To find out more about the bubbles and a break — scroll to the PPS below on this page. It is a delightful story :-) 

I believe that there is an innate desire for us to lead in one way or another. It is the idea of self-leadership that leads to action. Most of what we call leadership happens in motion of some sort and has 3 elements: the decision, the direction, the doing.

However, the bit we rarely talk about is the pause in between. 

The space between one thought and the next.

Between impulse and intention.

Between what happened, and how we choose to respond.

That space — however brief, small, simple, complex — is where self-leadership lives.

We often think leadership is something we do for others...

But before we can lead anyone, we have to lead ourselves — through our reactions, our assumptions, and our stories.

(More on the stories we tell and the impact of that on self-leadership another time!)

I want you to know that in my own leadership, and in working with leaders at the highest level pausing is how humans begin — it creates the space for change.

It’s the moment one stops performing and starts perceiving.

It’s where we return to what’s true — not what’s urgent.

(The sentence above is sooo powerful, that in re-reading this, I myself paused a few times to really stop and take its impact in!)

The pause isn’t a break from leadership; it is leadership.

It’s the smallest act of authority you have over your own attention.

My invitation to you this week, before you rush into the business and busy-ness of the week is simply to pause.

Take one deep breath.

Ask yourself:

What’s actually needed here — movement or understanding?

If it’s understanding, wait and allow yourself to notice something or to let something new emerge.

If it’s movement, move — from clarity, not habit.

You’ll be surprised how often a tiny pause changes what comes next.

Remember, self-leadership isn’t about control... it’s about choice.

And choice only appears when there is space to see it.

So my invitation to you as you step into a new week is to pause.

Notice the ground beneath your feet.

Return to yourself.

Then move, slowly and deliberately, toward what matters.

It only takes a few seconds — a single breath!

See you next Sunday in The Space.

— Saiyyidah

The Space

PS — If this resonated, you might be interested in The Leader’s Pause which is a monthly gathering for leaders who want to practice this kind of stillness in real time — a live, guided pause for clarity, composure, and renewal. More about that in time! 

PPS— Yesterday as I was scrolling on social media to catch up with various UK Celebrity Traitors stories I saw something which really made me smile. It was an alternative to a smoking break — a bubble break. You know the children's bubble tubs and wands... it was a video of a group of adults in suits standing outside an office having a 'bubble break'. I really, really want to give everyone I know some bubble liquid and a wand... Imagine using it to pause for a break :-) Maybe you'll go and get some for yourself!