Do I Have to Keep Hustling?

Why You Can't Skip Resting as a Leader

July 31, 2023
A sleeping cat

You are finite. But as a leader, often, our work seems infinite. How do you deal with this imbalance?

In our fast-paced world, it's easy to see rest as a weakness. I believe it’s a gift. Sadly many have neglected to open this present and discover the goodness of rest.

Rest is one of the key roles in cultivating leaders. Today, we’ll look at three reasons to rest as a leader:

  1. Resting reminds you, you're not in control.
  2. Resting gives space to heal and restore.
  3. Resting makes space for new leaders.
What changed was their current circumstances no longer allowed for the facade of control.
A guide to growing servant leaders

Resting reminds you you're not in control.

I spent seven years working overseas, most of the time serving as a team leader. Consistently I would watch teammates struggle with feeling out of control as they adjusted to the new culture. They didn’t know the language, the food, the customs, even how to find the bathroom. Suddenly a 24-year-old needs as much help as an eight-year-old.

While empathizing with their experience, I’d ask what it would take to feel in control again. Throughout the conversation, it would become more apparent that they were never in control. What changed was their current circumstances no longer allowed for the facade of control.

Daily surrender to rest reminds me that I'm not in control.

In a culture that exalts the motivated worker with four side hustles, rest is a much-needed discipline. Daily surrender to rest reminds me that I'm not in control. At first, this felt terrifying, but after I accepted it, I discovered it’s freeing.

At the end of my day, I will consider what is left to be done. I take these things and surrender them to God, recognizing I can’t bring them to fruition in my strength. I then express my trust in God’s provision and timing. This act of surrender allows me not to carry what isn’t mine to take and be at peace.

Resting gives space to heal and restore.

Work is a good thing. You are created to work, to create. But work has also been cursed to be toilsome, to frustrate.

Physically you need rest to heal and be restored. Even as I write this post, I’m wearing a boot on my foot because it needs to be still to recover. You also need rest to heal mentally and emotionally.

So let’s talk about Netflix.

Rest, particularly restorative rest, is not the same as distraction. Distraction at best is neutral, but in actuality, it costs us more than we realize. Here are a few reasons why.

  1. Our brain is continuously active—a far cry from allowing our brain to restore critical chemicals.
  2. It steals time from real rest. Not just because you stayed up till 4 am binging that new show, but four hours of staring at a glowing screen has never helped me sleep afterward.
  3. You're probably still multi-tasking. How often are you “just” watching TV? Are you also cruising Instagram on your phone?

We live in a chronically tired society, not because there isn’t enough downtime, but because of how we spend it.

Now let’s talk about recreation.

Rest isn’t just sleeping, though we could all likely benefit from more sleep. Real recreation gives you life, helping you to be re-created. Here are some ideas to consider:

  1. A meal and intentional conversation with a friend. Commit to both putting your phones in the middle of the table. If one of you picks it up before the meal is over, then they’re buying lunch.
  2. A slow walk in a quiet, life-giving place. Though you’re physically active, this can be mentally and emotionally restorative. Getting in the sun is a bonus.
  3. Journal. I suggest using a pen and paper, no devices here. We’re not writing a novel. We’re not writing for anyone else. Just take time to process what’s on your mind.
  4. Needless Creation. Try drawing something you don’t intend to show anyone else. Productivity isn’t the goal. Curiosity is.
You were design for rest and the book "The Rest of God" explores what it means to truly rest.

Resting makes space for new leaders.

In the past few years, I built new cross-functional teams to lead across multiple departments in our organization. I defined their roles and responsibilities. I coached the leaders for a while.

Then I took a sabbatical. For 30 days, I was not available for questions, guidance, context, or problem-solving.

Not only was this rest critical for my growth as a leader, but it also served to establish the new team giving them the confidence that they were ready to lead. I’ve seen this happen over and over with young leaders. They aren’t “ready” until they have to be. Consider how you could take your own sabbatical as a gap-month.

Rest not only restores us as a leader, but it also multiplies us as leaders.

When establishing a new leader, sometimes the best thing I can do is get out of the way. The timing is usually earlier than feels comfortable. If you have an enthusiastic young leader, you likely need to give space sooner than you think.

Rest not only restores us as a leader, but it also multiplies us as leaders.

I’ve found Mark Buchanan’s book Rest of God and Tim Keller’s book Every Good Endeavor instructive as I’ve learned to rest as a leader.

You want your life to have meaning and impact.

What if your everyday work and life not only felt natural and intuitive but also aligned with your priorities and positively impacted those around you?

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Action Plan

Questions for reflection

  1. What control will you need to let go of to begin to rest?
  2. Are there habits you can change this week to rest?
  3. What responsibility can you step back from to give space to another leader?

Frequently Asked Questions

Team Leadership

What is team leadership?

Team leadership is a management approach focused on leading and guiding a group of individuals working together towards a common goal. A team leader is responsible for providing direction, support, and guidance to the team members, while fostering a positive and productive work environment.

Team leadership involves setting clear goals and expectations for the team, communicating effectively, and building trust and relationships with team members. It also involves empowering team members to take ownership of their work and contribute their unique skills and perspectives to the team's success.

Some key characteristics of effective team leadership include:

  1. Communication: Team leaders communicate clearly and effectively with their team members, keeping them informed about goals, expectations, and progress.
  2. Vision and strategy: Effective team leaders have a clear vision for what they want to achieve and a strategy for how to get there, while also being flexible and adaptable when necessary.
  3. Empowerment: Good team leaders empower their team members to make decisions and take ownership of their work, while also providing support and guidance as needed.
  4. Trust-building: Team leaders build trust and strong relationships with their team members, creating a positive and productive work environment.
  5. Results-oriented: Finally, effective team leaders are results-oriented, focusing on achieving goals and driving performance while also valuing the well-being and development of their team members.

Overall, team leadership is a collaborative and empowering approach to management that values communication, trust-building, and results-driven performance.

Learn more about leadership.

What are the different styles of team leadership?

There are several different styles of team leadership, including:

  1. Democratic leadership: In this style, the leader encourages open communication and participation from all team members in decision-making processes.
  2. Autocratic leadership: This style involves the leader making decisions and taking control over the team's direction, often with little input from team members.
  3. Transformational leadership: This style focuses on inspiring and motivating team members to achieve their full potential, often by setting a clear vision and communicating goals effectively.
  4. Servant leadership: A servant leader prioritizes the needs of their team members, focusing on serving and empowering them to achieve their goals.
  5. Laissez-faire leadership: In this style, the leader provides minimal guidance or direction, allowing team members to take ownership of their work and make decisions independently.
  6. Transactional leadership: This style involves setting clear goals and expectations for team members and providing rewards or discipline based on performance.
  7. Situational leadership: This approach involves adapting one's leadership style to fit the specific situation or needs of the team at any given time.

Overall, each style of team leadership has its own strengths and weaknesses, and effective leaders may use a combination of different styles depending on the situation and the needs of their team.

Learn more about leadership.

What are the different skills required for team leadership?

There are several key skills required for effective team leadership, including:

  1. Clear: Team leaders must be to communicate effectively with their team members, setting clear expectations and goals, providing feedback, and keeping everyone informed about progress and changes.
  2. Active listening: Leaders need to be able to listen actively to their team members, hear their concerns, ideas, and suggestions, and work collaboratively to find solutions.
  3. Empathy: Good team leaders value empathy, recognizing and understanding the perspectives of their team members, and working to build trust and strong relationships
  4. Decision-making: Leaders must be able to make informed decisions based on available information and input from team members, while also being decisive when necessary.
  5. Problem-solving: Effective team leaders must be able to identify and solve problems that arise within the team, working collaboratively to find creative and effective solutions.
  6. Motivation and empowerment: Leaders must be able to motivate and empower their team members to take ownership of their work, overcome challenges, and achieve their full potential.
  7. Delegation and management: Team leaders must be able to delegate tasks effectively, manage resources and timelines, and oversee the work of the team to ensure quality and efficiency.

Overall, effective team leadership requires a combination of interpersonal, decision-making, and management skills, as well as the ability to inspire and empower team members to work collaboratively towards shared goals.

Learn more about leadership.

What is servant leadership?

Servant leadership is a leadership philosophy and management style that emphasizes the importance of serving others first before considering one's own needs and desires. It's an approach to leadership that focuses on the well-being and growth of others, rather than solely on achieving organizational goals.

A servant leader prioritizes the needs of their followers or team members, providing them with support, guidance, and mentorship. They are committed to empowering their team members to reach their full potential and achieve their goals.

Some common characteristics of servant leaders include:

  1. Empathy: Servant leaders value empathy, placing themselves in the shoes of their followers to better understand their needs and motivations.
  2. Listening: They are active listeners, taking the time to listen to their followers' concerns, feedback, and ideas.
  3. Commitment to development: Servant leaders prioritize the growth and development of their followers, providing opportunities for learning and development.
  4. Humility: They recognize their own limitations and seek input from others to make informed decisions.
  5. Stewardship: Servant leaders view themselves as stewards of their organization, working to create a positive impact for all stakeholders.

Overall, servant leadership is about creating a supportive and empowering environment for others to thrive. By prioritizing the needs of their followers, a servant leader can inspire trust, loyalty, and commitment, ultimately leading to better outcomes for the organization as a whole.

Learn more about how to cultivate servant leadership.

Servant Leadership

What is servant leadership?

Servant leadership is a leadership philosophy and management style that emphasizes the importance of serving others first before considering one's own needs and desires. It's an approach to leadership that focuses on the well-being and growth of others, rather than solely on achieving organizational goals.

A servant leader prioritizes the needs of their followers or team members, providing them with support, guidance, and mentorship. They are committed to empowering their team members to reach their full potential and achieve their goals.

Some common characteristics of servant leaders include:

  1. Empathy: Servant leaders value empathy, placing themselves in the shoes of their followers to better understand their needs and motivations.
  2. Listening: They are active listeners, taking the time to listen to their followers' concerns, feedback, and ideas.
  3. Commitment to development: Servant leaders prioritize the growth and development of their followers, providing opportunities for learning and development.
  4. Humility: They recognize their own limitations and seek input from others to make informed decisions.
  5. Stewardship: Servant leaders view themselves as stewards of their organization, working to create a positive impact for all stakeholders.

Overall, servant leadership is about creating a supportive and empowering environment for others to thrive. By prioritizing the needs of their followers, a servant leader can inspire trust, loyalty, and commitment, ultimately leading to better outcomes for the organization as a whole.

Learn more about how to cultivate servant leadership.

How can servant leadership be beneficial in the workplace?

Servant leadership can be beneficial in the workplace in a number of ways, including:

  1. Improved employee engagement and job satisfaction: When employees feel supported, valued, and empowered by their leaders, they tend to be more engaged and satisfied with their work.
  2. Increased collaboration and teamwork: Servant leaders prioritize communication, collaboration, and trust-building, which can lead to stronger relationships and more effective teamwork.
  3. Higher levels of productivity and innovation: When leaders empower their team members to take ownership of their work and contribute their ideas, it can lead to higher levels of productivity and innovation.
  4. Reduced turnover and absenteeism: Employees who feel supported and valued are less likely to leave their jobs or call in sick, leading to reduced turnover and absenteeism rates.
  5. Improved organizational culture: Servant leadership can create a positive organizational culture that values growth, development, and well-being for all stakeholders, which can lead to improved morale and outcomes.

Overall, servant leadership can lead to a more positive, productive, and fulfilling workplace environment, benefiting both employees and the organization as a whole.

Learn more about how to cultivate servant leadership.

How does servant leadership differ from other leadership styles?

Servant leadership differs from many other leadership styles in several key ways:

  1. Focus on serving others: Servant leaders prioritize the needs and well-being of their followers over their own interests, while many other leadership styles focus more on achieving organizational goals.
  2. Empathy and listening skills: Servant leaders value empathy and active listening skills to better understand the needs and perspectives of their followers, while some other leadership styles may be more focused on asserting authority or making decisions without input from others.
  3. Collaboration and teamwork: Servant leaders prioritize collaboration and teamwork, seeking to empower and develop their followers to achieve their full potential, while other leadership styles may be more focused on competition or individual achievement.
  4. Humility and accountability: Servant leaders view themselves as stewards of their organization, prioritizing the well-being of all stakeholders and taking responsibility for their decisions, while some other leadership styles may be more focused on personal ambition or avoiding blame.

Overall, servant leadership is characterized by a focus on serving others, prioritizing empathy and collaboration, and taking a humble and accountable approach to leadership. While other leadership styles may be effective in different contexts, servant leadership can be a powerful tool for creating positive change and empowering others to reach their full potential.

Learn more about how to cultivate servant leadership.

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