Many leaders try to separate their career from family, community and self-care, believing it’s the best approach. While their intentions may be good, this compartmentalization often results in neglecting important areas of their lives. Over time, it can lead to burnout, strained relationships and reduced effectiveness.
What if you were to weave together all the aspects of your life rather than try to keep them separate? That’s what holistic leadership entails. It isn’t about achieving perfect balance but about recognizing that your life consists of many different roles, responsibilities and interests.
A post on the Center for Creative Leadership blog highlights how anyone can become a more holistic leader by weaving together 4 key factors of their lives: self, family, career and community. We share the post in this issue of PromoPro Daily.
Define how you currently devote your energy and attention. The post advises sketching a picture of a button and drawing in 4 buttonholes proportional to your time and attention. What would that look like? Are you supporting your self-care and spending your time in ways that matter to you? The post says you shouldn’t overlook your mental energy, which fuels your motivation, drive and enthusiasm to live a full life.
Ask yourself how you want to allocate your energy in the future. In 2 or 3 years, your buttonholes will likely have different proportions. As your life evolves, your priorities shift, the post says. Set achievable goals now that align with your values. For example, in your career, what’s 1 thing you can do to increase your positive impact? In your family life, what’s 1 thing you can do to support or honor a loved one?
Determine the adjustments required to make appropriate shifts. In terms of balancing well-being and leadership, you give life to what you give energy to, the post says. It’s crucial to be intentional about how you spend your time. This gives you a sense of control and ensures you’re living your life in a way that matches your values.
When you embrace holistic leadership, you can shift from a focused leader at work to a supportive family member, an engaged community member and someone who prioritizes their own well-being. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, you’ll likely find that every area of your life is enriched and more fulfilling.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: A blog from the Center for Creative Leadership, a nonprofit provider of leadership development.
