Create Clarity in the Chaos: My Leader's Journey

As leaders, we normalise urgency and anticipate a whirlwind of activity. The constant pressure to perform, to innovate, to lead – it can be exhilarating, but also exhausting. I've been there, and I'm sure you have too. There are days when the weight of responsibility feels almost unbearable, when the "noise" drowns out the voice most needed.

It's in these moments that I'm reminded of a powerful story from long ago – the account of Jesus feeding the 5,000, found in John 6. What strikes me most isn't the miracle itself, but what happened immediately after. At the peak of his public acclaim, when he should have started a podcast, written a newsletter or monetised his genius, Jesus chose to withdraw to the mountains, alone.

This decision has always fascinated me. Why step away when everything seems to be going so well? As I've reflected on this over the years, I've come to see it as a profound lesson in leadership and self-care.

Think about your own journey. When was the last time you scheduled yourself a moment of true solitude after a major success? It's counterintuitive, isn't it? Our instinct is to ride the wave, to capitalize on the momentum. But what if we chose to step back instead?

I remember many times when I was pushing myself to my limit. Project after project, meeting after meeting. I was productive, sure, but something was missing. My decisions lacked depth, my vision was clouded, my battery was depleted. It wasn't until I forced myself to take a step back, that I realized how much I needed that space to breathe, to see, to think, to connect.

This isn't about escaping responsibilities. It's about honouring them by ensuring we're at our best. When we create space for clarity, we're actually investing in our ability to lead effectively.

So, what might this look like for you? The form doesn't matter as much as the intention – to find stillness in the midst of chaos.

In these moments of solitude, we can ask ourselves the hard questions:

• How am I aligned with my core values and where is there disconnection?
• What am I avoiding out of fear or discomfort?
• How can I better serve my team, my organization, my community?
• What's the next right step, not just the next easy one?

It's not always comfortable. Sometimes, in the quiet, we confront truths about ourselves or our situations that we've been avoiding. But it's in facing these truths that we grow, as leaders and as humans.

The crowds, stakeholders, staff, clients and investors will always be there when you return. But you'll come back with a clearer vision and a stronger sense of purpose. In the stillness, you might just find the breakthrough you've been searching for.