The Myth of the Summer Slowdown: How Great Leaders Use This Season to Reflect, Reconnect, and Reboot

While many see summer as a time to slow down, great leaders know it’s actually the perfect moment to pause with purpose. 

There’s a phrase often used in military and tactical training: 
“Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.” 

This idea was popularized in Navy SEAL training and firearms instruction and reminds us that intentional movement, done with clarity and control, is more effective than rushed effort. When you slow down and remove unnecessary friction, you create flow. And when your actions are smooth and practiced, they become faster, more precise, and more impactful in high-pressure moments. 

This isn’t just a tactical principle. It’s a leadership one. 

In the context of your year, summer is the “slow.” It’s the breathing room in the middle of chaos. When used well, this season helps you build smooth calm clarity, stronger relationships, aligned goals, so that when fall and Q4 arrive, your team can move with speed and confidence. 

Here’s how to make the most of it. 

Reflect: Use the Quiet to Look Inward 

Summer often gifts us what the rest of the year takes away: space. 

With fewer interruptions and slower rhythms, leaders finally have room to zoom out and consider the big picture. This makes it the ideal time to reflect, not just on business goals, but on your leadership. 

That reflection doesn’t have to wait for a formal retreat or offsite. It can happen while you’re on a solo walk, sitting on a dock, or journaling with your morning coffee. The distance from the day-to-day, even just for a week away, can offer clarity that’s hard to access in the thick of operations. 

Try asking yourself: 

• What patterns have I noticed in my leadership this year? 
• Where have I been most reactive? Most intentional? 
• What’s something I’ve been tolerating that I need to address? 
• What kind of leader do I want to be heading into fall? 

Taking time to reflect is the first step to smoothing out the rough edges in how you lead. It’s slow but it sets the stage for strategic speed. 

Reconnect: Invest in People, Not Just Projects 

Slowing down also creates space to re-engage with what matters most: your people. 

Strong leadership isn’t just about what you accomplish; it’s about the relationships you build along the way. Summer’s lighter pace gives you room to reconnect with your team, not just to manage performance, but to build trust. 

Use this time to: 

• Schedule meaningful one-on-ones 
• Hold informal team lunches or walk-and-talks 
• Ask your team what’s working and what isn’t 
• Share your own reflections and invite theirs 

These conversations don’t need to be long or formal. They need to be real.  This human connection builds the “smooth” relational trust and alignment that make your team more cohesive, responsive, and ready to act when momentum picks up in the fall. 

As Simon Sinek says: 

“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” 

Summer gives you time to do exactly that. 

Reboot: Set the Stage for a Strong Fall 

Summer is also a natural time to reset. The second half of the year is looming. Goals may have drifted, priorities may have shifted, and energy levels may have dipped. Great leaders use this seasonal midpoint to realign. 

This could mean: 

• Revisiting strategic priorities 
• Refreshing your calendar and commitments 
• Cleaning up processes or communication rhythms 
• Planning for a strong Q3/Q4 with the team 
• Even small acts like cleaning out your digital files or re-evaluating meeting structures can create a sense of momentum and clarity. 

This is the bridge from smooth to fast. By getting clear and aligned now, you’re removing obstacles and ambiguity that slow your team down later. When fall hits, you’ll be ready, not scrambling.