Cultivating leadership authenticity and reflection during summer break

Today, August 15th 2024, I start my summer holiday break. Together with my wife I hook on our little caravan and start touring Europe, first destination: France. This post is obviously not about my holiday. It is about what I have learned over the many years, that holidays often form the moment I let go of things. Things I already had doubts with, and start contemplating what next steps are.

I ensure I first allow myself to really slow down and reflect on who I am, what the last year added to my being and what this means for my being in future.

Indeed, summer holidays offer a valuable opportunity for leaders to step back, recharge, and gain perspective on their leadership journey. Here’s a suggestion how experienced leaders can use this time to become more authentic, reflect on their past, present, and future, while also enjoying meaningful moments with their loved ones. Highlighting the:

1. Thought process
2. Application
3. Practical exercise

1. Embrace Mindful Presence

• Thought Process: Practice mindfulness by being fully present in each moment, whether it’s a quiet walk on the beach, a conversation with a loved one, or simply enjoying nature. Mindful presence helps leaders reconnect with themselves and their surroundings, fostering authenticity.
• Application: Dedicate moments each day to disconnect from work-related thoughts. Engage deeply with your environment and the people around you. This practice not only enhances your holiday experience but also helps you return to work with a refreshed perspective.
• Practical Exercise: Mindful Walking Exercise Each day, take a 20-30 minute walk in a natural setting— whether it’s a beach, a forest, or a park. During the walk, focus entirely on your surroundings. Pay attention to the sounds, smells, and sights around you. Notice the feeling of the ground beneath your feet and the rhythm of your breath. If your mind drifts to work or other concerns, gently bring it back to the present moment. This practice can enhance mindfulness and help you reconnect with the present.

2. Reflect on Your Leadership Journey

• Thought Process: Take time to reflect on your leadership path. What have been your most significant achievements and challenges? How have these experiences shaped your leadership style? Reflecting on the past can help you understand your growth and identify areas where you can be more authentic.
• Application: Set aside quiet time during your holiday for journaling or meditative reflection. Consider key moments in your career, how you responded, and what you learned. This reflection can provide insights into how you can lead more authentically moving forward.
• Practical Exercise: Leadership Reflection Journal. Set aside 15-20 minutes each morning or evening to journal about your leadership experiences. Write about specific moments in your career—both successes and challenges. Ask yourself: What did I learn from this experience? How did it shape my leadership style? What would I do differently now? This exercise will help you gain deeper insights into your leadership journey and identify areas for growth.

3. Envision Your Future Leadership

• Thought Process: Use this time to think about the future. What kind of leader do you want to be in the next five to ten years? How can you align your actions and decisions with your core values? Envisioning your future helps in setting authentic goals.
• Application: Engage in creative thinking exercises, such as envisioning your ideal leadership scenario. Discuss these thoughts with a trusted confidant or simply ponder them during quiet moments. This future-oriented thinking will guide your leadership evolution.
• Practical Exercise: Vision Board Creation. Spend an afternoon creating a vision board that represents your future leadership goals. Gather magazines, images, quotes, and other materials that resonate with the leader you aspire to become. Arrange these on a board or digital platform, focusing on how you want to evolve in the next five to ten years. Once completed, reflect on the vision board daily and consider the steps needed to bring this future to life.

4. Reconnect with Your Core Values

• Thought Process: Reassess your core values and how they manifest in your leadership. Authentic leaders lead from a place of deeply held beliefs and values. Reflect on whether your current leadership practices align with these values.
• Application: Consider what truly matters to you, both personally and professionally. Are your daily actions reflecting these values? If not, identify ways to bring your leadership style back in line with what you believe is right and important.
• Practical Exercise: Values Alignment Exercise. Write down your top five core values on a piece of paper. Next to each value, list ways you currently honor these values in your leadership and personal life. Then, identify areas where you might be falling short. During your holiday, brainstorm specific actions you can take to align your daily leadership practices more closely with these values.

5. Deepen Relationships with Loved Ones

• Thought Process: Authentic leadership is rooted in meaningful connections. Use your holiday to strengthen relationships with those closest to you, as these bonds provide the foundation for your overall well-being and leadership.
• Application: Engage in activities that foster connection, whether it’s a family adventure, deep conversations, or simply spending quality time together. These experiences not only enrich your personal life but also enhance your emotional intelligence and relational skills as a leader.
• Practical Exercise: Quality Time Challenge. Dedicate one full day to spending uninterrupted quality time with a loved one. This could be a partner, child, or close friend. Plan an activity that you both enjoy, such as a hike, a day at the beach, or cooking a meal together. During this time, focus on deepening your connection by engaging in meaningful conversation, actively listening, and being fully present. This will strengthen your relationships and enrich your emotional intelligence.

6. Explore New Perspectives

• Thought Process: Seek out new experiences or ideas that challenge your current way of thinking. This might involve reading diverse books, visiting new places, or engaging in discussions with people from different backgrounds. Expanding your worldview can lead to more innovative and inclusive leadership.
• Application: Incorporate activities into your holiday that expose you to different cultures, philosophies, or viewpoints. This could be as simple as exploring local customs or engaging in conversations with new acquaintances. These experiences broaden your perspective and enhance your authenticity as a leader.
• Practical Exercise: Cultural Immersion Experience. Plan an outing or day trip to explore a local cultural site or engage in an activity that’s new to you. This could be visiting a historical landmark, attending a local festival, or trying a cuisine you’ve never had before. Engage with locals, ask questions, and learn about their traditions or viewpoints. Reflect on how these new perspectives can influence and diversify your leadership approach.

7. Cultivate a Balance of Rest and Inspiration

• Thought Process: Balance relaxation with activities that inspire and energize you. A great holiday should leave you feeling both rested and motivated to return to your leadership role with renewed passion.
• Application: Plan a mix of restful downtime and inspiring activities. Whether it’s indulging in a hobby, exploring a new passion, or simply relaxing by the pool, ensure your holiday nurtures both your body and mind.
• Practical Exercise: Balanced Day Planner. Design a daily holiday schedule that alternates between restful activities and those that inspire or energize you. For example, spend the morning relaxing by the pool or meditating, then engage in an afternoon activity that stimulates your mind, such as visiting a museum, taking a creative workshop, or reading an inspiring book. This balanced approach ensures you return from your holiday both rested and motivated.

8. Set Intentions for Post-Holiday Integration

• Thought Process: Think about how the insights and experiences gained during your holiday can be integrated into your daily life and leadership. What small changes can you make to be more authentic and reflective in your work?
• Application: Before your holiday ends, set clear intentions for how you will carry your reflections and experiences into your professional life. This might involve setting new personal boundaries, committing to regular reflection, or adopting new leadership practices.
• Practical Exercise: Intentions List Creation. On the last day of your holiday, take 30 minutes to write down 3-5 specific intentions for how you will integrate your holiday insights into your daily life. These could be personal, such as committing to a weekly mindfulness practice, or professional, such as adopting a new leadership approach. Place this list somewhere visible, like your desk or a journal, as a reminder to stay committed to these changes when you return to work.

Conclusion

By consciously engaging in these thought processes during your summer holiday, you can return to your leadership role with a deeper sense of authenticity, clarity, and purpose. These reflections not only enhance your leadership but also contribute to a more fulfilling personal life. Enjoy your holiday, and use it as a time to grow both personally and professionally, ensuring that you return with a renewed commitment to lead authentically.