Why every leader needs to retreat

Every leader needs to retreat.

You know how hard your work is if you are a successful leader.

You constantly have to:

• Role model your culture,

• Be clear about your organization's direction,

• Fill your days with meetings and 1:1’s.

You spend 95% of your time “in the dance.“

In other words, you are in action mode with no time to reflect on direction.

You have very little "balcony space."

Your ability to think slowly suffers, your attentiveness wavers and your muscle for self-reflection declines.

As a result, you have to:

→ Execute… without reflecting on your direction,

→ Role model to others… without a deep understanding of yourself,

→ Try to be present… with a cluttered, untrained mind.

The grind makes you shallow.

Worse even:

As pressure rises, you fall victim to your own reactivity, blind spots, and worst traits.

Playing the long game becomes more and more difficult.

Why?

To stay on top, you need to:

• reflect on your direction and adjust

• recharge and resource yourself to be attentive

• play the long game and deliver great work constantly

• discover and regulate your blind spots and reactive traits

You need a dedicated reflection space:

→ A place where you get to a deeper understanding of yourself.

→ A retreat that deepens your relationship with your own wisdom.

→ A training space where you can train your mind free of dogma.

What helps you in creating those? Let me know in reply.

To solve this need for deeper reflection spaces I hosting an annual “Wise Leadership Retreat“ for leaders (on the 6. August - 11. August this year).

It builds on the framework of the leading neuroscientist of our time, Richard Davidson. I also added dashes of leadership training and a calm setting near a lake. You can apply here.

Is it the solution? No. But it is my attempt at bridging the “action/reflection gap” in executive leadership.

We have a need for deep reflection spaces at large.

I would love to hear how you solve the need for reflection in your life.

How do you bridge the “action/reflection gap”?

I’ll see you next week,

Nikolas Konstantin

P.S. Leading is hard. Here is how I can support you to lead yourself and your organization:

1. The Yearly Reflection Space for Leaders:

I've opened applications for my 2024 "Wise Leadership Retreat,” a silent meditation retreat to reconnect to your vision, direction, and inner leadership. It will take place 06.- 11. August this year. You can apply here.

2. A Beautiful Mind for Executives:

This one is for you if you want to train your mind with deep training from science and meditation traditions. My virtual “A Beautiful Mind Course” for Executives. Train here.

3. A CEO Playbook library with the best of Management and Leadership:

I scan the best of leadership literature and mindfulness so my clients can focus on what matters most—building a thriving organization. My client's CEO Playbooks library features the best management and leadership theory. You can have exclusive access here.

4. A la Carte Executive Training:

Each year, I support a few leaders & their organizations in transforming into more resonant versions of themselves. Want to be coached by me? Apply here. 

PPS: And because you deserve it - here is your bonus.

My 10 “Most Popular Mini Leadership Guides”:

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See you next Monday,

Nikolas