What Is Space in Leadership?
Space in leadership isn’t about empty time in your diary. It’s about mental clarity, strategic thinking and being intentional about your decisions. It’s about stepping back from the daily grind to make choices that actually move things forward.
Yet, space is often seen as a luxury. In a world that values busyness, pausing to think feels like slacking off.
I used to believe that too.
For years, I ran on adrenaline, jumping in, fixing problems, proving my worth through constant action. The more I did, the more valuable I thought I was. But in reality? I was spinning my wheels, working harder, not smarter.
Everything changed when I created space.
The SPACE Method – A New Way to Lead
The SPACE Method is the foundation of my coaching and leadership programmes. It’s designed to help leaders break free from the cycle of busyness and step into leadership with clarity, confidence and impact.
S – Stop & Reflect
Before you can lead well, you need to pause. This means creating intentional breaks to think, rather than reacting in the moment.
Ask yourself:
What’s actually important right now?
What am I rushing into without thinking?
Am I leading or just managing tasks?
What does leadership mean to me?
What’s the impact I am trying to create?
How does this step fit into the wider strategy:
Great leaders don’t just act; they reflect first.
P – Personal Insight
Leadership starts with self-awareness. What drives you? What drains you? What do you actually want? Who are you as a leader? How do you show up on a day-to-day basis – for yourself and others?
Gain clarity on:
Your values and priorities
How you work best
What leadership means to you
What you want for yourself
Without personal insight, you’ll keep following someone else’s definition of success.
A – Address Beliefs
This is where things get real. Most leaders operate from unconscious beliefs that shape their actions.
Challenge thoughts like:
“If I’m not busy, I’m not valuable.”
“I have to do it myself, no one else will.”
“Thinking is a waste of time; action is what matters.”
“Who’s got time for this?!”
Space isn’t about doing less; it’s about focusing on the things that move the needle.
C – Clear Action Steps
Once you’ve gained clarity, it’s time to make a plan. Not a massive to-do list, just a few key moves that matter.
Ask yourself:
What’s the one thing I need to focus on and why?
What will be different for you/the team/the organisation/clients (you name it) once I/we finished this one thing?
What’s a small step I can take right now?
What can I stop doing that isn’t serving me?
Clarity leads to confidence.
E – Execute with Confidence
This is where the shift happens. You stop reacting and start leading. You don’t rush into every problem—you decide where your energy goes.
Action without chaos.
Decisions with conviction.
Leadership with clarity.
Why This Matters More for Women Leaders
If you’re a woman in leadership, creating space can feel even harder. Research shows that women are more likely to be overloaded with non-promotable tasks—things like organising, supporting and making sure everything runs smoothly.
We’re conditioned to prove our worth through effort, not impact.
But real leadership isn’t about doing it all. It’s about creating the space to lead with purpose.
Ready to step into leadership with more SPACE?
If you’re tired of spinning your wheels and want to lead with clarity, let’s talk. Whether through 1:1 coaching or my leadership programmes, I help leaders like you create space—and use it wisely.
