Time to Reset

Over the course of the summer, we've encouraged you to pause, recalibrate, and re-engage with what truly matters. We began with Rest —an essential step to allow your nervous system to recover from the relentless demands of leadership. Then we explored Retreat—a deliberate withdrawal to reconnect with purpose, priorities, and perspective and provided you with tools to facilitate this. Now, as September approaches, it's time for the third and final stage in this series: Reset.

Resetting is not simply about starting over. It’s a strategic act of reflection, realignment, and recommitment. To support this, we’re sharing a simple yet powerful framework designed to help you reset with clarity and confidence: Look Back, Look Up, Look Forward.

Mapping Your Route

Imagine you're on a long, demanding hike. The terrain is steep, and the path behind you is marked by both high ridges and rocky descents. At a natural resting point, you pause—not because you’re lost, but because you understand that forward progress depends on more than momentum. You stop to catch your breath, scan the horizon, check your map, and make sure you're still headed in the right direction. You consider where you've come from, where you are now, and where you're ultimately going.

Leadership is no different. Taking a moment to reflect and recalibrate is not a detour—it’s a necessity for sustained, purposeful progress.

1. Look Back - Review Past Experience

Before you reset, take time to review the last 12 months. This isn’t about dwelling on what went wrong or indulging in nostalgia—it’s about gaining insight from your lived experience.

Ask yourself:

• What am I proud of?

• Where did I grow as a leader?

• What rhythms or responsibilities have become unsustainable?

• What lessons have emerged from both success and struggle?

This retrospective view gives you the context you need to lead with wisdom and foresight.

2. Look Up

Now, lift your gaze. Where are you today?

This moment is your new vantage point. From here, you can begin to see the contours of the future, but you must be honest about your present reality.

Reflect on:

• What opportunities are emerging on the horizon?

• What challenges are presenting themselves?

• What resources—internal and external—do I have access to right now?

• Where is energy flowing naturally, and where is it being drained?

Looking up allows you to reorient yourself. It helps ensure that your next steps are not reactive, but intentional.

3. Look Forward - Define Future Action

Finally, consider what lies ahead. Knowing what you know now, how will you move forward?

This is the time to define focused, actionable goals that reflect both your aspirations and your reality. We recommend setting three SMART goals for the next six months—goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Consider:

• How will I respond to the challenges I’ve identified?

• What must I do to capitalise on new opportunities?

• Who do I need to bring with me—or let go of—for this next phase?

  
  

This forward-looking phase translates reflection into strategy, turning insight into momentum.

Resetting with Intention

As we conclude our Rest, Retreat, Reset summer series, we invite you to take this moment seriously. Leadership is a long, complex journey—and it’s easy to lose direction when you're always on the move. But when you pause to reflect, reassess, and reset, you create space not only to lead better—but to live better.

If you’re ready to deepen this work and would value a trusted companion for the next stage of your leadership journey, consider joining us for one of our bespoke Leadership Intensives. These immersive experiences are designed to help senior leaders recalibrate with purpose, insight, and renewed energy.

And coming this autumn: a new series on Leading in the Age of AI —how forward-thinking leaders are integrating artificial intelligence into their decision-making, culture, and strategy. You won't want to miss it.

Let’s continue the journey—deliberately, insightfully, and together.