As leaders, we often find ourselves consumed by our work demands, leaving little time for ourselves. It’s a common refrain from clients and colleagues: “I can’t; I’m too busy.” But, as I’ve learned through my own experiences, neglecting our needs can have serious consequences.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Years ago, I was also “too busy,” concentrating all my energy on my career and not caring about what I wanted. As a result, I was burning myself out slowly but surely. I kept my thoughts and frustrations to myself, thinking I was sparing my loved ones’ worry, but in reality, I was building a wall between us.
It wasn’t until I took a step back and started asking myself the tough questions that I began to see things differently. Who am I? What do I want? What am I willing to do to get there? By investing in myself, I was able to find my purpose and give a new direction to my life. I surrounded myself with inspiring people who were always ready to make the best of themselves and life.
As leaders, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that putting our needs on hold is necessary for success. But research suggests that the opposite is true. Leaders who prioritize self-care and personal growth are more effective in their roles. They are better equipped to make sound decisions, build strong relationships, and inspire their teams.
This is especially true for women leaders. A study by McKinsey & Company found that companies with more women in leadership positions had better financial performance than those with fewer women. In addition, women leaders who invest in their personal growth and development are better able to lead with authenticity and empathy, creating more inclusive and collaborative work environments.
So, as leaders, it’s important to prioritize self-care and personal growth. This means carving out time for ourselves to reflect, learn, and grow. It means investing in our development through education, coaching, or other resources. And it means recognizing that our growth and well-being are essential not just for ourselves but also for our teams and organizations.
By taking care of ourselves, we can become more effective leaders, creating positive change in our personal and professional lives. It’s not selfish or something to feel guilty about; it’s essential to our success as leaders. So let’s invest in ourselves, restart from ME, and become the creative force of our lives and organizations.
Direct links:
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The McKinsey & Company report, “Women in the Workplace 2021,” can be accessed through the following link: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/women-in-the-workplace#
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The research suggesting that leaders who prioritize self-care and personal growth are more effective in their roles is a general finding based on various studies and articles on leadership development and well-being. Some examples of such studies include:
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“The Effects of Leadership Development on Leader Effectiveness,” by Korn Ferry Institute, available at https://www.kornferry.com/content/dam/kornferry/docs/pdfs/leadership_development_and_leader_effectiveness.pdf
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“The Importance of Self-Care for Effective Leadership,” by Nathan Heflick, published in Psychology Today, available at https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/longing-nostalgia/201904/the-importance-self-care-effective-leadership
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“The Connection Between Well-Being and Effective Leadership,” by Annie McKee, published in Harvard Business Review, available at https://hbr.org/2017/04/the-connection-between-well-being-and-effective-leadership
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