Can short breaks really make you a better leader?
In this episode of The Black Belt in Leadership, Aslak de Silva talks with Amel Gaily, CEO and Partner of Cuckoo, about how microbreaks, recovery, and well-being culture can boost leadership performance and team focus.
Amel shares lessons from her journey from high-pressure finance and reality TV (The Apprentice Finland) to leading a well-being tech company that helps thousands of professionals perform better through smarter breaks.
You’ll learn:
- How microbreaks improve focus, creativity, and energy.
- Why culture often blocks recovery and what leaders can do about it.
- How to build daily systems for sustainable performance.
- Why team breaks build trust and engagement.
- Leadership lessons from cycling 1,200 km from Helsinki to Paris.
“The more tired people are, the simpler things should be.” – Amel Gaily
If you want to perform better without burning out, this conversation will change how you think about focus, structure, and recovery at work.
Amel Gaily, CEO & Partner of Cuckoo. She has built her career in high-performance arenas from the banking world to early-stage investing, from advising contestants on The Apprentice Finland to leading a wellbeing tech company and multiple board of directors positions.
To learn more, visit:
Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
