#40:"Drowning in Demands? The 2-Minute Leadership Reset
From Rushing to Presence: The Hidden Path to Leadership Impact
Last week, we talked about standards of excellence. Today, let's explore a standard that might feel counterintuitive: being present.
I recently watched a brilliant healthcare leader rush through a stakeholder meeting, checking her phone, multitasking through presentations. "I have to," she whispered. "There's too much at stake."
Sound familiar? Maybe the situation isn’t exactly the same for you, but haven’t you experienced this “rushness”? I have. Many many times.
And one thing I learned (the hard way sometimes) is “falling into the rush”, comes at a cost - to me, my colleagues, my family and friends, etc. I physically feel the anxiety, I miss very important signals from my colleagues, I am half listening to family and friends, and so on.
But one day, when I realized the sense of rush was controlling me, maybe over controlling me, I also realized that it was up to me, to put a pause on that feeling - that chaotic feeling.
And when I found a way, to be more present, and be a leader that checked in with their intentions regularly, things changed dramatically.
I connected with colleagues in more meaningful ways, which turned into more engagement, greater trust, and more quality work. It meant I understood what was really important, and what wasn’t. And oddly enough, that sense of rush, decreased both in intensity and frequency. I enjoyed my work…more. That sense of connection, by being more present, gave me life.
Here's what leadership experts know but rarely share: Studies show leaders lose up to 40% of their strategic impact when operating in continuous rush mode.*
Thich Nhat Hanh, mindfulness expert, puts it simply: "The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence." Meanwhile, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella transforms this ancient wisdom into modern leadership practice through what he calls "deliberate pause points" - scheduled moments of full presence that actually accelerate results.
The Real Cost of Rush
Let's be honest. Between board expectations, team needs, community demands, and endless emails, who has time to "be present"? The irony is that our rush to manage it all actually diminishes our ability to lead effectively.
Here's the truth I learned the hard way:
• Rushed decisions cost twice the time to fix
When we make decisions in rush mode, our brain operates from its survival center rather than its executive function. One healthcare director shared how a hastily approved vendor contract required three months of revisions - far more time than the thorough review would have taken.
• Scattered presence diminishes team trust by 60%
Trust erodes when leaders consistently display divided attention. Teams interpret multitasking during meetings as a sign their work isn't valued, leading to decreased engagement and reduced innovation. Research shows teams need at least 7 positive interactions to overcome one disconnected encounter.
• Multiple stakeholders remember how you made them feel, not what you said
Neurological studies confirm that emotional imprints last longer than factual memories. That rushed board meeting might have covered all agenda items, but stakeholders primarily remember feeling unheard or undervalued.
Your Journey From Rush to Impact:
Stage 1: The Rush (Where many of us start)
This is the reactive phase where leadership feels like a constant sprint. You're physically present but mentally scattered across dozens of priorities.
It feels like:
- Running from meeting to meeting
- Mind always three steps ahead
- Constant digital notifications
- Survival mode decision making
- Physical presence, mental absence
- Relationship shortcuts
- Crisis-driven responses
The Rush Reality Check:
Ask yourself: How many conversations today did I fully remember?
Stage 2: The Recognition (Where growth begins)
This is your awakening phase. You start noticing the patterns - the missed opportunities, the team's subtle withdrawal, the increasing mistakes that come from constant hurry. This awareness, though uncomfortable, is the first step toward transformation.
Here, you begin:
- Noticing missed opportunities
- Feeling the disconnect
- Seeing patterns in mistakes
- Craving deeper connection
- Questioning the rush
- Recognizing relationship costs
- Discovering small pause points
The Recognition Moment:
Remember when you last felt fully present? What made that moment different?
Stage 3: The Pivot (The turning point)
Here's where courage meets wisdom. You begin intentionally experimenting with new ways of being. You create transition spaces between meetings, practice digital discipline, and learn the power of "not now." You discover that boundaries actually enhance your impact rather than limit it.
In this stage, you begin:
- Experimenting with boundaries
- Creating transition spaces
- Practicing digital discipline
- Choosing presence anchors
- Building presence habits
- Trusting the pause
- Learning to say "not now"
The Pivot Practice:
Start with one meeting, one conversation, one moment.
Stage 4: The Impact (Where leadership deepens)
This is where leadership becomes both more effective and more sustainable. Presence is no longer something you do - it's how you lead. Your decisions carry more weight because they come from clarity rather than rush. Teams feel truly heard, leading to deeper engagement and innovative solutions. Your influence grows not despite taking time to be present, but because of it.
In this stage:
- Presence becomes natural
- Decisions gain clarity
- Teams feel heard
- Innovation emerges
- Trust deepens
- Influence grows
- Legacy builds
And what is the impact of being present and authentically you?
• Teams led by present leaders show 45% higher engagement
• Stakeholder trust increases by 70%
• Strategic decisions improve by 50%
Your O.N.E. Thing Takeaway:
Time to try 2-Minute Meeting Reset.
Before every stakeholder or staff meeting:
- Arrive 2 minutes early
- Close your laptop
- Place phone face-down
- Take three full breaths
- Set one clear intention: "In this moment, I choose impact over rush"
Just 2 minutes. That's all it takes to shift from rush to impact.
"But what about urgent messages?"
Trust that what needs you will find you. Your presence is worth more than your rush.
Your Brave Move This Week:
Choose ONE meeting this week. Just one. Try the 2-minute reset. Notice what shifts.
Because here's what I know for sure: Your impact isn't measured by your speed, but by the quality of your presence.
Your presence is your power.
Your attention is your currency.
Your impact starts with being here, now.
Leave a spark wherever you go. Keep SHiNEing.
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