Words that Should Not be in our Leadership Handbook.

Posted on March 13, 2023 by Tara Lehman, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.

Why is it ok and in some cases even expected that leaders be stressed out all the time? Why it is that we have 500+ emails daily and are expected to respond to them and at all hours of the night? Society has made this an expectation and as leaders and business owners it is time to change that perception!

A lot of people know all too well, what it is like to be mentally exhausted, put your family second to your job because you felt you couldn’t afford to leave your company, and knowing that if you are a woman (or other diverse group) that you better give more than the men or you will never make it to the next level. Working so much that priorities of life are forgotten is a societal problem. Why? Because it naturally increases health care costs, absenteeism, and even can lead to breaking up families. We need to change the idea that work and as leaders, we have to be on 24/7 and everything else is second to our work, including ourselves.

What if you decided that you were going to unplug every day? More and more companies and even countries are now creating laws and policies where you are not permitted to reach out to anyone who is off regular hours. This is because so much time and money has been spent on illness that comes from overworking, burnout, stress, and exhaustion that it can overwhelm health care systems when we need them most. Our bodies need to replenish every night to stay healthy. We need to exercise, eat well and take care of our mental health in order to keep illness at a distance. However, when we are always working, stressed or sick, our bodies and minds cannot keep up with the demands of our own needs and we get sicker and sicker.

As leaders we need to set boundaries for our people and ourselves. If you are burning the midnight oil every night, you could be harming yourself (and potentially your family) more than you know. You may only realize it after you get the notice that you have an illness, or need to take a break with a disability leave, or the worse will take place. What can leaders do?

Take your breaks. Take at least a 20-minute lunch break mid day to refuel your body with food and some sort of movement. Feel this is impossible? Then you need to consider making the impossible, possible. People are watching you and you must lead by example. Your employees think what you do is expected, even if you don’t expect them to be on 24/7. Your children watch you and think it is the way adults live – always stressed and never spending time with loved ones. Take the breaks and include a short stretch or walk if you can. Walking meetings anyone?

Unplug. When you go home, go home to be with your family, or friends. Don’t go home just to plug your computer back up again day after day after day. Mentally you need a break – we all do. And when you take vacation days, take the vacation days. Don’t plug in each day otherwise you truly are not taking a vacation and you are just wasting your vacation time. Go do what makes you smile, have some fun, spend time with loved ones. We only have 1 life to live, so live it.

Lead by example. Show your employees what it means to have boundaries, ask for help, take time off, and unplug. If you don’t show them, then the expectation and perception is that they can’t either. This leads to even more illness, burnout, stress, and employees who just can’t give 100% anymore. And when employees and you cannot give 100%, do you think the company will be able to make a great profit or meet demands…or retain employees? The statistics say no.

In order for us all to thrive, businesses to make great money, and for you to be a happy employee and leader, you need to understand you have to take care of you. This means not only your body through eating well and exercises, but for your mind as well. Being a mindful leader is not just a fad – it is a necessity.

Do you need some help further developing your leadership skills? Reach out to me today with a free consult.