Serious leaders know self-care is essential.

A question I’m asked by managers and leaders who approach me is...?

"Why don’t you do DEI like the other professionals in your field?"?

"Why aren’t you talking about racism or giving a rundown on why white privilege is the reason for everyone's misery?"

And while I don’t discredit anyone’s DEI practices or these questions. I prefer to practice with my expertise in human behaviour and organisational development.

And one thing that every organisation and human being within them has in common is that much more profound things are going on below the surface, and so, that's where I prefer to dig.?

I want to know how each person in the team takes care of themselves.

Because once I realised how crucial self-care really is for managing stress, burnout,?

conflict, introverts, extroverts, loud people, quiet people And the rest.

Everything changed.

I realise no equitable or inclusive decisions are ever made when you’re running on empty.?

While it seems cheesy talking about self-care in professional settings, without connecting with how you’re feeling, are you able to sufficiently connect with what other people are feeling or experiencing?

It seems bizarre that managers and leaders spend so much time and money trying to create the best work culture and debate well-being and inclusion practices only to make their well-being the lowest priority.

Everything starts with self-care.

It sounds too simple; I know.?

But managing people takes energy (if you’re doing it right), and that energy comes from making sure your needs are met before figuring out why someone else's needs aren’t.?

And with stress, anxiety and burnout affecting so many of us, it’s just good sense for managers and leaders to role model prioritising wellbeing.?

Because a manager who can’t:?

???? Say no

???? Create boundaries

???? Take a break

???? Figure out what’s irking them

will find managing all the variations that people come in even more exhausting?

… And they will create a team and environment that reflects how they feel rather than how they wish it could be.

The Self-Care Experience...

I’m running the first Cultured Insights Self-Care Experience.

It’s for people who manage people.?

You’ll get 21 daily activities to complete each day to help you embed self-care into your workday and me as your digital work bestie, keeping you accountable for prioritising your wellbeing.

And...

No lengthy two-hour long webinars because who needs another one of those?

I’m keeping this experience reasonably small so reserve your spot today .

About the Author         

Dannique Blake has been creating work cultures where people belong for over 16 years.

As the Founder of Cultured Insights , she collaborates with scaling businesses startup brands to develop robust employee processes, inclusive procedures, strong workplace cultures and practices.

Dannique has helped organisations build the foundation for workplace diversity and inclusion initiatives to be executed well.