By Kelly D. Robinson, WE Lead Class 19
Taking a two-month sabbatical to volunteer in Africa is one of the most meaningful decisions I’ve ever made – for my life and for my leadership. I stepped into a new environment with the intention to serve, have impact and to use my skills in a completely different arena. What I didn’t anticipate was how much the experience would give back to me. It was challenging, joy‑filled and deeply transformative.
Lessons in Immersion and Purpose
My approach was to immerse myself, observe and learn. I found myself absorbing lessons everywhere. One of the most memorable experiences was visiting the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, an organization focused on the rescue and rewilding of orphan elephants and rhinos, and habit conservation in Kenya. Watching the caretakers pour such passion into their work with the animals reminded me what it looks like to love what you do – to let purpose be your fuel.
This sabbatical was an investment in me; I gave myself the gift of being still. For once, my days weren’t packed with meetings, deadlines or constant motion. Instead, I found a quiet rhythm, enjoyed the simplicity of my days and allowed myself to roll slow – to embrace rest and reflection, not productivity. I found clarity crystallizing in ways it doesn’t when I’m over-programmed. My thinking sharpened. My perspective expanded. My body and spirit finally had room to breathe, renew, and be at peace.
Stepping this far outside my comfort zone challenged me in all the right ways. When I pushed myself into unfamiliar situations, fear loosened its grip. I learned all I am capable of and my confidence grew.
From Doing to Being: A Leadership Shift
One of the greatest lessons I’m bringing back is the value of being over doing. Leadership isn’t only about output, strategy or execution. It’s about creating a healthy culture – modeling rest, setting boundaries and caring about people. If I want my team to avoid burnout, pursue passions, and thrive both inside and outside of work, I need to live those values myself.
Ultimately, my season of sabbatical taught me the profound power of a pause. In stepping away, I discovered what truly matters, what I want to build next and who I want to be as a leader. Sometimes the most important forward motion begins when we allow ourselves to stop.