Balancing the Hustle and Heart: A Reflection on Leadership and Accessibility

Life is undeniably busy. We juggle work requirements and personal commitments, often jumping from one meeting to the next while trying to stay on top of emails, tasks, and projects. As leaders, it is crucial that we remain accessible to our teams. Our colleagues need to feel like they can approach us with questions and concerns, both personal and work related. However, the hustle and bustle of life does not always allow for this.

I have been described as unapproachable at times, even unempathetic. This perception is far from how I see myself, and certainly not what I want others to feel. Recently, I stumbled upon a Simon Sinek video that resonated deeply with me. In the clip, Simon shares a story about a friend who was going through a tough time. They only managed to connect and discuss it after the fact. When Simon asked why she had not reached out, the friend explained that she had sent a message, but it was no different from a friendly check-in, and he had overlooked it.

It is challenging to ask for help and reach out for support. Not everyone can easily say, “Hey I need help. I am struggling.” With our reliance on messaging instead of phone calls, its easy to miss those subtle cues for help. Research supports the importance of investing time in meaningful relationships, showing a direct, tangible link to our overall wellbeing.

To ensure Simon did not miss future cues for help, he introduced the “eight-minute-catch-up.” This concept encourages people to set aside eight minutes to connect with others and support their mental health. (You can watch Simon explain it better in this video ??.)

This brings me to my reflection for the week. While my door is always open, I know I can often appear frantic and harried, darting from one meeting to the next or clicking away on my keyboard. Today, I want you to know that you are an important part of your organization and your team. More importantly, you are important to me. Please do not hesitate to reach out, especially in times of need. I may not be able to solve your problem, but I can certainly listen with empathy and offer my support.

If you need to chat and I am tapping away at my keyboard. I encourage you to interrupt me or send me a message. Please don’t wait – ask, “Do you have eight minutes?” today and let’s make time for what truly matters.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the demands of work and personal life? I challenge you to set aside eight minutes this week to connect with a colleague or friend.

Take this small step to make a big difference in someone’s day.

The views and opinions expressed in this blog post are solely my own and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of my employer or any other organization.