by Justin Standfield
I’ve mentioned it here and there – in blog posts, in passing on social media – that I’ve lived with a confirmed multiple sclerosis diagnosis for a decade (with symptoms and issues for 24 years). It’s never been a total secret and yet, every time I write or speak about it within a professional context, there’s still a moment of hesitation.
Part of me wonders: “Will this change how people see me? Will it raise doubts about my capability, my leadership, my reliability?”.
But there’s another part – the stronger one – that knows the value of showing up fully, even when that includes some vulnerability. Especially in the work I do, supporting others in their own personal growth and leadership development, it feels important to be transparent about the realities I carry too.
Living with MS is part of my story, but it’s also shaped the kind of coach, trainer, leader and business owner I’ve become. It’s made me more intentional with my time, clearer about my boundaries and more attuned to the inner and outer work it takes to show up consistently – even when life is unpredictable.
The theme for MS Awareness Week this year is #MSconversations.
Talking about MS can feel scary, awkward or emotionally draining. But it can also be a way to take back control, build understanding and feel more connected. With that in mind, here are a few lessons that MS has brought me – lessons that now quietly underpin much of what I bring to clients and colleagues at Incendo.
Lesson 1: Resilience isn’t about pushing through
It’s about tuning in – noticing what’s needed, adapting with grace and trusting that rest and pause have value too. For me, this has involved a lot of unlearning the messages I was brought up with!
Lesson 2: Leadership doesn’t require constant visibility
I’ve let go of the myth that being on all the time is a measure of success. Quiet, grounded leadership – the kind that “listens more than it speaks” as they say – has a power of its own.
Lesson 3: Boundaries are an act of respect
Living with a fluctuating condition has taught me to protect my energy – not just for my own wellbeing, but so that I can show up more fully for others, with presence and integrity. This is very much linked to Lesson 1 above.
I realise that these lessons aren’t unique to MS. They’re relevant to anyone navigating uncertainty, change or the quiet complexity of being human – let’s be honest, that’s most of us.
So, why am I sharing this now, more openly? It’s not just a blog post for MS Awareness Week. I’ve written this today because I want to keep closing the gap between how things look and how they are. Because I believe that leadership isn’t about having it all together; it’s about leading from where you are, with honesty and care. Because I know that when we give ourselves permission to be real, we offer the same gift to others.
“I’m not here despite MS. I’m here with it – more intentional, more present and more human than before.” – Justin Standfield
If you’re a client, a colleague or maybe someone I haven’t met yet – thank you for reading. I have MS but I’m still here, doing the work I love, just with a little more compassion, perspective and clarity than I had ten years ago.
If any of this resonates with you, I’d love to hear how your own challenges have shaped your approach to professional life too.
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