SOLITUDE IS A LEADERSHIP ESSENTIAL

Every leader is expected to make decisions and navigate their team or organisation through periods of challenge and adversity.

In order to do that effectively we need to embrace solitude. It is a leadership essential!

Digital technology has brought a plethora of benefits but one of its biggest downsides is we are always connected to work calls, emails, texts or to social media apps and news websites.

That continual stream of stimuli deprives us of our ability to reflect, or to process what we are currently dealing with. Before we can allow ourselves to reflect, PING, the next notification alert or phone call summons our attention.

24/ 7 connectivity also robs us of the space to tap into our creativity and bring new ideas to the fore.

Why is it that so many of us have great ideas, or solutions to ongoing problems while we are in the shower?

Solitude is the answer. The shower is one of the few places we do not take our smart phones and so we have time to think.

One of my passions is golf and I find solitude playing as dawn breaks. I discover some of my best ideas and solutions during these times.

The simple question I want to raise with this article is are you embracing solitude on a regular basis?

I appreciate we all wear multiple hats professionally as leaders and personally as partners, parents, friends, sons, daughters etc. It can be easy to say "I do not have the time."

I would argue we cannot afford not to make the time. Solitude allows us to find solutions to our challenges more quickly. It allows us to retain perspective, process and release stress. Finally it gives us space to invite new ideas into our minds.

All of which will allow us to lead with more impact, improve our performance and enhance our fulfilment.

We have a mantra at The Lonely Leader that quality leadership on the outside must always start within. Solitude is a critical first step to that process.

As the community within The Lonely Leader continues grow I continue to welcome and thank you for your feedback. Your insights help us shape the content and insights we provide to support you on your personal journey of growth and development.

In that spirit do please let me know via LinkedIn DM how you practice solitude and the positive outcomes it has yielded you.

If you are interested in discovering more of my Leadership Essentials you can find them within the blog section of our website.

https://www.thelonelyleader.co.uk/post/leadership-essentials-series-tip-one