On Being Still

• Advantages of Not Being Busy: What Leadership Can Learn from Hexagram 52, “Keeping Still”

Being busy has become the modern status symbol. We often praise packed schedules, endless meetings, and constant activity as signs of productivity and leadership. But… what if the real secret to impactful leadership lies in not being busy? What if staying still—pausing and reflecting—could give you the clarity, strength, and direction to lead better?

This idea isn’t just radical—it’s grounded in centuries-old wisdom. The ancient philosophy of the I Ching, specifically Hexagram 52, “Keeping Still”, teaches us that genuine progress doesn’t come from relentless motion, but from deliberate stillness. And for leaders, this can be a fundamental change.

Why the Advantages of Not Being Busy Matter

Leadership isn’t just about doing more; it’s about doing what matters. Through my career, I’ve seen repeatedly how stillness—true, strategic stillness—has paved the way for better decisions and long-term success over frantic busyness.

Here’s the truth:

Busyness may give us the illusion of progress, but often it just leads to burnout, overwhelm, and missed opportunities for real impact. The ability to pause, consider, and act deliberately isn’t a weakness—it’s a superpower.

Take Hexagram 52 as your guide. Its lesson is simple — progress comes when you strike a balance. Learn when to act, but also when to wait and observe.

A Leadership Story on Stillness in Action

Some years ago, I found myself in the middle of a pivotal business decision. A fast-moving opportunity had landed on my desk—an apparent golden ticket. My team was eager to jump in. The excitement was electrifying, and moving quickly seemed like the only logical thing to do.

But something held me back—a gut instinct, if you will. Instead of jumping straight in, I paused. I asked questions, did my research, and spent time really evaluating whether this opportunity served our long-term vision. For a while, some of my team thought my hesitation equalled weakness or fear of risk.

Three months later, those who had rushed into this opportunity ended up over-committed and stretched far too thin. Meanwhile, my team was steady, strategic, and stronger than before. This experience only solidified a powerful truth for me—knowing when to pause is the foundation for making smart, impactful decisions.

Lessons from Hexagram 52 – ”Keeping Still”

The I Ching offers universal insights, and Hexagram 52 is valuable for leaders, illustrating how deliberate stillness drives clarity and purpose. Here’s what it can teach us:

• Stillness Enables Clarity

Taking a moment to pause allows you to look past the noise of the immediate and focus on the bigger picture. Think of it as cleaning the lens on your camera—you need clarity to see the right shot.

• Restraint Builds Strength

Saying “no” to the unnecessary isn’t weakness; it’s power. Restraint creates space for the things that really matter. The measure of a leader is not how much they do, but how much of it is truly valuable.

• Strategic Action Wins

Timing is everything. The right decision, made at the right moment, always outperforms frantic, impulsive action. Action without purpose is little more than chaos.

How to Harness the Benefits of Not Being Busy

If you’re nodding along and thinking, “But how do I put this into practice?”, here are some practical ways to shift from constant motion to intentional focus:

Schedule Time for Reflection:

Build deliberate pauses into your day—even just 15 minutes to step back and evaluate your priorities.

• Use Tools like the Eisenhower Matrix: Distinguish between what’s urgent and what’s truly important. Urgency demands reaction, but importance deserves reflection and action.