Well-Being & Leadership: A Magic Boost?

Good leaders motivate their teams by creating a positive work environment that fosters creativity, innovation, and growth. They provide their team members with the tools and resources they need to be successful and recognize their achievements and contributions.They instill confidence in their team members by leading by example and being accountable for their actions. They are transparent and honest in their communication and create a culture of trust and respect within their organization. Here are five ways to achieve this.

Recognition

Good leaders recognize their team members’ achievements and contributions and celebrate their successes.

Support

Good leaders provide their team members with the support they need to be successful, whether it’s through training, mentorship or other resources.

Feedback

Good leaders provide constructive feedback to their team members to help them improve and grow.

Trust

Good leaders create a culture of trust and respect within their organization by being transparent and honest in their communication.

Empowerment

Good leaders empower their team members to take ownership of their work and make decisions that support the organization’s goals. A study by Harvard Business Review found that companies with effective leadership were 900% more likely to have engaged employees than those without. To become a great leader, seek out opportunities to develop and hone these essential qualities. Through refinement, continuous learning, self-reflection and practice, individuals can become successful leaders who inspire and empower their teams to flourish.

How Wellbeing Boosts Leadership

As a health and wellness coach and certified fitness instructor, I have firsthand experience in how prioritizing self-care can elevate leadership abilities and the profound impact that maintaining wellbeing has on our capacity to lead effectively.

Strengthened Cognitive Abilities

One of the cornerstones of effective leadership lies in our ability to make informed decisions and think critically. Remarkably, maintaining wellbeing significantly enhances these cognitive capabilities. Employees who engage in regular physical activity witness an incredible 22% increase in their ability to make complex decisions compared to their sedentary counterparts. Exercise serves as an elixir for our minds, boosting cognitive function, increasing focus and creativity and improving problem-solving skills. As leaders, we must carve out time for physical activity to reap these cognitive benefits. Whether it’s a brisk walk, a yoga class or a cycling session, every form of movement fuels our mental agility, empowering us to make sound decisions even under pressure.

Cultivated Resilience and Effective Stress Management

In the fast-paced business world, stress and challenges are inevitable. However, how we manage and respond to these pressures shapes our effectiveness as leaders. Maintaining wellbeing plays a pivotal role in cultivating resilience and effective stress management. Workers who exercise are 33% less stressed and 46% better at dealing with stress. Exercise triggers the release of endorphins, our brain’s natural “feel-good” neurotransmitters, helping combat stress and promoting overall mental wellbeing. An article in the Harvard Business Review emphasized the importance of self-care and stress reduction in leadership development. Leaders who prioritize self-care, including regular exercise, quality sleep and relaxation techniques, experience a higher level of emotional intelligence, better stress resilience and improved problem-solving abilities.

Read in full:  Balancing Act: Maintaining Well-Being Elevates Your Leadership Potential – written exclusively for WhatTheyThink*

*Requires membership