A Week That Wasn’t a Week

This might go down as the least productive full week of July. And it’s not because anyone’s doing anything wrong.

When the Fourth of July lands on a Friday, everything shifts. It turns the front half of the week into a countdown and the back half into a ghost town. You get emails saying “OOO until Monday,” team threads go quiet, and even the calendar looks like it’s just waiting to reset. And to be honest, I don’t blame anyone for leaning into it a little.

But here’s where it gets interesting.

This isn’t just a holiday week, it’s the exact midpoint of summer. One-third of Q3 is about to vanish. That’s not panic, it’s perspective. The kind of reminder a good leader notices and uses.

In quieter weeks like this one, I try to lean into two principles that never go out of season.

1. Empathy doesn’t equal passivity.

People are tired. Some are managing vacations and travel logistics. Others are taking a breath they’ve earned. You don’t power through that with pressure. But you can use it as a moment to check in, connect with intention, and ask better questions. What’s blocking your momentum? Where do you need help? These are the weeks that build trust when you use them well.

2. Momentum isn’t a feeling, it’s a decision.

Jim Collins said it plainly: disciplined people, disciplined thought, disciplined action. That doesn’t go on pause because it’s summer. The best teams don’t need to sprint every week, but they know how to keep moving forward. Even in July. Especially in July.

So what does leadership look like this week?

Maybe it’s holding the line without holding people hostage. Maybe it’s saying, “Take your time” on one hand, while asking, “What’s our single best win this week?” with the other. Maybe it’s modeling pace over pressure, clarity over chaos, and purpose over performance.

That’s not soft. That’s the work.

Even a week that wasn’t really a week still holds ground you can either give up or claim. I know which side I’m choosing.

If this landed with you, feel free to forward it or leave a comment. And if your team is stuck in neutral this month, I’d love to hear how you’re finding traction anyway.

#Leadership #Momentum #Q3Mindset #EmpathyInAction #ClarityLedger