Practice the Pause: Pause to Support

As a leader, taking a pause can be one of your most useful tools. Dr. Jackie has had to take a pause from writing the past few weeks to prepare for some speaking engagements, coaching, spending time with family, and what she would tell you is her most important job, helping to raise her grandchildren.

As one of her Daughters- In- Love (Victoria), I would agree with her. Not just because I benefit from her spending the day with my son so I can work a few days a week, but because she has decided to take a pause from some of her leadership roles to support my husband and I. And because I can see the difference in my son and niece as she cares for them. In how she teaches them with the same heart and love that she has taught countless others over the years.

I will be supporting Dr. Jackie’s writing the next few blogs and talk about different ways to Practice the Pause. More specifically, practicing the Pause to support, Pause to refresh, Pause to consider, and Pause to be present.

Dr. Jackie will be the first one to tell you that leadership is about facilitating a common goal and developing those on your team to be able to continue that goal in any direction it may lead. Whether it is a spin-off project from the original, or a problem in the middle of the process that you may not have the bandwidth to address. These are opportunities to Pause and support someone on your team by giving them the space and authority to lead as well as sharing your workload so you can be more effective. Leadership is just as much about legacy as it is achieving a goal.

So take a pause, look at your team, and see how you can support them to Lead with THEIR heart.

- Victoria, Team JBG