The recent tempest that was Hurricane Melissa has offered us a painful reminder of our vulnerability as humans. The devastation across Jamaica is a clear and present reality, and like so many, my heart aches for my brothers and sisters directly impacted. It is a moment of collective grief and solidarity, forcing me to pause and reflect on the true cost of a crisis.

Yet, as citizens of the world and especially as leaders, these visible, public storms must compel me to consider the invisible, private battles we all fight. For leaders, in particular, the pressures of responsibility often demand a composed facade, concealing the personal Melissas raging within.

My own journey has been marked by deep valleys and intense trials that, though agonising at the time, forged the resilience and empathetic leadership I strive to embody today. Throughout my lifetime, I have intimately known the darkness of despair, from suicidal thoughts and even attempts, to the frightening confusion of an accidental overdose.  I’ve been levelled by severe burnout, a stark lesson in the cost of giving endlessly without replenishing.

The past four years have been a testament to enduring commitment: managing the demanding, day-to-day care of a husband recovering from a stroke, all while simultaneously raising my two infant nieces, running a demanding social enterprise, and navigating relentless financial and relationship challenges. Each crisis felt insurmountable, but in the aftermath of each, I emerged not only intact but significantly stronger and more anchored.

Only recently, my family endured another deep loss: the passing of my two-month-old nephew, who never came home from the hospital—having been born with the fatal condition, Trisomy 13. That grief sits alongside all the other storms, reminding me that survival alone is sometimes the victory.

There was also the terror of nearly drowning as a child during a river visit—a memory that etched into me just how quickly life can slip out of grasp and how fragile our sense of safety can truly be.

I carry with me the scars of childhood, too—enduring years of sexual abuse by a neighbour that began when I was just nine. The lingering shadows of those experiences, coupled with battles through depression and anxiety, have only deepened my empathy for others facing silent suffering.

These private battles are not sources of shame; they are the bedrock of authentic, compassionate leadership. They taught me that the truest measure of a leader is not the absence of storms, but the depth of the lessons learned while weathering them.

🧭 Ten Anchors of Resilient Leadership

The following principles, forged in the heat of my own experiences, serve as anchors, not just for personal survival, but for effective leadership during any crisis, public or private:

1. God is Faithful and is Still Good No Matter What. This is the unshakeable foundation of all resilience. My faith—whatever form it takes—is the ultimate anchor. It provides me with a moral and emotional centre when chaos reigns, offering the deep-seated assurance that even when the path is unclear and the outcome uncertain, I am not alone. This conviction allows me to stand firm and model calm for those I lead.
2. This Too Shall Pass. Crises are temporary. My job as a leader is to manage the immediate danger while simultaneously painting a vision of the other side. This principle is not passive; it’s a strategic mindset that shifts my focus from the paralyzing severity of the moment to the necessary steps toward recovery. It instills hope and perseverance in my team.
3. I Am Alive, Therefore I Have Hope Survival is the starting point of triumph. If I am here, the game is still on. Hope is a non-negotiable asset; it is the fuel of innovation and the opposite of despair. I must embody this hope, translating the sheer fact of existence into the conviction that a better future is possible.
4. Everything is Figure-Out-able This is a battle cry for problem-solving. I must reject the notion of an unfixable situation. When faced with complex challenges—be it a hurricane’s aftermath or personal hardship—I break the problem down into its smallest components. It empowers me and my team to move past paralysis and into actionable strategy.
5. I Only Need to Get Through This SECOND, and Then the Next During overwhelming stress—like caring for a critically ill loved one or dealing with immense financial strain—the future can be terrifying. Leadership is often about managing the present. By focusing on tiny, achievable intervals, I manage anxiety and build momentum, one successful second at a time. This approach makes colossal tasks manageable.
6. Community Will Always Rally Around Me to Assist One of the greatest strengths in a crisis is interdependence. As a leader who openly accepts help and delegates effectively, I empower my community. My experience has shown me that when I dropped my shield, people rushed in to assist. Authentic vulnerability is magnetic; it builds trust and activates my network.
7. There are More With Me Than Those Against Me. I must have an unwavering belief in the good intentions of others. In moments of tension, it’s easy to become defensive or isolated. This lesson reminds me to focus on the supportive allies—the friends, family, colleagues, and community members—whose assistance far outweighs any detractors. It prevents cynical burnout.
8. Everyone Is Going Through Something, No Matter How Much I See Them Smiling. This is the lens of deep empathy required for modern leadership. My own unseen battles—the caregiving, the financial stress, the relationship difficulties—teach me that everyone I encounter is fighting an unseen battle. This insight prevents snap judgments and fosters a culture of patience and grace.
9. The Best Gift to Give Someone in Pain is Empathy. Empathy is not sympathy; it is the active effort to understand another person’s reality. When leading those impacted by Melissa, or a team member dealing with personal loss, my role is to validate their pain first, not immediately try to fix it. Validation builds trust.
10. I Must Never Judge Others Based on My Own Situation. My hard-won resilience is my story, not a yardstick for others. As a leader, I must recognise that different people have different breaking points. My incredible capacity for enduring pressure—for instance, balancing caregiving with running a business—must be used to support others, not as a standard to hold them to. Leadership means meeting people where they are.

✝️ Scripture Spotlight

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” — Psalm 30:5

This verse reminds me that even the longest, darkest nights of pain or loss are never the end of our story—no matter what we face, hope and renewal are always possible with a new dawn.

💡 Did You Know?

Resilience research reveals that people who lean into community and express gratitude, even during a crisis, recover faster and experience better long-term well-being. Your willingness to connect and ask for help is a powerful, research-backed strength.

📊 Interactive Poll

What’s your greatest anchor in turbulent times?

• Faith/spiritual grounding
• Close family and friends
• Hope for a better future
• Focusing on one moment at a time
• Community support

Reply and share—which anchor helps steady you most?

🎙️ Podcast Reflection

Spiritual Intelligence: Aligning Success with Divine Purpose with Donna Tashjian In this soul-stirring episode of The Entrepreneurial You, I sit down with Donna Tashjian, life coach, minister, and founder of Vibrant Living International, for a powerful conversation on healing, purpose, and spiritual intelligence. From surviving trauma to empowering others through faith, Donna shares her personal journey of reclaiming identity, embracing forgiveness, and guiding others toward a purposeful life in partnership with God. Listen: 

Spiritual Intelligence: Aligning Success with Divine Purpose

📚 Recommended Reading

✅️ Daring Greatly by Brene Brown

✅️ Dare to Lead by Brene Brown

✅️ Atomic Habits by James Clear

✅️ Start with Why by Simon Sinek

📢 Bulletin Board

• We’ve now sailed through our long-awaited cruise last week, and what a time it was!
• Coming up: Retreat 2026. Be part of the next chapter: Healing with Gratitude Retreat 
• New Entrepreneurial You podcast every Tuesday at 7 AM: 
• henekawatkisporter.com/podcast
• The Entrepreneurial You TV Show Season finale aired on Sunday at 8 PM on Flow 1, and will repeat tomorrow at 10 AM JA.
• Boards I serve: PWD Credit Union, eMentoring Africa (Kenya), Leadercast.

Final Thoughts

These private and public battles are not sources of shame. They are the anchors of authentic, compassionate leadership. May your own storms reveal your true strength, and may you always know you are not alone.

Keep resilient,

*Heneka Watkis-Porter*

Podcast Queen | Leadership Visionary Architect | Coach | Grace to Grow Mentorship Founder_

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