Leaders everywhere are drowning.
And what I’m noticing is that overwhelm is fast becoming the default state, and it’s not surprising.
When we’re at inflection points in business and life, when there are choices and changes to be made, we’re usually faced with a relentless demand for more. More decisions, more meetings, more papers to write, more consultations, more frequent communication, and of course, more work.
And in the middle of all this “more,” I’m noticing something interesting: leaders are retreating into old patterns.
Some get stuck in procrastination because when everything feels urgent, where do you even start? Instead of tackling the big, strategic priorities, they default to knocking off easy-to-do tasks that feel productive but don’t move the dial.
Others fall into perfectionism, reworking papers, fine-tuning approaches, tweaking and refining, but delaying key decisions that don’t actually require another round of edits.
And then there’s command and control, tightening the reins, making all the decisions, driving for speed over capability, and in doing so, unintentionally stifling critical thinking, engagement, and long-term business effectiveness.
Sound familiar? It’s all completely understandable but also completely ineffective.
If this is resonating, I want you to pause right now, go to your calendar and schedule one hour, just one hour, at a specific time that you know you’ll actually stick to.
Use it to step back, take stock, and ask yourself:
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What’s truly required of me in my role right now?
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What am I avoiding that would have the biggest impact?
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What’s one thing I can let go of to create space for real leadership?
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What support do I need?
Overwhelm thrives in chaos, but clarity thrives in space. And if you need help breaking free from the cycle, let’s talk.
Oh and put those questions in your calendar invite so you know exactly what you’re doing with that hour….otherwise you might just fill it with other tasks.