Anchored Leadership in Uncertain Times: Insights & Reflections from Our Italy Retreat
We’ve made it to the fall 2025 (yay!), but this fall feels different for several reasons. Yes, the world is moving fast - and change seems to be the only constant. But instead of feeling paralyzed by uncertainty, many leaders are discovering that this instability can be fertile ground for fresh ideas and new ways of working. Priorities may be shifting. The interaction of personal needs and professional demands can feel tricky, and yet this moment also offers a chance to realign with what matters most.
That’s exactly what we did this October in Italy. We were able to create a space for leaders to slow down, reconnect, and discover clarity. In times like these, a retreat isn’t a luxury or an added perk for doing a great job; it’s a powerful way to recharge. To get clarity. And a way to build community, and know that you’re not the only one facing these challenges. A retreat provides the opportunity to return to your work and life with renewed purpose.
Why a Retreat Matters Now More Than Ever
Why would taking a break help when your to-do list feels endless? Because we know that pausing with intention builds resilience. Research shows that leaders who step away regularly for reflection gain more clarity and make stronger decisions. Everyone benefits from time to reset. When you give yourself grace and the chance to recharge, you increase productivity, get your focus back, and feel more engaged. And honestly, who doesn’t want that? In our leadership retreats, we bring women together to explore what’s next. At Nova, we have a front row seat to this transformation every year. Past retreat participants have described the experience as:
“The most important investment I’ve ever made in myself.”
“A reset that helped me return to work with clarity and courage.”
When the world outside feels too unpredictable, retreats can be the anchor of stability you may not even know you were missing.
What Anchored Leadership Looks Like
Balance. Perspective. Presence. These are the quiet shifts that stay with leaders after our retreat in Italy. Setting down the constant pull of headlines and deadlines wasn’t about escaping—it was preparation: to meet reality with fresh steadiness and purpose.
Leadership today demands exactly what Fast Company calls a “flexible mindset,” able to anticipate a future we can’t fully predict. Research and experience agree: resilient leaders cultivate the flexible mindset our times demand. That mindset is born in moments of reflection and reset - exactly the space we create together. That kind of resilience doesn’t come from pushing harder; it grows when you step back long enough to reset.
In moments of stillness, bigger questions surfaced:
What matters most right now?
What do I need to let go of?
What deserves more of my energy?
One participant summed it up by saying:
“I walked away with a deeper understanding of myself, and practical steps to sustain balance long after the retreat.”
There’s Strength in Connection
But…isn’t leadership a personal journey? We’ll answer that with a yes and a no. You know that clarity starts from the inside, but resilience is strengthened in community and the people you surround yourself with. Harvard Business Review emphasises that strong social connections are one of the best predictors of resilience in uncertain times. At our retreat, leaders experienced some of the very elements highlighted in the article, including an increased ability to:
See the path forward
Remind us of the purpose or meaning in our work
Broaden as individuals so that we maintain perspective when setbacks happen
Laugh at ourselves or the situation (and - trust - we had a lot of laughs!)
Those bonds become anchors leaders can return to when work and life feel unsteady. Just ask some of our retreat-ers who are still in connection with one another!
Questions to Carry You Forward
Even if you weren’t in Italy, pause with these reflections to help you stay centered and ready for what’s ahead:
What possibility is beginning to take shape in this season?
What shift in pace or perspective would invite more clarity?
Who in my network can I reconnect with or lean on as I grow?
What can I release to make room for what’s next?
For more thought prompts, check out our downloadable ebooks here.
Anchored Leadership Helps You Find Clarity, Balance & Resilience in Uncertain Times: Lessons You Can Apply Today
Retreat-ing isn’t about escaping. It’s about resetting to be the best version of yourself.
Stillness creates space for better decisions.
Resilient leaders directly influence team engagement and energy.
Supportive relationships make us clearer and more confident.
Ready to Say Yes to Yourself?
This isn’t about walking away from your life - it’s about stepping more fully into it, with clarity, creativity, and courage. If you’re feeling the pull toward something deeper - a shift, a spark, a reimagining - let’s talk!
Or if you already know? We’d be honored to hold your spot on the waitlist for our 2026 Retreat. Join the waitlist here and be the first to know when registration opens and receive early access to updates and offers. Ciao e grazie!