How Seth Godin does his best work
Last week, on the way to one of my best friend’s weddings, I stopped in the Hudson Valley to visit a mentor.
You might know him—his name is Seth Godin.
We met back in 2016 (that’s a story for another newsletter). This time, he wanted to meet my daughter and fiancé. If that doesn’t tell you something about the kind of person—and leader—he is… !
In the world of marketing and entrepreneurship, few people are more well-known. He’s one of the most sought-after speakers and prolific writers on the planet—20+ books, 8,000+ blog posts (yes, daily). He’s also one of the most grounded, authentic, and empathetic humans I’ve ever known. In many ways, his presence reminds me of my dad. 🥰
We talked life, work, babies, burnout, and big ideas. Then, he shared something he hasn’t released publicly—his next project. It’s unexpected. It’s fascinating. It’s deeply original. It's SO SETH.
Naturally, I asked him:
“How did you come up with it?”
He didn’t blink.
Didn’t give a TED-worthy monologue.
He just said:
“I made space for it.”
🤯 Let that land.
He didn’t find space.
He didn’t wait for space.
He didn’t earn space by working harder.
He created it. Intentionally.
That hit me hard.
(He’d say, “That’s just being a professional.”)
And if I’m honest? I’m not making enough space.
And if you’re leading a team through complexity, speed, or scale—I’m betting you aren’t either.
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I constantly hear execs ask:
“Why isn’t my team more innovative?”
“Why don’t they think more strategically?”
“Why aren’t they chasing excellence or solving bigger problems?”
Here’s why:
They probably don’t have time to think.
Or breathe.
And brilliance doesn’t come from pushing harder.
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So, what do we do?
Let’s back up. How did we even get here?
We keep repeating the same patterns, hoping for different outcomes. (Which, by the way, is the literal definition of insanity.)
We fall into traps like:
• Chasing “more.”
More priorities. More projects. More plans. But never taking anything off people’s plates. Ever told someone they’re doing too much? No? Shame on you.
[Yes, you may be reporting to the board. But if you can’t manage your stress and transmute it, you’re projecting it. That’s not leadership.]
• Mistaking meetings for work.
Leaders in 10+ meetings a day don’t start real work until after 6pm.
[If you think face time (in meetings or the office) equals progress, what you’re really telling your team is: “I don’t trust you.” Which, let’s be honest, makes you more of a babysitter than a boss. Shame on you #2.]
• Misunderstanding speed.
It’s not scale that breaks systems—it’s scale that breaks trust.
Your human systems are your velocity. Without them, the rest slows down too.
Remember last week’s newsletter: “Chi va piano, va sano e va lontano.”
[#3: Your job is to lead humans. The human part of people—the part that overcommits, wants to perform, be seen, be significant. If you’re not seeing excellence, it’s not because they’re lazy. It’s because the environment isn’t safe or clear enough for them to soar. That’s on you.]
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Look, I get it. Maybe you're not the type that does "rest" well. That's fine.
Space doesn't need to mean slowness or even stillness. That's just one kind. But you DO need to stop being busy. You need room on your calendar. Room in your brain.
Because when your team is stuck in reaction mode, they can’t be in creation mode. That's not me, that's neuroscience. They're stuck in part of their brain that can't get to creative.
Because, they’re running on fumes. So...
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➡️ If you’re an employee:
Speak up.
If you don’t flag overwhelm, it’s not the leader’s fault—it’s yours.
Most leaders aren’t psychic (or even as empathetic as they believe they are). Some are just wildly unaware. But they can’t fix what you don’t share.
Say something.
(And if you want a strategy for how, email me.)
➡️ If you’re the leader:
Don’t wait for your team to say, “We’re exhausted.”
They won’t.
They want to make you proud.
I’ve seen people quit before they speak up.
So ask. Then listen.
Protect their human.
Create space for their genius to come through.
You’ll get the results that you want to relay to the board and the loyalty.
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Think about it:
You’re building something no one has ever built before.
Do you really think you can create the future… on fumes?
Nope.
The answer will always be the same:
Become a pro.
Make space.
Like Seth.
For them.
And for you.
Because your people—like your kids—won’t do what you say.
They’ll do what you do.
So be the example.
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Want a quick way to start?
🔬Try this experiment:
Next time you commit to something—cut 20% of it.
Or ask your team to do the same.
See what happens.
Because burnout isn’t just the work.
It’s the mental load of everything else left unfinished.
So make space. On purpose.
Let their brilliance rise.
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Want help creating that space?
This is what we do. Invite us in for a workshop.
No long-term commitment. Just a deep breath—for you and your team.
You're not supposed to know how to do this. You’re the expert in your craft.
And I'm the dork who has been studying the human side of high performance since I had pigtails. Seriously.
Let me help you be the hero for your team. The person that sees what they need and takes action on their behalf.
Give it some thought. You have way more to gain than you have to lose.
Amiright!? :)
Yours bravely,
Elisabeth
