The Three Freedoms Every Leader Needs:

(And No, Work-Life Balance Isn’t the Only One)

Ever noticed how we British have a peculiar relationship with freedom? We pride ourselves on our independence, yet we’ll happily queue for ages without complaint. We cherish our free time, yet we’re notorious for working through our lunch breaks while muttering “sorry” to our sandwich.

As a leadership coach, I’ve observed something rather fascinating about how we view freedom in the professional world. When I mention freedom to leaders, their eyes light up — usually followed by a slightly guilty look as they check their phones for the third time in five minutes. You see, we’ve fallen into a bit of a trap. We’ve reduced the concept of freedom to a single dimension: work-life balance. Important? Absolutely. The whole story? Not quite.

Let me share something that might just change how you think about freedom in leadership. There are actually three distinct types of freedom that every leader needs to thrive. Think of them as the three pillars of modern leadership — or if you prefer, the three essential ingredients in a proper British breakfast (though considerably less calorific).

Freedom of Choice: The Lost Art of Conscious Decision-Making