"Dad, can you build Lego with me?"
My son's simple question triggered my anxiety. Not because I didn't want to spend time with him, but because my first instinct was... I don't have time for this. My calendar was packed. Deadlines were breathing down my neck and every minute was accounted for with a prioritized to-do list.
Sound familiar?
I was drowning in what the ancient Greeks called Chronos time, the relentless tick of the clock that devours everything in its path. Yes, devours. The mythological Chronos literally ate his own children, just like Chronos time can consume our joy, relationships, and the very things that make us human.
But there's another kind of time. Kairos time.
A Simple Shift
I built the Legos with my son that day. And you know what happened? The world didn't end, and my business certainly didn't collapse. Instead, something awesome occurred in that hour of being present, we created something together, we had a great time, and I felt really connected to what mattered most. That's Kairos.
Not time you can measure, but time you can feel. The quality moments that actually stick with you. Think about it: What do you remember from last year? The 47 emails you answered on that Tuesday in March? Or the unexpected dinner conversation with your spouse that ran until midnight? The budget review that ran over by 30 minutes? Or the moment your team cracked up laughing during a brainstorming session?
We remember the Kairos moments. Always.
Why This Matters More Now Than Ever
As founders and CEOs, we've been conditioned to believe that constant motion equals progress. That being "busy" is a badge of honor, and that stepping away from our desks is somehow unproductive and irresponsible.
In our new AI driven world, the real competitive advantage isn't how fast you can move, but how clearly you can think. It's not about doing more; it's about choosing better. The leaders who will thrive aren't the ones who can work 80-hours a week (machines can still outwork us all). Leadership then becomes about relationships, creativity, and meaningful human experiences. These qualities can’t be replicated by technology. They require us to step away from the relentless pressure of Chronos and lean into the richness of Kairos.
It’s always hard… so we need to find ways to be present and enjoy the journey.
What Kairos Leadership Actually Looks Like
Last month, I started taking daily walks. Not walking meetings, just walks. No phone, no agenda, no productivity hacks. Just me and my thoughts and my two dogs. This definitely felt awkward at first with my hand constantly reaching for my phone out of habit. I felt guilty like I was cheating on my to-do list.
In the quiet moments of my walks, solutions to problems became clear and new ideas emerged naturally. My stress levels dropped significantly, and ironically, my actual productivity improved. It became obvious that constant busyness wasn’t making me more productive or happier. The walk wasn't "productive" in the Chronos sense. But it was transformative in the Kairos sense.
Your Kairos moments might look different:
The unplanned lunch with your team where you create real lasting bonds
The quiet morning coffee before the chaos begins, where clarity strikes
The weekend hike that helps you see your business challenges from 30,000 feet
The deep conversation with a mentor that shifts your entire perspective
The nap in the sun with your dogs cuddled up beside you that helps you remember how blessed you are
What Separates the Best Leaders
Here's what I've learned working with dozens of CEOs and Founders: The ones who scale successfully aren't just good at executing. They're masters at knowing when to step back and take a beat. They understand that sometimes the most productive thing you can do is stop producing. That the best decisions often come not from more analysis, but from creating space for wisdom to emerge.
Leaders who make space for Kairos moments can better support their teams. They become more empathetic, thoughtful, and insightful. By stepping away from constant productivity, they can see the bigger picture, make strategic choices, and foster environments where creativity and innovation thrive. Intentionally creating space for Kairos helps leaders shift from simply reacting to events, to thoughtfully responding to them. It encourages a richer, more intentional approach to both life and leadership.
Your Move
This week, I challenge you to deliberately create one Kairos moment. Not a scheduled "mindfulness break" with a timer and agenda, but a real pause. A real conversation. A moment of presence. Watch what happens!
Ten years from now, you won't remember the email you didn't send this week. But you might just remember the moment you chose connection over productivity, and presence over pressure.
And that moment might be exactly what your business, your team, and your life needed most.
