Do you feel like you’re constantly on a hamster wheel, racing through tasks without ever having the space to think? Do your best-laid plans for reflection get derailed by urgent demands? If so, you’re not alone. Many leaders find themselves pulled in different directions – managing their team, navigating organisational politics, and firefighting daily challenges. In the midst of all this, making time to think can feel like a luxury rather than a necessity.
But the reality is, thinking time isn’t a nice-to-have – it’s an essential leadership skill. Strong leaders need space to reflect, make sound decisions, and focus on the bigger picture. If you’re constantly firefighting, you risk making reactive rather than strategic choices, missing opportunities, and burning out. And if you don’t prioritise thinking time, your team won’t value it either.
If you value being busy – your team will too
As a leader, you set the tone for your team’s culture, including how time is valued. If you always prioritise busyness over reflection, your team will follow suit – leading to rushed decisions, overlooked opportunities, and overwhelm. Role modelling thinking time sends a clear message that reflection, strategic decision-making, and creativity are just as valuable as ticking off tasks.
Encourage your team to step back, allocate time for deep thinking, and take proper breaks – whether that’s a lunch break, a scheduled moment for reflection, or simply pausing before jumping into the next task. A team that values not being constantly busy will be more creative, make better decisions, and be more resilient in the face of challenges.
Thinking time is not slacking off
We’ve been conditioned to believe that sitting at a desk equals productivity, but this isn’t always the case. A common mindset shift required for leaders is recognising that stepping away from your desk is often the best way to think creatively and solve problems. Research shows that our brains make their most valuable connections in quiet moments, not when we’re overwhelmed with back-to-back meetings or constant activity.
Practical ways to create more thinking time
If you struggle to carve out time to think, here are some ways to start:
- Schedule thinking time like a meeting Block out time in your diary for strategic thinking. Don’t call it thinking time – if you have a shared calendar people will pop a meeting in over it. Call it something that other people will leave alone.
- Design your day around your energy levels We all have natural peaks and dips in our focus. Notice your own energy level patterns. If possible, schedule deep-thinking work for when you’re most alert and keep admin or lower-energy tasks for when your concentration naturally dips.
- Limit distractions If you’re trying to think deeply, switch off email notifications, put your phone away, and create an environment where you can focus. Research shows that it can take up to 15 minutes to regain deep focus after a distraction – so cutting down interruptions can significantly improve the quality of your thinking.
- Work in focused sprints Instead of trying to think for hours at a time, work in short bursts. Figure out what time frame works best for you. Start with 25-minute deep work sessions followed by a 5-minute break and play with timings until you find your optimum.
- Walk and talk Some of the best conversations and ideas come when you’re on the move. Walking meetings encourage deeper thinking and allow conversations to flow more naturally.
Reframe thinking time as essential
Start small. Protect even 10 minutes a day for focused thinking. Encourage your team to do the same. Create a habit. Over time, you will be able to increase your thinking time. Starting small can lead to more strategic and effective leadership – for you and those you lead.
Want to learn more? – listen into the Quiet Leadership Revolution podcast episode on making time to think.