In 2026, one of the biggest leadership challenges isn’t scaling faster — it’s knowing what’s actually worth scaling.
Founders, coaches, and entrepreneurs today aren’t just battling client acquisition gaps or messaging confusion. They’re confronting a deeper tension: building businesses that grow without losing alignment with their purpose. And according to leadership thinker Kenneth Hellem, that clarity rarely comes from another strategy session — it comes from intentional reflection.
At Humans of Fuzia — a global thought-leadership platform at the intersection of leadership, entrepreneurship, coaching, women empowerment, and socially conscious business — we regularly feature experts who understand how coaches and small business entrepreneurs truly operate, grow, and scale. Kenneth’s journey is a powerful reminder that sustainable growth systems begin with personal alignment before operational expansion.
From Entrepreneurial Success To Purpose-Led Leadership
Midway through his career, Kenneth took an unconventional step. Instead of doubling down on growth metrics, he stepped away from routine success and spent six months travelling across Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland — journaling, reflecting, and asking one foundational question:
“Who am I, who do I want to be, what is important in my life… now that I’ve done half of my career, what do I want to contribute towards the second half?”
During this period, he encountered the concept of Dharma — purpose-driven contribution. The realization was striking:
“I’ve been a successful entrepreneur… but it’s not who I truly am in my soul. I think I’m much more of a teacher persona — a visionary slash teacher.”
For leadership coaches and entrepreneurs navigating growth complexity in 2026, this distinction matters. Scaling a misaligned business often amplifies burnout, team accountability issues, and unclear messaging — challenges many founders mistake as operational rather than existential.
The “50 Lunches” Growth System: A New Approach To Leadership Development
Kenneth’s response wasn’t to launch a coaching offer immediately — but to listen first.
Through his initiative 50 Lunches, he’s meeting professionals for meaningful conversations focused on purpose, fulfillment, and career trajectory. Only after listening does he “flip the mirror”:
“I share my dharma… my passions and my skills and how I want to contribute to the world — and I ask, what would you do in my shoes?”
Rather than forcing monetisation, he’s allowing patterns to emerge before deciding on:
- Group coaching programs
- Community-led leadership platforms
- One-on-one advisory work
- Speaking opportunities
- A potential book
This reflective-first approach addresses a major coaching industry gap: building scalable offers before achieving Ideal Client Profile (ICP) clarity or messaging alignment.
Women In Leadership: Moving Beyond Labels
Kenneth’s perspective on women empowerment reflects an evolving leadership narrative:
“I don’t really like to think about female leadership or male leadership. To me, it’s just leadership.”
However, he adds an important caveat:
“If somebody is underrepresented, there should be empowerment… but the goal is equality.”
For women entrepreneurs building socially conscious businesses, this reinforces a systems-based leadership model — where diverse perspectives strengthen decision-making, team culture, and long-term scalability.
Execution Tip
Schedule five “curiosity conversations” this month with peers or potential clients — not to sell, but to learn about their challenges, goals, and motivations. Document patterns. This insight can directly improve your messaging, ICP clarity, and future coaching offers.
Redefining Success In The Coaching Economy
Kenneth’s definition of success has evolved beyond revenue or scalability:
“If I wake up in the morning and I know that I’m contributing to something bigger than me… then to me that’s success.”
For today’s leadership coaches and entrepreneurs, scalable growth systems don’t start with funnels — they start with purpose.
Humans of Fuzia continues to spotlight thought leaders shaping sustainable leadership, coaching innovation, and socially conscious entrepreneurship across the globe.
Connect with Kenneth Hellem
LinkedIn: Kenneth Hellem | LinkedIn
Website: https://50lunches.com/
