The Pocket Pause: The Power of Slowing Down in Leadership

I want to start by asking you to take a moment. Grab a piece of paper and write down two lists:

1. Everything you love.

2. Everything you take care of.

Seriously—don’t skip this step.

Now, look at your list.

Where are you on it? Are you even on it?

As leaders—whether in our careers, our communities, or our families—we often get so caught up in taking care of everything and everyone else that we forget to take care of ourselves. The meetings, deadlines, responsibilities, and expectations pile up, and even the things meant to bring us joy—a morning workout, a coffee break, or a moment of reflection—become just another box to check off.

We push forward, driven by results, responsibilities, and the next goal. But in the process, we risk losing something vital: Ourselves.

Leadership Is About More Than Doing—It’s About Being

John Maxwell’s 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth reminds us that personal growth is essential for effective leadership. One of the most powerful principles is The Law of Intentionality—growth doesn’t just happen; it requires conscious effort. That effort includes knowing when to push forward and when to pause.

Pausing isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a leadership strategy.

Maxwell also talks about The Law of Awareness—you must know yourself to grow yourself. If you’re constantly running on empty, you’re not leading at your best. Leaders who fail to pause eventually burn out, make poor decisions, or lose sight of what truly matters.

I know this because I’ve been there.

The Moment I Had to Stop and Recalibrate

For 18 years, I worked in an inpatient acute care behavioral health unit, guiding individuals through some of their darkest times. Every day, I led wellness groups on self-care, stress management, communication, relationships, self-esteem and more. I taught others how to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with their purpose.

And yet, somewhere along the way, I stopped doing it for myself.

The responsibilities kept piling up. My work environment was shifting. My personal life was demanding more. And I was doing all the things, but I was no longer being present in them. I told myself I could handle it—until I couldn’t.

I was the frog in the pot, not realizing the water was heating up. I was the hamster on the wheel, running nonstop with no clear way to step off and if there was a clear way I was not seeing it.

Then my heart said: No more. You need to stop and breathe.

That was the moment I truly learned the power of the pause.

The Leadership Skill No One Talks About

We don’t often talk about pausing as a leadership skill, but it is. Leaders who don’t pause operate on reaction instead of strategy. They make decisions from a place of exhaustion rather than clarity.

• High-driving D-style leaders often push forward relentlessly, but without a pause, they risk burnout and blind spots.

• People-focused I-style leaders love connection but may fill their schedules so much that they lose depth in their relationships.

• Steady S-style leaders naturally support others but may struggle to set boundaries for their own well-being.

• Detail-oriented C-style leaders want to get things right but can become overwhelmed by perfectionism if they never step back for perspective.

No matter your leadership style, pausing is essential. It’s not about stopping—it’s about creating space to lead with clarity, wisdom, and intentionality.

Why Leaders Need to Pause

When we intentionally slow down, we:

• Improve decision-making by giving ourselves time to think clearly.

• Enhance communication by being more present in conversations.

• Increase creativity and innovation by making space for fresh ideas.

• Strengthen relationships by being fully engaged with those we lead.

• Prevent burnout, making us more effective in the long run.

How Do You Take Meaningful Pauses?

Think about your morning coffee. Do you grab it as you rush out the door, barely tasting it? Or do you sit for a moment, feeling the warmth of the mug in your hands, inhaling the rich aroma, and savoring each sip?

Pausing doesn’t mean stopping everything—it means being fully present in what you are doing.

It can be as simple as:

• Taking three deep breaths before stepping into your next meeting.

• Pausing between emails to reset your focus.

• Scheduling five minutes of silence before making a big decision.

• Creating a “pocket pause” in your day—a moment to check in with yourself before you check off another task.

Your Leadership Invitation

Today, I encourage you to reflect:

• How is the constant doing affecting your leadership?

• Where in your day can you find pockets of pause—moments to breathe, reset, and realign?

• Are you leading from a place of presence or from autopilot?

Because leadership isn’t about how much you can do—it’s about how well you can be.

If this resonated with you and you’re looking for guidance on how to slow down, reconnect, and lead with more intention, I’ve got your back. Let’s navigate this together. Schedule a complementary Strategy Call Today

Need ideas for finding your own Pocket Pauses? Check out my past blog for inspiration.

Because the best leaders don’t just push forward—they know when to pause.