The Introspection Invitation

Author: Natalie Michael

I've noticed over the years that CEOs often neglect introspection; they're simply too busy running their companies. For the past decade, I've facilitated an annual life review process for CEOs in my coaching engagements and CEO forums, guiding over a hundred CEOs through dedicated time and space for reflection. How do you know it is time to introspect? Here are four common clues.

1.     Heavy Energy: Work becomes an endurance test, not a source of joy. Enthusiasm for new cycles wanes. Leading through the new strategic phase feels like a burden. Many clients confide, "I know this is the right strategic plan, I just don't want to lead it."

2.     Fear of Boredom: You find yourself craving a different life, but you worry that if you take action and change things up, it will lead to being bored. Instead of giving yourself permission to explore possibilities you block the exploration process by dismissing the desire and worrying:  “I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.” This is usually a hint that some down time might be just what you need, but not as a catalyst for boredom, but rather as space to rejuvenate and to get in touch with you.

3.     Exhaustion: Reaching a major milestone, closing a significant deal, or achieving a dream exit is exciting, but sometimes, it can just leave CEOs feeling tired. Exhaustion can be a catalyst for introspection, but it can also lead to some sticky decisions. I've seen hasty decisions driven by exhaustion lead to unfulfilling choices and regret. For example, one client was done with his business that he basically abandoned his team. He just disengaged. It took years for the team and culture to recover from it. He actually sold the company and bought it back. Oops.

4.     The Compelling Creation: Here, it’s not that the current situation is bad; it's simply that a new vision starts to take hold.  Every day a compelling new idea creeps in, eventually hard to ignore. Staying where you are is okay, but it’s just more of the same.  You have a burning desire to create and have fresh energy in your life. A tell tale sign it’s time to take some out to design your next chapter.

Do any of these signs resonate with you?