Gen Z with a Cold: Why Rest Is a Leadership Skill
We’ve been taught to power through everything. But good leadership isn’t martyrdom—it’s knowing when rest is the most strategic move.
Why rest is leadership
Clarity: Tired brains make messy choices. Rest sharpens decision-making.
Consistency: Short breaks protect your long-term output.
Modeling: When leaders honor their health, teams feel safe doing the same.
The “sick day” leadership checklist
Communicate early: “I’m under the weather today. Here’s what I’m pausing. Here’s what’s still moving.”
Delegate one thing. Not everything—just one meaningful task.
Set an auto-reply with boundaries: “I’ll reply within 24–48 hours; for urgent items, text X.”
Choose one restorative habit: Nap, fluids, a 10-minute walk, or offline time.
Capture thoughts, don’t act: Brain dump ideas in Notes; revisit tomorrow.
How to make rest practical (not performative)
Put it on the calendar. A 30-minute buffer is a tiny moat around your energy.
Define “enough.” Decide what “good for today” looks like before you start.
Use your values. If your value is “sustainability,” a rest day aligns with your brand of leadership.
Reflection prompt
What’s one boundary you can set this week that protects your health and your work?
