(I031) Rituals Aren’t Outdated. They’re Underutilized.
Rituals Aren’t Outdated. They’re Underutilized.
I can tell you what rituals are, and what they’re not.
From ancient human traditions and the precise rituals of Japanese disciplines to the daily habits of the animal kingdom, rituals are the invisible threads that weave structure, meaning and resilience into our lives. They ground us in the present and cultivate presence, rhythm and mastery that carry us toward future growth.
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about rituals. It started with my Mom and tea.
During a recent visit with family from Japan, I was reminded of the beautiful phrases that are ritually used in daily life, like Ittekimasu (行ってきます, "I'm off") and Itadakimasu (いただきます, "I humbly receive this meal"). It was so heartwarming to watch a three-year-old Japanese child teach her six-year-old cousin these customs, modeling respect and presence in the most natural, endearing way.
That memory drew me back to my mother’s quiet, intentional way of doing things. Her rituals weren’t grand, but they were steady. They taught me what I’m now remembering: rituals shape how we show up.
Over time, I’ve developed my own. These rituals have shifted as I’ve grown. I realized that my behaviours needed intentional strategies to keep me grounded and calm while maintaining my momentum. They became anchors, not restraints. They helped me lead myself first.
Especially in those moments when emotions run high, when uncertainty creeps in and the wind feels too strong to sail against, those moments when I’ve questioned, “Am I really cut out for this?” This is when my rituals have helped me steady the course. They remind me of who I am beneath the storm. Not perfect. But present. Still choosing to return to center, again and again.
We often think of rituals as spiritual, cultural, or ceremonial, and they can be. But in modern leadership, rituals are also practical. They’re the steady practices that realign us. They create meaning in motion, anchoring us during uncertainty and helping us lead with intention.
So let’s explore the power of rituals in leadership through three lenses:
What are rituals, really?
Rituals are repeated, intentional actions that carry meaning. Unlike habits, which are automatic, rituals are mindful. They are performed with presence, purpose, and emotional resonance. In leadership, rituals help us reconnect with what matters, reset our energy, and reinforce our values.
Science backs this up. Harvard Business Review highlighted how rituals, far from superstition, actually reduce anxiety and enhance performance under pressure. In one study, participants who performed a simple ritual before a stressful task not only felt calmer, they also performed better. Rituals provide a psychological anchor. They help us stay grounded in uncertainty, regulating our emotions and reinforcing our identity. And when practiced as a team, they strengthen cohesion, trust and shared purpose.
Whether it’s a morning reflection, a team check-in, or how we begin and end our meetings, rituals create micro-moments of alignment.
To see how powerful rituals can be, consider these examples:
Michael Phelps – Pre-Race Ritual: I used to be a varsity swimmer and swim Coach, I studied the best! Before every race, Phelps followed the exact same warm-up, playlist, and mental rehearsal. This consistency wasn’t superstition, it was a ritual for confidence and control.
Katie Ledecky – Bottle-Slap & Step-Up: Ledecky’s pre-race water bottle tap and rhythmic step onto the block sets her mental state. It’s her ritualized cue to enter flow and leave fear behind.
Shodo Artist – Ensō Circle Ritual: My Japanese roots taught me that mastery isn’t about perfection, but presence. Before painting an ensō (円相), the shodo artist grinds ink slowly, breathes deeply, and clears the mind. Then, with one intentional exhale, the brush moves in a single stroke, no corrections, no hesitation. This isn’t performance. It’s a ritual of grounding, trust and flow. A circle that holds everything: discipline, spirit and release.
Birds Singing at Dawn – Nature’s Morning Ritual: Every morning, birds perform the dawn chorus, a rhythmic song that marks territory, connection, and a presence in the world. No agenda, just the ritual of showing up.
Japanese Bowing – Respect in Motion: In Japan, bowing (ojigi, お辞儀) is a ritual of humility and connection. From martial arts to morning greetings, it's a gesture that reminds us to move with intention and honour.
These rituals, whether athletic, cultural, or natural, share one thing: they signal presence. And in leadership, presence is everything.
When do rituals matter most? Rituals have the greatest impact during moments of:
Transition: Starting a new role, ending a project, entering a new season of leadership.
Tension: When clarity, calm, or courage is needed.
Team building: When psychological safety and shared meaning are essential.
Fatigue or burnout: When the system needs rhythm, not just rest.
Leaders often underestimate how much their presence sets the tone. Rituals help regulate not just your energy, but the emotional climate around you.
Why are rituals so often overlooked? Because we confuse them with routine.
In our productivity-obsessed culture, slowing down feels indulgent. But rituals aren’t about doing less, they’re about doing what matters with more presence. They infuse leadership with rhythm, symbolism, and human connection.
Rituals are how we build leadership muscle memory, not through speed, but through steady, meaningful repetition. They also help us stay resilient and real when circumstances shift.
Curious to learn HOW?
In my upcoming webinar, I’ll introduce a powerful, practical framework for designing your own leadership rituals. It’s called the INSPIRE framework, and it’s designed to help leaders create rituals that are intentional, nurturing, symbolic, persistent, imaginative, reflective, and engaging.
If you're feeling disconnected, burnt out, or like you're constantly chasing clarity, this is your invitation to slow down and realign.
Rituals aren’t outdated. They’re underutilized.
Let’s bring them back with purpose.
Stay tuned for the webinar details.
And if this stirred something in you, I’d love to hear, what’s one small ritual you already have (even if you didn’t realize it)?
References
The Research-Backed Benefits of Daily Rituals
This piece explores how personal and team rituals can benefit the way we work, providing structure and emotional support.
Read the article
