Posted-on January 2026 By Amy Bates
Why Rest is a Strategic Leadership Choice: Lessons from Sandra Hill
For much of her career, our Managing Director, Sandra Hill, equated hard work with long hours, early mornings, and relentless momentum. Like many leaders who rose through the 1980s and 1990s, she thrived in a professional culture that measured dedication by endurance.
During that era, unsociable hours were a badge of honour, balance was rarely discussed, and rest was almost nonexistent. Success was about pushing harder, faster, and longer. For years, this approach worked—until it didn’t.
A Health Scare That Changed Everything
A few years ago, Sandra faced a health scare that forced her to stop and reassess not just what she was achieving, but how she was achieving it. This pause, though unplanned, became a turning point.
She realized a truth many leaders experience but rarely admit: productivity without recovery is unsustainable. Pushing past limits doesn’t build resilience – it slowly erodes it.
This experience reshaped her approach to leadership, performance, and personal wellbeing.
How Strategic Rest Strengthens Leadership
Today, Sandra works with intention. She listens to the signals her mind and body send:
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If she works late, she allows a slower start the next day.
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If she needs to step back, she does so deliberately.
This isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of wisdom. Rest sustains productivity, rather than hindering it.
When leaders operate in constant push mode, decision-making becomes reactive, creativity narrows, and perspective diminishes. Pausing, on the other hand, provides the clarity needed for better judgment, innovation, and stronger leadership.
Rethinking Momentum in Leadership
A common myth in business is that slowing down means falling behind, or that taking a break is indulgent. In reality, sustainable momentum depends on balance:
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Athletes recover to perform at their peak.
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Machines require maintenance to function.
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Leaders need the same care to maintain high performance.
The ability to pause, reflect, and recharge is not a disruption—it often enhances progress and sharpens decision-making.
Key Takeaways for Leaders
Sandra’s journey offers actionable lessons for leaders at every stage:
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Listen to early warning signs before a crisis hits.
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Treat rest as part of performance, not a reward for exhaustion.
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Model healthy behaviours to foster sustainable workplace cultures.
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Take a long-term view of productivity, prioritizing impact over busyness.
Ultimately, one of the most valuable leadership skills is knowing when to push and when to pause.
While our culture celebrates constant busyness, choosing rest can feel counterintuitive. Yet, as Sandra’s experience demonstrates, it’s often the most strategic decision a leader can make.