A Balanced Approach in 2022

In discussions with the many CEO's, Directors and business people I coach we have been recently discussing the question, 'what is a balanced approach in 2022?' This year has slipped by ever so quickly like the one before as will the one ahead. As we approach the end of the year, it encourages us all to reflect on different aspects of our leadership role. At the end of the year, we metaphorically draw a line in the sand and reflect on how we have experienced the year and what has been achieved.

Leadership is a tough gig! It is all about having a balanced approach and in leadership as you would know, it is often challenging and exhausting. Congratulate yourself that you have lead your team and organisation through another big year and have achieved so much. the last two years have been the most challenging for a long time.

Consider the following as part of your preparation for a balanced approach in 2022.

1. Program into your regular schedule a whole day of the week with no meetings so you can focus on a balanced approach, build in time to reflect (it's fantastic for your nervous system), to think and have quiet time during your working week. Many leaders I work with are in meetings for 1.5 days a week, mmmmm.
2. Ensure meetings are limited to 2hr maximum and build in a break in between so you can stretch your body, drink water (it hydrates your executive brain) and refocus. Where possible ensure meetings are only 1.5hrs max.
3. At the beginning of the year map out public holidays, short breaks and annual leave so you have this to look forward to in advance.
4. Build in flexible work time. Many workplaces thankfully are doing this now, so when you chunk time on particular pieces of work, build in interval work patterning etc sends positive messaging to your nervous system.
5. Consider what your time is actually worth? This will assist to lead with purpose, meaning and intention.
6. Consider what you really need to be involved in, check if your open door policy is open too often, build and maintain self-managed team, they will feel better supported, and remember that subtle autonomy in our roles is a reward to the brain.
7. Most workplaces have a 7.5hr work day and by the time staff have lunch and a couple of breaks, realistically a work day is 6-6.5hrs productivity - this tells us that our daily work practices probably need to be a little different. Make it count!
8. Mindset and language is everything! Having a common language framework that everyone can feel goes a long way to building and maintaining high-performing teams. Ensure you have a fantastic business coach, professional supervision or leadership coach, they are worth it. They keep things on track, assist you to maintain your energy and to reset your focus and clarity regularly.
9. Try and enable staff to start slowing down mid-December each year so they feel as though they are going into recovery mode after a busy year, it can then feel as though they are approaching the Christmas period less stressed. It is not that helpful to only slow down the week of Christmas as before you know it everyone is back at work and the new year has started!

Business and organisational excellence is about building in and maintaining certainty and predictability across your workforce particularly so consider your balanced approach in 2022. Please contact me to discuss how I can assist you with your balanced approach in 2022, Best wishes Trace.