For many executives, being busy has become a badge of honor – the packed calendar, the back-to-back meetings, the constant firefighting. But for Andrew White, Founder and CEO of Transcend.Space, it’s a dangerous trap that’s silently undermining performance, decision-making and wellbeing.
“Busyness gives you the illusion of progress,” White explains in conversation with CEO: Behind the Scenes host David Jepson. “But in reality, it can be a way of avoiding the hard, strategic work – the kind that requires courage, reflection and clarity.”
A former Associate Dean at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, White has spent two decades researching leadership, transformation and organizational change. Through his work at Transcend.Space, he now helps senior leaders break free from reactive patterns and lead from a place of intentionality and presence.
In the episode, White makes a compelling case that the pressure to do more is stifling the very leadership qualities organizations need most.
“We’re asking people to lead in complex, unpredictable environments, but we’re not giving them the space to think, to connect to purpose or to evolve,” he says.
Leading with clarity
He outlines a three-stage transformation process he’s seen in high-performing leaders – from chaos to recalibration to conscious impact. While it might sound abstract, White’s approach is anything but soft. It involves structured interventions, deep personal inquiry and a commitment to change that many leaders resist.
“When a leader gets out of the weeds and starts operating from a place of clarity, the whole system shifts.”
“A lot of leaders come to us when they feel stuck,” he explains. “They’ve hit a ceiling. They’re successful by every external measure, but something’s not working. That’s when the real work begins.”
That real work often includes confronting uncomfortable truths – about ego, control or the identity that’s been built on constant achievement. But for those willing to do the work, the payoff is significant.
“When a leader gets out of the weeds and starts operating from a place of clarity, the whole system shifts,” White says. “You see better decisions, more inspired teams and a greater ability to navigate change.”
“We’re asking people to lead in complex, unpredictable environments, but we’re not giving them the space to think, to connect to purpose or to evolve.”
The conversation also touches on the rise of AI and automation, the myth of perfect time management and why leadership is increasingly a spiritual – not just strategic – journey.
White doesn’t offer a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, he invites leaders to ask better questions: What am I avoiding by staying busy? What would I see if I slowed down? Who do I want to become?
The result is a powerful and urgent episode for any executive who feels overwhelmed, stretched too thin or disconnected from their purpose. Listen now to discover how to create space for what really matters – and lead with the clarity your team and business truly need.
Listen to the latest episode of our CEO: Behind the Scenes podcast with Andrew White on Amazon, Apple or Spotify.
