Wellness: The Often-Ignored Key to Sustainable Leadership

What does it really take to lead at your best day in, day out? My friend, a fast-rising executive, once boasted he could “thrive on four hours of sleep” and still power through early-morning workouts and late-night strategy sessions. It seemed impressive—until he hit a wall. Missing deadlines, lashing out at his team, and feeling constantly on edge, he realized the hard way that true leadership depends on more than drive and ambition. It depends on well-being.

This story hits at the heart of sustainable leadership: self-care. In the rush to achieve big goals, it’s easy to neglect the basics—sleep, nutrition, exercise, emotional well-being, and strong relationships. Leaders who skip these are like marathon runners forgetting to hydrate. They might run fast initially, but eventually, they’ll stumble.

Ask yourself:

• Are you getting enough sleep? Lack of rest will rob you of clarity and resilience.
• How’s your nutrition? Skipping meals or fueling up on junk leaves you sluggish.
• Are you making time for exercise? Even a quick walk can refocus your mind.
• Do you nurture key relationships? Emotional support is vital when challenges arise.
• Are you managing stress? Techniques like deep breathing or mindfulness can keep you centered.
• Do you have an accountability partner? Social support raises the odds you’ll stick to your self-care habits.

So, leader, here’s the tough question: Are you treating self-care as an optional “nice to have,” or the essential foundation for effective leadership?

Just like a well-tuned car, your body and mind need regular maintenance. Rather than viewing self-care as a distraction, see it as an investment in your ability to guide others. When you prioritize your own wellness, you’ll bring sharper focus, steadier emotions, and renewed energy to your team.

Remember, leadership isn’t a sprint—it’s a long-distance run. By embracing wellness, you equip yourself and those you lead with the stability and strength to go the distance.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Episode 23 – Beer And Small Business Leadership: Why Culture Matters With Scott Hoffman

In my latest Eagle’s Insight podcast episode, I interview Scott Hoffman, a former Army officer and corporate leader who is now the owner of Ono Brewing Company. Ono Brewing Company is a self-serve craft brewery in Northern Virginia with a tropical atmosphere. Scott shares his journey from his military and engineering background to becoming a successful brewery owner.

Key Takeaways:

• Scott faced skepticism and challenges when starting his brewery, including being told it was impossible to succeed.
• Building a strong culture within the business was key to Scott’s success.
• Starting a business requires a different kind of courage than military service and there is an emotional component to risk-taking when it involves one’s family and life savings.

Quotes from Scott Hoffman in this episode:

“…with experience, you get confidence. So I’m like, okay, I can do that, you know, as project, I can do that, like lay out a schedule.”

“…we always knew we were doing the right thing. We really did, we knew that it just took time and we told ourselves we’ve got a good thing, we’re gonna figure this out.”

“At the end of the day, that’s not something I thrive on. I don’t care how I get to that endpoint. If I have to rely on multiple people or call, I just want to get to the endpoint, then it doesn’t matter to me how I get there.”

Resources Mentioned:

• Website:?https://onobrewco.com/
• Facebook:?https://www.facebook.com/onobrewco?
• LinkedIn:?Bob Dixon
• Email:?[email protected]?