Path to Leadership

I have been sitting here all day trying to write and still have no real direction. The one thought that keeps coming to mind is how our lives impact leadership. Leadership in the sense of leading others. My prior posts have been about life in general and how to make strides in your personal life. The question becomes how does that relate to leadership? That is a great question.

To answer there are many facets of leadership and the most important aspect in leading is leading one’s personal life. Take for instance a home remodeler. They do fantastic work on their projects and some of their work can lasts decades; however, if you go to their home it needs a lot of work. These men and women put all of themselves into their craft on others; however, have no energy to do it for themselves. Now, take that thought and think about leaders in other organizations. They lead and some do a fantastic job; however, if you look at their personal life it is in shambles. They lead and make major decisions everyday and yet some of the simplest decisions outside of work can seem huge due to all their energy and focus has been at work.

I am a proponent that though these individuals seem like they are winning on the outside they are actually losing in life. There are the mantras of work-life balance and yet here in the United States we seem to work more to achieve success and yet we have high divorce rates, suicides, anger, hatred, depression, anxiety, and so much more. The reason I have focused on life before diving into the theories on leadership and other things that can impact an organization is that we need to be healthy outside of any leadership role.

Now think about this. If a leader, regardless of title, is healthy and able to fire on all cylinders and are healthy personally what kind of impact will they have on their families, friends, community, and organizations? The ripple effect can be felt for generations to come. I can imagine the impact that we can have on the world and eternal impacts these decisions will make. Emotional Intelligence, a healthy and secure life, and so much more impact leadership more than just how you lead your teams.

I am a man that believes in faith and the spiritual side of life. Outside of taking time to enjoy family, friends, hobbies, vacationing, and keeping your body healthy, there is so much more. You must take time to recharge your soul. I know many people do not hold my beliefs; however, there is something about taking time to rejuvenate this part of your life. Some will say this is your emotional aspects of life and that is part of it. But have you ever though my job is soul crushing or I just feel off and don’t know why. Some of this can be resolved by taking time to just be. Take a sabbatical and head to the ocean or mountains. Do something that fills you up. Whatever that means or whatever your faith is do that. I am just saying take care of your whole person so when the time comes you will be ready to lead.

To those that are leaders currently. I encourage you to pursue your balance. Make sure you are unplugging from work. Turn off the phone, shutdown the computer, and spend time with those that matter most. Jobs and positions come and go. Money is fleeting. What is not is your health, family, children and spouse if you have them, friends, moments, memories. In the end, you may be remembered for what you give society; however, what matters most is those that you leave behind and the impact negative or positive you have had on them. We all make mistakes; and as current leader realize that you are not infallible and you are not superhuman. Do your family, team, and most importantly yourself be healthy body, mind and soul.

We are all leaders as we have to lead our own lives daily. Let us take care of ourselves first and taking care and leading others will be the natural outflow of this healthy life. Please feel free to comment and share on this post or any others that you have used. I love to hear feed back and thoughts.

Be Bold! Be Courageous! Be Fearless!

Joel