Her chilling diagnosis left her worried about the future, but one team meeting made her a better leader: ‘Cancer taught me how to lead'

Stephanie Essenfeld, a psychotherapist and corporate leadership coach, was preparing for a year of retreats and conferences in 2025 when a routine check revealed a lump in her breast. Days later, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. “Suddenly, I was filled with uncertainty and fear,” she told Business Insider. For someone who teaches radical acceptance—embracing pain as part of reality—the diagnosis was both a personal and professional test.

From ‘Why Me?’ to ‘What Now?’

Essenfeld quickly shifted from questioning why this happened to asking what she could do next. “Cancer was happening, and it was a challenge I had to face with peace and gratitude rather than fear,” she wrote on LinkedIn. Over the following six months, she discovered unexpected gifts: closer family bonds, strong friendships, and insights into her own leadership.

One of her first decisions was to be transparent with her 15-member team. During Monday meetings, she shared updates about her treatment, fears, and uncertainties. What began as vulnerability became a collaborative space. “Prior to this, I made decisions and the team executed them,” she told Business Insider. “With cancer, I stepped off my pedestal and allowed the team to be a team on a mission together.”

Learning to Ask for Help

Essenfeld initially worried that asking for help would appear weak. Instead, it created a culture of mutual support. Her team began openly communicating their own struggles, learning to lift each other during low-energy days.

During chemotherapy, Essenfeld let go of micromanaging. She focused on setting a clear mission while trusting her staff to execute it. “I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about applying pressure,” she wrote on LinkedIn. “It’s about being present, trusting, supporting, and prioritizing people over performance.”

A Leadership Transformation

Cancer, an uninvited teacher, reshaped Essenfeld’s approach. She now emphasizes honesty, empathy, and integrity over perfection. “Real leadership means holding space—for uncertainty, for growth, for people, and for yourself,” she shared. Her team not only adapted but thrived, demonstrating that collaboration and trust can fuel growth even in the most challenging circumstances.