Rise and Lead: How Waking Up Early Can Make You a Better HR Leader

Better HR leadership often grows from a mix of clear vision, consistent discipline, and staying one step ahead. One habit consistently linked to high-performing HR leaders is something incredibly simple: waking up early each day.

Countless leaders—including many top HR professionals—attribute part of their success to starting the day well before the rest of the world. It’s a habit often linked to becoming a better HR leader. But what is it about rising early that makes such a powerful difference? And how can leaders make use of this habit to improve their effectiveness?

Let’s take a closer look at why so many leaders swear by early mornings—and how this habit can fuel sharper focus and stronger leadership.

Science Behind Early Rising

The best leaders don’t just manage their time—they protect it. And for many, the early hours are non-negotiable. It’s when thinking is clearest, distractions are minimal, and there’s room to lead yourself before leading others.

Scientific research confirms that waking up early can actually help you become a better HR leader. A 2025 Forbes article explains that early risers tend to be more proactive and better at anticipating problems, which are two of the most important traits in strong leadership. By starting the day with purpose instead of reacting to it, early rising leaders create a sense of control that leads to better decision-making and stronger team performance.

Whether it’s planning your day, setting goals, or just breathing before the chaos begins, mornings offer a rare kind of mental clarity that’s hard to find once the workday kicks in.

Here’s what waking up early can unlock.

5 Ways Waking Up Early Can Make You a Better HR Leader

1. Enhanced Focus

Cognitive performance often peaks in the early part of the day. By waking up early, leaders can use this time to tackle complex challenges, make important decisions, and get a head start on the day ahead.

Without the distractions of emails, meetings, or notifications, early risers can operate in a state of flow, which boosts both the quality and efficiency of their work.

2. Higher Proactivity

Great leaders don’t just react, they anticipate. Waking up early allows for planning and reviewing priorities before the day’s never ending tasks set in. This type of proactive behavior helps leaders stay aligned with their vision and maintain coolness under pressure.

According to a study by Harvard Biologist Christoph Randler, early risers were more proactive and are more likely to set goals, plan their days, and follow through with tasks, all of which are foundational to successful leadership.

3. Better Emotional Health

Recent research continues to highlight the connection between waking up early and improved mental health. A 2025 study published in PLOS One found that people who go to bed late and wake up later face a higher risk of depression compared to those who rise earlier. This risk is linked to factors such as poor sleep quality and lower levels of mindfulness.

For leaders, starting the day early can create time for routines that support emotional well-being. Activities like morning exercise, quiet reflection, journaling, or simply enjoying a slow start can help build emotional resilience. That kind of grounded mental strength is essential for navigating tough decisions, managing stress, and becoming a better HR leader who leads with clarity and compassion.

4. Time for Strategic Thinking

Early morning hours provide a rare opportunity for self-reflection and personal development. Leaders can use this time to read industry news, learn new skills, or engage in deep thought without interruptions.

For example, Richard Branson credits his 5:00 AM wake up time for giving him the space to exercise, plan his day, and focus on creative thinking. These kinds of habits support ongoing growth and fresh thinking, two significant pillars of great leadership.

5. Improved Time Management

Waking up early naturally encourages better time management. It sets the tone for a structured day, helps reduce procrastination, and instills a sense of control over one’s schedule.

Consistency and reliability are powerful traits in a leader. When teams see their leaders managing time effectively and showing up prepared, it sets a strong cultural tone of accountability and professionalism.

Real Leaders Who Rise Early

Waking up early isn’t just theory; it’s a habit shared by some of the most successful and influential leaders across industries. Here’s how a few well-known names use their mornings to set the tone for high-impact days.

• Tim Cook (CEO, Apple): Starts his day at 3:45 AM to review customer feedback and get a jumpstart on email
• Michelle Obama (Former First Lady): Wakes up around 4:30 AM to fit in exercise and personal time before the day begins.
• Howard Schultz (Former CEO, Starbucks): Rises at 4:30 AM to walk his dogs, work out, and mentally prepare for the day.
• Indra Nooyi (Former CEO, PepsiCo): Started her workdays as early as 4:00 AM, emphasizing the discipline it brought to her leadership.

These leaders don’t just wake up early for the sake of it; they do it to create space for intentional and focused leadership.