From Scarcity to Sufficiency: A Leadership Wake-Up Call
This weekend, what started as a simple grocery run with my eldest daughter turned into one of those moments that shifted my perspective, and I am still carrying it with me.
Since the start of 2025, we’ve challenged ourselves to keep our weekly grocery spend under $250. Not easy in today’s economy, but it’s become a fun (and humbling) ritual — a way to stay mindful about our spending and reduce waste, which, for me, is a non-negotiable.
That afternoon, we were standing in line, laughing about how close we were to hitting our limit, when I noticed a mother ahead of us — juggling her grocery cart and soothing her tiny newborn in a car seat. Her movements were gentle but tired, and in that instant, I was pulled back to my own early days of parenting — the fog, the fatigue, the fierce love.
A few minutes later, I noticed something odd: her groceries were still on the belt, but she was gone.
The cashier gave a small apologetic smile, and I assumed the woman had forgotten something and would be right back.
But then my daughter whispered, “Mom… she couldn’t afford her groceries. I just heard the cashier tell another cashier she didn’t have enough money and left.”
My heart cracked open.
I stood there stunned, replaying the moment in my head — trying to spot what I’d missed. I wish I had noticed sooner. I wish I had stepped in. I thought about the humiliation she must have felt. The panic. The disappointment.
As we walked back to the car, our usual light banter faded. My daughter broke the silence: “That was heartbreaking… I feel like crying for that mom and her baby.”
And I did cry. Behind my sunglasses, I let quiet tears fall as I nodded in agreement. Her words mirrored exactly what I was feeling.
That moment reminded me how easy it is to forget that privilege often insulates us from proximity to pain. And yet, no matter our title or income, none of us are immune to hardship, especially not now. Even seasoned executives are quietly asking themselves, “What if this job doesn’t last?” or “What if the market doesn’t bounce back quickly?”
I’ve lived through my own financial storms — a brain injury that forced me to pause my business, the loss of my husband, and a pandemic that altered the course of everything I had built. I know the slow, difficult work of rebuilding. But I also know I’ve never walked into a store wondering if I could afford to feed my kids.
And that? That’s a privilege. One I must never forget.
So, here’s the question I want to ask you today as a leader:
How do we shift our mindset from scarcity to sufficiency — from fear to gratitude?
Because here’s the truth: Many of us will be okay. And when we remember that, we lead differently. We stop chasing security and start creating impact. We stop acting from fear and begin acting from love.
Let’s use our platform — our influence — to not only lead with purpose but to live with perspective. A small act of kindness, a donation, a mentoring moment, a show of empathy — these things ripple.
This week, I invite you to pause and reflect:
· Where are you still operating from fear?
· Where can you replace that with trust and presence?
· And how can you use your leadership — your voice — to show someone else that they are not alone?
You are enough. You have enough. And when we reach out to others, we remember that truth even more clearly.
If this story stirred something in you—if it made you pause and examine where scarcity may still be shaping your decisions or leadership—I’d love to hold space for that conversation. As a Master Certified Executive Coach, I work with leaders who are ready to lead boldly with more perspective, presence, and purpose. If you’re navigating change, craving deeper alignment, or simply want to lead from a more grounded place, let’s connect. DM me to book your complimentary 20-minute Discovery Call and explore how we can shift from surviving to leading with sufficiency.
Enjoy the ride!
Carey-Ann Oestreicher Master Certified Executive Coach | CEO, Potential Unlimited www.potentialunlimited.ca
