Unhurried Leadership: How to Lead with Clarity and Purpose
Last month, we explored the idea that slowing down isn’t a barrier to success—it’s a catalyst. By stepping away from the grind of hustle culture and embracing practices like turning off notifications or scheduling intentional breaks, entrepreneurs and leaders can reduce burnout and improve productivity. If you haven’t read that post yet, you can find it here.
This time, we’re going deeper. Beyond productivity, what does it mean to lead unhurried? How can business leaders use time not just as a tool for efficiency but as a way to create meaningful, lasting impact?
In this post, we’ll examine the relationship between time, leadership, and intention—and how adopting an unhurried approach can transform your work and your life.
Unhurried Doesn’t Mean Unproductive
For many high achievers, the idea of slowing down feels counterintuitive. It can stir up fears of falling behind or being perceived as lazy. But unhurried leadership is not about doing less; it’s about doing what matters most with precision and focus.
Think of it this way: A leader who rushes through decisions or tasks often creates more problems than they solve. Unhurried leaders, on the other hand, pause to reflect, prioritize intentionally, and act decisively when the moment calls for it. This deliberate pacing doesn’t just avoid mistakes; it builds a foundation for sustainable growth.
Time as a Leadership Tool
Time is more than a resource to be managed—it’s a framework that shapes how we lead. Here are two key ways leaders can rethink their relationship with time:
1. Creating Space for Clarity
As leaders, we often feel the pressure to keep moving, to always be “on.” But it’s in the pauses—moments of quiet reflection—that clarity emerges. Great leaders throughout history, like Nelson Mandela and Viktor Frankl, achieved their impact not by rushing but by using time intentionally to prepare, reflect, and align their actions with their values.
Practical tip: Block off time in your calendar for strategic thinking. Whether it’s 30 minutes a week or an hour a month, use this time to focus on the big picture rather than immediate tasks.
2. The Urgency of Slowing Down
As philosopher Bayo Akomolafe puts it, “Times are urgent; let us slow down.” This paradox reminds us that while the world demands quick action, true leadership requires us to step back and act with intention. When you slow down, you’re not just buying time—you’re creating the conditions for thoughtful, impactful decisions.
Practical tip: Before making a major decision, take a moment to pause. Ask yourself: Am I reacting out of urgency, or am I responding with clarity?
The Hidden Influence of Pain on Leadership
Another powerful insight for unhurried leaders is understanding how pain influences our actions. Whether it’s the fear of failure, unresolved challenges, or the pressure to meet expectations, these undercurrents can drive us to overwork, overcommit, or avoid necessary reflection.
Pain doesn’t disappear when ignored—it either transforms into growth or is transmitted as stress or pain to others. Unhurried leadership creates space to confront and process pain, turning it into a source of strength rather than a burden passed down to your team.
Practical tip: Build reflective practices into your routine, such as journaling or discussing challenges with a trusted mentor. These habits create space for self-awareness, allowing you to lead with authenticity and resilience.
Embrace Unhurried Leadership
If you’re ready to move beyond hustle culture and lead with clarity and purpose, the principles of unhurried leadership offer a powerful framework. By rethinking your relationship with time, addressing pain points, and cultivating presence, you can create a leadership style that fosters sustainable success—for yourself and your team.
Ready to take the next step? Start small. Try blocking reflective time in your calendar or practicing single-tasking during your next meeting. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed by administrative tasks, consider delegating to a trusted virtual assistant. At Trusty Oak, we help leaders reclaim their time so they can focus on what matters most.
I invite you to reflect: What would change in your leadership if you slowed down just a little more this week?
Learn more about how you could benefit from working with a VA by visiting our “How It Works” page!
Before founding Trusty Oak, Amber spent five years at a rapidly growing digital agency based in Austin, TX. Four of those years, she was responsible for hiring and leading both local and virtual teams while working closely with clients ranging from CEOs to bestselling authors to build their brand online. As VP of Operations, Amber helped lead the company’s growth to #15 on Austin Business Journal’s Fast50 List in 2014.
As a female founder and leader of a company that has quickly established a recognizably special culture within a non-traditional workforce, Amber has energized and empowered women from diverse professional and personal backgrounds to go against the grain of historically standard female roles in business, technology, and leadership. Trusty Oak provides an opportunity for experienced admin and marketing professionals to work independently as freelancers, but with a supportive internal network consisting of other ambitious and resourceful remote workers.