Recharge Your REAL Leadership this Christmas

Leagan Gaeilge Thíos - Irish Version Follows

?

Recharging has a profound positive impact. It enhances your leadership abilities, nurtures stronger relationships, and revitalizes your creativity. Today we look at how to Recharge successfully – and have fun at the same time!

The renowned American writer, Maya Angelou once said, "Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us." That’s great advice for REAL Leaders, particularly at this time of year.

With the Christmas season upon us, let's first take a moment to cherish the extraordinary individuals who will be working tirelessly while many of us embrace the warmth of home and hearth. Imagine the dedicated doctors and nurses bringing hope and healing, the selfless firefighters standing guard, my broadcasting colleagues supplying endless hours of entertainment, the hospitality and retail staff ensuring our festive needs are met, and countless others, who, like holiday heroes, continue to serve, generally without fanfare.

This past year has been nothing short of a rollercoaster, with challenges that have stretched our limits and tested our resilience like never before. The international conflicts, the fallout from the global pandemic, the climate crisis, economic fluctuations, and societal shifts have brought about unprecedented change and upheaval. We are particularly mindful at this time of all of the people whose lives have been irrevocably transformed as a result and we pray that peace, respect and compassion will displace the hate, greed and intolerance that has been so pervasive in recent times.

Even though we can only imagine how others are suffering and that our problems seem so insignificant in comparison, these and other challenges have taken a toll on all of our collective well-being, leaving many of us weary, despondent and in need of solace also.

It’s important for REAL Leaders to consider some of the reasons why times like these impact us all so profoundly:

• The Uncertainty of It All: The unpredictability of these times has left us feeling like we're navigating through a winter storm with limited visibility. Making decisions with incomplete information can be mentally taxing.
• The Overwhelm of Information: The speed and volume of information coming at us, the constant stream of negative news, tasks, and responsibilities can make it hard to unplug, leaving us in a perpetual state of high alert.
• A Blurred Line Between Work and Home: Remote working has blurred the lines between our professional and personal lives, making it challenging to switch off mentally and emotionally, especially during this joyous holiday season.
• The Constant Adaptation Dance: We've had to pivot and re-strategize repeatedly, much like a figure skater gracefully adjusting their routine mid-performance. This level of continuous change can be emotionally draining.
• The Weight of Isolation: The physical distance from colleagues, friends, and loved ones has left many yearning for the warmth of human connection. This isolation has taken an emotional toll on people.

So, when we see how turbulent and chaotic times are, we can appreciate even more why REAL Leaders, like us, must take time to recharge, especially during this magical Christmas season. We're known for our relentless motivation and unwavering commitment to making a difference. However, even the most exceptional leaders need a moment to rest, reflect, and rejuvenate. It's not a sign of weakness; it's a testament to our dedication to long-term success and resilience.

The REST Framework

Introducing the REST framework – a blueprint for your well-deserved Christmas recharge:

• R - Physiological and Physical Recharge: Your body needs rest to function optimally. Prioritize sleep, maintain a regular sleep schedule, and engage in physical activities you enjoy, whether it's taking brisk walks, braving a winter dip, enjoyable fitness activities, or some relaxing yoga. The benefits include improved energy levels, increased focus, and enhanced physical health.
• E - Emotional Recharge: Emotional exhaustion can lead to burnout. Practice mindfulness and meditation to manage stress, as it fosters emotional resilience and mental clarity. Take time to journal, reflect, or read that inspirational book you’ve been looking at. Christmas is a time for reflection and inner peace – embrace it.
• S - Social Recharge: Sharing Christmas moments can be deeply fulfilling. Nurture your relationships with loved ones and reconnect with meaningful connections outside of work. Spend quality time with family and friends and engage in group activities that bring joy and connection. Laugh a lot, sing, dance. Strengthening your social bonds during Christmas leads to a sense of belonging and emotional balance.
• T - Spiritual Recharge: Find purpose, meaning, and personal growth outside of your professional life. In your own way, connect with a reality that is greater than yourself. Explore hobbies, interests, or volunteer for a cause that resonates with your values. This step fosters personal growth, a sense of purpose, and inner fulfillment, especially during the season of goodwill.

?

So, when you have put some of the suggestions from the REST Framework into action, how will you know you're recharged? Be on the lookout for signs such as:

• Feeling physically refreshed, well-rested, and full of Christmas spirit.
• Mental clarity and the ability to cherish the present moment.
• Emotionally balanced, experiencing reduced stress and increased holiday cheer.
• A greater sense of fulfillment and a heightened connection to the magic of Christmas.

If you experience some or all of these, you are on the right track!

?

As REAL Leaders, we have an abundance of reasons to be profoundly grateful. First and foremost, we can be thankful for the opportunity to lead and inspire change, a privilege that allows us to make a positive impact on the lives of others. We're grateful for our dedicated teams and colleagues, whose support and collaborative spirit drive us to new heights. The trust and respect of our peers, clients, and communities are invaluable gifts that fuel our journey.

Moreover, we can express gratitude for the challenges we've faced, as they've forged our resilience and fortitude, making us even more effective leaders. Let's also be thankful for the lessons we've learned along the way, as they've honed our skills and expanded our perspectives. In this season of gratitude, let's cherish these gifts and carry them forward as we continue to lead with authenticity and purpose.

Finally, if you are still in need of some Recharging inspiration here’s a joyful and festive call to action for all of the REAL Leaders out there!

• Christmas Lights Adventure: Take a stroll through your neighbourhood to admire the holiday decorations.
• Holiday Movie Marathon: Host a Christmas movie night with your loved ones, complete with hot cocoa and blankets.
• Baking Extravaganza: Spend time in the kitchen baking festive treats, sharing laughter and deliciousness.
• Christmas Carol Karaoke: Sing your heart out to your favourite holiday tunes, whether you're in tune or not!
• Gratitude Tree: Create a "Gratitude Tree" with your family, adding leaves each day with things you're thankful for.

Thank you for embodying REAL Leadership, day in and day out. Your unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in the world does not go unnoticed. Each of you plays a crucial role in shaping a better future, and it's essential to acknowledge the profound difference you make in the lives of those around you.

As advocates for change and champions of REAL Leadership, you have the power to inspire and lead by example. So, as we embrace this festive season and its promise of renewal, remember to prioritize your own well-being, recharge, and emerge even stronger, ready to continue your remarkable journey as leaders who truly make a difference. Together, we can create a brighter, more compassionate world. Thank you for your leadership, and here's to a rejuvenating and joyful Christmas season ahead.

Please share your Christmas experiences and festive discoveries with me on LinkedIn. Let's make this Christmas season a time of genuine rest, rejuvenation, and reconnection, spreading the warmth of REAL Leadership far and wide.

Athluchtaigh Do FíOR Cheannaireacht an Nollaig seo

Tá tionchar dearfach as cuimse ag an Athluchtú. Cuireann sé le do chumas ceannaireachta, cothaíonn sé caidrimh níos láidre, agus músclaíonn sé do chruthaitheacht. Inniu táimid ag breathnú ar cén chaoi le Athluchtú a dhéanamh mar is ceart - agus spraoi a bheith againn ag an am céanna!

Dúirt an scríbhneoir cáiliúil Meiriceánach, Maya Angelou uair amháin, "Tá lá ar shiúl tuillte ag gach duine, nach bhfuil aon fhadhbanna ann, gan aon réiteach a chuardach. Caithfidh gach duine againn tarraingt siar ó na cúramaí nach dtarraingeoidh siar uainn". Sin comhairle críonna do FíOR cheannairí, go háirithe ag an tráth seo bliana.

Agus séasúr na Nollag buailte linn, stopfaimid ar feadh meandar chun meas agus ómós a léiriú do na daoine iontacha a bheidh ag obair, gan stad gan staonadh agus an chuid eile againn dhá ngoradh féin sa teas cois tine faoi Nollaig. Smaoinigh ar na dochtúirí agus na h-altraí cumasacha ag tabhairt dóchais agus leighis, na h-oibrithe dóiteáin chróga, mo chomhghleacaithe craolacháin ag soláthar uaireanta siamsaíochta scáileán gan stad, na foirne fáilteachais agus miondíola a chinntíonn go gcomhlíontar ár mianta ar fad, agus na hoibrithe eile, atá ina laochra aimsir saoire, ag freastal orainn ar fad, gan aon ghaisce á dhéanamh faoi.

Ba ghearr le rollchóstóir é an bhliain seo caite, le dúshláin a bhain as ár gcompord muid agus a thástáil an teacht aniar atá ionann ar bhealaigh nár deineadh cheana riamh. ?Mar gheall ar choinbhleachtaí idirnáisiúnta, na hiarmhairtí ón bpaindéim dhomhanda, an ghéarchéim aeráide, corraíl eacnamaíoch, agus athruithe sochaíocha, tá athrú agus suaitheadh tarlaithe, nach bhfacthas a leithéid riamh cheana. Táimid thar a bheith airdeallach ag an am seo ar chásanna na ndaoine go léir a bhfuil a saol athraithe ó bhonn mar thoradh air agus guímid go dtiocfaidh síocháin, meas agus comhbhá in áit an fhuath, an tsaint agus an éadulaingt a bhí le mothú chomh forleathan sin le tamall anuas.

Cé nach féidir linn ach a shamhlú an chaoi a bhfuil na daoine eile sin ag fulaingt agus go mbreathnaíonn ár gcuid fadhbanna chomh neamhshuntasach i gcomparáid leo, tá na dúshláin seo agus dúshláin eile nach iad, tar éis cur as d’ár bhfolláine chomhchoiteann go léir, rud a fhágann go leor againn traochta, lagmhisniúil agus gá againn le sólás chomh maith.

Tá sé tábhachtach do FíOR cheannairí machnamh a dhéanamh ar na cúiseanna a mbíonn tionchar chomh mór sin ag amanna mar seo orainn go léir:

• An éiginnteacht a bhaineann leis: Fágann guagacht ár linne go n-airíonn muid ar nós go bhfuilimid ag dul trí stoirm gheimhridh gan again ach amharc theoranta. Bíonn duine spíonta ag déanamh cinntí le léargas doiléir.
• Tuile Eolais: Bíonn sé deacair muid féin a dhínascadh de bharr luas agus líon na faisnéise atá ag teacht chugainn, sruth leanúnach na nuachta diúltaí, chomh maith leis na tascanna agus na bhfreagrachtaí uile atá againn, rud a fhágann go mbíonn muid ar an airdeall i gcónaí.
• Easpa Teorainneacha Idir Obair agus Baile: Tá an chianobair tar éis na teorainn idir ár saol gairmiúil agus pearsanta a mhaolú, rud a fhágann go mbíonn sé dúshlánach dúinn mhúchadh go meabhrach agus go mothúchánach, go háirithe le linn séasúir saoire mar seo.
• Rince Síoraí na Solúbthachta: Bhí orainn a bheith ag athrú agus ag athmhachnamh de shíor, mar a bheadh scátálaí ar oighir ag cóiriú a gcuid gluaiseachtaí de réir mar a bíonn siad ag luascadh anonn is anall. Is féidir leis an síor-athrú leanúnach seo tú a fhágáil suaite.
• Brú an Aonrú: De bharr an scaradh fisiciúil ó chomhghleacaithe, ó chairde agus ó dhaoine muinteartha a chleacht daoine le tamall de bhlianta, d’airigh siad uathu an teagmháil daonna. Tá an t-aonrú seo tar éis tionchar mothúchánach ollmhór a imirt ar dhaoine.

Mar sin, nuair a fheicimid cé chomh suaite agus chomh corraitheach is atá an saol, is féidir linn tuiscint níos fearr a? bheith againn ar cén fáth gur gá do FíOR cheannairí cosúil linne am a ghlacadh chun athluchtú a dhéanamh, go háirithe le linn séasúr draíochta seo na Nollag. Tá cáil orainn mar gheall ar ár cumas chun daoine a spreagadh gan staonadh agus as ár dtiomantas diongbháilte chun difríocht a dhéanamh. Mar sin féin, ní mór fiú do na ceannairí is eisceachtúla, am a ghlacadh chun scíth a ligean, machnamh a dhéanamh, agus athnuachan. Ní comhartha laige é; is léiriú é ar ár dtiomantas don rath agus teacht aniar fadtéarmach.

An Creat REST

Seo dhaoibh an creat REST– treoirphlean don athluchtú Nollaig, atá tuillte go maith agat:

• R - Athluchtú Fiseolaíoch agus Fisiciúil: Teastaíonn scíth ó do chorp chun feidhmiú go sármhaith. Tabhair tosaíocht don chodladh, coinnigh sceideal codlata rialta, agus téigh i mbun gníomhaíochtaí fisiciúla a thaitníonn leat, bíodh sin ina shiúlóidí fuinniúla, snámh sciopaí geimhridh, gníomhaíochtaí aclaíochta taitneamhacha, nó roinnt íoga réidh. I measc na mbuntáistí a bheidh ann tá leibhéil fuinnimh feabhsaithe, fócas géaraithe, agus sláinte fhisiciúil níos fearr.
• E - Athluchtú Mhothúchánach: Is féidir le duine fáil dóite amach mar thoradh ar ídiú mhothúchánach. Déan aireachas agus machnamh a chleachtadh chun strus a bhainistiú, mar cothaíonn sé teacht aniar mhothúchánach agus soiléireacht intinne. Tóg am chun scríobh, athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar chúrsaí, nó an leabhar spreagúil sin a raibh tú ag féachaint air, a léamh. Is am machnaimh agus síochána inmheánach í an Nollaig – glac leis.
• S - Athluchtú Sóisialta: Is féidir an-sásamh a bhaint as an gcaidreamh sóisialta faoi Nollaig. Cothaigh do chaidrimh le daoine muinteartha agus déan athcheangal le daoine atá tábhachtach duit lasmuigh den obair. Caith am speisialta le baill teaghlaigh agus le cairde agus déanaigí gníomhaíochtaí grúpa le chéile a mbaineann sibh sult astu agus a chothaíonn an caidreamh eadraibh. Déan neart gáire, cas amhráin agus buail cos air. Nuair a neartaítear do chaidrimh sóisialta le linn na Nollag, bíonn muintearas agus cothromaíocht mhothúchánach le brath.
• T - Athluchtú Spioradálta: Aimsigh cuspóir, brí, agus deiseanna fáis pearsanta lasmuigh de do shaol gairmiúil. Ar do bhealach sainiúil féin, ceangail le réaltacht atá níos mó ná tú féin. Bain triail as caitheamh aimsire eile, ábhar suime nua, nó obair dheonach ar son cúis a luíonn le do luachanna pearsanta. Cothaíonn an chéim seo fás pearsanta, tuiscint ar chuspóir do shaol, agus sástacht inmheánach, go háirithe le linn séasúr na Nollaig.

?

Ach ansin, nuair a bheidh triail bainte agat as cuid de na moltaí seo ón gcreat REST, cén chaoi ?a mbeidh a fhios agat go bhfuil tú athluchtaithe? Bí ag faire amach do chomharthaí ar nós:

• Mothú athnuachan fisiciúil, scíth ligthe, agus tú lán de spiorad na Nollag.
• Soiléireacht mheabhrach agus an cumas ionat chun sult a bhaint as an am i láthair.
• Cothromaíocht Mhothúchánach. Ag aireachtáil leibhéil strus laghdaithe agus sásamh saoire méadaithe.
• Mothú sástachta níos treise agus nasc níos láidre le draíocht na Nollag.

Má airíonn tú go bhfuil cuid acu seo, nó iad go léir ag tarlú, tá tú ar an mbóthar ceart!

Mar FíOR Cheannairí, tá raidhse cúiseanna againn a bheith thar a bheith buíoch. Ar an gcéad dul síos, is féidir linn a bheith buíoch as an deis chun athrú a threorú agus a spreagadh, pribhléid a ligeann dúinn tionchar dearfach a imirt ar shaol daoine eile. Táimid buíoch dár bhfoirne agus dár gcomhghleacaithe tiomanta, a spreagann a dtacaíocht agus a spiorad comhoibritheach muid, chun barrfeabhais. Is bronntanais luachmhara iad muinín agus meas ár bpiaraí, ár gcliant agus ár bpobal, a spreagann ár dturas. Ina theannta sin, is féidir linn buíochas a ghabháil as na dúshláin atá sáraithe againn, mar gur mhúnlaigh siad an teacht aniar atá ionainn agus ár n-inniúlacht, rud a fhágann go gur ceannairí níos éifeachtaí fós muid. Bímis buíoch freisin as na ceachtanna atá foghlamtha againn ar an mbealach, mar léirigh siad ár scileanna agus tá ár ndearcthaí leathnaithe acu. Sa séasúr buíochais seo, bímís buíoch as na bronntanais seo, as an bhfhorbairt atá ag tarlú agus muid ar ár mile dícheall chun ceannaireacht a thabhairt, atá lán le barántúlacht agus le brí.

Mar a bhfuil dóthain ábhar machnamh duit sa mhéid atá ráite go dtí seo, seo roinnt moltaí, inspioráideacha athluchtaithe eile do na FíOR cheannairí ar fad atá dhá léamh seo:

Siúlóid Soilse na Nollag: Téigh ag spaisteoireacht trí do bhaile chun taitneamh a bhaint as na maisiúcháin saoire.

• Maratón Scannán Saoire: Eagraigh oíche scannán Nollag le do mhuintir, le cócó te agus blaincéidí compordacha.
• Babhta Bríomhar Bácála: Caithigí am sa chistin le chéile, ag réiteach blaisíní deasa don fhéile, agus sibh ag roinnt gáire agus bia blasta.
• Karaoke Carúil na Nollag: Casaigí amach na foinn saoire is fearr libh, bíodh sibh i dtiúin nó ná bíodh!
• Crann Buíochais: Cruthaigh "Crann Buíochais" le do theaghlach, ag cur duilleoga air gach lá chun na rudaí a bhfuil sibh buíoch astu a léiriú.

Go raibh maith agat as a bheith i do FíOR cheannaire. Tugtar faoi deara do thiomantas chun tionchar dearfach a imirt sa saol. Tá ról ríthábhachtach ag gach duine agaibh maidir le todhchaí níos fearr a mhúnlú, agus tá sé riachtanach aitheantas a thabhairt don difríocht mhór a dhéanann tú i saol na ndaoine timpeall ort.

Mar dhuine atá ag iarraidh an FíOR cheannaireacht a chuir chun cinn, tá sé de chumhacht agat dea-shampla a thabhairt agus ceannairí eile a spreagadh. Mar sin, agus muid ag baint sult as séasúr seo na Nollaig agus a ghealltanas athnuachana, cuimhnigh tús áite a thabhairt do d'fholláine féin, déan athluchtú, agus tiocfaidh tú chun cinn níos láidre fós, réidh chun leanúint ar aghaidh ar do thuras iontach, mar cheannaire a dhéanann FíOR difríocht. Le chéile, is féidir linn domhan atá níos dóchasaí agus níos tuisceanaí a chruthú. Go raibh maith agat as do cheannaireacht, agus bíodh Nollaig mhór, mhaith, lán luacháir agus athnuachana agat.

Ba bhreá liom dá roinnfá do scéalta foghlamtha agus fáis Nollaig liom ar LinkedIn. Déanaimis cinnte gur séasúr sosa, athnuachana, agus athcheangail é an Nollag seo, i ndáiríre, ag scaipeadh ionspioráid na FíOR ceannaireachta I bhfad agus i gcéin.