For most of our lives, we are taught to protect the vase. In my story, it is more than just a fragile object—it is a symbol of compliance, a metaphor for the unspoken rules that dictate how things should be done. Do not question. Do not disrupt. Do not break the vase.
But we must break it.
Not because we want to, but because we have to. Because the only way to step into our full potential as leaders is to shatter the limits placed upon us and create something new.
As leaders, we are the guardians of vases—long-standing traditions, deeply embedded structures, and leadership philosophies passed down from a different era. These vases may have served a purpose once, but are they serving our organizations now? Or are they holding back the innovation, agility, and human potential needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving world?
The choice is clear: protect the vase and risk stagnation, or break it and lead transformation.
The Danger of an Intact Vase
In business, unchallenged traditions are like that vase—protected for the sake of stability but, in reality, limiting progress. Most organization has vases:
A hierarchical leadership structure that discourages new ideas from emerging.
A culture of fear where employees hesitate to speak up.
A rigid strategy that resists adaptation in a world that demands agility.
These vases do not shatter on their own. They require leaders with the courage to break them intentionally—to challenge norms, rewrite policies, and reinvent cultures to create workplaces where innovation and engagement can flourish.
A Leader’s Responsibility: Choosing the Harder Path
Breaking vases is not comfortable. It requires abandoning the illusion of control, embracing uncertainty, and stepping into the unknown. When I shattered the vase that defined my life, I had no roadmap, no guarantees. But I knew that remaining inside the confines of that unbroken structure was no longer an option.
As leaders, we have that same choice. Do we stay within the safety of what has always been done, or do we take the harder, more necessary path toward transformation?
The strongest leaders are those who:
Break the comfort of tradition and make room for progress.
Recognize that growth requires discomfort and lead teams through uncertainty with vision and purpose.
Encourage risk-taking because real innovation does not come from maintaining the status quo.
Breaking the Vase is Just the Beginning
Shattering the vase is not the end—it is the beginning of something greater. It is a commitment to continuous reinvention, to questioning what no longer serves, and to leading with the kind of courage that builds organizations capable of thriving in the future.
When we create an environment where employees feel seen, heard, and empowered to take risks, they will bring their best selves to the table. They will think bigger, create bolder, and move faster.
The Legacy of a Leader Who Breaks the Vase
The leaders who leave a lasting impact are those who refuse to accept limitations. They are the ones who dare to disrupt, to ask difficult questions, and to challenge the belief that success comes from playing it safe.
So let’s ask ourselves: What vases in our organization need to be shattered? What traditions are we holding onto that are keeping us from building something better?
The choice is not between breaking the vase or keeping it intact. The choice is between evolution and irrelevance.
Which will we choose?
Building Leaders. Breaking Limitations.
Dima Ghawi is a catalyst for leadership transformation, guiding professionals and organizations to shatter limitations, embrace growth, and lead boldly. Through keynote speeches, training programs and executive coaching, Dima has empowered thousands of professionals across the globe to expand their leadership potential.
Ready to break the vases holding you back? Connect with Dima at DimaGhawi.com and BreakingVases.com.
