Let Go of the Old Keys: Why Leaders Must Eliminate What No Longer Serves Them

Let Go of the Old Keys: Why Leaders Must Eliminate What No Longer Serves Them

Every leader carries a keyring—full of ideas, habits, commitments, and relationships picked up along the journey. But too often, we hold on to keys that no longer open anything meaningful. Think about it: how many times have you kept a key, even though you no longer own the house, the locker, or the office it unlocks? We do the same with areas of our lives that have outlived their purpose. If you’re serious about growth—both personally and professionally—it’s time to eliminate what no longer serves you.

This act of elimination is not selfish. It’s strategic.

Leadership demands clarity and focus. But clutter—mental, emotional, or physical—clouds our judgment. Some leaders still scroll social media for hours, convincing themselves it's “research.” Others maintain toxic relationships out of loyalty to the past, while some cling to outdated processes just because “that’s how we’ve always done it.” These are old keys. And they don’t fit the locks on the doors you’re trying to open now.

If you want to grow, you must let go.

In his bestselling book Essentialism, Greg McKeown writes, “If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.” The same goes for your energy and attention. Eliminate distractions that don’t serve your highest purpose. Does that endless TV binge serve your goals? Does that one negative voice in your circle lift you up—or weigh you down? Leadership isn’t just about what you add to your life. It’s equally about what you subtract.

Start with awareness. Make a list of the things, people, or habits that once served you but now hold you back. Ask yourself:

• Is this helping me become the leader I want to be?
• Is this relationship building me—or breaking me?
• Is this habit pushing me forward—or keeping me stuck?

It may be hard. Eliminating isn’t always about bad things—it’s about obsolete things. Maybe that role on a committee used to be fulfilling, but now it drains your creativity. Maybe a weekly meeting was once important but is now redundant. Courageous leaders make the tough call to close the door and throw away the key.

Even pruning a tree involves cutting back healthy branches—so the healthiest can grow stronger.

And don’t overlook your internal “keys.” Old beliefs like “I’m not ready,” or “I have to say yes to everything” are deeply embedded, but they no longer fit the person you are becoming. Upgrade your mindset. Surround yourself with people who fuel your vision, not feed your fears.

Remember, growth often comes from subtraction—not addition.

Leadership is about unlocking the future. But you can't do that with keys from your past. Clear out the clutter. Trust that when you eliminate what no longer serves you, you make room for what will.

Let go of the old keys. You don’t need them anymore. New doors are waiting.