Effective leadership begins with you. Think of it this way: As a parent, you have to be able to take care of yourself in order to take care of your kids. The same is true of your company and its employees. You must find ways to step away from the business every day to accomplish this goal, especially the “noise” that keeps you awake at night. What do you do that takes care of just you? Getting your daily dose of self-care is an important step in focusing on the things we need to manage in our own world.
This is just one of 10 habits all great leaders seem to have in common. From being productive to creating a better work-life balance, leaders know it’s important to prioritize these items so they can be the type of business owner, manager and colleague that they want to be. Review these steps and think about how you can incorporate them into your daily work life.
1. Get up from your desk – Take a walk around and unplug. If you can, go outside and get walk outside. Vitamin D and unplugging – good stuff.
2. Do something just for you – Self-care is important in maintaining balance.
3. Connect with someone – Whether it’s another business owner, an employee or an old friend, regular lunch or coffee dates help you stay connected.
4. Make time to exercise – Great leaders know that exercise fuels excellence. Make it as important as any other appointment, and have fun with it!
5. Get enough sleep – We’re not all lucky enough to get 8 hours, but getting at least 6 hours will improve all aspects of your life. The more the better (sleep isn’t overrated).
6. Delegate tasks – You’ve hired great people…let them help you take your business to the next level.
7. Keep learning – Pick up a new book, read a blog or drop into a webinar to keep your skills sharp.
8. Teach others – Great leaders share their knowledge, so don’t hesitate to be a mentor.
9. Set measurable goals – Try to quantify what you do so you can easily measure success. If you don’t measure it, you can’t track it.
10. Check it off – Nothing feels as good as marking something off your list, so make the simple habit of making a to-do list a daily task.
All good things come from great leadership. For more tips and ways to grow as a leader, let’s talk.
By Blair Koch
