WEBVTT
00:00:15.449 --> 00:00:23.609
Hi, and welcome to my lunch table where we explore the heart of leadership conscious choices, real world wisdom, and take meaningful action.
00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:28.589
I'm Simon Ha, and today's topic might just change the way you look at things.
00:00:28.920 --> 00:00:30.509
So let me start with a question.
00:00:31.170 --> 00:00:37.049
Have you ever made a decision that you later regretted just because you rushed?
00:00:37.859 --> 00:00:47.460
Maybe you felt the pressure to respond quickly, to look decisive, but later with hindsight you realize, Hmm, I just wish I took more time and paused.
00:00:48.269 --> 00:00:57.689
Well, today we're unpacking why that small moment of pause, that breath, that space isn't weakness or hesitation.
00:00:58.364 --> 00:01:00.074
It's a powerful stewardship.
00:01:00.585 --> 00:01:05.295
It's one of the most important habits for ethical conscious leadership.
00:01:06.105 --> 00:01:16.155
We'll talk about why a reflective pause matters, how to create simple rituals for better decision makers, and share some practical tools you can start using today.
00:01:16.159 --> 00:01:16.890
So let's dive in.
00:01:19.709 --> 00:01:25.439
First thing to think about is that we live in a world where things are moving very, very quickly.
00:01:25.859 --> 00:01:31.890
The external factors affecting your business and affecting your life are moving so fast.
00:01:32.219 --> 00:01:39.480
Social media has a massive impact on the way that we consume information and the way that we investigate what potential options are.
00:01:39.789 --> 00:01:45.730
modern leadership, whether you're running a team, a department, or an entire business, comes with this paradox.
00:01:46.149 --> 00:01:50.409
You're expected to be quick, you're expected to be decisive and responsive.
00:01:51.219 --> 00:01:54.260
But the faster we move, the more mistakes we make.
00:01:54.890 --> 00:02:16.305
What a paradox, eh, high pressure leadership environments can reward speed over thoughtfulness, and I've seen it leaders feel they can't afford to stop, so putting quick fixes, they make assumptions and gut reactions become the norm, and yet when we make impulsive decisions, they risk compromising their values.
00:02:17.055 --> 00:02:18.625
They miss important blind spots.
00:02:18.844 --> 00:02:19.664
May hurt trust.
00:02:20.164 --> 00:02:29.945
So personally, when we go shopping, we can take the wrong purchasing decision just because we're drawn into the sales pattern of too good a deal to miss.
00:02:30.365 --> 00:02:40.265
And we get that buyer's feeling when we leave the shop with that thing that we weren't a hundred percent sure of that maybe that wasn't the right purchase.
00:02:40.895 --> 00:02:42.844
So this is where pause comes in.
00:02:43.235 --> 00:02:47.435
pausing before deciding gives us something hugely valuable.
00:02:48.485 --> 00:02:50.375
It gives us something called perspective.
00:02:51.065 --> 00:02:53.795
It shifts us from reacting to responding.
00:02:54.665 --> 00:03:06.680
It allows ethical clarity to emerge by giving our brains and our hearts the time to consider not just the immediate effect, but the broader long-term impact.
00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:21.500
When you create that dedicated space for reflection, you give yourself and your leadership team and your family the chance to make choices aligned with the core principles, not just in the heat of the moment.
00:03:22.310 --> 00:03:23.930
So here's a real world example.
00:03:23.930 --> 00:03:26.810
I was working with a senior leader in an organization.
00:03:26.810 --> 00:03:28.040
They had a lot of stuff going on.
00:03:28.040 --> 00:03:34.190
They were working really, really fast, and we had to put a break on some of the decisions that she was working on.
00:03:34.850 --> 00:03:49.850
Um, and I used a model called the Consequences Matrix, which is basically just asking four questions and thinking through each of those four questions in detail, what would happen.
00:03:50.180 --> 00:03:58.070
If I took this decision, what would happen if I didn't take this decision?
00:04:00.440 --> 00:04:04.130
What would not happen if I took the decision?
00:04:06.170 --> 00:04:09.110
And what would not happen if I didn't take the decision?
00:04:15.050 --> 00:04:18.290
So I'm not sure about you, but when I heard number four, the double, double.
00:04:19.084 --> 00:04:20.074
The double negative.
00:04:20.134 --> 00:04:21.514
Um, that confused me.
00:04:21.634 --> 00:04:21.814
Okay.
00:04:21.814 --> 00:04:31.164
So, but give yourself some time to think through maybe a recent decision and apply that matrix and the details will be in the show notes for you.
00:04:31.714 --> 00:04:44.664
once this person had built a simple practice of pausing using these questions, this transformed the way she looked at taking decisions and the outcomes that occurred around her.
00:04:45.055 --> 00:04:47.365
So this just one small change made a big difference.
00:04:49.719 --> 00:04:57.159
So what I want to do now is introduce you to some simple ideas as to how you can make pause practical and powerful.
00:04:57.759 --> 00:05:04.419
So Method one is something that I often talk to clients about in different ways, and this is about structured journaling.
00:05:05.019 --> 00:05:13.060
So think about one or two key questions you can ask yourself before deciding something like, who else does this decision affect?
00:05:13.419 --> 00:05:16.180
Will I feel proud of this choice a year from now?
00:05:18.175 --> 00:05:30.925
The second method is put in micro pauses where you can just think through before you maybe send off that email or say yes to that deal.
00:05:31.314 --> 00:05:39.984
Take a literal pause, breathe, step back for even 60 seconds because that can reset your perspective.
00:05:40.029 --> 00:05:46.019
I combine that with a structured journaling, in your own mind, that can be incredibly powerful.
00:05:47.189 --> 00:05:49.859
The third method is really useful as well, so.
00:05:50.609 --> 00:05:55.649
We live in our own world, and we can often become quite blinkered to decisions that we take.
00:05:55.649 --> 00:06:01.409
So the third method is consultation with a diverse perspective.
00:06:01.709 --> 00:06:07.259
So when you're making a significant decision, actively reach out to people who think differently from you.
00:06:08.189 --> 00:06:10.859
Broaden the view before narrowing the choice.
00:06:11.099 --> 00:06:11.550
I love that.
00:06:11.729 --> 00:06:14.370
Broaden the view before narrowing the choice.
00:06:14.709 --> 00:06:18.490
if you want to make this a real habit, try creating a regular ritual.
00:06:18.759 --> 00:06:24.370
Take say an hour every, every Friday afternoon, maybe call it your reflection hour.
00:06:24.370 --> 00:06:25.479
Put it in your diary now.
00:06:25.509 --> 00:06:29.709
we know that what gets planned tends to get done and what doesn't get in, the diary doesn't get done.
00:06:30.669 --> 00:06:32.620
Review key decisions from the week.
00:06:32.829 --> 00:06:34.870
You know, what went well, what felt rushed.
00:06:35.199 --> 00:06:41.149
What could have benefited from deeper reflections, that's one powerful step forward.
00:06:41.300 --> 00:06:44.000
Just that little hour to reflect on your own business.
00:06:44.759 --> 00:06:49.979
if you are a busy uh, person, it's likely that you are running fast for those 40 hours in the week.
00:06:49.979 --> 00:06:57.269
And just giving yourself an hour to think about this may feel a luxury, but the benefit really does outweigh that time that you're putting in.
00:06:58.439 --> 00:07:03.719
Now there's one little addition that you can make here, and this is called something called Stakeholder 360.
00:07:04.259 --> 00:07:17.939
So it's a simple ethical lens, and it just means asking how will this decision affect my team, my customers, the community, not just now, but in three years.
00:07:19.169 --> 00:07:27.899
And it could be that you want to invite in people from your team, customers, and community to ask what they thought of that decision that you took you.
00:07:27.959 --> 00:07:33.899
You'd be amazed at just how, by pausing to see through those lenses expands your ethical awareness.
00:07:33.990 --> 00:07:42.029
'cause leadership isn't just about doing things right, it's about doing the right things sustainably for everyone involved.
00:07:43.709 --> 00:07:47.339
So if you take one thing away from today, let it be this.
00:07:47.849 --> 00:07:53.579
Pausing isn't a delay or a sign of weakness, it's the practice of conscious leadership.
00:07:54.180 --> 00:07:59.490
It's stepping back so you can step forward with clarity, courage, and care.
00:07:59.909 --> 00:08:06.149
So the next time you take a decision, not next time you face a decision, bit big or small, I challenge you.
00:08:06.930 --> 00:08:08.909
Pause, reflect.
00:08:09.914 --> 00:08:14.175
And ask yourself what deserves my best thinking today?
00:08:15.254 --> 00:08:18.104
And if you want to be even more real, then join me.
00:08:18.104 --> 00:08:21.764
Take the pause challenge this week before a key decision.
00:08:21.764 --> 00:08:22.274
Set aside.
00:08:22.274 --> 00:08:26.865
Five minutes, breathe, reflect, and choose intentionally.
00:08:27.344 --> 00:08:30.944
Drop me an email across toSimon@mylunchtable.com.
00:08:31.560 --> 00:08:33.180
Just let me know how you got on with this.
00:08:33.180 --> 00:08:34.800
It'd be wonderful to hear from you.
00:08:35.310 --> 00:08:41.250
So let's build a world where leadership means thinking deeply, just not acting quickly.
00:08:41.850 --> 00:08:45.750
Thanks as always for joining me at my lunch table today.
00:08:46.080 --> 00:08:49.800
Until next time, lead well and live fully.
00:00:15.449 --> 00:00:23.609
Hi, and welcome to my lunch table where we explore the heart of leadership conscious choices, real world wisdom, and take meaningful action.
00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:28.589
I'm Simon Ha, and today's topic might just change the way you look at things.
00:00:28.920 --> 00:00:30.509
So let me start with a question.
00:00:31.170 --> 00:00:37.049
Have you ever made a decision that you later regretted just because you rushed?
00:00:37.859 --> 00:00:47.460
Maybe you felt the pressure to respond quickly, to look decisive, but later with hindsight you realize, Hmm, I just wish I took more time and paused.
00:00:48.269 --> 00:00:57.689
Well, today we're unpacking why that small moment of pause, that breath, that space isn't weakness or hesitation.
00:00:58.364 --> 00:01:00.074
It's a powerful stewardship.
00:01:00.585 --> 00:01:05.295
It's one of the most important habits for ethical conscious leadership.
00:01:06.105 --> 00:01:16.155
We'll talk about why a reflective pause matters, how to create simple rituals for better decision makers, and share some practical tools you can start using today.
00:01:16.159 --> 00:01:16.890
So let's dive in.
00:01:19.709 --> 00:01:25.439
First thing to think about is that we live in a world where things are moving very, very quickly.
00:01:25.859 --> 00:01:31.890
The external factors affecting your business and affecting your life are moving so fast.
00:01:32.219 --> 00:01:39.480
Social media has a massive impact on the way that we consume information and the way that we investigate what potential options are.
00:01:39.789 --> 00:01:45.730
modern leadership, whether you're running a team, a department, or an entire business, comes with this paradox.
00:01:46.149 --> 00:01:50.409
You're expected to be quick, you're expected to be decisive and responsive.
00:01:51.219 --> 00:01:54.260
But the faster we move, the more mistakes we make.
00:01:54.890 --> 00:02:16.305
What a paradox, eh, high pressure leadership environments can reward speed over thoughtfulness, and I've seen it leaders feel they can't afford to stop, so putting quick fixes, they make assumptions and gut reactions become the norm, and yet when we make impulsive decisions, they risk compromising their values.
00:02:17.055 --> 00:02:18.625
They miss important blind spots.
00:02:18.844 --> 00:02:19.664
May hurt trust.
00:02:20.164 --> 00:02:29.945
So personally, when we go shopping, we can take the wrong purchasing decision just because we're drawn into the sales pattern of too good a deal to miss.
00:02:30.365 --> 00:02:40.265
And we get that buyer's feeling when we leave the shop with that thing that we weren't a hundred percent sure of that maybe that wasn't the right purchase.
00:02:40.895 --> 00:02:42.844
So this is where pause comes in.
00:02:43.235 --> 00:02:47.435
pausing before deciding gives us something hugely valuable.
00:02:48.485 --> 00:02:50.375
It gives us something called perspective.
00:02:51.065 --> 00:02:53.795
It shifts us from reacting to responding.
00:02:54.665 --> 00:03:06.680
It allows ethical clarity to emerge by giving our brains and our hearts the time to consider not just the immediate effect, but the broader long-term impact.
00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:21.500
When you create that dedicated space for reflection, you give yourself and your leadership team and your family the chance to make choices aligned with the core principles, not just in the heat of the moment.
00:03:22.310 --> 00:03:23.930
So here's a real world example.
00:03:23.930 --> 00:03:26.810
I was working with a senior leader in an organization.
00:03:26.810 --> 00:03:28.040
They had a lot of stuff going on.
00:03:28.040 --> 00:03:34.190
They were working really, really fast, and we had to put a break on some of the decisions that she was working on.
00:03:34.850 --> 00:03:49.850
Um, and I used a model called the Consequences Matrix, which is basically just asking four questions and thinking through each of those four questions in detail, what would happen.
00:03:50.180 --> 00:03:58.070
If I took this decision, what would happen if I didn't take this decision?
00:04:00.440 --> 00:04:04.130
What would not happen if I took the decision?
00:04:06.170 --> 00:04:09.110
And what would not happen if I didn't take the decision?
00:04:15.050 --> 00:04:18.290
So I'm not sure about you, but when I heard number four, the double, double.
00:04:19.084 --> 00:04:20.074
The double negative.
00:04:20.134 --> 00:04:21.514
Um, that confused me.
00:04:21.634 --> 00:04:21.814
Okay.
00:04:21.814 --> 00:04:31.164
So, but give yourself some time to think through maybe a recent decision and apply that matrix and the details will be in the show notes for you.
00:04:31.714 --> 00:04:44.664
once this person had built a simple practice of pausing using these questions, this transformed the way she looked at taking decisions and the outcomes that occurred around her.
00:04:45.055 --> 00:04:47.365
So this just one small change made a big difference.
00:04:49.719 --> 00:04:57.159
So what I want to do now is introduce you to some simple ideas as to how you can make pause practical and powerful.
00:04:57.759 --> 00:05:04.419
So Method one is something that I often talk to clients about in different ways, and this is about structured journaling.
00:05:05.019 --> 00:05:13.060
So think about one or two key questions you can ask yourself before deciding something like, who else does this decision affect?
00:05:13.419 --> 00:05:16.180
Will I feel proud of this choice a year from now?
00:05:18.175 --> 00:05:30.925
The second method is put in micro pauses where you can just think through before you maybe send off that email or say yes to that deal.
00:05:31.314 --> 00:05:39.984
Take a literal pause, breathe, step back for even 60 seconds because that can reset your perspective.
00:05:40.029 --> 00:05:46.019
I combine that with a structured journaling, in your own mind, that can be incredibly powerful.
00:05:47.189 --> 00:05:49.859
The third method is really useful as well, so.
00:05:50.609 --> 00:05:55.649
We live in our own world, and we can often become quite blinkered to decisions that we take.
00:05:55.649 --> 00:06:01.409
So the third method is consultation with a diverse perspective.
00:06:01.709 --> 00:06:07.259
So when you're making a significant decision, actively reach out to people who think differently from you.
00:06:08.189 --> 00:06:10.859
Broaden the view before narrowing the choice.
00:06:11.099 --> 00:06:11.550
I love that.
00:06:11.729 --> 00:06:14.370
Broaden the view before narrowing the choice.
00:06:14.709 --> 00:06:18.490
if you want to make this a real habit, try creating a regular ritual.
00:06:18.759 --> 00:06:24.370
Take say an hour every, every Friday afternoon, maybe call it your reflection hour.
00:06:24.370 --> 00:06:25.479
Put it in your diary now.
00:06:25.509 --> 00:06:29.709
we know that what gets planned tends to get done and what doesn't get in, the diary doesn't get done.
00:06:30.669 --> 00:06:32.620
Review key decisions from the week.
00:06:32.829 --> 00:06:34.870
You know, what went well, what felt rushed.
00:06:35.199 --> 00:06:41.149
What could have benefited from deeper reflections, that's one powerful step forward.
00:06:41.300 --> 00:06:44.000
Just that little hour to reflect on your own business.
00:06:44.759 --> 00:06:49.979
if you are a busy uh, person, it's likely that you are running fast for those 40 hours in the week.
00:06:49.979 --> 00:06:57.269
And just giving yourself an hour to think about this may feel a luxury, but the benefit really does outweigh that time that you're putting in.
00:06:58.439 --> 00:07:03.719
Now there's one little addition that you can make here, and this is called something called Stakeholder 360.
00:07:04.259 --> 00:07:17.939
So it's a simple ethical lens, and it just means asking how will this decision affect my team, my customers, the community, not just now, but in three years.
00:07:19.169 --> 00:07:27.899
And it could be that you want to invite in people from your team, customers, and community to ask what they thought of that decision that you took you.
00:07:27.959 --> 00:07:33.899
You'd be amazed at just how, by pausing to see through those lenses expands your ethical awareness.
00:07:33.990 --> 00:07:42.029
'cause leadership isn't just about doing things right, it's about doing the right things sustainably for everyone involved.
00:07:43.709 --> 00:07:47.339
So if you take one thing away from today, let it be this.
00:07:47.849 --> 00:07:53.579
Pausing isn't a delay or a sign of weakness, it's the practice of conscious leadership.
00:07:54.180 --> 00:07:59.490
It's stepping back so you can step forward with clarity, courage, and care.
00:07:59.909 --> 00:08:06.149
So the next time you take a decision, not next time you face a decision, bit big or small, I challenge you.
00:08:06.930 --> 00:08:08.909
Pause, reflect.
00:08:09.914 --> 00:08:14.175
And ask yourself what deserves my best thinking today?
00:08:15.254 --> 00:08:18.104
And if you want to be even more real, then join me.
00:08:18.104 --> 00:08:21.764
Take the pause challenge this week before a key decision.
00:08:21.764 --> 00:08:22.274
Set aside.
00:08:22.274 --> 00:08:26.865
Five minutes, breathe, reflect, and choose intentionally.
00:08:27.344 --> 00:08:30.944
Drop me an email across toSimon@mylunchtable.com.
00:08:31.560 --> 00:08:33.180
Just let me know how you got on with this.
00:08:33.180 --> 00:08:34.800
It'd be wonderful to hear from you.
00:08:35.310 --> 00:08:41.250
So let's build a world where leadership means thinking deeply, just not acting quickly.
00:08:41.850 --> 00:08:45.750
Thanks as always for joining me at my lunch table today.
00:08:46.080 --> 00:08:49.800
Until next time, lead well and live fully.
