When Your Rhythm Works for You — But Not for Your Team

Every leader has their own way of working. Some thrive on structure, others on spontaneity. And for some, work happens best in cycles — following an internal rhythm, a natural sense of when it’s time to reflect, plan, or move forward.

In Human Design, this is known as the Channel of Rhythm. It’s an energy that influences how we approach work, timing, and collaboration — and while it can be a powerful asset, it can also create friction if it isn’t understood.

The CEO with a Strong Internal Clock

I once worked with a CEO who had this channel. He was high-performing, strategic, and deeply reflective. His rhythm? Evenings and weekends.

That was when he processed ideas, mapped strategies, and often reached out to his team. Sunday night emails. After-hours meeting requests. To him, this was simply a natural expression of his workflow.

But to his leadership team? It felt draining. Disruptive. Stress-inducing. They didn’t speak up, but the burnout and quiet resentment were building.

He wasn’t being difficult or boundaryless. He was just operating in his rhythm. Once we explored his Human Design chart, the pattern became clear — and with some awareness and small adjustments, he was able to honour his rhythm without negatively impacting his team.

When Collaboration Stalls

I’ve also been on the receiving end of this energy. I once collaborated with someone who had the Channel of Rhythm, and everything had to happen on her internal timeline.

If I tried to move a project forward quickly or introduce something spontaneous, she would freeze or panic. Sometimes, she shut the project down completely.

It wasn’t about lack of commitment — it was that being pulled out of her rhythm felt overwhelming and unsafe.

That experience taught me how fixed this energy can be and how important it is to understand what’s driving someone’s behaviour, especially in collaboration.

The Leadership Lesson

The Channel of Rhythm isn’t “bad” or “difficult.” In fact, it can be a beautiful strength: consistent, committed, and deeply grounded.

But like every Human Design channel, it requires awareness. Leaders with this energy may need to remember:

• Just because a rhythm works for you doesn’t mean it works for others.

• Flexibility goes both ways.

• Understanding how your energy affects others is part of mature leadership.

And if you’re collaborating with someone who has this channel? Their resistance to sudden change isn’t always about control. Sometimes it’s about protecting a rhythm that feels essential to their sense of safety and flow.

Leading With Awareness

Human Design in leadership isn’t about putting people in boxes. It’s about bringing clarity to the unseen patterns already shaping your team dynamics.

When we understand these subtleties, we create more trust, less friction, and far better collaboration.

Curious about how this plays out in your own leadership or team?
Book a discovery call and let’s explore how Human Design can support you in leading with clarity and alignment.