Connecting to your purpose is an act of self-care.

Last week, I took some time out for #selfcare

However, not in the way you might expect – time at home with the family, switching off from the outside world, taking plenty of time to relax the body and mind. No, in fact, I did the opposite of most of these things.?

I was immersed in a week-long #learning #programme with over 60 other leaders from the third sector, representing organisations across the UK, Europe, Middle East, and Africa, working in areas such as humanitarian aid, arts & culture, social depravation and human rights, amongst many others.?

The chance to step away from the ‘day to day’ and fully allow myself to learn with and from a diverse group, rich in experience and insight, came at absolutely the right time and refreshed my drive for establishing behaviours which spark curiosity and innovation.?

The American Express Resilient Leadership Programme, delivered by Common Purpose , was full of all the standard buzzwords – #authenticity, #resilience, #mindset – but cutting through all of that, were examples of #leaders who care for their cause, care for their team, and prioritise care for themselves. Speakers from across industries spoke passionately about a need to identify your own self-care needs, and be true to the way you practice this, drawing on examples from a cross section of industries such as football, aviation, manufacturing, health care and the third sector.?

The overwhelming message of the week was that being true to your #purpose, first means being true to yourself, and understanding where your inner drive stems from. The most inspirational and diligent leaders use this as their guiding light and because it’s about connecting inner you and outer you – they make it look effortless. We heard countless stories of professional struggles and challenges – navigating a global pandemic, shifts in consumer behaviour, driving culture change, tailoring to global markets. Each challenge in itself no doubt caused huge pressure, stress and friction internally, but leading the way in navigating through was a leader who stayed true to their own principals and continued to align their steps with the wider organisation’s purpose.???

A chance to step away and question what really drives you is a refreshing and invigorating opportunity, as well as one that can lead to some deep, soul-searching questions. This, in itself, I see as self-care, and the practice of questioning and confirming that purpose will continue to be one that drives me for a long time to come.??

As part of this, the challenge for leaders of #multigenerational teams of today will acknowledge that self-care - that is promoting and maintaining our own health and wellbeing - will look different for all of our colleagues. How we allow space, time and meaningful opportunity for all colleagues to practise their own purposeful self-care will separate organisations who have an #engaged, #efficient and #empowered #workforce, from those which suffer from burnout and resentment. No doubt, connecting with your true purpose will drive those successfully navigating through the ED&I landscape in the years to come.?

On Self Care Day, I think it’s about time we all considered how we’re connecting to causes which safeguard and promote our #wellbeing, and how can this flow through into your day-to-day for you and your team?

July 24th is World Health Organization Self-care day.