Introduction
Saturday mornings go at a different pace. The city quiets down, the email box almost empty, and at last the clock is a friend instead of a master. For many it’s a day of letting go. As for me, as a CEO, Saturday is not a break — it is a time of thought. It is the only day I get to step out of the boardroom and back into my own skin. Leadership is about going forward but also about taking time out to make sure we are going in the right direction.
The Pause That Powers the Leader
What did well, what requires attention, and what I learned. It’s not for productivity but for reflection. For without reflection action has no meaning.
That quiet time which in turn gives me perspective. I use it to see through the issues which I don’t notice in the midst of daily chaos of the week. Also at times I am brought to face that which I put off which in fact is the root of a project’s issue. Also I note that a small victory which I ignored is in fact a big deal. Saturday for me is not just a break from the routine but a time for self reflection and growth as a leader.
Beyond Strategy: The Human Element in Leadership.
As each day goes by I set aside time for family, friends, and simple pleasures like a walk in the park, lunch which doesn’t include my phone, or working with my child on a small project. These aren’t distractions they are what keep me grounded. We also see that leadership is not the result of a great strategy alone, rather it is what you put into that strategy empathy, presence, and renewal. The best CEOs do not just lead their companies they live out lives that are worth following.
Often times what we put into play for the future doesn’t come out of a meeting it comes from quiet times. I once talked with my daughter out of the blue which in turn inspired a new customer engagement model. I resolved a partner issue which logic could not solve via a quiet walk. Saturday is the time creativity gets to breath.
Reflection Becomes Renewal
Success is built through consistent alignment and not by constant acceleration.
Conclusion: From Silence.
In a world of go go go I’ve learned to appreciate the stop. Saturday is not a reward for making it through a busy week; it’s the base for an even better one. It’s the day I fill the cup which I empty out daily. Also when a leader takes time to be still what we see is clarity, creativity which springs forward, and compassion which grows.
Thus for many on the weekend they are at the weekend I am at the end of my tether repair. That which brings into focus what I stand for, who my constituents are, and what is truly important.