As I look forward to the bustling excitement of VivaTech next week, I find myself reflecting this Sunday morning on a fundamental yet way too often overlooked truth about leadership: it’s ultimately all about personal energy management. Leadership thrives not just in moments of intensity but also -and perhaps even more crucially- in deliberate, well chosen moments of rest and renewal. Elasticity… is a verb, is an active do-thing.
For me, weekends offer that so necessary pause and reflection. They’re my chance to step away from schedules, meetings, and digital distractions to recalibrate and recharge. Vital and deliberate moments away from daily pressures, instants that refresh our perspective and renew our strategic clarity. Whether it’s running, hiking, swimming, walking, paddling, sporting with your team or any activity that helps clear your mind and restore focus, intentional downtime is essential to sustainable, effective leadership. Equally valuable are those priceless moments shared with friends and family: bonding, talking, listening, and feeling that true sense of belonging.
The simple pleasure of sinking into a good book -one with actual paper pages- , there’s nothing quite like losing oneself in a gripping narrative or insightful reflection, letting new ideas and perspectives effortlessly rise to the surface. Music also can play its part in recalibrating energy. Whether it’s mellow jazz or vibrant rhythms, the right tunes help reset the brainwaves and elevate the mood. Add to that the warmth of sharing an unhurried coffee, lingering in precious conversations without the pressure of a ticking clock, and you have a recipe for genuine mental reset. Yet, the most underrated component of weekend leadership preparation might simply be doing nothing at all.
Investing strategically in personal renewal doesn’t merely recharge our batteries, it directly improves leadership capability. Regular moments of mindful pause enhance our energy, build greater tolerance, and expand patience. They increase our resilience, sharpen judgment, and strengthen our capacity to navigate complexity and uncertainty. Even brief intervals spent in purposeful reflection or simple leisure activities can yield powerful insights and renewed focus. Leadership thrives when we actively allow space to reset, recharge, and regain perspective. So relax.
Find your own rhythm of renewal. Remember, excellent leadership starts not just with managing others effectively but with carefully managing our own clarity and energy first.
Have a restful and energizing weekend. Looking forward to seeing you fully prepared and energized for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
