Hi Reader

Do you ever feel like you're smack-bang in the middle of a never-ending game of whack-a-mole, frantically trying to keep up with the relentless pace and incessant demands of leadership?

You’re not alone.

Quite often I seem to be having ‘Groundhog Day’ conversations with the sports leaders I work with 1-1.

It’s not unfair to say that a huge number of head coaches, managers, heads of department etc are struggling with this one.

When it comes to leadership we’d all agree that being detail oriented is vital, yes?

So why then do we think we can see, hear and even feel the most important details if we’re continually running about being busy?

I’ve been long convinced that although working diligently is important, it’s time to flip the script on what it means to be a high-performing leader today.

A couple of stories highlight my point…..

Your Read Time today is = 5 minutes..Remember to connect with me on social channels like X and Instagram​

First, a word on my new video.....

If you’re ready to elevate your leadership game and inspire like never before, this is for YOU. 🙌

In my latest YouTube video, I break down how a focus on creativity can change the way we approach success in sports and business.

✨And it's just a simple pivot on how you already operate.

​Head straight to The Leaders Coach YouTube and check it out.

Invert your Lens...

Have you heard of Jennifer Roberts?

Perhaps not as she’s an art historian.

She believes in slowing down the act of seeing to truly understand and appreciate art. She challenges her students with an unusual assignment: spend three hours observing a single piece of artwork. At first, the task feels tedious, but as time passes they engage deeply and subtle details begin to emerge; textures, colours, and connections that might otherwise be overlooked in a hurried glance.

She insists that this process not only deepens their understanding of the art itself but also cultivates patience and focus, qualities often neglected in our fast-paced world.

For example, she got some students to observe John Singleton Copley’s Boy with a Squirrel. When students initially looked at the painting, they noticed the boy, the squirrel, and the overall composition, but many described it as a straightforward portrait.

Nothing groundbreaking there.

But, after spending hours with the piece, subtle elements began to reveal themselves.

Students often noticed how the boy’s distant gaze wasn’t random but suggested a deeper connection to his thoughts. They observed the delicate string connecting the squirrel to the boy’s hand, emphasising a quiet tension between control and freedom. Others saw how the reflections and textures of light on the polished wooden surface in the background mirrored the artist’s technical precision and the material culture of the time. And how the shape of the squirrel's flash of white fur was the same in shape as the boy's ear.

These insights transformed their understanding of the artwork from a simple image into a complex commentary on relationships, craftsmanship, and identity.

And they underlined Jennifer's notion that profound insights are often reserved for those willing to linger long enough to find them.

Take that into your world for a second - how long do you invest in measuring up & deeply understanding issues, concerns, problems or even seemingly gilt-edged opportunities?

When was the last time you really, truly observed your team, your strategy, or even yourself as a leader?

Now I mean really observed; not just the surface-level stuff, but the nuances, the patterns, the hidden gems that only reveal themselves when you slow right down?

Kind of like inverting your telescope and viewing through the large lens.

Of course you might well be thinking "ain't got no time for that". But just read on…..

You’re more likely to have heard of Bill Walsh, the legendary San Francisco 49ers head coach, who took a team from rock bottom to Super Bowl champions in just three years.

His secret weapon? A meticulously crafted "Standard of Performance" that detailed everything from how receptionists should answer phones to how players should wear their socks.

Of course this may seem a bit OTT and you could rightly ask "Paul, are you seriously suggesting I spend my time on how my team wears their socks?"

No....and yes.

Walsh's approach wasn't about micromanagement; it was about creating a culture of excellence through patience and attention to detail. It was about observation and understanding that the big wins are built on a foundation of small, consistent actions.

So what?

In our world that's obsessed with "the grind," where busyness is a badge of honour, patience and careful observation have become leadership superpowers.

They're the secret sauce that separates the truly exceptional leaders from the ones who are just spinning their wheels.

That said, developing these skills isn't easy. It goes against everything our instant-gratification culture has taught us. It requires us to resist the siren call of quick fixes and shiny new things. It demands that we slow down when everything around us is screaming to speed up.

Research backs this up. A study by Deborah Rowland published in Harvard Business Review found that leaders who took time for reflection and mindfulness were more effective in implementing organisational change & evolution. They were better able to navigate complexity and ambiguity, precisely because they took the time to pause and observe.

I'm not suggesting you suddenly start studying socks or staring at paintings all day.

What I would suggest is that you start intentionally building pockets of patience and observation into your leadership practice.

Here's a challenge - Over the next few days, pick one aspect of your leadership or your team/club/organisation that you think you know inside out.

Spend just one hour observing it as if you're seeing it for the first time.

What patterns emerge? What surprises you? What questions come up that you've never thought to ask before?

Leadership isn't about having all the answers, right?

It's about asking the right questions and having the patience to wait for meaningful answers to emerge.

Because when we hear ‘leadership isn't a sprint; it's a marathon’, we all nod along and agree.

Because we know deep down that the leaders who win are the ones who know how to pace themselves, observe keenly, and play the long game.

Thanks for reading - 2 quick things (i) if you're curious about my work in 1-1 and/or small group settings please check my work over at https://www.theleaders.coach/ and (ii) if there is some topic or subject you'd like to see covered in an upcoming newsletter then please email me at paul@theleaders.coach

Thank you for being part of the Leaders Coach community. The work on how to perform better is something you have to do alone. But you don't have to do it on your own. Onward and Upward, Paul Clarke

​​​

Beechmount Vale, Navan, Meath C15
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​