However, great leaders know that they must prioritize themselves and their own growth so that in the long-term, they continue to improve as a leader without burning out. If a company is growing, like Own It is, I have to grow with and keep getting better, otherwise the business will outgrow me. Like a great relationship, you have to grow together. We can’t help others if we don’t help ourselves first.
In a company culture, the way the leader works and lives will inevitably filter to the rest of the team. At Own It, we preach the importance of balance and health, and how that ultimately best supports high performance. As a leader of the company, I need to embody that, otherwise we’ll lose track of our values.
In addition to leading by example, this allows us to show up as our best version for those we lead: our business, team, family, partner, and more. In the short-term that might mean working fewer hours and getting a bit less done, but in the long-term it allows us to sustain our high performance.
What does it look like to lead yourself?
It can look differently to everybody. For me, it means I do not miss workouts and I do not slack off on sleep. It means I respect my screen curfew times so I’m away from work the last few hours of my day. It means taking quarterly vacations where I’m completely away from the business for a few days.
For you, it may look differently. If you love concerts for example, and they really feed your soul and provide you the energy to show up in the best way you can, it might mean twice a year you fly to see your favorite band. Maybe it includes your weekly sauna session, Tuesday night date night with your partner, or something completely different.
What does it look like for you to lead yourself?
The next time you sit down to journal (maybe journaling is one of those sacred practices for you), think about this question. Write out your ideas. Then, make a plan to implement them. Put them on your calendar, let your team know, and encourage them to do the same. In the long-term, this will allow you to best serve your team, your business, and the people you’re working so hard to serve.
Photo Credit Bruce Mars