Annual CityScope® Business Issue
At the end of a productive workday, even the greatest leaders need time to rest. Having a restorative after-work routine or ritual can help one bring their best self to work and sustain success in their roles. From going for a walk and cooking a meal to spending time with loved ones, read on to learn how local leaders recharge off the clock.
As a leader in a large organization, you are never really able to completely disconnect, although you have to make time and take advantage of it. The first is how I start and end each day. Each morning, I start with 5-10 minutes of quiet time, and at the end of the day I go through any notes and put all documents and files away so my desk is clean. It is always nice to start the day with a clean desk. When away from the office, I focus on family time. This can be a family dinner, walk with my husband, or a good spin class. This allows my brain to focus on something different. Another way I am able to recharge is to take time away from the office, not just for vacationing, but also for quiet days at home. It is not just one thing.
After a long day, I’ve found that recharging is key to showing up as my best self – not just as a leader, but as a person. Whether it’s a quiet walk, cooking dinner with family, or simply pausing to reflect, those moments of downtime give me the energy and clarity to tackle challenges with fresh perspective. Taking time to unwind isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. When we prioritize self-care, we’re not only healthier and happier but also better equipped to inspire and support those around us. For me, recharging isn’t just about rest – it’s about reconnecting with what fuels me. As leaders, we set the tone for our teams. When we prioritize self-care, we model resilience and balance, showing that bringing your best to your role starts with taking care of yourself. Remember, a refreshed leader is an effective leader.
I’m not sure that recharge best describes what I do after work. Redirection may be a better descriptor of the shift. The mindset and activities that go into supporting clients, co-workers, vendors, etc. get redirected to family, church, and two dogs. Staying in the support mindset means that I don’t have a change in focus, and change is tough on this old engineer’s faculties. To say I don’t have hobbies would not be accurate and misleading on my part, but even those are focused on support or interacting with others.
Working in HR, I know the importance of ensuring employees are holistically supported, which includes providing them the time and resources they need to rest and recharge. As a busy leader, I need to make sure I am also implementing these practices for myself. Like a car without gas in its tank, leaders who run on empty do not go far. So, I am intentional and prioritize spending quality time with my family daily, reading good books, and taking advantage of my paid time off. Investing just 15 minutes a day to relieve stress, renew your mind, and refocus on what is most important can make a world of difference in how we show up for those who are depending on us.
As a business owner, it’s easy to let work consume every hour of the day, but I’ve learned that real success is measured in the moments we create with the people who matter most. Intentional time with my family is a priority, whether it’s walking my daughter to school every morning before heading to the office or spending a Saturday on the lake with my family. I recently had the privilege of taking my dad to Philadelphia to watch our favorite team, the Washington Commanders, play in the NFC championship game. At 80 years old, it was a bucket-list moment for him, and seeing his excitement reminded me why I do what I do. These moments recharge me, giving me the energy and perspective to lead better in business and at home. In the end, it’s not just about building a great company – it’s about building a life worth remembering.
After a long day of leading, mentoring, and making decisions, I make it a priority to recharge. For me, that means unplugging from work, spending time with loved ones, and doing something that feeds my soul – whether it’s listening to music, journaling, or simply sitting in silence. Rest isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. As leaders, we pour into others all day, but we can’t give our best if we’re running on empty. Taking time to recharge allows me to show up refreshed, focused, and ready to lead with clarity and purpose. Whether it’s a quiet moment in the morning, listening to audiobooks, or a creative outlet, find what refuels you and make it non-negotiable. When we take care of ourselves, we create space for innovation, patience, and the energy needed to inspire those around us. Leadership starts with self-care – because when we thrive, so do the people we lead.
Although I don’t always have time for it, my favorite way to recharge after work is to cook. In our M&A advisory work, where projects and engagements can take as long as a year to complete, it’s rewarding to find a challenging meal or “project” that I can plan, start, and finish in a single evening. Additionally, cooking requires presence and focus (especially when using a knife…) but can also provide rare time for reflection. Importantly, cooking can remind you that many recipes, similar to a transaction process, can be improved by creativity, improvisation, and judgment, leading to unexpected and positive results. It’s important to clarify that my enjoyment of cooking far exceeds my actual skills in the kitchen, so I won’t be quitting my day job anytime soon.
