To be honest, stepping away wasn’t easy. Like many, I’ve always felt a sense of responsibility to keep things moving, to be available, to stay in the loop. But what I’ve learned is that stepping back doesn’t mean stepping away from commitment; it means stepping toward sustainability. And that shift in mindset has been powerful.
What the Time Away Gave Me
Space to breathe.
The first few days felt strange: no back-to-back meetings, no inbox pressure, no decisions to make. But once the mental noise settled, I found space to think more deeply. I reflected on what energises me, what drains me, and what I want to bring back into my work and leadership.
Perspective.
Distance really does offer clarity. I had time to zoom out and look at the bigger picture, not just professionally, but personally too. I thought about the kind of person and leader I want to be, the kind of culture I want to help shape, and the kind of impact I want to have. That reflection has sharpened my focus in ways I didn’t expect.
Renewed energy.
I’m not going to pretend I came back with a perfect plan or a bulletproof strategy, but I did come back with energy. Real energy. The kind that comes from rest, from reconnection, and from remembering why the work matters. I feel more present, more grounded, and more ready to engage with the challenges and opportunities ahead.
What I’m Bringing Back
1. A clearer sense of priority.
Before my leave, I was juggling a lot, planning, operational demands, team support, cross-institutional collaboration, you name it. And while I was managing, I wasn’t always discerning. Everything felt urgent. Everything felt important. But stepping away gave me the space to re-evaluate.
Now, I’m returning with a sharper lens. I’ve had time to reflect on what truly drives impact versus what simply fills the calendar. I will be asking better questions: Does this align with our strategic goals? Is this the best use of my time and energy? Is this empowering others or creating bottlenecks?
I’m focusing my attention where it can make the biggest difference, on the work that moves us forward and the people who make it happen.
2. A commitment to deeper work.
One of the biggest shifts I’ve felt is in how I want to work, not just what I want to work on. During my leave, I rediscovered the value of uninterrupted thought. Of reading without distraction, of writing without rushing, of thinking without the pressure to immediately act.
Coming back, I’m going to try and carve out protected time for deep work. That means fewer reactive tasks and more proactive thinking. It means blocking time for reflection, planning, and creative problem-solving. It means resisting the temptation to fill every gap in the diary with another meeting.
I’ve also realised how much I value meaningful conversations, the kind that aren’t squeezed into 30-minute slots but allow space for nuance, exploration, and connection. I want to create more of those moments, both for myself and for others.
3. A renewed focus on people.
If there’s one thing that stood out during my time away, it’s this: people are the heartbeat of everything we do. The systems, the strategies, the structures, they matter, but it’s the relationships, the trust, the shared purpose that truly drive progress.
I’m coming back with a deeper commitment to being more present, not just in meetings, but in the moments that matter. I want to listen more actively, support more thoughtfully, and lead more empathetically.
I also want to be more visible, not in a performative way, but in a human way. To show up with authenticity, to share challenges as well as successes and to model the kind of leadership that’s grounded in connection, not just direction.
4. A lighter touch.
Sometimes I can take myself too seriously, head down, focused, always chasing the next milestone. It’s easy to fall into that rhythm, especially in a role like mine where the stakes often feel high and the pace relentless. But during my time away, I was reminded that seriousness doesn’t always equal effectiveness, and that a little lightness can go a long way.
I’ve come back with a renewed appreciation for humour, humility, and humanity in the workplace. Not the forced kind of “fun” that gets squeezed into the last five minutes of a meeting, but the genuine kind that comes from being real with each other. Admitting when we don’t have the answers. Creating space for people to show up as they are, not just as their job titles. I want to bring more of that into the day-to-day. More honest conversations. More room for people to breathe, to think, to connect, because when we create a culture where people feel safe to be themselves, they bring their best ideas, their full creativity, and their whole selves to the table.
Work is important, but it’s not everything. And when we remember that, we probably do better work. We collaborate more openly. We lead more compassionately. We solve problems more creatively. And we enjoy the journey a whole lot more!
So yes, I’m still focused, still ambitious and still committed to the mission. But I’m also learning to hold things a little more lightly. To smile more. To listen more. To lead with a bit more warmth and a bit less weight.
Looking Ahead
I’m excited about what’s next. There’s plenty to do, and plenty to learn. But I’m approaching it with a clearer head and renewed sense of purpose.
Whether you’ve recently returned from leave or are considering taking some time off, I hope it resonates. Sometimes stepping back is the most powerful step forward.