In this month’s edition of Insights into Leadership, I explore a sentence I hear repeatedly from senior HR leaders: “I should be able to cope.” On the surface, it sounds responsible, professional and composed. In reality, it often signals something deeper - the quiet internalisation of systemic pressure as personal inadequacy. This edition examines how “I should…” turns emotional load into self-blame, drives over-functioning, and gradually erodes self-trust at senior level. I unpack why this isn’t a capability issue, but often an alignment issue and what shifts when you recalibrate how you operate rather than simply pushing harder. If you’re a senior HR leader who appears steady externally but feels less certain internally, this piece will likely resonate. You can read the full article here.