Rethinking Leadership: Rest as a Strategy, Not a Perk
As we step into June—a time of transitions, graduations, and summer planning—we’re also entering a unique season at Friends for Youth (FFY): Remote Month. It’s a moment we carve out each year to reflect, reset, and reconnect—with ourselves, our work, and our purpose.
This tradition is more than a flexible work policy. It’s a reflection of how we lead and how we trust.
At a recent staff meeting, our Executive Director, Cecilia “Cece”, opened a powerful conversation on grind culture—the unspoken belief that our value is tied to how much we produce, that rest must be earned, and that slowing down signals weakness. Whether you're navigating the corporate world or driving impact in a grassroots nonprofit, these messages seep into the way we lead, live, and measure success.
As a first-generation Latina, this hit close to home. I grew up watching my parents juggle two—sometimes three—jobs. Hustle wasn’t just a necessity. It was love in motion. But here’s what I’ve come to know as a leader: survival mode isn’t sustainable. Not for individuals. Not for families. And definitely not for mission-driven teams doing heart-centered work.
So what is sustainable?
Rest.
Not as a luxury. Not as a break when you’ve "earned it."
But as a leadership strategy.
Here’s what I know now as a leader:
Rest isn’t a reward—it’s a requirement.
Rest is resistance.
Rest is reparations.
Rest is a leadership strategy.
At FFY, Remote Month is our way of walking the talk. It’s not “free” PTO. It’s not a month off.
It’s an invitation for our staff to manage their time, travel if they choose, explore new ideas, pursue professional growth, and work at their own rhythm. Whether that’s from a quiet cabin, a parent’s living room, or a favorite local café, they get to choose the environment that allows them to thrive.
And here’s the thing: this kind of trust isn’t handed out casually. It’s built. Over time. Through honest communication, shared expectations, and real accountability.
When we say we trust our people—we mean it. And we build policies that prove it.
This isn’t just about wellness. It’s about sustainability, about trusting people to get things done in a way that honors their humanity. It’s about creating a culture where people can be human and high-performing.
Because when we don’t build in time to reflect, recharge, and reset, we don’t just risk burnout. We risk losing the very people who power our mission.
As leaders, we have a choice: to reinforce grind culture or to challenge it. To equate busyness with value—or to build a culture that sees sustainability as success.
For anyone rethinking what leadership can look like in today’s world, I highly recommend Rest Is Resistance by Tricia Hersey. It’s a compelling read on how reclaiming rest can reimagine productivity, equity, and liberation in the workplace.
At Friends for Youth, we’re committed to making rest part of our rhythm—not an afterthought. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.
Here’s to a summer of intention, inspiration, and sustainable impact.
Monica Mejia ,
Director of Operations at Friends For Youth
