EP 276 - Quit Hitting Snooze: Courtney Ramsey’s Wake-Up Call for Leaders

Courtney Ramsey - Paper Napkin Wisdom - Quit Hitting Snooze!

Introduction Courtney Ramsey, CSP, CPTD, MBA, has spent more than two decades helping overwhelmed managers transform into confident, people-first leaders. After training tens of thousands of supervisors on the front lines of corporate America, she noticed a pattern: even the smartest leaders “hit snooze” on the very conversations and decisions that would propel their teams forward. That observation became her rallying cry and the title of her signature message, “Quit Hitting Snooze!”—a philosophy she unpacks in this energizing episode.  

From her viral TEDx talk on tough conversations to her hands-on development programs, Courtney champions a simple truth: leadership begins the moment we stop delaying the work that matters most. In our conversation, she explains how the “snooze button” shows up far beyond the alarm clock—whether we’re postponing a difficult performance dialogue, deferring an innovative idea, or waiting for “perfect timing” before launching a bold initiative. 

“We all have those internal alarms telling us, This matters—do it now. Every time we press snooze, we trade momentum for momentary comfort.” — Courtney Ramsey, episode 276 

Below, you’ll find a deep dive into her philosophy, why leaders procrastinate, and practical ways to wake up your organization today. 

The Snooze Button Metaphor 

Courtney’s insight started, quite literally, at 5:00 a.m. Staring at her alarm, she realized how often she postponed confronting things that felt uncomfortable—only to watch them grow into bigger problems. The snooze button became a metaphor for the micro-moments when leaders choose avoidance over action. 

“If you delay the conversation when it’s small, you’re guaranteeing you’ll have to deal with it when it’s big.” — Courtney 

Discomfort ≠ Danger 

Many managers equate discomfort with risk. Courtney reframes it: discomfort is simply a sign that growth is about to happen. By normalizing discomfort—especially around accountability and feedback—leaders build resilience muscles that ripple through the team culture. 

Getting Intentional About Urgency 

Courtney challenges the common mantra “move fast and break things.” Urgency without intentionality leads to burnout; intentional urgency, on the other hand, creates clear priorities and decisive action. 

“Quit hitting snooze doesn’t mean rush blindly. It means decide purposefully—and then move.” — Govindh 

Momentum Compounds 

Small decisions—replying to that email, scheduling that one-to-one, giving real-time feedback—compound into massive cultural shifts. Courtney argues that teams don’t fail from one big error; they drift through a series of tiny “snoozes.” 

Courageous Curiosity 

Underpinning her philosophy is a bias toward curiosity. Leaders who ask better questions (early and often) surface issues sooner, innovate faster, and cultivate trust. Courtney’s favorite opener: “What’s one thing we could address right now that would make everything else easier?” 

5 Key Takeaways (with Action Steps) 

1. Replace the Snooze with a 60-Second Rule Every decision gets just one minute: act, calendar, or delegate—no lingering. Take Action: Set a daily phone alarm titled “60-Second Rule” at 9 a.m. When it rings, pick a lingering task and force the one-minute choice. Do this for two weeks and watch your responsiveness skyrocket. 

2. Normalize Tough Conversations Accountability talks should feel routine, not rare. Take Action: Block a 30-minute “courage conversation” slot on your calendar each week. Use it to address one performance or feedback topic you’ve been avoiding. 

3. Treat Discomfort as Data That tight-chest feeling isn’t danger—it’s a signal for growth. Take Action: When discomfort shows up, write down the trigger and a single next step. Review your notes every Friday to spot patterns and opportunities. 

4. Momentum Beats Perfection Progress compounds faster than perfect plans. Take Action: Launch one “imperfect but valuable” idea—pilot service, beta product, or process tweak—within the next 14 days. Debrief lessons with your team and iterate. 

5. Lead with Questions Curiosity disarms resistance and sparks ownership. Take Action: Open your next meeting by asking, “What are we snoozing on that deserves attention this quarter?” Capture answers on a whiteboard and assign owners before the meeting ends. 

Links & Resources 

• Courtney Ramsey’s site: courtneyramseyspeaks.com 

• LinkedIn: Courtney Ramsey, CSP 

• TEDx Talk: Why We Hit Snooze on the Conversations That Matter 

Call to Action 

What leadership alarm have you been snoozing? Grab a napkin, write down one action you’ll take today, snap a photo, and post it with #PaperNapkinWisdom. Tag @CourtneyRamsey and @GovindhJ so we can celebrate your momentum! 

Remember: Positive intent without action is just a dream. Intentional action—starting now—is how we wake up possibilities and turn small ideas into big results.