“Some mornings, I feel unstoppable. On others, I wake up and a heaviness is there. On those days I’ve learned to stop, check in, and remind myself: ‘It’s just a day. Not forever.’”
Tara Brennan has led delivery teams across global boards, consulting teams, and remote communities. But beyond the titles and timelines is a woman who’s learning, every single day, to sit with her emotions, listen to her inner world, and remind herself: she doesn’t have to have it all figured out. Her story is not one of a meteoric rise or polished perfection. It’s about the quiet courage of showing up honestly, even when it’s messy. Especially when it’s messy.
Learning to Sit With It
There was a time Tara thought she had to hide the hard days. That being vulnerable, especially in the corporate world, might cost her opportunities. But it was in naming her low days, in giving them language, that she started reclaiming her power.
“Depression can make you doubt your thinking,” she shared. “Even your own judgment. But I’ve learned to step outside of myself and observe: ‘This is just what today feels like.’”
And on the days she can’t afford a full doona day, she still takes a moment — a breath — to check in.
“You don’t have to power through like nothing’s happening. Just do your best with where you’re at. Sometimes just noticing it is enough to get your strength back.”
The Moment That Changed Everything
In one of her most memorable moments, Tara sat across a senior leader she deeply admired. She had gone into the meeting seeking motivation, a pep talk. Instead, she received something far more powerful: honesty.
“I said I wasn’t feeling confident,” she recalled. “And he said, ‘I know what you mean. I’m struggling too.’ And suddenly, everything changed. We weren’t two professionals ticking boxes. We were two people, meeting each other in truth. We took it on together.”
That moment sparked a deep, ongoing connection, and became the foundation for how Tara now leads, connects, and supports others.
From Fear to Service
Tara once stumbled across a phrase in a shop window that became her life mantra: “If you get nervous, return to service.” “It reminded me — this isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being useful. Helping people. Sharing what I know in the hope that it serves others. That’s what gives me confidence now.”
It’s this mindset that helped her navigate high-stakes presentations, lead global teams, and support others through uncertain times.
Advice for Those Just Starting Out
To those navigating their first jobs, especially those doing it while silently struggling, she shared three things:
“Don’t compare yourself to someone else – comparison is the thief of joy. Appreciate your own journey. Everyone’s learning at their own pace. If it’s uncomfortable just remember that you are learning and growing.”
“Find your people, your home base. Whether they’re at work or outside it, don’t do it alone.”
“You don’t have to know everything – none of us do.” Communicate where you’re at. It doesn’t make you weak — it makes you human.”
Redefining Success
These days, success for Tara isn’t about accolades or big launches. It’s quieter. “It’s an unexpected message from someone I worked with years ago, saying, ‘Do you remember that moment? That helped me.’ That’s what means the most now.” She lights up when she speaks about helping others build long-term relationships, connecting ideas across countries, and seeing ripple effects she didn’t expect.
What She Wants You to Remember
Tara’s story is a reminder that the most impactful thing we can be, especially in the world of ERP and enterprise, is deeply, unapologetically human.
“It all comes back to people. Always. Whether we’re working on systems, rollouts, remote communities or locally, it’s people that matter most.”
And if her life were a book? She’d call it Always Learning. And the first line would be: “It turns out, being courageous can be as simple as showing up as authentically YOU.”
Connect with Tara on LinkedIn
