And sometimes, the best way to lead is to step back.
Why am I Taking This Break?
This isn’t about burnout. It’s about intentional recalibration. Breaks don’t have to be long. They just need to be intentional. Whether it’s a long weekend, a quiet afternoon, or even a few hours of uninterrupted thinking time, give yourself time to pause.
Over the last month, I’ve noticed the subtle signs: decision fatigue, reduced creativity, and a creeping sense of being reactive rather than strategic. These aren’t failures, they’re signals. Signals that it’s time to pause, reflect, and realign.
In today’s fast-paced world, we talk a lot about resilience, but resilience isn’t just about pushing through; it’s about knowing when to recharge.
I want to return with renewed energy, sharper focus, and a clearer sense of purpose, not just for myself, but for the wider research community the JRO supports.
What am I’m Hoping to Reconnect With?
This break is an opportunity to ask deeper questions, ones that often get buried under the weight of daily operations:
Personally:
- Am I living and leading in alignment with my values?
- What habits have served me well, and which need to change?
- How do I maintain balance in a role that’s inherently demanding?
Professionally:
- Am I focusing on the right strategic priorities for the JRO?
- Are we enabling researchers in ways that truly are transformative?
- What can we simplify, delegate, or rethink to work smarter?
These reflections aren’t just personal; I want to use them to improve how I lead. Because leadership isn’t just about direction; it’s about intention.
How do I Plan to Make the Most of This Time?
I’ve planned this break with purpose. It’s not just time off, it’s time in:
- Socialising: I am planning to spend a lot of this time with friends and family. In my experience, it enhances emotional intelligence by helping me to listen better, lead with empathy, and understand diverse perspectives. These are all skills that are invaluable in any leadership role. Stepping away from work and engaging in relaxed, informal conversations often sparks new ideas. The brain thrives on variety, and social time can lead to unexpected insights or solutions.
- Walking: This helps me process ideas and surfaces insights that don’t come in meetings.
- Digital boundaries: I’ll be offline, no emails, no Teams, no notifications. True disconnection is essential for true reflection.
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes… including you.” Anne Lamott
Looking Ahead
When I return, I’ll be bringing fresh energy and a renewed focus to our work. I’m excited to revisit our priorities and reconnect with our mission and values.
So, as I press pause for the next week, I invite you to consider doing the same, because often our best decisions come not in the rush, but in the quiet.