7 Leadership Lessons From a Kindergartener.

Happy Sunday!

My son talked to me about becoming a big boy and entering kindergarten, which inspired today's post.

Do you know what kindergarten and leadership have in common? They both have some of the most valuable lessons you'll ever learn, and you don't need an MBA to figure them out.

Think about it. In kindergarten, you learn how to share, how to communicate, and how to work together. These are all essential skills for leadership. As a leader, you need to be able to share ideas, communicate effectively with your team, and work together to achieve your goals.

But we can learn another important lesson from kindergarten that often gets overlooked: self-care. Just like in kindergarten, leaders need to take care of themselves so they can take care of their team.

Here are some self-care tips that even a kindergartener can understand:

Take breaks when you need them. Like when you need a nap in kindergarten, sometimes you need a break at work. Take a walk, read a book, or just close your eyes and breathe.

Eat healthy foods. Remember how important it was to eat your fruits and vegetables in kindergarten? Well, it's just as important now. Eating a healthy diet will help you have the energy you need to lead your team.

Be a question machine. My son asks "why?" a million times a day; leaders should ask lots of questions too. The more they ask, the more they'll learn and grow. Stay curious because it makes a difference.

Get enough sleep. Kindergarten nap time was the best, wasn't it? You still need to ensure you're getting enough sleep as a leader. Aim for 7-8 hours a night to be your best during the day.

Be present in the moment. Just like kindergarteners focus on playing with toys, leaders can focus on what they're doing right now without getting distracted by other things.

Play and have fun. Remember how much you loved playing in kindergarten? Well, playing is still essential as an adult. Find activities you enjoy outside of work and make time for them.

Taking care of yourself is crucial for your well-being but also sets the tone for your team. When they see that you prioritize self-care, they'll be more likely to do the same. Plus, a culture of self-care can lead to better employee retention and productivity.

So, don't forget the lessons you learned in kindergarten. They're just as important now as they were then. Your commitment to self-care can help your team thrive, leading to greater creativity, productivity, and higher retention. So go ahead and take that nap, take that walk, and prioritize your well-being. Your team will thank you for it.

Always wishing you the best,

Dr. Beckford

Whenever you’re ready, here are two ways I can help:

1. Book me to speak at your next team retreat.

2. Not sure if you are ready? Schedule a call here to chat.

#leadership #selfcare #humanresources