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After years of studying leaders across industries and cultures, Ive noticed something fascinating. The truly great ones, the ones who lead with clarity, curiosity, and imagination, all share the same rhythm. Its not a checklist or an app that beeps with notifications. It is something quieter and something more human. Great leadership is less about managing time and more about mastering rhythm. And every day, without fail, these leaders do five things that keep that rhythm alive. 1. They honor their body as the first classroom Before they answer an email or step into a meeting, great leaders move. They understand that motion fuels meaning and ideas: a walk, a stretch, a moment to breathe deeply before the day begins. {"blockType":"mv-promo-block","data":{"imageDesktopUrl":"https:\/\/images.fastcompany.com\/image\/upload\/f_webp,q_auto,c_fit\/wp-cms-2\/2026\/01\/i-16x9-figure-thinking.jpg","imageMobileUrl":"https:\/\/images.fastcompany.com\/image\/upload\/f_webp,q_auto,c_fit\/wp-cms-2\/2026\/01\/i-16x9-figure-thinking_0b545c.jpg","eyebrow":"","headline":"\u003Cem\u003EWonderRigor Newsletter\u003C\/em\u003E","dek":"Want more insights, tools, and invitations from Dr. Natalie Nixon about applying creativity for meaningful business results and the future of work? Subscribe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/urldefense.proofpoint.com\/v2\/url?u=https-3A__figure-2D8-2Dthinking-2Dllc.kit.com_sign-2Dup\u0026amp;d=DwMFaQ\u0026amp;c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM\u0026amp;r=xHenyQfyc6YcuCNMBsOvfYGQILM1d1ruredVZikn4HE\u0026amp;m=F383gnrChFhYKPhcpNHI1hY3o58IHIn_LkB5QJDrs3G5Wfft-DcucUO4UEmGO7GZ\u0026amp;s=JlJm7GyKCJvPW0jyrsfTFtinteKDitN13vfPZiuJnP8\u0026amp;e=\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E for the free WonderRigor newsletter at Figure8Thinking.com","subhed":"","description":"","ctaText":"Learn More","ctaUrl":"http:\/\/Figure8Thinking.com","theme":{"bg":"#3b3f46","text":"#ffffff","eyebrow":"#9aa2aa","subhed":"#ffffff","buttonBg":"#6e8ba6","buttonHoverBg":"#3b3f46","buttonText":"#ffffff"},"imageDesktopId":91470060,"imageMobileId":91470061,"shareable":false,"slug":""}} They treat the body not as an accessory to thinking, but as its foundation. Neuroscience backs this up: physical movement increases blood flow to the prefrontal cortex, enhancing executive function and creative problem-solving. When you move your body, you move your mind- and therefore ideas flow. The most effective leaders Ive observed dont schedule exercise around their work; they recognize that movement is the work of staying sharp. 2. They guard white space like treasure In a world that rewards busyness, these leaders protect stillness. They leave gaps in their calendars for moments that arent filled with doing. That white space becomes the oxygen for new ideas. While others rush to fill the silence, great leaders pause long enough to listen to what silence is saying. This isnt laziness disguised as strategy. Its the recognition that innovation rarely emerges from a packed schedule. The best insights arrive in the margins- during a walk between meetings, in the quiet of an unscheduled afternoon, in the space between stimulus and response. Leaders who guard their white space arent avoiding work; they are creating the conditions for their best work to emerge. 3. They rest to remember Great leaders understand that rest is not the opposite of work. It is the continuation of it. They know that when the conscious mind quiets down, the subconscious begins to connect the dots. They take small moments of recovery throughout the day: a pause between calls, a walk without a phone, a minute of looking out the window. They rest not to escape, but to return clearer, sharper and more creative. This is the science of incubation at work. Research on creative problem-solving shows that stepping away from a challenge allows the brain to continue processing in the background. These leaders dont power through exhaustion;they design recovery into their rhythm, understanding that strategic rest is what transforms effort into insight. 4. They listen between the lines Ive watched extraordinary leaders in conversation, and they have a rare ability to hear what is not being said. They pay attention to tone, tension, hesitation, and hope. Listening, for them, isnt about waiting to respond, but rather about creating space for truth to emerge. And in that space, trust takes root and creativity flourishes. This kind of deep listening is increasingly rare in our distracted age and increasingly valuable. When people feel genuinely heard, they offer their most honest assessments, their boldest ideas, their real concerns. Leaders who master this practice dont just gather better information; they build the psychological safety that makes innovation possible. 5. They lead with wonder, not certainty My favorite teachers have been the ones who dont hesitate to acknowledge what they dont know, and then invite me to join them in discovering answers. Similarly, the most creative leaders are not the ones who claim to know it all. They are the ones who stay curious. They ask questions that begin with What if?; I wonder? And Why not?. They treat ambiguity as an invitation, not a threat. Wonder keeps them flexible, alive, and open to surprise. And that openness is where innovation begins. In a business environment that often rewards the appearance of certainty, these leaders have the courage to say I dont know; and mean it as an invitation rather than an admission. They understand that the questions we ask shape the possibilities we can see. Wonder fuels discovery. The rhythm that matters So what do great leaders do every day? They move. They think. They rest. They listen. They wonder. But more than that, they do all of it with rhythm. Great leadership isnt about what you know. Its about how you move through the world. When you master that rhythm, creativity stops being something you reach for, and becomes part of your capacity for working better, smarter and with innovative outcomes. The best leaders do not manage energy, they design energy. {"blockType":"mv-promo-block","data":{"imageDesktopUrl":"https:\/\/images.fastcompany.com\/image\/upload\/f_webp,q_auto,c_fit\/wp-cms-2\/2026\/01\/i-16x9-figure-thinking.jpg","imageMobileUrl":"https:\/\/images.fastcompany.com\/image\/upload\/f_webp,q_auto,c_fit\/wp-cms-2\/2026\/01\/i-16x9-figure-thinking_0b545c.jpg","eyebrow":"","headline":"\u003Cem\u003EWonderRigor Newsletter\u003C\/em\u003E","dek":"Want more insights, tools, and invitations from Dr. Natalie Nixon about applying creativity for meaningful business results and the future of work? Subscribe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/urldefense.proofpoint.com\/v2\/url?u=https-3A__figure-2D8-2Dthinking-2Dllc.kit.com_sign-2Dup\u0026amp;d=DwMFaQ\u0026amp;c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM\u0026amp;r=xHenyQfyc6YcuCNMBOvfYGQILM1d1ruredVZikn4HE\u0026amp;m=F383gnrChFhYKPhcpNHI1hY3o58IHIn_LkB5QJDrs3G5Wfft-DcucUO4UEmGO7GZ\u0026amp;s=JlJm7GyKCJvPW0jyrsfTFtinteKDitN13vfPZiuJnP8\u0026amp;e=\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E for the free WonderRigor newsletter at Figure8Thinking.com","subhed":"","description":"","ctaText":"Learn More","ctaUrl":"http:\/\/Figure8Thinking.com","theme":{"bg":"#3b3f46","text":"#ffffff","eyebrow":"#9aa2aa","subhed":"#ffffff","buttonBg":"#6e8ba6","buttonHoverBg":"#3b3f46","buttonText":"#ffffff"},"imageDesktopId":91470060,"imageMobileId":91470061,"shareable":false,"slug":""}}
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In 2010, clinical psychiatrist Dale Archer published the New York Times best seller Better Than Normal, a book that highlighted the often-underappreciated benefits of various psychiatric diagnoses. The book looked at strengths associated with conditions like bipolar disorder, OCD and schizophrenia. But there was one chapter that hit a little too close to home. After publishing it, Archer asked a colleague to conduct a psychiatric diagnostic on him. She said, youre off the charts for ADHD, and I go, Yeah, I know, I just wanted validation, he says. In 2015, Archer published a follow-up book, The ADHD Advantage, focusing on some of the more positive attributes of his condition. In it, he profiled high achievers with ADHD, including the most successful athlete in Olympics history, Michael Phelps, comedian, actor and television host Howie Mandel, and Jet Blue founder David Neeleman. Archers research ultimately led him to a hypothesis that has yet to be proven in a clinical study: That ADHDand all psychiatric diagnoses, for that matterexists on a continuum, which he plots on a 10-point scale. Those who score four and below might not even know they have the condition, those who score nine or higher are likely to struggle in everyday life and may require medication. Those who were featured in his book fell between five and eight. Those in that range often report struggling in certain domains, while enjoying advantages in others. According to Archer, though, that range is a sweet spot: one associated with above-average resilience and creativity. These folks also enjoy multitasking, remain calm in crisis, are more outgoing and can hyperfocus on things theyre passionate about. ADHD Remains a Mystery and a Paradox Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, better known as ADHD, is a developmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and/or impulsivity, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. It is also legally classified as a disability under The Americans with Disabilities Act. While our understanding of the disorder has come a long way in recent years, there is still a lot we dont yet know. To make matters more confusing, much of what we do know seems paradoxical. On the one hand, many with ADHD feel almost paralyzed by mundane tasks, struggle in traditional academic and workplace settings and suffer other mental health challengesincluding anxiety, depression, substance abuse and eating disordersat higher rates. They are also more likely to have unplanned pregnancies, get into car accidents and even have shorter average lifespans. On the other, many are also more creative, entrepreneurial and intuitive. In fact, some of the worlds highest achieversincluding Simone Biles, Paris Hilton, Michael Jordan, Greta Gerwig, Richard Branson and Jamie Olivercredit ADHD for their success. One person might experience it as a disability, and that’s really critical, because ADHD does cause functional impairment, explains Sarah Greenberg, a licensed psychotherapist for neurodivergence nonprofit Understood.org. ADHD also comes with a certain set of strengths, particularly when the environment is a right fit for that brain. A Mixed Bag of Strengths and Struggles Rather than viewing the condition on a continuum, Greenberg sees neurodiversity as creating jagged profiles, meaning many with neurological differences overperform in some areas and underperform in others. I’ll be interviewing someone who is an incredible leader, incredible manager, very good at relationships, but cant really keep friendships, because theyre very bad at texting back or remembering birthdays, she explains. Thats why Greenberg encourages those who work with, live with, love or have other close ties to someone with ADHD not take certain characteristics of the condition personally. For example, many with ADHD struggle to sense how much time has passedoften referred to as time blindnessmaking lateness a chronic challenge. If Im in a relationship with someone and theyre always 10 minutes late, Im naturally going to take that personally, like they dont respect my time, Greenberg says. That assumed intention is really going to impact the relationship, and we see it all the time in the workplace. Cognitive Wheelchairs and Ramps There are a lot of everyday activities that present obstacles for those with ADHD, and access to support can make a real difference. Take someone who is unable to walk: If they have access to a wheelchair and a ramp, they can access the building, so they’re less disabled in that experience, explains Megan Anna Neff, an author, clinical psychologist and founder of Neurodivergent Insights, an online neurodiversity education and resource platform. How disabled we are happens at the intersection between our impairment and our environment. Most schools and most workplaces are not built for ADHD brains, so that is why it’s a disability. Neff explains that the medical model of disability tends to be binaryyou either have a disability, or you dontwhile the social model takes into account environmental factors. A lot of older strategies are about trying to make the ADHD brain less ADHD, she says. [The social model] is more about: How do we understand the ADHD brain so we can actually work with it? Neff believes ADHD should be classified as a disability so that those who need the support, resources and legal prtections can continue to access them. However, its also important to acknowledge that many with ADHD do not consider themselves disabled, and shouldnt be labelled as such. When we have structures and environments where they can support that divergent thinkingwhen we can channel our interest into our career or creativity or out of the box thinkingthere absolutely are powerful things that can come of that, she says. Having control over her work environment has allowed Neff to thrive as a medical professional with ADHD and autism. Greenberg of Understood.org says she joined the organization as a psychotherapist with ADHD to study learning differences and apply those strategies to organizations of all shapes and sizes. Dale Archer jokes he was only able to make it through medical school by accepting that he did his best work by procrastinating until a creeping deadline triggered his hyperfocus as a crisis response. Like them, I too struggled in traditional academic and workplace settings, but have gone on to have a successful career as a freelance journalist and author not despite my ADHDbut because of it. As our collective understanding of neurodiversity expands, those with ADHD are finding ways to better leverage many natural strengths and overcome our natural challenges.
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E-Commerce
The tech industry’s top leaders have a not insignificant amount of sway over the White House. But after a masked ICE agent killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday, less than a month after federal agents also shot and killed Renee Good, many are still choosing to remain silent, showing just how tied to President Trumps administration Big Tech has become. Now, their employees are piling on the pressure for their CEOs to speak out. More than 800 tech workers from companies like Google, Meta, OpenAI, Amazon, and Salesforce have signed a letter urging their CEOs to wield their influence and call the White House to demand that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) leave U.S. cities. “Tech professionals are speaking up against this brutality, and we call on all our colleagues who share our values to use their voice,” states the letter organized by ICEout.tech. “We know our industry leaders have leverage: in October, they persuaded Trump to call off a planned ICE surge in San Francisco.” The letter also calls on tech companies to end their contracts with ICE. AWS (Amazon Web Services) currently provides ICE with data storage services, while Motorola Solutions was awarded a $15.6 million contract in 2023 to implement and maintain ICEs tactical communication infrastructure. In October, Apple and Google removed apps that alerted people when ICE agents were nearby. Even Palantir employees have started openly questioning the work the company is doing with the Department of Homeland Security, according to a recent Wired report. Promised a friendlier regulatory environment, tech CEOs have largely stayed silent throughout Trump’s second term and have readily appeared at public events to promote the president’s agenda. As OpenAIs head of global business, James Dyett noted on X: There is far more outrage from tech leaders over a wealth tax than masked ICE agents terrorizing communities and executing civilians in the streets. He continued, Tells you what you need to know about the values of our industry. Target, UnitedHealth, Best Buy, and other Minnesota-based companies issued a joint statement Sunday, calling for an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions. The statement’s tentative language was met with criticism, failing to outright condemn the shooting of Pretti or Good or urge the administration to remove ICE from the Twin Cities. Still, experts say it was significant, and marks a tipping point in the situation. While some have chosen to remain silent, other notable tech figures have used their platforms to speak out. Meredith Whittaker, the president of Signal, wrote: To everyone in my industry who’s ever claimed to value freedomdraw on the courage of your convictions and stand up.” Khosla Ventures founder Vinod Khosla posted: “ICE personnel must have ice water running thru their veins to treat other human beings this way. There is politics but humanity should transcend that. Anthropic cofounder Chris Olah said he also felt compelled to say something. “I generally believe the best way I can serve the world is as a non-partisan expert, and my genuine beliefs are quite moderate,” he said on X. “So the bar is very high for me to comment. But recent eventsa federal agent killing an ICU nurse for seemingly no reason and with no provocationshock the conscience.”
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