What Collagen Taught Me About Leadership
Let me share this with you: I saw true skin elasticity in action. A friend-turned-client asked me for a last minute facial, worried about fine lines around her eyes. I’m usually prepared to meet requests made by my friends and family. An hour later, she blinked into the mirror, I watched her jaw drop in disbelief–and relief. Her skin was plump, springy, and alive. I love being able to put my esthetics skills to work.
And in that moment, years ago, I realized: collagen is a beautiful metaphor for leadership. It isn’t just about biology.
Elasticity vs. Rigidity
Collagen fibers give skin its bounce-back. Without them, we’d crease, sag, and struggle to recover from every little stressor of sun exposure, pollution and the occasional late night. In leadership, rigidity looks a lot like decision fatigue, imposter syndrome, and a resistance to course-correct when the market shifts.
Skin story: We gently stimulate collagen to encourage natural repair. Overdo it, and you irritate; underdo it, and you stagnate.
Leadership lesson: You need just enough stretch through calculated risks or honest feedback to grow, but not so much tension that you snap and break.
Reflect: Where in your leadership are you too tense? Where are you not stretching enough?
Stress Response: Repair Over Resistance
When skin is repeatedly damaged through UV exposure or aggressive products, it enters a chronic repair cycle. Redness, sensitivity, and breakdown follow. Similarly, leaders who react to every fire drill with fight-or-flight only deepen stress, erode team morale, and risk burnout.
Skin story: We introduce calming serums, hydrosols, and peptides to support repair, not just cover symptoms.
Leadership lesson: Embed recovery rituals like micro-wellness moments, peer/team debriefs, or even a two-minute grounding breath before every major decision. It’s not about ignoring stress; it’s about choosing repair over resistance.
Action Step: After your next high-pressure appointment or call, take two minutes to breathe with your hand on your chest. Notice what shifts.
Sustainability: Building a Durable Matrix
Collagen networks are strongest when nourished consistently. This looks like proper nutritional balance, cellular hydration, and smart skincare habits. One “high-tech” treatment won’t last unless you support it with daily care.
Skin story: Those who follow a simple morning and evening routine see better, longer-lasting results than those chasing the latest miracle devices.
Leadership lesson: Pick three foundational systems for your “leadership routine” and commit. Maybe it’s a weekly One-Hour CEO hour, a monthly strategy reset, and a daily gratitude check. These simple, repeatable structures become the matrix that holds everything else up.
Tool: “Leadership Matrix”
Flexibility Through Collaboration
Collagen production naturally slows with age but it doesn’t have to stop. I use tools like LED therapy and microneedling to boost what my body can’t do alone.
Skin story: Collaboration between client and esthetician accelerates results.
Leadership lesson: You aren’t meant to rebuild collagen, or a business, solo. Lean into partnerships, mentorship, and your team expertise to amplify the elasticity of your bandwidth. Shared knowledge and support act like that LED session for your leadership resilience.
Invitation: Reach out to one colleague today and ask, “What’s one thing you’d love help stretching toward?” Then listen.
A Final Reflection
Collagen reminds us that both beauty and leadership are emergent properties of a healthy, flexible system.
They require:
Stretch: Be willing to pivot.
Repair: Build in time and space to recover.
Sustenance: Commit to consistent small acts of care.
Collaboration: Invite others to strengthen the network.
Your leadership can be as resilient and springy as the healthiest skin. It just needs the right support.
