Episode 42: From Firefighting to Forward Thinking: Making the Time to Lead

Episode 42

From Firefighting to Forward Thinking: Making the Time to Lead

Episode Summary

Leaders often find themselves stuck in reactive mode—putting out fires instead of planning ahead. This episode explores how to shift from constant urgency to intentional leadership. Learn how to reclaim your time, prioritize what matters, and lead with clarity and purpose.

Key Points:

• Urgency vs. Importance: Constant firefighting keeps you reactive. Leadership requires space for reflection, planning, and strategy.

• Time is a Leadership Tool: Making time to lead isn’t a luxury—it’s a responsibility. You can’t delegate vision.

• Small Shifts, Big Impact: Simple changes like calendar blocking, delegation, and saying “no” can create space for forward thinking.

Resources

• Blog Posts:

  • Focusing When Overwhelmed

  • Do You Own Your Task List

  • Slay Your To Do List: Cruelty Free Ways to Master Time Management

  • Clarity Breaks

  • Key Leadership Skills

• Resource Page

• Free Leadership Toolbox

• Eisenhower Matrix Template

• DISC Resources

• James Clear Newsletter

• Michael Bungay Stanier

Related Episode

• Building Strong Leadership: Essential Habits for Lasting Impact (Episode 8)

• Tackle Your Tasks: A Simple Guide to Prioritizing with the Eisenhower Box

• Clear the Clutter: The Power of Clarity Breaks

Listen

Listen on Sound Sugar Radio Monday to Friday at 11:00 am and approximately every 90 minutes.

Subscribe to the show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

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About Jacquie:

Jacquie is the founder of Leadership and Life by Kayric Inc, where she blends the best of teaching, leadership, and the occasional The West Wing reference to help non-profits and small business build strong leaders and healthy teams. Utilizing DISC and The Five Behaviours of a Cohesive team, combined with teaching knowledge and experience, Jacquie strives to empower leaders with the skills no one taught them and to create teams who want to work together.

Formerly a junior high teacher (who loves teenagers), Jacquie brings a decade of classroom wisdom, ten years corporate training experience, a growth mindset, and a sprinkle of mild rebellion to her dynamic approach.

In her free time, Jacquie channels her passion for community improvement by volunteering with school councils, serving on non-profit boards, and generally finding ways to make her corner of the world a better place. You can also find her on the side of a soccer pitch, at Remedy Café or in her scrapbook room.

Contact Jacquie