Leader Self-Care is Not Optional

“Ladies and gentlemen, I am your Chief Leadership Attendant, Dr. Renee’ Pleasant. On behalf of Leadership Airlines, we welcome you aboard this non-stop flight to Success where there is guaranteed to be turbulence, but the destination that awaits us will be worth it. Along the way, you may have moments in which the pressure around you appears to be constricting and your oxygen needs monitoring. You may reach to place a mask firmly over your face to assist with your breathing to cope with the external and internal stressors of the environment. If you are travelling on this successful journey filled with extra duties, you may be accompanied by another in which you are also responsible for their performance and encouragement. Remember to put the mask on yourself first, then those you are responsible for, next.”

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?This introduction is a play on the familiar safety warning giving by flight attendants in the event of a crash landing, we are to put the air masks on ourselves before placing them on any subordinate passengers in our party. This act goes against our instinct of putting it on those we are caring for first but is logical that we are unable to care for those dependent on us if we do not first take care of ourselves.

The same holds true for leaders. Sadly, few will practice self-care – or follower-care. Whether it is intentional or accidental, it occurs too frequently, and leaders are inadvertently modelling poor behaviors for those who are watching closely. This is not the legacy, of crashing and burning out, to leave our successors. Remember, followers are learning not only what is taught, but what is caught through behavioral patterns too.

I implore leaders to take a moment of self-reflection and (1) evaluate their level of self-care and (2) do your followers know your value and commitment to self-care? Curious to know what your status of self-care is personally? Here is a quick link for a self-evaluation for yourself, or to share with your followers: https://www.survio.com/survey/d/Y4C8A8I4R8B3P1H2W . Now is the time to become cognizant and make changes before the stressors of the holiday season fully hit.

As a leader, you can show your commitment to self-care immediately to your followers by selecting two of the following items to implement today:

·????????Install standing desks

·????????Encourage followers to move at work (take breaks, take a short walk)

·????????Prioritize employee health (physical and mental)

·????????Ergonomic spaces (chairs, keyboards, desks, etc.)

·????????Flexible work environments (desk, work pods, open space, etc.)

·????????Gym /work out room – it does not have to be an elaborate space – or discount nearby

·????????Water bottle refilling station – hydration is key to health

·????????Team retreat (1 team activity outdoors)

·????????Surprise snack in the breakroom (be aware of any allergies / dietary restrictions)

·????????Colorful art in the breakroom

·????????Implement flexible working hours

·????????Set up option for free flu shots on-site or nearby

·????????Early release / or / late arrival day

Arriving at destination, Success, can only occur by a leader who understands, values and models self-care. Is that leader, you?