#40: White Space: The Hidden Power Executives Overlook

When your calendar is packed back-to-back, you may think you’re maximizing your value. In reality, you’re draining your influence. In this podcast episode of Stepping Into The Arena, Karen Gombault shares why white space—the intentional pauses in your day—is not a luxury but a leadership essential.

If you’ve just stepped into a bigger role and feel like you’re always behind, this conversation will help you reset your rhythm, reclaim your energy, and show up as the steady, strategic leader your team needs.

5 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. White space isn’t wasted time—it’s fuel for focus, composure, and strategic thinking.
2. Without pauses, you operate reactively and risk losing credibility by appearing rushed or scattered.
3. Over-responsibility, carryover from old roles, and fear of looking disengaged often crowd out white space.
4. Protecting your nervous system matters. When you’re constantly “on,” you deplete presence, authority, and team trust.
5. Practical strategies include defending calendar blocks, inserting micro-pauses, canceling nonessential meetings, and anchoring white space at the time of day when you’re most creative.

“White space isn’t about absence. It’s absolutely what gives you shape and power to everything else. Protecting it is not indulgent. It is a conscious act of authority and self-leadership.” – Karen Gombault

White space is the difference between leading reactively and leading with intention. Start treating it as non-negotiable, and you’ll amplify both your leadership impact and your well-being.

RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS:

Set up a call to discuss working together: https://zcal.co/karengombault/connect

Free Resource: Build Your Visibility At Work → https://www.karengombault.com/getnoticed

1:1 Executive Coaching – My high-level, science-backed coaching partnership → https://www.karengombault.com/privatecoaching

Connect with Karen on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/karengombault/