The Boundless Leader No. 13: Leading yourself first
McKeel Hagerty
CEO & Chairman of Hagerty (NYSE: HGTY). Also, past YPO Board Chairman, great idea hunter and car lover.
You have probably heard about the oxygen mask rule.
If not, it goes like this: If you are on a flight and the oxygen masks drop from the ceiling, you’re supposed to don your mask first before helping others. Because if you keel over from lack of oxygen, you’re not going to be of use to anyone. Common sense, right?
The problem is common sense isn’t always common. I know many leaders who don’t take care of themselves first. They burn the candle at four ends. They work too much. They don’t exercise. They don’t eat well and never get enough sleep. Drive and determination, they believe, are all they need to succeed.
For a time that might work but eventually burn-out sets in.
The best leaders I have met - boundless leaders, as I call them – make themselves Job #1 for the simple reason stated above: If they collapse, all of their talents and skills are of no use to anyone.
Does that sound like you? Then it’s time for a change.
Put on the mask. Breathe deeply. Then help others.
Onward and upward.
Freelance Business Consultant | MBA | Content Creator | Automotive Journalist
1 年Great read McKeel Hagerty. I’m certain that all great leaders need this on a “post it” note to look at once in a while. It’s so easy to get caught up in the doing at ones expense.
Transformative Leadership | Project Manager (16+ years) | Human Resource Management | 6 Sigma black belt | Improving customer satisfaction, loyalty, and overall revenue growth
1 年This one stings because I fell into this trap. 90 hour work weeks, constant travel and ultimately I ended up in the hospital with broken heart syndrome. Lesson learned unfortunately the hard way.
Branding Strategist | Cult Branding Expert | Educator
1 年McKeel Hagerty, Kudos for emphasizing this important message!
Collectible Car Insurance Guru | Hagerty Territory Manager | Motivation and Success Newsletter
1 年I agree 1000% It is sort of counter intuitive, but we can actually accomplish more quality work when we are well rested. Its like exercise: you feel like you are too tired to work out, but after a work out, you actually have more energy and focus.