FranklinCovey On Leadership

In a world obsessed with speed, what if the most powerful leadership move is to tap the brakes? In this episode, Shawn Vanderhoven—partner at The Wiseman Group and co-author of Pause: How to Lead Brilliant Work in a Busy World—joins Jennifer Colosimo to share what he’s learned from researching hundreds of leaders and high-performing teams. Shawn explains why so many managers feel overcommitted, addicted to activity, and unintentionally pass busyness down to their people, especially as AI accelerates expectations. He describes the simple behaviors that distinguish leaders who create clarity, calm, and space for deep work from those who amplify chaos. Through real stories and practical tools, Shawn shows how to design time for focus, reduce distraction, and shift from a bias for constant action to a bias for impact—so your team can do the kind of work they’re truly capable of.

In many organizations, the ideal employee is still the one who’s always on, answers instantly, and never seems to slow down. Elizabeth Svoboda—award-winning science journalist and author of The Art of Pacing—joins Jennifer Colosimo to challenge that myth with evidence from neuroscience, psychology, and elite performance. Elizabeth explains why “grind” culture quietly erodes physical and mental health, drives talented people out, and ultimately undermines productivity. She shares what happens in our brains and bodies when we ignore limits, how leaders’ own narratives about overwork shape their teams, and why learning to pull back before you hit the wall is an act of courage, not weakness. Drawing on real research and practical tools, Elizabeth shows how leaders can model healthier pacing, spot early warning signs of overload, and create environments where people can sustain high performance over the long term.