Taking a Sabbatical 101: Lessons from a Badass "Sabbatical-er" | Mike Aviles, Unlocking Moves Ep. 61

The Power of Pause: Why Every Leader Needs a SabbaticalJoin us for this week’s episode of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in a leader’s journey that unlock real potential. Many leaders only want to share their “glory” stories, but host Kurt Wilkin believes we learn more from the “gory” ones. This week’s guest, Mike Aviles, proves that sometimes the boldest move a leader can make is simply stepping away.Mike Aviles is a hired-gun CEO known for steering major turnarounds and successful exits with companies like Foster Grant and Vignette. But perhaps his most profound decisions weren’t about strategy or profit, they were his 3 one-year-long sabbaticals. In this powerful conversation, Mike and Kurt break down how taking intentional time off helped him rediscover purpose, strengthen his marriage, and become a better leader. Mike shares lessons from growing up in Brooklyn with an alcoholic father, moving on to a small local college and his journey to KPMG, earning a Stanford MBA, and later learning how to slow down after years of chaos in private equity and tech.Mike opens up about what he calls “psychological detox”. Unlearning the identity of being a CEO, and how faith, travel, and reflection gave him a new sense of self. He explains how each sabbatical made him more grounded, self-aware, and connected, ultimately shaping the kind of leader he wanted to be. For anyone wrestling with burnout, identity, or the fear of slowing down, this episode will challenge how you define success and remind you that stepping back might be your next unlocking move.About Mike AvilesMike Aviles is a veteran CEO with multiple private equity-backed turnarounds and exits, including Foster Grant, Activant Solutions, and Vignette. A Stanford MBA and former KPMG professional, Mike is known for balancing high-performance leadership with introspection and personal growth.About Kurt WilkinKurt is a connector of dots, ideas, and people. For over 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young and today serving as Founder of BusinessEarth and Managing Partner of Bee Cave Capital. He’s a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies.Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unlocking-movesSpotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/unlocking-moves#UnlockingMoves #HireBetter #Leadership #Sabbatical #Entrepreneurship #GrowthMindset #SelfDiscovery #Burnout #WorkLifeBalance #Purpose