The Power of Pausing: A Key Trait of Effective Leadership

Don Eash
Dec 23, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Jan 5

Celebrating Thoughtful Leadership

We celebrate leaders who move fast. Who decide quickly. Who never stop. But the best leaders I have worked with share a different quality: they know when to pause.

Not because they lack urgency. They understand that constant motion is not the same as progress.

The Cost of Never Pausing

When we refuse to slow down, we make decisions from exhaustion. We miss signals from our teams. We optimize for speed instead of direction.

I have seen leaders proud of their pace discover, too late, that they were running in the wrong direction. Or worse, that their teams stopped following miles back.

The Importance of Reflection

Taking time to pause is crucial. It allows us to reflect on our decisions and the paths we are taking. When we pause, we create space for clarity. This clarity can lead to better decision-making and a more engaged team.

What Pausing Actually Looks Like

Pausing is not about stopping work. It is about creating space for clarity. It might be ten minutes before a difficult conversation to get centered. A day between receiving information and making a decision. A week at year-end to reflect before planning.

The pause is not the absence of leadership. It is leadership.

Embracing the Slower Weeks

This week...for many, this is a slower week. Fewer meetings. Lighter inboxes. The usual pressure temporarily lifted.

Use it wisely. Not to catch up on everything you have been putting off. But to pause. To reflect on the year. To notice what you have been too busy to see.

The leaders who finish the year exhausted will start the new year the same way. The leaders who pause will start with clarity.

The Benefits of Pausing

Pausing can lead to numerous benefits. It fosters creativity, enhances problem-solving, and strengthens relationships within teams. When leaders take the time to reflect, they can better understand their team's needs and dynamics.

How to Integrate Pausing into Your Leadership Style

Schedule Regular Breaks: Make it a habit to take short breaks throughout your day. This can help clear your mind and improve focus.
Set Aside Time for Reflection: Dedicate time each week to reflect on your decisions and their outcomes. This can be a powerful tool for growth.
Encourage Team Reflection: Create an environment where your team feels safe to pause and reflect. This can lead to more open communication and collaboration.