Think rest is just for evenings and weekends?
Think again.
If you’re leading inclusively, rest isn’t just a personal wellness issue—it’s a leadership strategy.
Because rest restores your most important tool: your brain.
Leaders Need Recovery, Not Just Sleep
Rest isn’t just physical. It’s about psychological detachment from work—switching off mentally and emotionally so you can switch on when it counts.
The best leaders:
- Know their energy patterns (Are you an early bird or a night owl?)
- Plan tasks around mental peaks and dips
- Take active rest seriously—exercise, hobbies, nature, connection
Recovery Works Best in Layers
Recovery isn’t a single holiday or Sunday afternoon nap. It’s a layered strategy:
- Daily: 10-minute breaks every 90 minutes
- Weekly: No-email evenings or quiet blocks for reflection
- Monthly: Time to recharge, learn, and step back
- Annually: Extended rest that truly resets
The goal? Don’t wait until burnout forces you to stop. Build recovery in before the damage.
What’s the Link to Inclusive Leadership?
When you’re rested, you’re:
- More patient
- More curious
- More open to difference
When you’re not, your leadership becomes narrower, faster, more reactive—and ultimately, less inclusive.
