I Took a Solo Vacation and Came Back a Better Leader — Here’s Why

Most leaders travel alone for work. But how many take a real solo vacation—just for themselves, not for business? I recently took my first-ever solo trip through Peru and Ecuador, and it changed me. I reconnected with myself. I reflected deeply. I came back more grounded, clear, and confident as a leader. In this episode of Reflect Forward, I share why every leader should consider a solo vacation, how it strengthens your leadership, and how you can plan a meaningful trip that resets your mindset and helps you lead with intention. Why Solo Time Is Essential for Modern Leaders 1. Clarity requires solitude 2. Breaking routine unlocks creativity 3. Being alone builds self-leadership 4. Presence deepens connection How to Take a Transformational Solo Vacation • Choose a place that stretches you—culturally, spiritually, physically • Unplug completely—no work emails, no “just checking in” • Journal and reflect—capture what you learn • Say yes to connection—talk to strangers, share stories • Pay attention to your thoughts—notice what comes up in the stillness Key Takeaways 1. Solo time is a powerful leadership tool 2. Travel breaks patterns and expands your thinking 3. Self-trust comes from being alone and handling challenges 4. Presence builds deeper, more authentic relationships 5. Insight and clarity are born in stillness, not hustle Mic Drop Moment “You cannot lead others from a place of internal chaos or disconnection. But when you take time to be alone, you find clarity, and that transforms everything.” Call to Action Book the trip. Go somewhere alone. Reflect. Get uncomfortable. You’ll come back more empowered, present, and effective as a leader and as a human. Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: Why solo vacations matter for leadership 02:30 – My first solo trip to Peru and Ecuador 05:12 – Creating my Dreams List and making the trip happen 07:45 – The emotional arc: excitement, fear, empowerment, loneliness 10:20 – How solo travel differs from solo business travel 13:05 – Reflection as the foundation of self-leadership 15:12 – Why clarity requires solitude (HBR statistic) 17:28 – Breaking routine to gain perspective and creativity 20:40 – What Columbia Business School says about novel experiences 22:30 – Strengthening self-leadership through solo challenges 26:00 – Realizing I like myself: processing growth and healing 28:44 – Presence, stillness, and the power of being with yourself 30:50 – Connecting deeply with strangers while traveling alone 33:20 – Why authentic presence builds better leadership 35:40 – The most common excuses leaders make—and how to challenge them 40:22 – How to take a transformational solo vacation: 5 tips 45:18 – Key takeaways from the experience 48:30 – Final thoughts and call to action: Book the trip If you liked this… Don’t forget to subscribe to Reflect Forward on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube. Visit my website, kerrysiggins.com, to explore my book, The Ownership Mindset, and get more leadership resources. Let’s connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok! Find Reflect Forward on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerrysiggins-reflectforward Find out more about my book here: https://kerrysiggins.com/the-ownership-mindset/ Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-siggins/