Why Slowing Down Helps You Lead Better

/ AHI Leadership LLC/

Summer has a way of shifting your pace, whether you like it or not.

Meetings are quieter. Out-of-office replies pile up. The days feel longer, and sometimes you even remember what it’s like to step away from the pressure. You might find yourself reading for pleasure again, taking an extra-long walk, or lingering in conversation with someone you care about.

And for a moment, everything feels a little more spacious.

But what if that spaciousness isn’t just a seasonal gift? What if it’s a leadership advantage?

The Hidden Cost of Constant Motion

If you're a high-tech leader, you’re no stranger to velocity. The demands are real. But not all the pressure you're feeling is external. Internal Hyper-Achiever and Restless saboteurs can quietly shape your mindset until “success” becomes synonymous with constant motion.

You might find yourself:

  • Jumping to the next goal before celebrating the last one.

  • Saying yes too quickly, then resenting your calendar.

  • Struggling to be fully present (in meetings, in conversations, or even at home).

Slowing down can feel inefficient or indulgent when these saboteurs are running the show. That mindset comes at a cost. You miss the moments where deeper insight, connection, and creativity could emerge.

What Slowing Down Makes Possible

When you pause the hustle, even briefly, you start to notice more:

  • You see a broader perspective.

  • You recognize what (and who) actually matters most.

  • You spot opportunities that constant motion would have blurred out.

You also remember you’re a person, not just a role. Slowing down gives you more time to meaningfully connect, not just with colleagues, but with friends, family, and yourself. That’s not just life balance. That’s leadership clarity.

Practices to Keep the Pace that Serves You

The good news is, you don’t have to wait for next summer to find that space again. Try one or two of these small practices over the next few weeks:

  • Pause before yes: Give yourself a breath or a beat before committing. Ask, “Do I want to do this, or do I think I should?”

  • Savor the steps: Instead of rushing to outcomes, notice what you’re learning and experiencing along the way.

  • Find one thing each day that sparks deep gratitude: Not the checklist kind. The kind that makes you breathe out.

  • Protect white space: Schedule time on your calendar for nothing. Use it for reflection, thinking, or simply being.

  • Prioritize time with people who ground you: Lunch with a friend. A walk with your partner. A real check-in with a team member. These are not interruptions. They are investments in your energy and perspective.

Slower Doesn’t Mean Smaller

Slowing down isn’t about doing less. It’s about leading with more presence and purpose. You become more thoughtful and less reactive. You listen better. You create psychological safety without trying so hard.

And perhaps most importantly, you begin to lead yourself better.

If slowing down feels unfamiliar or harder than it should be, you’re not alone.

You may be living under the influence of saboteurs you’ve never named.

In a free Saboteur Discovery Session, uncover the mental patterns keeping you in overdrive and help you take the first step toward leading with more clarity, ease, and joy.

“Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly.” – Mae West