Leadership Lessons from Crimbo Limbo: Slowing Down to Speed Up

By James Fleming, Managing Director of The Power Within Training

You know the week I’m talking about.

That strange, stretch of time between Christmas and New Year, where no one’s quite sure what day it is, how many roast potatoes they’ve eaten, or whether 10am counts as too early for a mince pie.

Welcome to Crimbo Limbo.

It’s that blissfully weird period where the out-of-office is still on, the fridge is a graveyard of leftovers, and productivity levels are somewhere between “I might tidy that cupboard” and “absolutely not”.

And you know what? It’s exactly what leaders need.

The Myth of Always Being ‘On’

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent years believing that success comes from momentum. Keep moving, keep pushing, keep the plates spinning… because if you stop, everything stops.

But true leadership isn’t about constant motion. It’s about knowing when to pause.

This week, Crimbo Limbo, gives us something most leaders rarely allow themselves: space.

Space to breathe.
Space to reflect.
Space to ask, “What do I actually want next year to look like?” instead of diving straight into it.

Because let’s be honest, by the time January hits, you’ll be knee-deep in emails, meetings, and big plans.
Now’s your chance to step back before it all begins again.

Lesson 1: Rest Is a Leadership Strategy

I used to treat rest like a reward. You know the drill… once you’ve ticked off everything on your to-do list, then you can relax.

But that list never ends.

What I’ve learned (the hard way) is that rest isn’t what you do when the work’s done, it’s part of the work.

When you give your brain a break, you give it space to process, to connect dots, to spot patterns you’ve been too busy to see. Some of my best business ideas didn’t come during meetings, they came when I was out for a walk, in the shower, or halfway through a leftover turkey sandwich.

So, if you catch yourself feeling “lazy” this week, stop. You’re not being lazy. You’re recharging the system that powers everything you do.

Lesson 2: Reflection Beats Resolutions

Every December, leaders start planning for the year ahead; new goals, new targets, new strategies. But here’s something I’ve found far more powerful: reflection before resolution.

Ask yourself:

• What went well this year?
• What didn’t?
• What did I learn about myself as a leader?

And here’s the important one:

What will I not take with me into 2026?

That might be an unhelpful habit, a draining client, or the belief that you have to do everything yourself.

Reflection creates awareness, and awareness is what drives meaningful change.

Lesson 3: Check on Your People

Crimbo Limbo can be a strange time for some. While many of us are surrounded by family and friends, others find it lonely, stressful, or emotionally tough.

A quick message, a phone call, or even a “How are you doing?” can mean a lot, especially for your team members who might not say it out loud, but are struggling in silence.

Good leadership doesn’t stop at the office door. Sometimes it’s just about letting people know they matter, not because of what they deliver, but because of who they are.

Lesson 4: Embrace the Nothing

Let’s be real, Crimbo Limbo is weirdly unproductive. Emails slow down. Projects pause. Everyone’s eating cheese and wearing pyjamas at 2pm.

And yet… maybe that’s exactly what we need.

Leadership is full of noise, constant decision-making, problem-solving, and doing.
But when you slow down, even just for a few days, you start to hear what’s been drowned out all year, the quiet voice that says:

• “This isn’t working.”
• “I need help.”
• “I’m ready for something new.”

That’s not a weakness. In fact, it’s awareness.

Lesson 5: Slowing Down Is How You Speed Up

Here’s a paradox: slowing down doesn’t mean losing momentum. It actually means creating the right kind of momentum.

When you come back rested, clear-headed, and refocused, you make better decisions. You communicate better. You lead better.

So instead of powering through the last few days of the year, use Crimbo Limbo as your leadership pit stop.
Refuel. Recharge. Reflect.

Because when January arrives, you’ll want to hit the ground running, not crawling.

A Note from Me

I’ll be honest, I’m not great at slowing down. My wife will tell you that. We still work so many hours and find it hard to switch off.

But over the years, I’ve realised that leadership isn’t about working yourself into the ground. It’s about creating space for yourself, your team, and the growth that happens in between.

So this Crimbo Limbo, I’m encouraging you (and reminding myself) to do less. To switch off the laptop, pour a glass of something nice, and take a proper break.

Because if you want to go faster in 2026, this, right now, is where you start.

From Our Team to Yours

Wherever you are and whatever this season looks like for you, from our team at The Power Within Training, thank you.

Thank you for reading, for growing, for reflecting, and for showing up as a leader in a world that needs good ones.

Here’s to a new year with fresh thinking, bold decisions, and, most importantly, a mindset that makes things happen.

Happy holidays, and see you in 2026.

James Fleming
The Power Within Training
The Motivational Intelligence Company
james@tpwtd.com