Rest is not a Luxury - It's Your Leadership Advantage
When was the last time you felt truly rested—and how much better could you lead if you did?
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”
In today’s world, complexity, uncertainty, and constant change aren’t the exception—they’re the new normal. As leaders, the demands on your time, energy, and focus can feel relentless. In many organisations, a culture of overwork has taken hold—where long hours, constant availability, and sacrificing rest are worn like badges of honour. The belief is unspoken but clear: success requires outworking everyone else.
But what if that’s a myth?
What if overwork isn’t the path to success, but a fast track to burnout, poor decisions, and diminished leadership capacity? Research increasingly proves that rest is not a luxury—it’s a strategic necessity. For leaders to achieve adaptive stability—the ability to remain calm, clear, and flexible amidst uncertainty—rest is the foundation.
The Research Is Clear: Rest Fuels Leadership Capacity
Leaders often pride themselves on pushing through exhaustion, yet science tells a different story. Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith, a physician and researcher, has introduced the 7 types of rest—a concept that extends far beyond sleep:
Physical Rest – Replenishing your body through sleep, naps, and gentle movement.
Mental Rest – Clearing mental clutter and stepping back from constant decision-making.
Emotional Rest – Releasing emotional burdens and showing up authentically, without performance pressure.
Sensory Rest – Reducing overstimulation from screens, noise, and bright lights.
Social Rest – Taking a break from draining relationships and connecting with those who energise you.
Creative Rest – Allowing inspiration through beauty, nature, and unstructured thinking.
Spiritual Rest – Reconnecting with purpose, values, or a deeper sense of meaning.
Leadership is not purely physical or intellectual work. It requires emotional intelligence, creative vision, and the ability to inspire others while navigating change. Without intentional rest, these capacities erode, leaving leaders reactive and overwhelmed.
Leonardo da Vinci’s Secret: Rest as a Catalyst for Innovation
Leonardo da Vinci, one of history’s most celebrated minds, understood the power of rest. He practised polyphasic sleep – short naps throughout the day that refreshed his focus. Da Vinci also embraced quiet reflection, walking in nature and immersing himself in beauty.
This wasn’t wasted time. In these moments of stillness, his most revolutionary ideas emerged. Rest gave him the clarity and creativity to paint masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and imagine inventions centuries ahead of their time.
For modern leaders, the message is clear: rest fuels your ability to solve complex problems, think creatively, and lead with purpose.
Leonardo's workspace taken during my visit to his home at The Château du Clos Lucé in the Loire Valley in France.
The Cost of Neglecting Rest
When leaders push through exhaustion, the impacts are undeniable:
Poor decision-making caused by mental fatigue.
Emotional volatility that undermines relationships and trust.
Reduced creativity leading to reactive, rigid thinking.
Physical burnout that drains energy, health, and capacity over time.
This cycle of depletion doesn’t just have an impact on you—it affects your team, your outcomes, and your legacy.
If you don’t recharge your phone, it stops working—simple as that. First, you get the low-battery warning, then, without power, it shuts down completely. The same goes for you as a leader. Rest isn’t optional; it’s the energy source that keeps you going, performing, and thriving. Rest isn’t “time off.” It’s the fuel for sustainable leadership.
Incorporating the 7 Kinds of Rest This Holiday Season
With the festive holidays upon us, now is the perfect time to reset. Here are practical ways to integrate the 7 types of rest:
Physical Rest: Allow yourself to sleep in, take a nap, or enjoy unhurried walks in nature.
Mental Rest: Step away from emails and give yourself space for quiet reflection.
Emotional Rest: Spend time with people who make it easy to be yourself.
Sensory Rest: Step back from screens, noise, and distractions—seek out calming environments.
Social Rest: Balance energising connections with moments of solitude.
Creative Rest: Explore art, music, or a new hobby that inspires you.
Spiritual Rest: Reflect on your purpose, values, and what matters most to you.
Even small, intentional steps can create profound change.
How do you recharge?
I’d love to hear what works for you—your reflections could inspire other leaders in our community. Share your thoughts, and let’s keep this important conversation going.
