Expert Advice
Hire over the Summer Holidays
The holidays are a great time to clarify the needs of your organisation. Maybe it’s new skills or perhaps its
December 12, 2025
The early signs are often subtle but easy to recognise once you know what to look for. You start reacting instead of directing. Your diary fills with operational noise, and the work that once felt energising starts to feel like obligation. You’re spending more time putting out spot fires than thinking about the future, and somehow you’ve become the last person to get time with yourself. The meetings you need for your own wellbeing never seem to make it into the calendar.
When I see this happening in the leaders I work with, it’s usually because priorities have blurred and the business has quietly slipped into the driver’s seat. It’s a sign to pause, reset and choose again how you want to show up. It’s not a cue to push harder, it’s a cue to recalibrate.
Motivation tends to drop when purpose and progress drift apart. For founders and CEOs, the excitement of building something meaningful can fade as the business matures. The problems change, but the pace rarely slows. At some point, the pressure outweighs the reward.
Isolation is another major factor. Leadership can be a lonely place, even when you’re surrounded by a team. That’s one of the reasons I value my Vistage group so much. Sitting with other CEOs who understand the same trade-offs, pressures and vulnerabilities reminds you that you’re not alone. It’s a space for perspective, honesty and renewal, all things that are hard to access when you’re sprinting through every week.
The difference usually comes down to self-awareness and discipline, not just around how they use their time, but how they manage their energy.
Leaders who stay motivated understand that momentum isn’t enough. They create clarity, stay connected to why their work matters, and protect time for reflection. They surround themselves with people who challenge and support their thinking. This isn’t easy, especially in small and medium businesses where you’re wearing many hats, but it’s essential.
Those who burn out often try to carry everything themselves. They feel responsible for every decision and every person. The strongest leaders I’ve met, through my own work and through Vistage, know how to share the load, invite challenge and treat resilience as a daily practice rather than a last-minute fix. I’m good at helping others do this – and like many leaders, I could take more of my own advice.
Start by taking a breath and stepping back long enough to notice what’s actually going on. One simple question I use is: “What truly needs my attention today, and what can be delegated, delayed or deleted?”
I’m a big believer in small routines that anchor your mindset. Reducing simple decisions helps, even laying out clothes the night before gives your brain one less thing to worry about. I also like to carve out quiet time early in the morning before email takes over. That’s when I review what genuinely matters that week, not just what’s shouting the loudest.
I encourage leaders to schedule dedicated “CEO time,” even if it’s just two uninterrupted hours each week to think about the business rather than work in it. Framework-wise, I focus on reclaiming agency: get clear on the few things only you can do, and empower your team to own the rest.
And importantly, give yourself permission to pause. Rest isn’t indulgent, it’s renewal. In Vistage, we do a “reverse bucket list” exercise each year, looking at what needs to come out of the bucket to make space for what truly matters. It’s always revealing.
Remember that your business or role is meant to serve your life, not consume it. It’s easy to forget that when you’re deep in the grind. If you’re in an executive role, sometimes those feelings come from being in the wrong job altogether. A good coach or mentor can help you unpack that.
Step back and reconnect with why you started. Ask yourself: “Would I choose this again today?” If the answer is no, something needs to shift – whether it’s structure, boundaries or mindset.
Surround yourself with people who will tell you the truth. Mentors, peers or a trusted peer group can help you stay grounded and remind you who you are beyond your title. The leaders who stay balanced and motivated aren’t the ones who work the hardest, they’re the ones who lead from purpose rather than pressure.
If you need help staying motivated and in control reach out to our coaching and mentoring professionals.
The holidays are a great time to clarify the needs of your organisation. Maybe it’s new skills or perhaps its
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