The CEO of Stillness - How Pausing Unlocks Your Best Leadership
The holiday season is often described as a time of joy, but for many leaders, it feels like another race to the finish line - a sprint of year-end deadlines, social commitments, and travel logistics. Amidst the flurry, we risk arriving at January feeling depleted, not restored.
This December, let's redefine our leadership approach to this vital time. The most effective leaders aren't just masters of action; they are CEOs of Stillness, recognizing that a deliberate pause is a strategic asset, not a luxury.
Executive Insight: The Power of the Strategic Pause
In executive coaching, we often discuss the concept of "deliberate practice." For a leader, this must include "deliberate rest."
Decision Quality: When your mind is in perpetual motion, your decisions are reactive, often driven by the Judge Saboteur (from Positive Intelligence™ – PQ), which critiques the past and worries about the future. Stillness breaks this cycle. Even 15 minutes of quiet reflection allows your Sage brain (also PQ) to take over, leading to more creative, empathetic, and long-term strategic choices.
Preventing Burnout: High-achieving leaders, often fueled by the Hyper-Achiever Saboteur, see constant activity as the measure of their worth. Use your holiday break as a chance to measure your worth by your presence and peace, not your productivity. This is a critical practice in leadership excellence—sustainability.
Positive Intelligence Practice: Activating Your Sage
Positive Intelligence (PQ) teaches us that our reaction to stress and pressure is driven by our Saboteurs. The holiday season, with its unique stresses, is a prime opportunity to practice PQ and boost your Mental Fitness.
Spot the Saboteur: Notice when the stress of gift-giving or the pressure of a perfect holiday triggers your Pleaser or Avoider.
PQ Reps in the Moment: Take a micro-break before reacting. Ground yourself by focusing on your five senses for 10 seconds (e.g., notice the weight of your feet, the sound of the crackling fire, the scent of pine). This simple act is a PQ Rep that shifts you from the Saboteur response to the Sage perspective.
The Sage Gift: Approach your reflection time with the Sage Power of Explore. Instead of judging the year's missteps, ask: "What were the three biggest lessons this year taught me, and how can I apply them to the new year?"
The Gift of Appreciation and Reflection
Use this precious December time to appreciate your journey and the quiet moments. Schedule blocks in your calendar not for meetings, but for Reflection:
Review your triumphs, not just your failures. Acknowledge the incredible distance you and your team traveled.
Write three things you are truly grateful for each day. It could be the warmth of a coffee cup, the quiet snow, or the health of your family. This practice anchors you in the present joy.
Actionable Takeaway: Block out one full hour this week. Sit in a comfortable, quiet place with a journal. Start with 5 minutes of mindful breathing, and then write without agenda. This is your personal Executive Retreat.