Could Taking a Step Back Propel Your Leadership Forward?

As we enter the second half of 2025, I've recognised an important truth: the most effective leaders I work with aren't those who rush ahead at full speed. Instead, they deliberately create space for reflection, clear thinking, and self-leadership.

Leaders everywhere right now are expressing similar concerns in various ways:

"I feel like I'm always playing catch-up."

"My team needs clarity, but I don't have it myself."

"There's so much change happening that I can barely respond, let alone lead."

You're not alone.

In fact, these very conversations arose during two recent discussions where I was a guest panellist.

First, at the Regional Writers' Rise Festival in my hometown, where I joined Trawlwoolway-Awabakal woman and PhD candidate Michelle Stanway and The Rev Marilyn Obersby to talk about Leading From the Heart with a reflection on Jacinda Ardern's memoir. We explored questions about unseen leadership, growing compassion through grief, and legacy through repair.

Then again, in a facilitated conversation in Sydney this week, led by Repa Patel, with a group of women entrepreneurs and corporate leaders, as part of Janine Garner's Elevate Program. My role was to offer perspectives on self-worth and the power of rest in resetting, especially when our self-perception takes a dip.

Mid-year offers us all a valuable opportunity to pause, not only to measure ourselves against our goals but to recalibrate our purpose.

As we head to July, here are my reflection questions to get you focused:

• What is the source of the current pressure you feel?

• What is capturing your attention - and what truly deserves it?

• How would things change if you viewed reflection as an essential part of your leadership rather than a distraction or another 'thing' to do?

This isn't about diminishing and disengaging. It's about slowing down for steadiness.

The leaders I see doing best today are the most grounded. And groundedness is a choice, not an inherent trait.

It's time to create space for the clarity you've been seeking.

The noise won't go away, but you can rise above it, and lead with your heart.