Seasons of Life
Leadership, like life, does not follow a straight line. We set goals and expect steady progress but real leadership is more complex, and more human.
Just like nature moves through seasons, so do we.
There are seasons of growth when energy is high, ideas flow, and momentum builds. And there are seasons of transition or recovery, where clarity fades, priorities shift, and energy dips. These shifts may be personal, professional, or both.
One of the most valuable leadership skills is recognizing the season you are in. When you can name it, you can lead through it—with more clarity, purpose, and strength.
The challenge is, many leaders feel pressure to keep going no matter what. But that drive, unchecked, leads to burnout—physical and emotional. It disconnects you from your work, your people, and yourself.
This session is an invitation to do things differently.
To notice your season.
To lead with intention, not autopilot.
To shift your pace without guilt.
Because real resilience is not about pushing through everything. It is about knowing when to lean in, when to slow down, and how to lead well through whatever season you are in.
“Life and business are like the changing seasons. You cannot change the seasons, but you can change yourself.”
Self-Assessment:
Seasons of Life
Please take a few moments to contemplate the following self-reflection questions. Where can you identify opportunities for personal growth in your leadership approach?
1. What kind of season am I in right now?
2. Am I expecting myself to perform at full capacity even when my energy is low?
3. Do I feel guilty when I slow down?
4. Have I taken time to reset after a demanding period?
5. Am I holding myself to expectations that matched a different season?
6. Do I clearly communicate my capacity when it's limited?
7. What personal or work routines are helping me stay grounded?
8. Am I giving myself the same understanding I would offer someone else?
Remember, this self-assessment is just a starting point for understanding how to best Lead Yourself. It's essential to reflect on your responses and actively work on areas where improvement is needed.
As leaders, we often feel the pressure to be consistent: always motivated, always moving forward, always in control. There are times of growth and progress, and there are times of pause and reflection. Times when we are full of momentum, and times when we are simply trying to stay grounded. None of these are signs of failure. In fact, recognizing the season we are in is one of the most important leadership skills we can develop.
This poem, “The Seasons of Leadership,” is an invitation to honor those shifts. To recognize that just as nature changes with the seasons, so do we and that is not just normal, it is necessary.
Let the words remind you that leadership is not about being one thing all the time. It is about learning to lead well, wherever you are.
The Seasons of Leadership
There is a season when fire runs high,
When vision is sharp and the pace is fast.
You lead with momentum, eyes on the sky,
And trust that the energy, somehow, will last.
Then comes a season more quiet and slow,
Where progress is steady, and purpose runs deep.
You build from within, let foundations grow,
And learn that strong leaders know when to keep.
There is a season when nothing feels clear,
When doubt settles in and storms roll through.
You lead with courage, even through fear,
And find your strength in the honest and true.
Then comes a season of letting things go,
Of rest and reflection, of breathing and space.
You honor the pace, let renewal flow,
And make room for wisdom to take its place.
Leadership is not a single stride—
It curves and shifts like the turning earth.
Each season brings what must be tried,
And every one holds its own worth.
So lead in the season you find yourself in,
With grace for the pace and heart for the climb.
You are not meant to always begin—
Some growth is quiet, and shaped by time.
Ask yourself: Which season are you currently experiencing in your leadership journey?
Leadership does not always look the same—and it is not meant to. The way we lead shifts depending on the season we are in. These seasons do not only occur in the workplace, but also in life. Recognizing them can help leaders of all levels lead more effectively and with greater self-awareness.
Below are a few of the most common leadership seasons:
Fast Seasons: High Momentum, High Energy
In fast seasons, everything is moving quickly. You may feel productive, motivated, and busy. These seasons often arise when launching something new, stepping into a challenge, or carrying an increased workload. They bring energy—but they also demand heightened focus and sustained effort.
Calm Seasons: Steady and Sustainable
Calm seasons follow periods of high demand. You may notice that the pace slows, routines become more consistent, and adrenaline is no longer driving you. These seasons provide an opportunity to stabilize, preserve energy, and protect yourself from burnout. They are ideal moments to reset and refocus.
Struggling Seasons: Personal or Professional Weight
These seasons are more difficult and often more personal. Perhaps you are navigating grief, uncertainty, conflict, or emotional stress. Struggling seasons may appear during transitions or after challenging experiences. They require patience, adaptability, and grace—for yourself and for others.
Low-Energy Seasons: The Subtle Drain
Low-energy seasons may come without warning. You may not feel overwhelmed, but you also do not feel particularly motivated. These periods can follow a major project, stretch across winter months, or arrive when your routine becomes misaligned. Even celebratory times—such as holidays—can bring emotional highs and lows that affect your energy and leadership presence.
The Importance of Naming Your Season
Life itself carries natural seasons—driven by weather, calendars, family schedules, and personal milestones. All of these can influence your capacity, focus, and emotional availability.
The most important leadership habit during these times is simple: naming the season you are in.
When you are able to say, “This is where I am,” you stop judging yourself by unrealistic standards. You begin to lead with clarity, honesty, and compassion—not just for your team, but also for yourself.
Leadership is not one-size-fits-all. What works in one season may not work in the next. To lead well over time, you must first recognize where you are—and then adjust accordingly.
“Each of us is imbued with the power to choose the season of our mind.”
These best practices are here to help you do just that:
Acknowledge the Season You Are In: The first step is awareness. Many leaders power through without ever pausing to ask, “Where am I right now?” Are you building something new? Recovering from a loss or transition? Or simply moving through a time of lower energy or motivation?
When you can name the season, you can begin to lead within it. It takes intentional reflection to say, “This is not a growth season—this is a steadying season, and that is what I need to honor.”
Adjust Expectations Accordingly: Let go of the belief that you must operate at peak performance in every season. Your definition of productivity should align with your current reality, not some imagined ideal.
Once you know your season, allow your expectations to evolve with it. Holding yourself to the same pace and goals you had during your highest-performing months will only lead to unnecessary frustration.
In high-demand seasons, success might mean trimming responsibilities. In slower seasons, it might mean deepening your focus or strengthening relationships. You are not lowering your standards—you are aligning them with the truth of where you are.
Communicate Your Capacity: Be open about what you can reasonably handle. Clear communication about your availability builds trust and helps prevent burnout—for you and for those around you.
Leadership is not about keeping quiet when your bandwidth is maxed out. It takes courage and strength to say, “Here is what I can take on right now.” When you do, you create space for honest collaboration and smart planning. Boundaries are not barriers, but signs of responsible leadership.
Protect Your Priorities: Every leader faces shifting demands, but certain priorities should remain non-negotiable—whether that is family time, wellness, or mission-critical work.
You do not have to do everything at once. Identify the few things that keep you grounded and protect them. These are your anchors. They are what allow you to stay steady even when everything else around you is in motion. Hold onto them with intention.
Practice Seasonal Planning: Look ahead and plan around the rhythms you know are coming. Anticipate busy periods or quieter stretches, and build your schedule, goals, and energy investment accordingly.
Leadership is not just about reacting. Pacing is also an important skill. Use what you have learned from past seasons to inform your future. If you know a high-demand time is approaching, give yourself breathing room. Build in space for rest and reflection, too. Plan not just based on what you could do, but on what is sustainable.
Release Guilt to Lead Well: Guilt has a way of creeping in when life slows down, when focus shifts, or when rest feels necessary. But guilt is not a leadership strategy—grace is.
Offer yourself the same understanding and flexibility you would extend to a colleague navigating a tough time. Leadership is a long journey, not a sprint. Growth means change. Evolving through seasons is a sign of wisdom, not weakness.
Reflection Questions:
What kind of season am I in right now? What does this season require from me?
Where have I been holding myself to unrealistic expectations?
What needs to shift in my daily routine to match the season I’m in?
What’s one thing I can give myself permission to let go of or adjust?
Elevate your understanding of Seasons of Life by taking flight with the following resources. Use this opportunity to navigate, uncover, and expand the horizons of your leadership influence.
3 Leaders Empowering Their Teams to Embrace Work-Life Balance and Avoid Burnout
How Leaders Can Model Work-Life Balance