David Freund, Chief Leadership Officer at the Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY), has shared further reflections on his recent four-week sabbatical. In a follow-up to his previous post, Freund discussed the challenges he has faced in maintaining positive changes after returning to his routine.
Freund noted that despite his intentions to avoid a hectic schedule, old habits have started to return. “When I shared this with my coach the other day, I already knew what his response would be: ‘So Dave, what are you going to do about it?’ In that moment I made a commitment that over the next two weeks I will focus on maintaining the changes I wanted to make,” Freund wrote.
He emphasized the importance of slowing down as a way to increase effectiveness and prevent mistakes. According to Freund, rushing through tasks can lead to oversight and fatigue. He cited an example from his own experience: “This very post is an example of things slipping through the cracks. It should’ve been written and published last week but I simply forgot; it got lost in the blur of everything else.”
Freund also highlighted the value of silence and reflection for leaders seeking clarity in their decision-making processes. “Silence gives us the gift of clarity. In quiet moments, we can think, plan, and evaluate with intention. We can gauge whether our decisions are grounded or if we’re just reacting to emotion. Leaders especially need this kind of space; a time to reflect deeply before moving forward,” he stated.
Drawing on advice from leadership expert John Maxwell, Freund compared thoughtful reflection to marinating food—suggesting that allowing ideas time to develop leads to deeper insights.
Reflecting on his role at MACNY following his sabbatical, Freund explained that he plans to teach courses at a deeper level based on lessons learned throughout more than 13 years in leadership development. He acknowledged learning more from failures than successes and expressed confidence in sharing these experiences with others: “I’ve experienced firsthand the power of servant leadership and the joy of intentional growth. Those who take my classes will get a front row seat into my personal journey.”
Freund concluded by inviting colleagues and students at MACNY events or classes to help keep him accountable for maintaining periods of silence and reflection: “Here’s where I need your help: hold me accountable. If you take a class with me or see me at an upcoming MACNY event, ask me how I’m doing with my times of silence and reflection.”
