- by Jane Halford and ChatGPT

Can you hear it??? The silent screams of the workforce having to admit that summer is over and we're all heading "back to the grind".

For leaders and board members there's also unspoken expectation that we're excited to be "back to school" and ready to give 150% again. But, are we really? For most leaders, they didn't take enough of a break in the summer, and their fall agenda is packed with board meetings and business travel. I share the pain! I don't want to dust off my work travel suitcase and start my routine visits to hotels, Ubers, and random places to eat. I want to wear my jeans and baseball cap for a few more weeks.

How are we going to get through this shock? We can do it!

Turn September into an Advantage

Boards and executives who prepare for the fall surge can transform this busy season into one of their most effective quarters. Here’s how:

• Set a clear fall agenda
  Focus on the few decisions that truly need board or CEO level attention before the end of 2025. Deferring or delegating the rest ensures that your energy is on strategy, not administration. 
• Balance short-term urgency with long-term strategy
  Budgets and compliance matter, but without intention we can let them crowd out strategic discussions. Ask: Are we only finishing 2025 paperwork, or are we also positioning well for 2026 and beyond?
• Guard against decision fatigue
  Rushed agendas can lead to poor-quality decisions. Stagger items where possible, circulate pre-reads early, and clarify expectations so directors and executives arrive prepared and ready to take decisions and action.
• Use September as a reset
  Just as “back to school” resets routine, fall is a chance to review the effectiveness of your meetings, align in person time with maximizing value, and make improvements before the next year arrives.

• Reinforce accountability as the organization’s north star
  In the fall rush, it's easy to lose sight of how responsibilities translate into results. Refresh your board or executive team's focus on ownership, follow-through, and outcome alignment. Don't just talk - do!

• Strengthen communication norms
  Fall’s elevated pressure can strain how leaders engage with one another. Ensure clarity of priorities, active listening, and clear next steps.

Prioritize, Plan, Pace

If you want a simple mantra for this season, remember:

• Prioritize: Not every “urgent” thing is actually urgent. Focus on the few actions that move strategy forward.
• Plan: Get ahead now—you will thank you yourself come January.
• Pace: Don’t burn out in September. Leadership is a marathon, not a sprint to the end of the calendar year.

September will always bring a radical change in pace. The question is whether you will react with scramble and defiance or with strategy and leadership. Be like those young kids in our communities who are excited to put on their new shoes, see their friends, and be curious about the year ahead. You've got this!

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