Faye McDonough

May has been a month of career transition – dominated by a blissful yoga retreat and shaped by new reflections on rest and what it means to me.

As I write this, still glowing from a burst of blue Cambridge skies and carrying deep insights from my time away, I’m struck by how rest has become my secret weapon for navigating change. I’ve talked about this a lot in the past and I continue to learn all the time.

The Power of Intentional Rest

This month, I discovered Tricia Hersey’s “Rest is Resistance” and it’s completely shifted how I think about productivity and self-care. Hersey argues that rest isn’t lazy – it’s revolutionary. For those of us in leadership roles, constantly pushing forward, this message feels both radical and necessary.

Tricia reminds us repeatedly that we are not resting to do more, come back stronger or be more productive but that instead, rest is a fundamental human right and ours to enjoy.

On page 85 of the paperback, she lists what rest can look like, and I found myself nodding along, relieved to find new ways to rest throughout my day. My favourites include:

• Daydreaming by staring out of a window
• Sipping warm tea before bed in the dark
• A twenty minute timed nap
• Deep listening to a full music album
• Taking regular breaks from social media

Tricia’s work gave me permission to look for pockets of rest throughout busy days. There’s something profound about simply being rather than doing – whether that’s gazing out at those Cambridge skies, savoring tea in peaceful darkness, or losing yourself completely in an album (Van Morrison’s Moondance and Disc 2 of Kate Bush’s Aerial have done the trick for me).

Each practice offers a different kind of restoration that our constantly-connected world desperately needs.

Have you read Rest is Resistance? If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts. I regift most of my books but this one is staying on the bookshelf to revisit.

The yoga retreat amplified these insights in ways I’m still processing. (I’ll share more about this transformative experience in a longer post coming soon, but trust me – it was DEEP!)

Your reflection: What does rest look like for you beyond just sleep? Which of Tricia’s suggestions resonates most with your current need for restoration?

This Month’s Wins

New Perspectives on Leadership

Taking part in a panel on Transformative Leadership through change gave me fresh insights into what makes leadership truly effective. I had a brilliant time catching up with the dynamic Linh Nguyen-Slater and appreciated Claudia Perri and Chiyo Roberton‘s fantastic hosting.

The discussion introduced me to Servant Leadership – a concept I initially resisted because it sounded submissive. But after digging deeper, I realised it’s actually about balancing accountability with autonomy and individual freedom with structure. It’s not weak leadership at all.

Community and Connection

Together Culture’s Breaking Bread event showcased incredible energy and collaboration from their business incubator. Experiencing this as an official NED for the first time felt significant – I’m genuinely loving learning from this community and seeing how different perspectives enhance decision-making.

Meaningful Transitions

Saying goodbye to my teammates at Reliance was bittersweet. I kept bumping into people on the stairs (reminder: always take the stairs – brilliant for both your step count and relationships!), and each conversation reminded me why I’ll miss them all so much.

Your reflection: What leadership concepts have you initially resisted but later found valuable? How do you approach learning about new leadership styles?

What I’m Carrying Forward

Three key reflections are shaping how I’m approaching June:

Meaningful work happens when daily tasks connect to something bigger than me. It’s that blend of learning, challenge, and genuine caring that makes the difference between just doing a job and creating impact.

People need to feel heard before they can embrace what’s coming. Change isn’t the issue – how we approach it is. Leading change means holding people at the centre of every decision.

Rest is non-negotiable and a powerful act in our day-to-day. This insight from both the retreat and Hersey’s work is revolutionising how I structure my days and week.

Your reflection: How do you ensure your daily work connects to something meaningful? What would it look like to center people more in your approach to change?

Questions for Your Own May Reflection

As you think about your own month and approach to rest and leadership:

• What new perspectives on rest or productivity have you discovered recently?
• How do you balance being productive with simply being present?
• What leadership insights have challenged your previous assumptions?
• How do you create meaningful connections during periods of transition?
• What are you carrying forward from this month into the next?

Looking Ahead

As I ease back into routine, I’m curious about your own reflections. What’s helping you navigate change right now? How are you building rest into your leadership practice?

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This post offers a glimpse into the deeper insights from my solo yoga retreat. I’ll be sharing the full story – including why it was such a transformative experience, a must for parents and an uncomfortable act for all – in a longer piece later this week. I’ll be returning to this theme of rest throughout my writing. Stay tuned for more on finding pockets of rest everywhere and how it’s changing everything.