Going Slow In A World That Will Not Slow Down
A reflection by George Brewster on pace, presence, and the choice leaders have. Our take follows.
Our Henley Leadership Writing Group meets twice monthly—a one hour block on our calendars. We take 15 minutes to free-write on a topic and then share-out to the group. It is one of the more unusual and meaningful parts of our culture, and we share it with you here.
We gather to “step out on the balcony” and wrestle with what our coaching clients and the leaders we serve are dealing with, as well as what we are personally facing. We write to make sense of the non-sense. To slow down, to reflect and to find language that helps us move through the confusion and complexity of these interesting times.
Last month, we are explored a leadership attribute that feels especially useful right now and honestly a bit of a leadership superpower: steadiness. And, this month, we move into reflecting on what it means to lead with humanity.
A Reflection from Henley Leadership Coach, George
The pull to move faster is all around me these days. Everywhere I look, there is a calling to do more.
It is the American way, especially through the business lens of growth. More customers, more business. The pressure to improve performance. The steady drumbeat that roars on and fuels our economy. Moving faster. Stepping off the moving vortex feels risky, dangerous, and uncertain.
Will I be left behind, forgotten, or worse yet, irrelevant?
This is the question many leaders are living with right now, whether they say it out loud or not.
How do I step back and consciously choose how to move forward?
Standing still, apart from but connected to myself, feels like unknown terrain. It’s like stepping off a boat after days at sea, legs wobbly as the land steadies beneath me. Can I trust myself to stand alone outside the fray? Can I listen to my own wisdom and sense of knowing?
There is power in knowing both the fury of the race and the spaciousness of distance. The work is to find my way by navigating the space between.
Then … I have the opportunity to experience the benefits of both.
With distance and perspective comes choice. The leader who can see ahead and make conscious choices moves with greater clarity, provided they can courageously take the time and space to get conscious and move beyond the ordinary.
So when I can slow myself down, and perhaps invite others to do the same, that is often where the magic and deeper wisdom begin to surface. — George
Our Perspective: Your people require your presence
Whether you are in a physical or virtual room with your team, leaders must be able to slow down and drop in. People notice if you are not present. Lack of presence communicates that you are paying attention to things you think are more important, that you are too busy, or that they do not matter. Undoubtedly, this is not what you want to communicate to the people you lead.
The truth is, leadership requires both moving fast and moving slow. Knowing which to engage, and when, is the art. Having the choice to speed up or slow down is the skill.
Fortunately, we know more about the human brain today than ever before. And we have simple, accessible ways of noticing what is happening in our bodies, such as heart rate and breathing patterns. Once we understand a few basics about how the brain and nervous system function, we can be more at choice in our days.
Why Slowing Down Works
As neuroscience tells us, the two brainwave frequencies we often engage at work are Beta and Alpha.
Beta is the faster brainwave.
It is present when you are consciously alert and also when you feel nervous or tense. This is the frequency of urgency, problem-solving, and getting things done. Most of the leaders we work with spend a great deal of time here. When you are in Beta, your heart rate is often elevated, and you feel a sense of pressure or hurry. This can be useful and even necessary at times. But it also activates stress hormones. Living here all day long is exhausting.
Alpha is a slower brainwave.
It is accessed when you are in a state of physical and mental ease. You often drop into Alpha during routine activities such as showering, walking, or having an easy conversation. When your mind is slower, you are better able to learn, integrate information, and see more of the whole. New ideas and insights are more available. Perspective widens. You become more present.
Here is the good news …
You can intentionally shift from Beta to Alpha yourself.
One simple way is through slow breathing. In through the nose … out through the mouth. A slower breath signals safety to the nervous system. As the body settles, the mind follows.
Presence is not a personality trait.
It is a physiological state, a mindset, and a way of being in the world. And it is trainable. Over time, you are teaching your nervous system that you can access a slower, more grounded state on purpose. This becomes invaluable in important conversations, difficult moments, and high-stakes meetings.
Just like regular exercise builds physical fitness, ten minutes a day of practicing slowing down builds a different kind of capacity. The capacity to be present. To actually choose how you are at this moment.
Slowing down will help you develop resilience and the skills it takes to work in times like these, when much is uncertain, and you cannot depend on things as you might have before.
In a world that keeps accelerating, the ability to slow yourself down is no longer a luxury. It is a leadership capability. And right now, it may be one of the most important ways leaders can practice both steadiness and leading with humanity.
A Ten Minute Practice to Slow Down
When things begin moving too fast, this simple practice can help slow your breathing and settle the chatter in your mind, giving the nervous system a few extra minutes to shift from Beta toward Alpha.
Set aside ten minutes.
Put your phone on silent and choose a time when you are unlikely to be interrupted.
Find a quiet place.
Sit in a chair with your feet on the floor or somewhere you can sit comfortably and remain upright.
Rest your hands on your legs or in your lap.
Close your eyes if that feels comfortable, or soften your gaze toward the floor.
Take a slow breath in through your nose.
Notice your belly gently expand.
Slowly breathe out through your mouth.
Notice your belly soften and fall.
Continue breathing this way: a slow inhale through the nose and a slow exhale through the mouth.
Your mind will wander. That is normal.
When you notice it happening, gently return your attention to your breath.
Stay with this for ten minutes.
When the time ends, pause for a moment and recognize what slowing down did for you before moving on with your day.
Continue exploring with us!
Watch the webinar recording where we introduced all six leadership themes shaping 2026 and explored this first theme through the lens of the old VUCA and the emerging conditions leaders are navigating now
Join us at Henley Live, our in-person gathering on May 7 in Seattle for leaders and executives who want space to practice and grow in community