A Core Tenant of Leadership: Rest & Rejuvination

As three educators and leadership enthusiasts coming together to reflect on the value of restoration, we want to share some thoughts for leaders looking to maximize the holiday season. We know the break isn’t just about stepping away; it’s about stepping into the best version of ourselves for our teams and communities. Here are three ways to rejuvenate and lead with renewed energy in the year ahead:

1. Rest: Prioritize Stillness
Garth: Rest isn’t just about catching up on sleep—though that’s important! It’s about giving yourself permission to pause. Whether it’s taking a break from emails or simply sitting with your favorite mug of tea in hand, rest allows you to quiet the constant demands of leadership. Think of it like pressing the reset button for your mind.

Tracy: Totally agree, Garth. Leadership isn’t just about the hours you put in; it’s about the intention you bring to your work. Use this time to step back, assess, and recharge so you can show up as your best self.

Graham: And let’s not forget that rest can mean different things to different people. For me, it’s a morning run or simply reading a book. Whatever it looks like for you, lean into what makes you feel still and present.

2. Recharge: Find What Lights You Up
Garth: One of my favorite Ted Lasso moments is when he starts each day with biscuits—a small ritual that brings him and Rebecca together. What’s your “biscuit”? Find the thing that brings joy and makes you feel alive again, whether it’s laughter with family, a creative hobby, or time outdoors.

Graham: I’ve found that reconnecting to passions and interests outside of work—like music or writing—has this incredible ability to recharge my spirit. This also allows me to reestablish and/or build healthy routines and habbits that better ensure my passions and interests are part of my every day no matter the demands of work.

Tracy: Great point! Recharging doesn’t always mean stepping away from people—it can also mean leaning into meaningful connections. A simple coffee with an old friend can remind you why you lead the way you do.

3. Rejuvenate: Reflect and Realign
Garth: The holidays are also a chance to ask yourself the big questions. Where am I going? What kind of leader do I want to be? Like Ted, who always reflects on how his actions shape the team, we need to set fresh intentions for the path ahead.

Tracy: Reflection isn’t just personal—it’s also about your organization. Take time to think about the culture you’re building. What are the wins you’re celebrating? What could use more attention? Rejuvenation isn’t just about reimagining your purpose—it’s about aligning it with action.

Graham: And let’s not forget, this is the perfect time to  zoom out and embrace gratitude. Reflect on the small wins and the people who have helped you grow. There is gratifude to be found within even the most challenging moments we’ve experienced. A little gratitude can go a long way in setting a positive mindset and tone for the year ahead.

We’re wishing all CIS Ontario leadership lab participants a restful, recharging, and rejuvenating break. Use this time to pour into yourself, so you can pour into others with purpose and intention.

Happy holidays,

Graham, Tracy and Garth

One thought on “A Core Tenant of Leadership: Rest & Rejuvination

  1. Happy Holidays everyone!
    Thank you, Tracy, Garth and Graham, for these thought-provoking prompts.

    1. Rest: Prioritize Stillness
    When I think of the word rest, my understanding is quite straightforward: it means taking time for yourself, relaxing, and enjoying moments of doing whatever brings you joy. Over the break, as a self-proclaimed non-fiction enthusiast, I read/listened to a fiction for the first time in a long while—simply to immerse myself in a story and enjoy it.

    However, the idea of prioritizing stillness that followed, struck me as more thought-provoking. Unlike rest, stillness seems more intentional and strategic. It’s not just about enjoying free time or allowing things to happen as they may. Stillness could mean pausing to observe instead of rushing to decide, reflecting before taking action, or choosing to do nothing deliberately, knowing that the outcomes might surpass the results of acting.

    2. Recharge: Find What Lights You Up
    To me, this is about pursuing what genuinely interests you, whether it’s work-related or not. Work and life don’t have to be at odds (sometimes they are inevitably, but they don’t always have to); the key is finding a balance and allowing them to align. Much of what we do at work benefits our family and ourselves, while what we do outside of work—with and for our loved ones—can, in turn, enrich our professional lives.

    For me, this sweet spot lies in my passion for exploring different cultures and traditions. One area I find particularly captivating is the culinary traditions of various countries. Through conversations with people, learning new recipes, and sharing them with my family, I can also enhance my work (I am leading cooking club at my school).

    3. Rejuvenate: Reflect and Realign
    Taking time for myself to reflect is both meaningful and necessary. Over a prolonged period of intense work, I often find myself begin to react, rather than being proactive and intentional in my planning. Identifying what truly drives and motivates me is valuable. At work, it’s easy to become so focused on tasks and goals that I lose sight of the deeper values and the meaning I strive to bring to those around me and my organization.

    Reflective moments away from highly demanding work, especially during breaks, help me realign my actions with what I genuinely value. This reflective process fosters a sense of purpose, responsibility, and love (recalling our last meeting at Havergal). This renewed sense of purpose and responsibility, along with the feeling of love brought back to work, is both refreshing and impactful.

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