Hey Reader,

I was on a call last week with a group of CEO’s and one of them shared something I know I have felt, and most other leaders have as well.

Here’s what he said: “We are working harder than we ever have, but somehow this seems to be making us move slower as an organization.”

That’s the paradox I see often: the harder we push, the more resistance we face, the more reactive we are, and the slower the organization actually moves.

The Hidden Cost of the Grinding Cycle

Harvard Business School research tracking 27 CEOs over 13 weeks found that executives spend only 25% of their time on strategy and long-term planning, the rest consumed by reactive, day-to-day demands (Porter & Nohria, 2018). I see this in my work all the time. Leaders tell me they’re working 60-hour weeks but can’t find time for the strategic thinking that would actually move their organization forward.

Here’s what most don’t realize: when you’re in that reactive, grinding state, you’re not just misallocating time. You’re delegating your most important decisions to your emotional state.

Think about it, how many strategic decisions have you made while stressed, rushed, or just trying to get something off your plate? Those decisions cascade through your entire organization. One reactive choice from a senior leader can become policy affecting hundreds of people.

The Circuit Breaker Framework

I learned “slow is smooth, smooth is fast” from a retired Army marksmanship sergeant when I was 16. Two summers of training at Fort Benning, and he was relentless with that mantra. At the time, I thought it was just about shooting accuracy. But instead, it was a lesson in leadership.

Years later, this lesson came back to me while training for my first Ironman. I got in the pool for my first swim and started swimming as hard as I could. About halfway back, I’m thrashing, struggling, genuinely thinking I might drown.

The harder I muscled through the water, the slower I went. But when I focused on smooth, controlled movements, everything changed. That swim became my favorite part of every Ironman. I’d come out of the water relaxed and ready, not exhausted.

Leadership works the same way. More force creates more resistance.

Here’s the framework I use when I catch myself in a reactive cycle:

Step 1: Pause to Think

Create intentional white space daily. Even 15 minutes. Give yourself permission to do this by asking: “If I’m not pausing to think about where the organization is going, who is?” Then prepare by asking, “Am I focusing on work that only I can do?”

Step 2: Install the Circuit Breaker

When you feel yourself grinding away and potentially leaking energy, ask: “Will this matter a year from now?”

If yes, muscle on. If no, step back. Think about why you’re doing it. This one question stops you from delegating important decisions to your emotional state.

Step 3: Teach Pace to Others

Model this thoughtfulness. Tell your team: “I’m going to pause and get back to you tomorrow.” When you do this, you’re not just managing expectations, you’re teaching your team that thoughtful leadership creates exponential impact, not just linear output. You aren’t slowing things down, you’re giving yourself space to think.

Your decisions cascade through teams, clients, and families. Everything you do is exponential, not linear. A thoughtful leader will impact dozens, hundreds, thousands of people across their lifetime.

Your 15-Minute Action

Do this before the end of the day today:

1. List your 3 highest-investment initiatives (time, money, people)
2. For each, answer: “Am I responding to this strategically or reactively?”
3. Rate your confidence (1-10): “Would I start this exact initiative today if I were just hired?”
4. Any initiative rated below 7 deserves a deeper review.

This week: Conduct the audit and schedule the reviews. Use the circuit breaker question: “Will this matter a year from now?

Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast

With great appreciation,
dusty

P.S. This framework came from Leadership Unlocked Episode 18, where I share the full story about nearly drowning in front of an Olympic coach. Listen here: (Apple Podcast | Spotify Podcast | YouTube).