that’s what I actually wanted back.

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Working to Find My Purpose

When I started posting again after my hiatus, I wasn’t as excited to post things. My posting was irregular and all over the place. I wasn’t even really sure why I was doing it anymore. So, on my solitude trip this year, I journaled through a series of questions that were designed to either help me figure out my purpose or show me that I was ready to move on to something new.

As I reflected on my content, I started to see how my online presence often reflected the leader and thinker I aspired to be, rather than showing the full, messy reality of the person behind it. It wasn’t a conscious deception; it was simply how most of us present ourselves online: our highlights, minus our vulnerabilities.

One thought popped into my mind: What if I showed more of myself, my beliefs, my mistakes, my learning edges, and, in doing so, truly helped people level up? What if I stopped focusing on pithy leadership quotes and dug into the nuanced challenges, especially those faced by new leaders trying to find their footing?

Those questions began nudging me toward a “purpose-driven” approach. I realized I was never wanted to be an influencer. I’d rather be a person of influence, someone who offers real tools and conversations that help leaders (especially brand-new ones) navigate uncharted waters.

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What you can expect from Drawn to Lead

Ok. Great. You’ve heard a little about my journey to get here, but what does that mean practically? Well, besides moving my newsletter from beehiiv to here on Substack, I’ve decided to also pivot my content in three meaningful ways:

1. ⭐️ Focus on New Leaders. Leadership, especially for those stepping into their very first roles, can feel overwhelming. I’m dedicating my energy to creating resources, short videos, visuals, blog posts, and maybe even group coaching sessions that help new leaders go from “What am I even doing?” to “I have a plan and the confidence to execute it.” While this will be focused on New Leaders, it will also be valuable for those who have been leading for a while but don’t have a solid foundation.

2. 💬 Create Authentic Discussions. It’s not just about LinkedIn likes. My hope is to create spaces through email or a possible Slack community where people can share real challenges and glean real insights from peers and mentors.

3. 🛠️ Offer Tangible Tools. From downloadable journals to coaching programs, I’m experimenting with ways to deliver structured guidance. (let me know if you want early access) Maybe that’s a low-cost digital workbook for leaders looking to map out their first 90 days, or a hands-on group coaching session where we troubleshoot leadership dilemmas in real time.

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So is Drawn to Lead for you?

I still plan to deliver my messages through a mix of simple visuals, written content, and videos. The difference now is that I’m seeking to do it with more intention. If you resonate with any of the following, this content might be for you:

• You’re a New or Aspiring Leader
  Maybe you’ve just been promoted, or you’re eyeing the next rung on the career ladder. You want grounded, practical tips beyond the typical “inspirational quotes” that flood your feed.

• You Want to Think for Yourself
  Instead of just doing what a ‘guru’ tells you to do, you want to be given frameworks and prompts that help you work through your situations on your own.

• You Value Depth Over Virality
  Viral posts are often generic enough to apply to everyone, but specifically not practical. Deeper more nuanced posts often get less interaction but for those that are in that situation, they are gold!

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Will you join me?

I don’t have it all figured out (and probably never will). Ultimately, it’s about community, creativity, and authentic growth. I’m leaning in, sometimes with excitement, sometimes with a bit of fear, but always with a desire to learn and serve. If that sounds like a journey you’d enjoy following, I’d love to have you along for the ride.

Ready to go? Start with Entry 1: Welcome to Leadership

— Kacy @ Drawn to Lead