Does Everything Rest on the Shoulders of the Leader?

DOES EVERYTHING REST ON THE SHOULDERS OF THE LEADER?

Heavy is the head that wears the crown—particularly when leading in unprecedented times such as these. Continued vigilance, strength, and role modeling are essential. But how can leaders refill their own emotional and physical tanks when a crisis appears to have no end in sight? 

As you navigate your team and business through the unfamiliar territory of the COVID-19 pandemic, the following five steps may help you feel more balanced. They may also go a long way toward maintaining your team’s trust to endure the long road that lies ahead.

1. Manage perfectionism. You’ve no doubt heard the maxim, “Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.” Perfectionism can also be your enemy, costing you incalculable deficits in time and energy. To better manage it, try these strategies:

• Be self-aware and acknowledge that you are being a perfectionist. Witness your negative self-talk.
• Face the worst-case scenario.
• Remember to keep the big picture in mind.
• Create a checklist, to-do list, or outline to keep you focused on your objectives so your perfectionist mind doesn’t derail you with ongoing rumination and obsessiveness.¹

2. Protect yourself from stress. Let’s get back to the basics—to the things you know but don’t always practice! Many people have studied, written about, posted, tweeted, and discussed these tips on TV. They may not be news—but they’re invaluable reminders nonetheless.

• Practice mindfulness or incorporate some form of meditation.²
• Stay on a regular schedule. Even though you may be working from home, it helps to keep a discipline as you do when commuting to work. For example, get up and go to bed at the same time each day—as often as you can.
• Eat well and feed your brain and body with nutritious food.
• Exercise regularly—whether it’s walking, yoga, running, or lifting weights. If you’re a gym rat, find substitutes. Just don’t give up. If you’re not in the habit of exercising, this is an ideal time to start—it may really help you through these stressful times. (And, remember Tip #1: You don’t have to do it perfectly.)

3. Establish realistic goals. Remember SMART goal setting?  Again, it’s back to the basics. SMART goal setting will help you avoid unclear, unrealistic goals or ones that can’t be held accountable for completion. Although you may need to pivot and expand or change your goals over time, these SMART guidelines are timeless:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Attainable (but challenging)
• Relevant (or relatable)
• Time bound (and accountable)

4. Strong leaders delegate and they are clear about the results they need. They know how to ask for help and to entrust team members with key business objectives and projects. What are the steps to delegation that can ease the load of the Leadership Crown? Start here:

• Explain the “why.”
• Provide guidance on the “how.”
• Be clear on the “what.”
• Provide authority and support.
• Create measurable benchmarks.

5. Communicate well. The power of communication cannot be overestimated. Great leaders are great communicators. They communicate with transparency, authenticity, congruency, and confidence. They don’t necessarily have to be inspiring orators, but they must be clear, trustworthy, and humane. They convey that life matters, that we are all humans with lives outside of work—and with a wide range of emotions and needs.
   
   What does this all have to do with stress and your communication style as a leader? When employees know that a leader respects them and is transparent and trustworthy, they will work with you—alongside you—and not just robotically jump through hoops.

Being a leader is a great responsibility and an honor. The five steps above may be basic, but they form a critical foundation for leaders during a time of crisis. Without emotional, physical, and mental health, your “infrastructure” can crumble. These strengths are as important to your leadership as the other skill set and unique talents you’ve brought to your business.  Managing perfectionism, protecting yourself from stress, establishing realistic yet challenging goals, delegating, and communicating with integrity will all help you better wear that heavy crown in the months and years ahead.

In conclusion, I would like to add one more powerful practice—one that always brings me joy and alleviates stress: It’s the practice of gratitude. At any moment, I can genuinely evoke a sense of gratitude for something. Breathing into a moment of gratitude for the simplest thing can be grounding and expansive at the same time. Are you ready to become a Grateful Leader?

Thank you for stopping by.  Lead well.  Renee

Sources

• Harvard Business Review: “How to Manage Your Perfectionism.” Available at: https://hbr.org/2019/04/how-to-manage-your-perfectionism.
• Harvard Medical School: “Protect your brain from stress.” Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/protect-your-brain-from-stress.