Small change: take care of yourself

First published on
Oct 21, 2025
we’re lacking energy and creativity
Writing Small Change Being a consultant Culture in companies Emotions at work Happiness at work High performing teams 2025

All clichés have their roots in truth. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint” is one such adage, and in our permacrisis-infused world it’s rarely felt more relevant to the task of leadership. 

Marathons require energy – lots of it, over a prolonged period. In the face of one crisis after another, it is too easy for leaders to neglect their own needs. Time to rest goes out of the window. Energy-giving activities get deprioritised. Leaders end up maintaining their internal batteries at 20%: never reaching a point of failure, but never quite charged enough to run a good race.

If you are not resourced for the marathon ahead you cannot hope to resource your people. So take care of yourself. Self-care is not selfish. You – and your business – are worth it.

Something to consider: what are my own needs right now?

Explore more

Latest thoughts

Podcast Phil Lewis Associates Communicating clearly Difficult conversations Emotions at work Getting change done Values 2025

The closure | The Phil Lewis Podcast

The cost of hard choices | The Phil Lewis Podcast

Nov 11, 2025
Writing Small Change Communicating clearly Culture in companies Difficult conversations Emotions at work Leadership development Values 2025

Small change: be authentic

The true meaning of authenticity

Nov 11, 2025
Writing Small Change Difficult conversations Emotions at work Happiness at work High performing teams 2025

Small change: push through

The best way out is always through.

Oct 28, 2025
Giving a team the inspiration and technique to scale ideas
“Brilliant, astute, knowledgeable, and witty.

Phil grasped our business challenge with incredible speed and led us to rethink how we do business.”

SARAH MASON – CMO, COSMOS
REPAIRING A BUSINESS-CRITICAL RELATIONSHIP
“I’m not sure, but Phil might be a magician.”

JULIE BISHOP – CO-CEO, IT NATURALLY
Getting change past the post in a complicated context
“Transformational for both my personal and professional growth.”

STUART WILLIAMSON — CHIEF CORPORATE AFFAIRS OFFICER, THE JOCKEY CLUB
Instilling accountability to help a great team do great things
“Real smarts, and the external perspective we needed.

We are now securing industry standards of margin.”

NEIL CRUMP – CEO, AURORA HEALTHCARE
COMPREHENSIVE STRUCTURAL CHANGE
“Incredibly responsive and empathetic to our specific challenges and ambition.

Phil inspired and challenged our leadership team to ensure that our transformation had our people at its heart.”

Darina Garland, Co-CEO, Ooni
Enabling a Board to work to its full potential
“His years of experience allow for a highly credible, disciplined and empathic approach.

Phil offers the right balance of push and encouragement.”

VIV HSU – PARTNER, JBI
rarr
larr