August Reflections: Burnout and Building
- Katie Kolon
- Aug 29
- 3 min read
Lately I’ve been noticing how much pressure there is to move fast—speak fast, think fast, decide fast. But the conversations that matter most usually don’t work that way. They need space, pauses, and time to breathe. It’s not about performance, it’s about participation and consistency.
Many mediators schedule a full day and push through until resolution. I take a different approach: scheduling shorter 2- or 4-hour blocks for important conversations. It’s enough time to make real progress without overwhelming people or letting conflict overheat. It's not only part of a trauma-informed practice; slowing the process down helps people listen differently, and often find a clearer path forward.
August was slower for business, and truthfully, I still feel some burnout and stress. Business doesn’t move at the same pace we do, and it doesn’t always line up with our effort. But I did intentionally slow down in parts of my own life: I went home to help my mom finalize her Storyworth project, worked fewer weekends, and spent more time sailing. That pause gave me perspective, even if it wasn’t fully restful. This month, I’ve also focused on visibility and relationships. I was featured on a podcast about family business, finalized the long process of becoming officially certified as a women-owned business, launched my Substack, and brought more intention to networking.
🎉 Announcement
Mutual Ground Strategies, LLC is now a WBENC-Certified WBE (Women's Business Enterprise)!
Coming soon, we will be federally certified as well!
📰 The Groundwork Blog: August Highlights
Conflict shows up everywhere, whether in family businesses, leadership teams, or even out on the water. Here are a few recent places I've been writing and speaking about what it means to navigate it well.
What's New on The Groundwork Blog
I finally got back on the water this month, racing in the Verve Cup Offshore Regatta. The experience reminded me how often sailing mirrors real-life conflict. My latest post draws out some of those parallels and what they can teach us about navigating challenges on land as well as at sea.
I had the chance to join Adam Hill on his Fearless Family Business Podcast, where we ended up talking about everything from small-town roots to what makes conflict conversations work. It was a reminder of how much our personal histories shape the way we lead and resolve tension in business. You can subscribe to Adam's podcast and listen to this episode on YouTube, Apple Podcasts or by clicking the video below.
📣 Subscribe to My Substack!
I launched a Substack (https://substack.com/@mutualgroundstrategies) to share essays on dignity, trust, and the messy, necessary conversations that shape our work and lives. My latest post explores what it means to speak slowly, and why careful speech is often misunderstood. Subscribe to get the posts directly in your inbox!
📅 Register for Upcoming Webinar:
Manage Important Conversations in 4 Steps
This fall I’ll be leading a two-part series as part of Greatness Calls, hosted by Laura Comilla. The first session is in September, where I’ll walk through my Mutual Method Playbook: a practical four-step framework for leading difficult conversations at work. The second, in October, will dive deeper into understanding and working within conflict.
Laura’s Greatness Retreat and ongoing Greatness Calls create an inspiring space for leaders who want to grow with clarity and purpose, and I’m honored to be part of the series.
Date: September 23
Time: 4 pm CST
Format: Online Workshop
That’s the latest from me. Thanks for being part of this ongoing conversation. If you want to keep participating, the best way is to subscribe to my Substack.
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