The Power of Pauses: Embracing Ma in Leadership and Life

In this final episode of 2024, I wanted to explore the idea of Ma, a Japanese concept of the space in between. It’s something I’m going to try and do more of in my life this coming year, and invite you to do the same. Throughout this episode, I reflect on this idea and how it can be applied to life and leadership, and share practical takeaways for leaders to implement Ma in their lives. Enjoy!

What is Ma?

Ma is the Japanese concept of the space in between. It’s not just the emptiness between objects or moments—it’s a space that holds its own significance and beauty. 

In Japanese culture, Ma is everywhere. It’s in the deliberate pause at the end of a bow, the space between the spokes of a wheel, and the simplicity of ikebana (i·kay·baa·nuh)—the Japanese art of flower arrangement, where a single flower and a crooked branch can create balance and evoke meaning. Ma reminds us that the spaces between things—or the pauses in life—are not empty; they’re essential. They allow us to recalibrate, reflect, and rediscover what’s important.

Ma in Leadership and Life

Ma is relevant to our leadership, creativity, and obviously parenting. So often, we’re rushing from one thing to the next—meetings, projects, school events, or personal milestones—that we forget to honor the spaces in between. But those spaces, those pauses, are where beauty, imagination, and creativity thrive.

In leadership, these moments might be the time between big projects or the stillness after a team meeting. In parenting, it’s the quiet before bedtime, or time riding in the car, when meaningful conversations emerge. And in our personal lives, maybe it’s the early morning stillness before anybody else in the house is up or the day begins. 

Ma teaches us that we need to slow down, breathe, and take pause—not just to rest, but to create space for something new to emerge.

Practical Takeaways for Leaders

As you think about the new year, challenge yourself with three takeaways about how to implement this idea of Ma. These are simple activities you can implement today, or spend more time thinking about how you might implement them as part of a broader team initiative.

1. Value Pauses for Reflection and Innovation
   • Leaders often feel pressure to keep moving forward, to make every moment of every day an opportunity to do something. But Ma teaches us that pauses are essential for thoughtful decision-making and creativity. 
   • Schedule regular time for personal reflection or team brainstorming sessions where the focus isn’t on any immediate outcomes, but on imagining new possibilities. Time when you’re just there with no particular agenda. These pauses can be moments of great clarity and inspiration.
2. Embrace Silence to Build Deeper Connections
   • At Leadership Vision we’ve shared a lot about the power of listening, and so with that in mind, in your next meeting or one-on-one conversations, don’t rush to fill the silence. Instead, allow pauses to happen naturally. 
   • This can encourage deeper thinking, more meaningful contributions, and a stronger sense of connection among your team. Silence can be uncomfortable at first, but it’s also incredibly powerful for building trust and fostering authenticity.
3. Create Space for Purposeful Disconnect
   • Set aside device-free time during your day or create “quiet hours” for your team to focus deeply without distractions. These moments of Ma can recharge your mind and cultivate creativity. Encourage your team to use these intervals to reflect and refocus before diving back into their work

Ma in Your Life and Leadership

The beauty of Ma lies in its simplicity and its profound impact. As leaders, we’re often so focused on action and output that we overlook the power of the spaces in between. But by intentionally embracing these pauses—whether for reflection, silence, garbage time, or purposeful disconnect—we can lead with greater clarity, creativity, and presence.

As you think about the year ahead, take time to identify and honor the Ma in your own life and leadership. Create space for yourself, your team, and your family to slow down, reflect, and recalibrate. It’s in these pauses that we rediscover what truly matters—and where the seeds of our most imaginative ideas are planted. And hopefully with a little more space in each of our lives, we can be more fully present for the most important parts.

How do you find and honor the spaces in between? Connect with us and let’s keep the conversation going!