Episode 57: David Werdiger on the Power of Pause in Family Enterprise Leadership

David Werdiger returns to discuss his Power of Pause Institute and the concept of time as a critical leadership asset. Drawing from his experience as a second-generation family business enterprise member and decades advising high net worth families, David explores how family enterprise leaders can create clarity through intentional pause rather than constant urgency. The conversation covers stewardship principles learned from nonprofit boards, the importance of manufactured adversity in rising generation education, and navigating binary decisions like selling versus keeping family assets. David emphasizes that family wealth office governance thrives when leaders balance strategic clarity with relational awareness and treat time as their most valuable resource.00:00 Introduction to David Werdiger 01:57 Origins of the Power of Pause 04:03 Second-generation business experience 06:07 Time as a leadership resource 08:00 Leadership styles and patience 10:15 The pause practice framework 12:30 Technology and intentional time 14:45 Decision making under pressure 16:52 Rising generation preparation 20:29 Manufactured adversity concept 22:45 Binary decisions in transitions 24:49 Learning to be good owners 26:33 Making every day intentional