Friday Book Review: Essentialism and the Discipline of Attentive Leadership and How To Direct Your Energy Differently

As the workweek draws to a close, leaders often find themselves reflecting on what demanded their energy—and what quietly competed for it.

In Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown, a New York Times bestseller, readers are challenged to reconsider how attention, choice, and focus shape effectiveness. For leaders, the book offers a compelling framework for cultivating attentive presence in a complex world.

Why Essentialism Resonates With Leadership Today

McKeown argues that leadership excellence does not come from doing more, but from directing energy toward what matters most. In environments overloaded with communication and competing priorities, presence becomes a strategic advantage.

When leaders are intentional with their attention:

• Conversations become more meaningful
• Listening becomes more discerning
• Responses become aligned with purpose rather than pressure

Key Leadership Insights From the Book

1. Discernment Over Urgency

Essentialism encourages leaders to distinguish between what is merely pressing and what is genuinely important—an orientation that strengthens listening and judgment.

2. Boundaries as Enablers of Presence

Clear boundaries—particularly around digital communication—create the conditions for deeper engagement with people and ideas.

3. Focus Deepens Connection

When leaders concentrate their attention, teams experience greater clarity, trust, and respect. Presence is felt not through constant availability, but through quality engagement.

Journaling as an Essentialist Leadership Tool to Redirect Energy

Journaling offers leaders a practical way to clarify priorities, surface assumptions, and align actions with values. Writing creates coherence—internally and externally—so leadership interactions are thoughtful and grounded and energy is redirected.

Just Myself Journals workshops guide participants in using analog reflection to operationalize Essentialist principles, helping leaders:

• Strengthen attention
• Improve listening quality
• Lead with intention in digitally dense environments
  

A Friday Reflection

As you prepare for the week ahead, consider:

What deserves my full attention—and how am I choosing my energy to direct it?

Presence is cultivated through intentional focus. Listening follows naturally when leaders are clear about what matters most.