How Great Leaders Recharge: 4 Routines for Rest, Reflection, and Growth

Leadership is demanding, but the best leaders know that sustainable success requires more than just hustle. It's also important to find intentional time for rest, reflection, and growth.

We spoke with four business leaders – including our CEO, Kenny Kane – to understand how they strike that balance and create room to recharge. Here's what they had to say.

David Kennedy Values Breaks, Exercise, and Time to Disconnect

David Kennedy understands the challenges of carving out downtime as a leader of a small company. “I'm not going to lie: It’s hard. We’re a small company and we don’t want to let down our clients or our employees."

But David finds exercise one of the easiest – and fastest – ways to recharge. "It's mostly about getting away from the computer. That may mean going to the gym after work or even going out before work, skinning up, and skiing a lap up in the mountains." Sometimes, he might even take off early to enjoy a warm winter afternoon – a perk of the flexible schedule he and his team enjoy.

Even so, it's important to take proper time off for adequate rest. David did just that in 2024, when he took a month-long spring sabbatical to travel the world. He made a point to truly disconnect – no email or chat.

He tries to consistently model this behavior for the rest of his team. "Whether it’s blocking an afternoon on my calendar or holding two weeks for a long trip, I make plans and keep them."

Doug Peterson Stays Grounded with a Strong Morning Routine

Doug Peterson has found that maintaining a consistent morning routine gives him a strong foundation for the day. “I am an Orange Theory Fitness (OTF) enthusiast, so I usually try to wake up and get in an OTF workout first thing in the morning, three to four days a week (usually before 7:00 AM). After my workout, I like to recover by reading the news with coffee and then walking my dog before getting ready and heading to the office.”

To keep his energy reserves up throughout the day, Doug tries to maintain a flexible schedule. "I am usually able to pack in a lot during the height of the work day, which I view as 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, so I try not to schedule too much in the hours before or after.”

Doug's intentional approach doesn't just benefit him at work. “Rest and reflection," he shared, "allow me to maintain, or rebalance when needed, the top priorities in my life – family, health / fitness, and knowledge growth. When I feel I am keeping these priorities at the top, my outlook and demeanor are at their most positive.”

Ben Michael Believes Rest Must Be Earned – and Protected

For Ben Michael, busy leaders don't make time for rest and reflection – they earn it. “In the beginning stages of a business, leaders must work the hardest to earn the respect of their employees, subordinates, etc. If they don’t see you paying your dues, it will breed resentment amongst those that you are trying to lead.”

Simply put, "First you have to struggle along with your team. Only then can you get to a place where you can consider resting."

But once a business is more firmly established, it's important to set clear boundaries. Ben's recommendation? “Create a schedule that the entire office can see. That way, when people need your time, they can simply direct them to schedule themselves a meeting whenever you are actually available. And stick to your schedule. Figure out what time you are done for the day, and commit to actually leaving work behind until the next day.”

In order to energize himself for in-office work, Ben prioritizes fitness as a non-negotiable. “I go to the gym four times a week, and I don’t make excuses to skip workouts. I also try to play some sort of sport to keep my competitive juices flowing. Exercise is the best medicine for a stressful work life.” 

By making the most of the time he's earned for rest and reflection, Ben ensures that when he’s at work, he’s 100 percent engaged. “If you aren’t happy or satisfied with your actual life, it will inevitably lead to poor performance and behavior at work. And as the leader, if you’re having a bad day at the office, everyone under you is as well. That is not sustainable.”

What is sustainable, according to Ben? "Prioritizing your life outside of work – it's absolutely critical." 

Kenny Kane Uses Structure to Protect the Time that Matters Most

Like Doug, Firmspace CEO Kenny Kane enjoys a structured daily routine. “Each morning," he shared, "I organize my inbox – snoozing emails by priority – so I can address the most pressing tasks first and handle less urgent ones later in the day.”

To stay focused throughout the day, Kenny schedules dedicated blocks of uninterrupted time, which "not only boost productivity but also create space for critical thinking and moments of reflection amidst a busy schedule."

Kenny also strategically alternates between two different workspaces: Firmspace Austin and the Firmspace HQ office. "This variety in work environments helps me stay productive," said Kenny, "allowing me to align my workspace with my schedule and the people I need to collaborate with on any given day.”

Even with such strong habits, it can be tough to protect personal time as a busy CEO. But that's a top priority for Kenny right now. “With two young children who are becoming more aware of my presence and engagement," said Kenny, "I’m especially focused this year on being more intentional – balancing work and unplugging from devices to fully connect with my kids.”

"I’ve learned that not everything requires a late-night push," Kenny explained; "Some tasks are better tackled with fresh energy the next day. At the same time, there are moments when getting a head start can be beneficial. It’s about finding the right balance based on what the situation demands."

The impact, ultimately, extends to all of Firmspace: "Prioritizing rest and reflection has made me a more effective leader by helping me stay prepared and present for my team."

Recharge Like Your Leadership Depends on It

If you’re looking to optimize your own approach to leadership, take a cue from these professionals: build in time for rest, set clear boundaries, and find a routine that keeps you energized for the long haul.

Something else worth noting? When it's time to get work done, they all have one thing in common: a workspace that's designed for focus. Because when you know you'll actually get work done, it's easier to carve out time in your day to rest and recharge.

If you're ready to see where great leaders thrive, book a tour at a Firmspace location near you.