On this week’s episode of The Exceptional Companies Podcast, I had the chance to sit down with my good friend Alan Briggs, CEO of H2 Leadership and the Sabbatical Coaching Group. Our conversation stretched me and, honestly, convicted me in some places too. We tackled a subject that a lot of CEOs and entrepreneurs avoid: rest.
I’ll be the first to admit this is something I’ve wrestled with. I love to work, and in our culture of hustle and grind, slowing down feels counterintuitive. But Alan reframed the conversation for me in a way I think every business owner needs to hear.
Meeting Alan
Alan describes himself as an adventurer. Living in Colorado, he spends as much time as possible on mountaintops and in streams. He brings that same spirit into coaching. He only works with leaders who are adventurous in mindset—those who are ready for expansion, growth, and elevation.
He and his wife are raising four kids, and that sense of family adventure runs deep. Alan also comes from an entrepreneurial background. As a teenager in Virginia, he ran a landscaping business, hired his friends, and loved creating opportunity. His dad taught him something he still repeats today: “What’s the worst they can say? No.”
The 4H’s of Coaching
One thing I loved about our conversation was Alan’s filters for who he coaches. He calls them the 4H’s:
- Humble: willing to admit weakness and receive coaching.
- Hungry: motivated to grow.
- Honest: open about struggles, failures, and what’s really going on.
- High capacity: they’re not topped out yet; there’s more in the tank.
He uses these in his initial breakthrough sessions. It reminded me of Patrick Lencioni’s hungry, humble, smart framework for hiring, which we use when thinking about our own teams. Clear filters like this save a lot of wasted energy.
It’s Not About Capacity
Alan pointed out something that hit me hard. Most leaders don’t burn out because of a lack of skill or capacity. They burn out because of a lack of sustainability. Too many of us sprint into leadership like it’s the first mile of a marathon. We push hard, run hot, and tie our identity to proving ourselves.
Alan admitted he brushed up against burnout himself in his twenties. He had plenty of energy but very few boundaries. By his thirties—with four kids and adoption pressure—he realized something had to change or burnout was inevitable.
Clarity, Seasons, and the To-Don’t List
Clarity is a recurring theme in my life and business. For me, faith and family are non-negotiable priorities. Once those are clear, it’s easier to say no to even good opportunities.
Alan added another dimension I found really helpful: seasons. The grind that gets you through year one of a business won’t sustain you into year six. He recommends building a to-don’t list every week. In his Right Setup Journal, he encourages leaders to pre-declare what they will not do. He also coaches people to write a ready-made turn-down script so they don’t waste mental energy when invitations roll in.
As Alan put it, every new opportunity should be treated as “guilty until proven innocent.”
Scorecards at Work and at Home
I shared with Alan how we use scorecards in our businesses. It’s not about hours worked but about whether we’re putting energy into the levers that actually move the outcome. Sending a hundred emails may look impressive, but if the business is built through referrals, then the real lever is in the relationships.
At home, my wife and I apply the same principle. We’ve made a scorecard commitment to breakfast and dinner together as a family. Phones away. Devotions in the morning. Conversations at night. It’s simple, but it’s a way to make sure our values aren’t just words—they show up in our calendar.
Rethinking Sabbatical
Before this conversation, I thought sabbaticals were mostly for pastors or professors. Alan challenged that. He defines a sabbatical as:
A month or more away from your primary work, for the purpose of replenishment, with the intention of returning stronger.
It’s not a time to start another business or write a book. It’s about filling back up what the last season drained.
And here’s the kicker—it’s not just good for the leader. It stress-tests the team. In Alan’s experience, teams often grow their capacity by 10–30% while the leader is away. It also forces role clarity. One founder he coached returned from sabbatical and realized he wanted to step back into design, while another team member took over operations.
Alan also shared that he takes a think day once a quarter. He goes to a secret location, turns his phone on airplane mode, and journals through the big problems. He comes back clear-headed and energized.
Busting the Myths
We both agreed there are some myths that keep leaders chained to unhealthy rhythms:
- “Someday I’ll rest.” The truth: someday rarely comes. You have to ask, what would have to be true for me to rest now?
- “This is just what it takes.” I hear this all the time. My pushback: I don’t work Sundays, I rarely work evenings, and in one of our oil and gas companies, the rule is simple—call me anytime if someone’s seriously hurt, but everything else can wait.
- “I can’t afford to rest.” The reality: you can’t afford not to. Creativity, clarity, and longevity come from rest.
Rest Looks Different for Everyone
Alan and I laughed about the idea of cookie-cutter rest. I told him about a coaching program that insisted rest meant no business talk at all. But for me, journaling about business at our cabin is restful. He agreed—rest needs to be customized.
Even something as small as choosing to think on an airplane instead of zoning out with a movie can create breakthroughs.
Wisdom for Entrepreneurs
Alan closed with advice I wish I had at 20: build disciplines now. Do what you say you’ll do. Follow through. Invest in your health physically, relationally, emotionally, and mentally. Those habits compound.
But here’s where I added my own encouragement. Even if you didn’t build those habits in your twenties, you can start today. I shared the story of Steve-O from Jackass, who has been sober for 16 years. Change can start anytime. Sobriety, discipline, new standards—they’re all just one decision away.
My Biggest Takeaway
Alan’s words have stuck with me:
“The currency of leadership is energy, not time.”
If you’re an entrepreneur like me, you don’t need more hours. You need to clarify what matters, invest your best energy there, and have the courage to rest.
AND MORE TOPICS COVERED IN THE FULL INTERVIEW!!! You can check that out and subscribe to YouTube.
If you want to know more about Alan Briggs, you may reach out to him at:
- Website: antiburnout.com
- Website: www.h2leadership.com
Connect with Chris Seegers:
- Website: https://exceptionalcos.com/
- Email: Ch***@************OS.com
Other Resources:
- Books: Selling Main Street by Chris Seegers
