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Light on Leadership
If everything is urgent, nothing is truly important.
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Welcome to Light on Leadership! In under two minutes, our newsletter delivers one book recommendation, one leadership action step, and two leadership tips. We know you're busy, so we've designed this content to be both useful and shareable. Enjoy!
For centuries, long hours and effective work were nearly the same thing. In ancient times, when most work revolved around farming, success was measured by hours in the field. The more time spent planting and harvesting, the greater the yield. Effort was visible, outcomes were tangible, and productivity was relatively easy to measure.
Today’s world is very different. Hours worked and results achieved no longer align so neatly—especially in leadership roles. Much of our work now involves thinking, decision-making, problem-solving, and relationship building. These efforts don’t always show immediate results, yet they often have the greatest long-term impact. Being “busy” doesn’t always mean being productive.
Think about your own team. Have you ever seen someone working frantically—responding to emails, attending meetings, checking boxes—yet accomplishing little of real value? And just as importantly, think about yourself. If you had to define your daily productivity, what would you measure: hours worked, or meaningful results achieved?
👉 Quick Action Step:
For one week, limit email to set times each day (for example: mid-morning and mid-afternoon). Instead of constantly checking your inbox, protect your focus for the work that creates the most impact.
Book Recommendation:
Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout.
By Cal Newport
Purchase this book! https://www.amazon.com/Slow-Productivity-Accomplishment-Without-Burnout/dp/0593544854
The Briefing Leaders Rely On.
In a landscape flooded with hype and surface-level reporting, The Daily Upside delivers what business leaders actually need: clear, concise, and actionable intelligence on markets, strategy, and business innovation.
Founded by former bankers and veteran business journalists, it's built for decision-makers — not spectators. From macroeconomic shifts to sector-specific trends, The Daily Upside helps executives stay ahead of what’s shaping their industries.
That’s why over 1 million readers, including C-suite executives and senior decision-makers, start their day with it.
No noise. No jargon. Just business insight that drives results.
Two Tips
This quick video from offers a practical reminder for leaders who feel constantly pulled in every direction. Sometimes the most productive move is simplifying where we place our focus.
@melrobbins If you feel guilty when you’re not working, you need to hear this. You’ve been taught that being busy means you’re doing something right. ... See more
“You can’t do big things if you’re distracted by small ones.”
- Anonymous
