Listen Instead
THE POWER OF A STRATEGIC PAUSE:
Leadership Starts with Listening
Why Slowing Down Might Be the Smartest Leadership Move
In leadership, there are seasons of pushing forward and seasons of pulling back. But often, we only celebrate the push. The world glorifies hustle and overlooks the holy necessity of pause. Yet every seasoned leader knows—without moments of stillness, we risk moving ahead without direction, speaking out of character, or building something disconnected from our purpose. The world teaches us to stay busy. But what if the real strategy—the wisest leadership move—is to stop?
My Personal Pause: From Noise to Alignment
That’s where I’ve been lately. Quietly pulling back—not out of fear or burnout, but by intention. I paused my public writing, stepped back from pushing out content, and entered a reflective space to realign. I worked with my developer to freshen up Elevare’s website—not just in appearance, but in voice. What emerged in the silence was clarity. I found renewed conviction in who I’m called to serve and what Elevare is really about: sacred space for leaders to reconnect with God, with themselves, and with their deeper purpose. This pause wasn’t inactivity—it was alignment. And it was exactly what I needed.
Silence Is Strategy: What Scripture Teaches Us
Scripture reminds us that God rarely shouts over the noise. Instead, He speaks in the “light silent sound” (1 Kings 19:12). Moses climbed the mountain. Elijah waited through the wind. Jesus withdrew before He taught. The pause is not passive – it’s strategy. In the silence, we are reminded of who we are, whose we are, and where He is leading us. For me, this pause was about finding my voice. Not just my literal writing voice, but the deeper voice of my calling – the way Elevare was always meant to speak into the lives of leaders longing for more than noise and numbness. It’s where alignment is restored and where the mission becomes clear again.
What About You?
So what about you? How’s your pace these days? Have you been running so fast that you’ve lost the thread of your own voice or the clarity of your mission? Maybe, like me, you’ve been sensing the need to step back—not to quit, but to breathe. To create space. To listen. Whether you’re leading a business, a parish, or a team, clarity is your compass—and silence is where you find it. It will reveal the condition of your soul. So, don’t wait until burnout forces a pause. Choose it now, intentionally and strategically.
Your Invitation to Pause, Listen, and Lead
Imagine if more leaders paused—not to escape, but to realign. What might shift if clarity replaced chaos, and our actions flowed from deep listening instead of constant striving? That’s the kind of leadership Elevare is committed to cultivating. If you’re longing for that kind of space, the Sacred Silence Retreat for Busy Leaders offers just that. While 2025 is fully booked, dates for 2026 will be released soon—or you can bring me to your area by hosting the overnight venue.
I’m excited to also be launching the first cohorts of the Parish Growth Group Program this summer—a 6–12 month journey with Pastors and a small Core Team of their parishioners that blends spirituality with strategy to grow stronger communities. If this speaks to you, reach out to me—I’d love to explore what’s possible, together.
