Hi there,

Early in my management career, a mentor said something that became one of the best leadership lessons I've ever learned:

"Helen, you have to plan time to lead. Otherwise, you'll never get out of the work."

At the time, I thought I was planning. I had my task list. I had my calendar. I was managing my time... or so I thought.

But here's what I didn't realise at the time: I was planning to DO the work, not to LEAD the work.

And that's the mistake most managers make.

The Real Problem

In almost every workshop and with every coaching client, I ask: "How much time do you spend each week standing back and thinking strategically about your team, the work, and your leadership role?"

The answer is almost always: none, or hardly ever.

So what was the difference?

The successful managers weren't spending all their time IN the work, giving direction, solving problems, doing tasks.

They were standing back FROM the work to guide their team.

Your Role as a Leader

Your job as a leader is to:

• Think strategically about what really matters
• Develop your team so they solve the problems
• Unblock work and make connections
• Coach people to improve performance

But those leadership activities? They often get completely subsumed by the doing.

And that's why you feel stuck.

The One Habit That Changes Everything

So here's what I want you to do:

Block one hour minimum, ideally 90 minutes, every single week.

Not to do more work, but to stand back from the work.

This is where you:

• Plan your week with clarity
• Think about your team - who needs what from you
• Spot what's blocked or at risk
• Prioritise work that actually matters
• Connect with stakeholders to move things forward faster

And if you can add that extra 30 minutes? That's where you bring clarity to your strategic thinking on one high-value problem or challenge.

That's where you will accelerate your leadership influence and impact.

Want the Full Framework?

In this week's video, I break down why this habit is so important, what you should be thinking about and how to get started.

​Watch: How to Get Ahead As A Manager Without Working More Hours​

This planning habit is your foundation. It's what separates managers who stay stuck from leaders who accelerate.

And the time you invest in it? You'll get back tenfold in clarity, in results, and in how your team performs.

Have a great week.

Helen

P.S. Want to know exactly where to focus your leadership development? Take the free Leader's Ladder Assessment. It shows you where you are across the 4 foundations every manager needs, and what to focus on next. Takes 5 minutes. Get your leadership score here →​

P.P.S. Ready to actually implement this? I help managers build the systems and routines that make leadership feel sustainable. Explore Manager OS for a self-paced approach, or book a call if you'd like 1-to-1 support.