Stillness Is Power: Why Slowing Down Is The Boldest Act Of Leadership Today

Forbes
Forbes
3M ago
In a fast-paced world, embracing stillness can enhance leadership effectiveness and foster creativity, resilience, and long-term impact.
Stillness Is Power: Why Slowing Down Is The Boldest Act Of Leadership Today
A What happened
The article emphasizes the need for leaders to embrace stillness in a culture that idolizes speed. It critiques the hustle mentality prevalent in Silicon Valley, where overwork is often equated with success, leading to burnout and diminished quality of life. The author, Nell Derick Debevoise, references Nicole Donnelly's journey from workaholism to rediscovering her voice through stillness. Neuroscience supports this shift, showing that the brain's Default Mode Network, activated during rest, is crucial for creativity and self-reflection. The Moxie Method™, developed by Donnelly, outlines a five-phase framework for sustainable leadership that begins with intentional rest and culminates in creating systemic change. The article concludes that true leadership lies in presence and the ability to inspire others, rather than in relentless speed.

Key insights

  • 1

    The Myth of Speed: Speed is often mistaken for success, leading to burnout and anxiety.

  • 2

    Neuroscience of Stillness: Rest activates creativity and self-reflection in the brain.

  • 3

    The Moxie Method™: A framework for sustainable leadership emphasizing intentional rest.

  • 4

    Fear in Leadership: Fear of irrelevance drives leaders to prioritize speed over presence.

  • 5

    Presence as Power: True authority in leadership comes from grounded stillness.

Takeaways

Embracing stillness can lead to more effective and sustainable leadership.

Topics

Health & Medicine Mental Health Work & Education Productivity Business & Markets Innovation Wellness Leadership

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