Get "Physical" With Your Leadership

I had a client last week tell me they worked all hours of the day, felt overwhelmed by the responsibilities of their role, were having trouble staying focused, and consistently felt exhausted at the end of the day.?

They weren’t showing up prepared or as the leader they and their organization expected them to be.?

Their professional relationships were suffering, and they had no trouble bringing all this home with them because they were already there- working remotely.

Then they asked me…

“Do you know of a chemical or supplement I can take to help me with all this?”

And as we explored “the dig,” excavating beliefs, actions, and results of what turned out to be a fairly unhealthy lifestyle, we began to shed some light on how they were creating physical challenges that had fiercely begun to dominate my client’s life.

So no. The answer to their initial question was, “No, but I have an alternative we might consider.”

Look…

I grew up with the phrase “better living through modern chemistry” ringing in my ears (In all its meanings), but I’ve also come to appreciate the impact that taking a holistic approach to our health can have on energy, performance, satisfaction, and general outlook on life.

The effect of physical influences on our lives cannot be overstated.

Physical factors in our lives influence and create our sense of physical well-being and readiness to perform.

When our body is physically strong and able, we have the best chance of performing to our expectations and accomplishing our goals.

When the opposite is true, we may have to rely on “gutting it out” or “pushing through.”

This is not a long-term success strategy my friend.

I know many of us pride ourselves on being able to persevere and overcome, but let's focus that brand of resilience on the obstacles in front of us.

And stop creating the challenges within.

In a recent article by the team at the Center for Creative Leadership, they identified four pillars of good health which include proper nutrition, getting adequate sleep, engaging in regular physical activity, and avoiding turning pressure into stress.

They also recognize that although not required for leadership, the various aspects of physical health work synergistically to provide the best opportunity for success.

Physical Energy

Physical energy is usually evident. We can generally see how vibrant or drained someone is feeling by the way they carry themselves.

We can see it in their posture, hear it in their voices, and it reads on their faces like the latest news story from Reuters or Forbes.

What’s the story your body is telling right now?

How are you incorporating sleep, nutrition and hydration, breathing, exercise, body image, and injury and illness prevention into your life?

To what extent are they influencing your sense of well-being and performance; your focus and energy to perform to the best of your ability

Health is not something you “do.” It’s what you live, and it’s an essential part of who you are and your journey in life.

What if you looked at it as key to total functionality?

That is, see it as an indicator of your ability to function to the best of your ability in all your pursuits; personal as well as professional.

As a return on your own personal internal investment.

"ROII."

If you could exemplify characteristics of those whom you see as seemingly healthy and vibrant leaders what would you look and feel like?

Ask yourself just how closely you embody those characteristics at this moment.

Exceptional leaders recognize that working in areas of their personal health, although seemingly outside a direct relationship to their role, actually contributes to their ability to perform optimally.

There’s a reason why there’s such a huge focus on health and wellness in society today.

The pressures and demands of work, the navigating of personal and professional relationships, and overcoming issues of global (and family) health all conspire against us.

And leaders should set the example.

Your Physical Success Formula

I could tell you to get “enough” sleep and to eat right and hydrate sufficiently.

I could recommend you limit your use of supplements, drugs, and alcohol.

I could introduce you to some cool breathing techniques, and implore you to exercise more (no need for an additional co-pay on that one).

But we both know it’s not that simple.

We live with our own set of “best practices” and what works for one may not work for another.?

The truth is we each have a unique success formula; the ingredients of which are as personal as our healthcare, but we need to do a better job of identifying the “physical” ingredients that work for us and against us, and put a plan to action.

You can be laser-focused, driven by purpose, and energized by your role and responsibilities, but when you continually have to gut it out on a couple of hours of sleep and gas-station food and snacks things will eventually catch up to you.

You’ll find yourself running on empty, both physically and mentally, and you simply won’t be able to perform to your potential and expectations.

The more proactive you are about creating self-awareness around physical influences on your performance, the better you’ll be prepared to accept all challenges with the energy you need to be successful.

The better leader you’ll be.

…

If you’re looking for help in putting together a success formula that encompasses getting “enough” and the right kind of sleep, identifying triggers that lead to poor nutrition and eating, and creating “doable” exercise goals so you can avoid running on empty I invite you to a call.

We’ll examine these and all of the physical influences impacting your life and leadership.

We’ll dig deep to uncover attitudes, assumptions, and beliefs that you have about your health, and determine where or if they are working for you in the pursuit of your goals.

Curious about the possibilities?

DM me here on LinkedIn, or reach me by email at [email protected], or visit me at www.brianwhitecoaching.com.

I look forward to speaking with you.

Brian is an ICF certified coach. He combines a unique background of leadership roles in the military, manufacturing operations, and human resources to deliver powerful coaching and help his clients achieve their personal and professional development goals.