Leaders rarely pause to express gratitude for the delays and roadblocks that interrupt their days. Most of us have mastered the art of being “GPS navigators”, constantly rerouting, problem-solving, and finding new paths around obstacles that threaten to slow us down. It’s a skill that becomes second nature if we want to succeed.

But what if there’s another way to look at those interruptions? What if delays aren’t simply barriers to overcome but invitations to notice something deeper, something meaningful, in the moments we didn’t plan for?

I was reminded of this recently through a conversation with my daughter, a certified music therapist who works in hospice care. We often talk about her work, sometimes sharing laughter over the lighter moments in healthcare, sometimes reflecting on the profound emotions of the patients and families she serves.

Not long ago, she found herself in one of those weeks where work and personal responsibilities collided. She had carefully planned a few days of PTO for a road trip and even volunteered to work an extra day beforehand to ensure her patients received the care they needed in her absence. Everything was organized and on track — until her car suddenly required repairs before the trip.

At first, this was just another hurdle to navigate. She rearranged her plans, adjusted her schedule, and did what effective leaders do: she replanned. But just as she had things back under control, another unexpected delay arrived — a call from a nurse about a patient nearing the end of life who deeply wished to see her one more time before my daughter’s trip.

Despite the disruption to her carefully laid plans, my daughter said yes. She rearranged again, showed up, and spent those final moments providing peace, comfort, and love through her music therapy. Surrounded by family, the patient passed peacefully, leaving behind a memory filled with compassion and dignity.

Later, my daughter reflected on how preoccupied she had been with the inconvenience of those delays — the car, the extra work, the shifting schedule. But in hindsight, those very interruptions had guided her to a meaningful experience. She was reminded why she does what she does. The joy, the purpose was in the delay. Had everything gone according to plan, she might have missed that sacred moment entirely.

As leaders, we often see delays as obstacles to overcome. But what if, instead, we saw them as opportunities, a chance to slow down and notice what truly matters around us? Leadership, after all, is deeply human work. It’s often less about managing tasks and more about caring for people.

So the next time your plans are interrupted, pause and look around. Perhaps that delay is nudging you toward a conversation a colleague needs to have, a person who could use your support, or a situation where your presence might make a lasting difference.

The joy in the delay is this: you never know what blessing might be waiting for you if you simply choose to look for it.