Three selves' leadership - self-care, self-compassion, and self-awareness

To handle future challenges, each of these areas of self-investment is vital. Pandemic was one shock. There will be multiple aftershocks and new shocks as the world transitions to sustainability, deals with inequality, use cryptocurrencies, handles threats to democracy, deals with the decline in trust and adjusts to the impact of AI and automation.

The future is looking increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous.

As our organisations' struggle and strain to deal with these tectonic forces, we need to make sure that our bodies and minds are flexible and able to bend rather than resist. Individuals and organisations who armour themselves and resist change are likely to suffer. So, we need to make sure that we are maintaining our energy levels, being agile and putting care into our roles (but not too much).?

Work hard and be energised at work but as best you can detach from the outcomes of your time and energy investment. In the months and years to come, we will often reflect on spending time on projects that ultimately went nowhere.?

It may feel that our organisations are at the point of breakdown as they try to pivot to face these challenges. We must ensure that the people in those organisations don't break.

Self-care?means to ensure that our energy levels, focus, friend and family time, passions, hobbies, sports and fitness are maintained even when work is at its most challenging.

Self-compassion?means developing a mindful approach to our inner self-talk. Many people at work experience imposter syndrome, doubt, and loneliness in their roles.??Self-compassion means gently nurturing this self-talk and remembering our shared humanity.??Many of us struggle with these or similar internal challenges, and reaching out to family, friends, colleagues, and coaches for support is vital.

Self-awareness?is what we all need to develop more at work. It's the knowledge that our own emotional and physical state impacts how we communicate, collaborate, lead, convince and make decisions.

Each of these three areas is holistically connected with each other. The well-rested and energised leader, who also has an optimistic mindset, can better regulate their own emotions, express themselves well, and make balanced and thoughtful decisions for the good of themselves, their team, the organisation, and their family.?

Balancing these competing demands on our attention requires energy, vitality and mindfulness. And it requires that we put ourselves first when it comes to self-care and self-compassion. This is not greedy self-indulgence. It is about being the best we can be for the people we work with, our families and our friends.?

One of our programs is in North Queensland with the Townsville Business Women's Circle. To join this program, or to join our other programs, please contact us to find out more.