Originally published April 2019. Updated November 6, 2025.
By Laura Capell-Abra, Founder of Alpha Lupa
“Busy” has become a badge of honour, yet constant busyness kills creativity and clarity. The most effective leaders today are not those who move fastest, but those who know when to slow down.
The case for slowing work
Neuroscience shows that our brains cannot sustain high-speed decision-making indefinitely. Taking pauses allows new connections to form and better ideas to surface. Slow work is not about doing less; it is about thinking better.
How to bring slow into your business
- Create focus time. Dedicate at least one meeting-free morning a week for deep work.
- Simplify. Review your commitments and drop what adds little value.
- Design pauses. Encourage breaks between meetings to reset.
- Reflect weekly. Ask “What worked? What needs to stop?” before you rush into the next thing.
Why it matters
According to research by the University of California, constant multitasking reduces productivity by up to 40 percent and increases error rates.
Leaders who build reflection time into their rhythm make better decisions and create calmer, more sustainable teams. Slowing down is not a weakness; it is a strategic advantage.
