Upgrade Your Leadership Operating System: When Is It Time for a Reset?
Why This Matters
The most effective leaders don’t wait for burnout, misalignment, or declining results to force change. They get focused on pausing, reflecting, and recalibrating.
Leaders face a constant barrage of challenges. What worked yesterday may not be enough to drive success tomorrow. Yet, unlike our devices, which prompt us to upgrade their operating systems, leaders often overlook the need to refine their own personal operating model.
“It is clear that successful leadership is never truly mastered as it is an organic service which must be ever refreshed and refined. The changing nature and demands of the follower and the changing nature and demands of the external environment mean that even once the leader has reached a point of maximum provision for their troops in their current state, they must put some serious planning into the next likely situation they will face. There is no rest. Learning to lead never stops and the truly successful, the truly great leader knows that they are leading to learn.”
Source: Leading for Success: The Seven Sides to Great Leaders
No rest? Perhaps it may feel that way, but we can be intentional about resetting and getting refreshed in our leadership journey. The most effective leaders don’t wait for burnout, misalignment, or declining results to force change. They get focused on pausing, reflecting, and recalibrating.
The Challenge: Leaders Struggle to See the Signals
Leadership upgrades don’t come with automatic reminders. The daily grind can drown out the signals that change is needed. Too often, leaders push through inefficiencies, thinking, “I just need to get through this quarter,” while unknowingly reinforcing unsustainable patterns. Without an intentional approach, they risk reacting instead of leading—ultimately limiting their effectiveness and impact.
Why Leaders Need a Reset
Research shows that leaders who regularly step back to assess their effectiveness make better decisions, foster stronger teams, and drive higher performance (Goleman, Boyatzis, & McKee, 2013). However, the pressure to deliver results can make it difficult to take a step back. Studies indicate that leaders who proactively refine their approach experience:
Greater adaptability in uncertain environments (McKinsey & Company, 2022).
Higher engagement among their teams (Gallup, 2021).
Improved well-being and reduced risk of burnout (Maslach & Leiter, 2016).
Your Leadership Reset
I partner with leaders to provide the structure, space, and accountability needed to assess and refine their leadership approach. Through coaching, leaders can:
Clarify Priorities: Cut through the noise to identify and focus on what truly drives success.
Align Their Role: Delegate strategically and step into the responsibilities that maximize their strengths.
Optimize Their Time: Audit their calendar, eliminate low-value meetings, and create space for high-impact work.
Renew Their Energy: Build sustainable habits to maintain focus, resilience, and long-term effectiveness.
Leadership Reset Readiness Assessment
Assess your readiness to reset here.
Ready to Elevate Your Leadership?
A coaching partnership can help you step back, reassess, and implement the shifts that will position you for sustained success. If you’re ready to refine your leadership operating system, let’s connect. Schedule a discovery call today to explore how coaching can support your growth.
If you're on my email list, watch for an exclusive resource on leadership reset strategies coming soon!
References:
Goleman, D., Boyatzis, R., & McKee, A. (2013). Primal Leadership: Unleashing the Power of Emotional Intelligence. Harvard Business Review Press.
Gallup. (2021). State of the Global Workplace Report.
Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (2016). The Truth About Burnout: How Organizations Cause Personal Stress and What to Do About It. Jossey-Bass.
McKinsey & Company. (2022). The State of Organizations: Redefining Leadership for a Changing World.
