Y is for Yearning: The Hidden Driver of Vision.

“The bird dares to break the shell, then the shell breaks open, and the bird can fly. This is the simplest principle of yearning: to break free and soar.” Rabindranath Tagore

Yearning is rarely named in leadership - but it’s everywhere. It’s the quiet longing for purpose, impact, connection.

Research in existential psychology and leadership development shows that when leaders connect with their deeper yearnings, they lead with authenticity, vision, and emotional resonance.

We worked with a leader who felt “successful but stuck.” By exploring what they truly yearned for - beyond KPI’s, revenue and milestones - they reconnected with their mission. Strategy became meaning. The team followed with renewed energy and commitment.

Actionable Insight:

• Reflect on your deeper drivers: What do you long for - not just professionally, but personally? 

  
  

• Use coaching to explore unmet needs, give yourself space to reconnect with you.

  
  

• Ask: “What’s missing and what would it mean to pursue it?”

  
  

• Seek insight from those who care about you, including family and friends.

  
  
  
  

Why it matters: Yearning fuels vision. When leaders honour it, they lead with heart and clarity.

Frankl, V. E. (2006). ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’. Beacon Press. 

Kets de Vries, M. F. R. (2011). ‘The Hedgehog Effect: The Secrets of Building High Performance Teams. Jossey-Bass.