Cut Through the Noise: Why Slowing Down Helps Leaders Move Faster
Do you ever find yourself constantly thinking of what you need to get done so you can move on to the next thing? We’re rewarded by going fast, and everything feels so “urgent” - and it can even feel like it’s wrong to slow down. But the truth is, there is always going to be something else to tend to. There will always be another email, another meeting, another project to tend to, another decision….and on and on. At Nova, we know that true leadership clarity and decision-making come from taking the time to pause and reflect.
In this article on decision-making in uncertain times, McKinsey advises us to: “Pause and take a breath, literally.” That one breath can be the difference between how you react and respond to the situation you are trying to figure out. When we are clear, we make better choices, and in turn we don’t end up second-guessing what we rushed through in the first place.
Why Going Slower Can Actually Help You Go Faster
While it may feel counterintuitive, going slower actually helps you make more (and often faster) progress. With so much coming at us, taking a step back can be a strategic pause. It gives us time to ask:
What is it that really matters right now?
What am I doing that can wait?
What does my team need from me? Now?
What can be delegated?
When you don’t prioritize reflection and planning time, even the smallest and less important tasks can start to feel urgent. And you know the adage: if everything’s a priority, then nothing is prioritized. The result: leaders end up exhausted and distracted.
In one of our past blogs, we talked about quieting the noise so you can hear yourself. And that idea applies so perfectly here. The goal is to create enough quiet for yourself so you can hear what is actually true. For you. For now.
Advancing Technology: Helpful Tool or Constant Interruption?
Years ago, we worked on a high-potential development program with a F100 client. In that work, we addressed the whole person: looking at physical, mental, emotional, and other factors that influence performance. One of the best-practice tips shared in the program was a daily tech detox: setting clear limits on technology use each day. It’s so easy to let our easy access to technology consume us.
Columbia Psychiatry notes - not surprisingly - that the constant stream of smartphone notifications can create urgency, increase stress, and interfere with sleep. Pretty relatable, right? So what do you do? Here are a few practices we have adopted and retained for years:
No phone by your bed or - ideally - even in your bedroom.
Set time limits for apps that you know are time/energy/attention drainers.
Leverage the “do not disturb” feature or put your phone in airplane mode when you want uninterrupted time.
Instead of a text, take a few minutes to have a real conversation with a colleague.
Go bold! No technology at all, for the first and last hour of the day.
This last one has also taken some getting used to, but we’ve found it starts and ends our days on such a different note! Instead of jumping out of bed and getting immersed in email, the day’s headlines, or even the great new ideas that come across our social feeds, we now start the day tech-free. Remember what that was like? Picture:
Journaling
An actual conversation with your spouse
Taking a walk outside
Reading that book you’ve been wanting to start
Simply noticing the morning before the day starts
And the same idea applies at night. Going to bed keyed up from work issues you cannot resolve at 10 PM is not exactly a recipe for restoration. Protecting the end of the day helps your mind and body understand that the workday is allowed to close.
Slowing down to speed up is about being intentional and showing up with more presence, more clarity, and more capacity.
Sleep Matters
Really want to work on reducing overwhelm in leadership? We can’t stress the importance of sleep enough. There is so much data about the importance of getting a good night's sleep - and yet, it seems so hard to attain. Does sleep really matter? YES! The CDC notes that getting enough sleep can help:
Reduce stress
Improve mood
Support heart health and metabolism
Lower the risk of chronic conditions (heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc)
Improve attention and memory
When we are rested, we are more likely to think with a clear mind and make more thoughtful decisions. When we are running on fumes and sheer exhaustion, everything gets harder. Small problems feel bigger, feedback starts to feel more personal, and decision-making feels impossible.
Be Where Your Feet Are
Near and dear to our hearts is another daily practice: mindfulness and presence. One of our clients described it so simply: “Be where your feet are.” Stay present and engaged with the person (or book, or pet, or sunset) right in front of you. We’re not asking you to sit perfectly still for 45 minutes while your brain magically becomes silent. Here are a few easy ways to begin creating more presence:
Pause before replying to a message, or even in a conversation.
Step outside between meetings, even for just a few minutes.
Notice when you are physically present but mentally somewhere else.
Use a meditation app like Insight Timer if guided support helps.
Sometimes we need space so we can remember who we are, what matters most, and how we want to lead.
Executive Leadership Coaching
Sometimes, the most strategic thing a leader can do is to slow down, breathe, listen, and rest.
We encourage you to slow down to move forward with more wisdom, more energy, and more impact.
While it’s impossible to remove every challenge for leaders, it is possible to build the capacity and presence to take on challenges differently. If you’re looking for support in creating the work, life, and legacy you want to build, reach out to us today!