GrowOut
Leadership Challenges: 30 Days of Micro-Practices
Daily 5-minute leadership practices delivered by email. Starts January 1.
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One leadership challenge per day
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One small action you can do immediately
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One reflection question
01
January
Day 1 - Pause Before You Lead
The Challenge
Leadership often rewards speed. But reacting quickly isn’t the same as responding well.
The Micro-Practice (3–5 minutes)
Before responding to anything today, an email, a message, a question, pause and take three slow breaths.
That’s it. No fixing. No framing. Just pause.
The Reflection Question
What did you notice when you gave yourself that small moment of space?
Try this today. Notice what shifts.
02
January
Day 2 – Name What You’re Carrying
The Challenge
We often lead while carrying invisible weight—stress, responsibility, unresolved decisions—without acknowledging it.
The Micro-Practice (3–5 minutes)
Write down one thing that’s weighing on you right now.
Don’t solve it. Don’t reframe it. Just name it.
The Reflection Question
How did it feel to acknowledge it instead of pushing it aside?
Try this today. Notice what shifts.
03
January
Day 3 – Spot Your Default Mode
The Challenge
Under pressure, most leaders default to a familiar pattern—often without realizing it.
The Micro-Practice (3–5 minutes)
Today, notice your instinct in moments of tension.
Do you default to fixing, avoiding, or controlling?
No judgment. Just notice.
The Reflection Question
Which mode shows up most often for you—and when?
Try this today. Notice what shifts.
04
January
Day 4 – Body Check-In
The Challenge
Leadership conversations live in our heads—but stress often shows up in the body first.
The Micro-Practice (3–5 minutes)
Pause once today and scan your body.
Where do you feel tension—jaw, shoulders, chest, stomach?
Don’t change it. Just notice it.
The Reflection Question
What might your body be telling you that your mind is skipping over?
Try this today. Notice what shifts.
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January
Day 5 – Let Go of One “Should”
The Challenge
Many leadership expectations aren’t real requirements—they’re inherited assumptions.
The Micro-Practice (3–5 minutes)
Identify one “should” you’re carrying today.
Ask: Is this actually mine to carry?
If not, loosen your grip.
The Reflection Question
What changed when you questioned that expectation?
Try this today. Notice what shifts.
06
January
Day 6 – Redefine Strength
The Challenge
Strength is often equated with endurance, control, or pushing through—especially in leadership.
The Micro-Practice (3–5 minutes)
Ask yourself:
What would strength look like today if it included rest?
Then act accordingly—however small.
The Reflection Question
What definition of strength are you currently living by?
Try this today. Notice what shifts.
07
January
Day 7 – Weekly Reflection
The Challenge
Without reflection, even good practices fade quickly.
The Micro-Practice (5 minutes)
Look back on the week.
What did you notice about how you lead yourself—especially under pressure?
The Reflection Question
What’s one small insight you want to carry into next week?
Take time today to journal about this.
08
January
Day 8 – Listen Without Fixing
The Challenge
Many leaders equate listening with problem-solving. But being heard isn’t the same as being helped.
The Micro-Practice (3–5 minutes)
In one conversation today, don’t offer solutions.
No advice. No reframing. Just listen all the way through.
The Reflection Question
What changed when you stayed with listening instead of fixing?
Try this today. Notice what shifts.
09
January
Day 9 – Clarify Intentions
The Challenge
Misunderstandings often come from unclear intent, not bad intent.
The Micro-Practice (3–5 minutes)
Before a message or conversation today, start with:
“My intention here is…”
Then say the rest.
The Reflection Question
How did naming your intention affect the conversation?
Try this today. Notice what shifts.
10
January
Day 10 – Ask One Better Question
The Challenge
Advice can shut down thinking. Questions open it up.
The Micro-Practice (3–5 minutes)
Replace advice with curiosity.
Ask one question that invites reflection instead of direction.
Examples:
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“What feels most important here?”
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“What options are you considering?”
The Reflection Question
What happened when you chose curiosity over guidance?
Try this today. Notice what shifts.
11
January
Day 11 – Notice Power Dynamics
The Challenge
Power often operates quietly—through who speaks first, who hesitates, and who stays silent.
The Micro-Practice (3–5 minutes)
In a meeting or conversation today, notice:
Who speaks first?
Who speaks most?
Who holds back?
No correcting. Just observing.
The Reflection Question
What did you notice about how influence shows up?
Try this today. Notice what shifts.
12
January
Day 12 – Normalize Not Knowing
The Challenge
Leaders often feel pressure to have answers—even when clarity hasn’t emerged yet.
The Micro-Practice (3–5 minutes)
Say “I don’t know yet” once today.
Then pause.
The Reflection Question
How did it feel to create space instead of certainty?
Try this today. Notice what shifts.
13
January
Day 13 – Acknowledge Effort
The Challenge
When results are the only thing recognized, effort becomes invisible—and motivation suffers.
The Micro-Practice (3–5 minutes)
Thank someone today for how they showed up.
Name a behavior, not an outcome.
Example:
“I really appreciated how thoughtfully you approached that.”
The Reflection Question
What shifted when effort—not results—was acknowledged?
Try this today. Notice what shifts.
14
January
Day 14 – Weekly Reflection
The Challenge
Connection doesn’t always feel the same in every interaction.
The Micro-Practice (5 minutes)
Reflect on the week.
Where did connection feel easier?
Where did it feel strained?
The Reflection Question
What patterns are you noticing in how you lead with others?
15
January
Coming Soon
16
January
Coming Soon
