Summer invites us to slow the pace and raise our gaze. Less rush, fewer packed agendas, more time to think, reset, and reconnect with what truly drives us. Or at least, that’s the invitation we should consider. Even leadership can wear a t-shirt or perhaps a polo shirt. In doing so, it becomes more honest, more human.
There’s a certain kind of wisdom that only emerges when we step out of the office — physically and mentally (for those working remote) — and into a space where ideas can breathe. Leadership, often tangled in meetings, budgets, and daily urgencies, finds in summer an unexpected gift: the chance to become conscious again.
When the calendar slows down, the mind opens. In this rhythm, a different kind of leadership becomes possible. Some call it “slow leadership.” It’s not about doing less — it’s about doing with more intention and less autopilot.
The pause offers us perspective. We step outside the system, see patterns we hadn’t noticed, and ask questions we usually avoid:
- Am I leading or just managing?
- Am I helping my team grow?
- Where is my organization really headed?
- Does what I do still make sense?
These aren’t summer musings — they’re strategic reflections. Summer just gives them the space to surface.
Sometimes, you need distance to see clearly. The kind of human-centred leadership we often speak about also includes caring for the engine that powers it. A burnt-out leader can still make decisions, but rarely can they inspire, guide, or transform.
Disconnection isn’t a luxury — it’s a responsibility. And summer might be the best medicine to recover the creative, emotional, and strategic energy that leadership demands.
A Stanford University study showed that walking can boost creativity by up to 60%, activating the parts of the brain responsible for associative thinking and fresh ideas.
Similarly, research in cognitive neuroscience has revealed that a state of “active rest” — such as reading, daydreaming, or contemplative walks — triggers the brain’s default mode network (DMN), a system crucial for introspection, autobiographical memory, and long-term vision.
In many Eastern traditions, slowness and contemplation are seen as prerequisites for wise, meaningful decisions. “When water becomes still, it turns clear. When the soul rests, it shines.” When I was leading a significant part of a Japanese global company, I learned that pause is the necessary for action.
Some of our best ideas are born near the ocean, during a long walk, a slow read, or an unhurried conversation. Summer gives us mental space — and space is where innovation begins.
So this summer, jot down ideas without pressure. Visualize the kind of leader you want to be in the coming season. Maybe those thoughts are seeds worth planting.
Yes, t-shirts are about comfort. But they’re also a metaphor for leadership that’s more flexible, more present, and less rigid. Less about control, more about inspiration.
And when you put your formal shirt (perhaps even a tie) back on in September, don’t forget what you thought about while wearing your favourite t-shirt. You might find in those reflections the direction you’ve been searching for.
Conscious Leadership Tip #22
Lead in a t-shirt, think in long view.
Create space for reflection when things slow down. Rest isn’t stepping back — it’s stepping outside the frame to see what truly matters. Your most strategic decisions often begin when you allow your mind to wander.