As a business leader, my days are a non-stop stream of meetings, emails, Slack messages, and last-minute decisions. Add to that a relentless digital presence—LinkedIn updates, industry news, and the expectation to always be available—and you’ve got the perfect recipe for burnout masked as productivity.
A few months ago, I reached a breaking point. Despite being “on” 24/7, I felt increasingly disconnected—from strategy, from my team, and most alarmingly, from myself. That’s when I decided to do something drastic: a full digital detox.
For one full week, I unplugged from everything non-essential. No email. No social media. No news alerts. Just the basics—phone calls and emergency texts. What happened during those seven days? I experienced a level of mental clarity I hadn’t felt in years. Here’s what I learned:
1. Urgency Is Often an Illusion
We pride ourselves on being responsive, but most “urgent” matters can wait. I prepped my team in advance, delegated, and empowered decision-making in my absence. Not only did the world not burn down—it functioned beautifully. This forced me to re-evaluate how often I’m pulled into things I don’t need to be.
2. Depth Beats Speed
Without the constant pings, I finally had the mental bandwidth to think deeply. I journaled ideas I hadn’t had space to explore. I reflected on our company’s long-term direction, not just the Q2 sprint. In silence, strategy thrives. That space to think—not react—is something I now protect fiercely.
3. Presence Is a Power Move
At work, we talk a lot about presence—executive presence, being "in the room"—but it's impossible to be present when you're also mentally juggling three inboxes. During my detox, I was fully present with my family. With myself. That emotional recharge? It made me a better leader when I came back.
4. Culture Starts at the Top
My team saw me step away, and it gave them permission to prioritize their own boundaries. Leadership isn’t just about output—it’s about modeling sustainable practices. Since my return, we’ve started testing “no-meeting” mornings and deep-work blocks. Productivity hasn’t dropped. Burnout signals have.
5. Technology Should Serve Us—Not Enslave Us
I’m not anti-tech. Far from it. I believe in high-performance tools and real-time collaboration. But the way we use them needs to evolve. After the detox, I came back with new rules: no emails after 7pm. No Slack on weekends. Social media twice a week, max. I use tech with intention now—and that’s the key.
Final Thoughts
Going off the grid won’t solve all your problems—but it might show you which ones are self-created. It reminded me that clarity, creativity, and connection require space. As executives, we set the tone. If we’re always “on,” we’re sending the wrong message.
Sometimes the most powerful leadership move is stepping away—so we can come back with vision, energy, and focus.
Subhashis Das Gupta
sdasgupta444@gmail.com
Duncans Group
INDIA
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