Seasonal Shifts, Lasting Growth: A Leadership Perspective

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I have a confession to make: I hate fall. I hate the shorter days, the cooler temperatures, and the falling leaves. I hate all things pumpkin spice and dread changing the clocks. Every year, I begin a countdown to the Winter Solstice, longing for the return of longer days. 

Historically, my disdain for autumn has triggered bouts of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of major depression. The anticipation of fall would fill me with dread, leaving me feeling powerless to stop it. Over time, however, I learned a powerful truth: the secret to reducing SAD’s grip on me was to stop resisting.

The cycle of seasons is inevitable, much like the ebbs and flows we face in life and leadership. Even in a warmer climate where the temperatures don’t swing wildly to the extremes, the various seasons are marked by changes in activities, energy levels, and holidays. 

Focusing on how much I hate the fall has never stopped it from happening. Instead of fighting what’s unavoidable, I’ve learned to align myself with these rhythms, finding peace and even growth in the process. 

While I doubt I will ever be one of those who loves fall and gushes about sweaters and apple cider, I have found some ways to be at peace with the certainty of the cycle.

1. Embrace Your Nature

Just as I’ve come to accept that my energy naturally dips in the fall, leaders must understand and honor their personal rhythms. Some leaders thrive in moments of intensity, while others shine in quieter, reflective phases. By embracing your strengths and limitations, you can cultivate self-awareness and authenticity, which are key to leading effectively. 

My favorite season is spring, and my natural low occurs after summer and before winter. Instead of cursing this phenomenon, or being upset, I have realized it’s just how I am. Ironically, this acceptance has decreased the potency of the low periods. It is only by giving myself some grace, and permission to feel whatever arrives, that I have been able to ride the wave a bit more comfortably.

Leadership Lesson: Stop resisting your natural tendencies. Instead, leverage them as strengths while giving yourself grace in areas where you struggle. Try accepting whatever intrinsic behaviors occur and treating them as a fact instead of a problem.  

2. Cultivate Discipline

When energy wanes, discipline becomes your lifeline. Leaders often face seasons of fatigue or lack of motivation, but showing up consistently, despite how you feel, builds trust and resilience. Being disciplined isn’t about doing everything—it’s about prioritizing what truly matters. 

Times of low energy are an opportunity to lean on discipline. Normalize doing things even when you don’t feel like it. Sometimes you have to show up simply because you said you would. You won’t always be at your best, but you can keep moving forward even during the fallow times. 

Leadership Lesson: Honor your commitments, even in challenging times, and model persistence for your team. 

3. Re-think and Recalibrate

Much like athletes adapt their training by season, leaders must adjust expectations during demanding or slower periods. Assess your workload and prioritize tasks that align with your goals. By embracing flexibility, you can avoid burnout and keep momentum. 

Be willing to reconsider your number of obligations and adjust as needed. It’s unrealistic to expect the same level of performance all the time. Even top athletes know this, and they incorporate periodized training and an off-season. Take some time to consider whether you are being unrealistic about your performance and whether you need to rethink your approach. 

Leadership Lesson: Periodically review your commitments and schedule throughout the year and adapt to ensure your leadership remains effective and sustainable. 

4. Leverage Seasonal Strengths

   
   

Each season—literal or metaphorical—brings opportunities that can be leveraged for growth and success. Fall, for instance, symbolizes transition and preparation, making it an ideal time for introspection, evaluating past performance, and setting strategic goals for the future. Leaders can use this season to focus on refining their vision, aligning team priorities, and building a solid foundation for upcoming initiatives. Spring represents renewal and energy, a perfect time to launch new projects, take bold actions, and inspire creativity within a team.

A leader might use some time during autumn to conduct performance reviews, gather feedback from their team, and refine long-term strategies. In the spring, that same leader could focus on rolling out a new product, energizing the team with fresh goals, or initiating a company-wide campaign. 

Recognizing and aligning leadership activities with the natural flow of the seasons allows leaders to work with the rhythm of change rather than against it, ultimately maximizing their impact and effectiveness.

Leadership Lesson: Align your leadership style with the season you’re in—whether it’s a time to strategize, innovate, or rest. 

5. Build Your Support System

   
   

Leadership thrives on connection and collaboration. Surround yourself with mentors, coaches, and peers who can provide perspective, encouragement, and accountability.

A trusted mentor or coach can offer guidance rooted in experience, helping you navigate complex challenges. They can help you uncover blind spots, sharpen your skills, and keep you focused on your aspirations. Similarly, leaning on friends and peers who understand your journey can remind you that you’re not alone in your struggles. By connecting with this network of supporters, leaders gain new perspectives, emotional support, and actionable strategies to help them move forward during challenging seasons.

Leadership Lesson: Leadership isn’t a solo journey. Lean on others to maintain balance and clarity during low times.

Seasons, both in life and leadership are inevitable. By embracing your nature, practicing discipline, rethinking commitments, aligning with the season, and surrounding yourself with a strong support system, you can transform even your low periods into opportunities for renewal. 

Ready to embrace your leadership journey? Contact us today to start working with a leadership coach and turn every season into new opportunities for growth.